RE: [Harp-L] Need Microphone Help

["Donnie MorTone" <harp_boy@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: "CHARLES BASSI" <jeanchar50@xxxxxxx>
> To: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Need Microphone Help
> Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 13:00:59 -0700
>
> I've got a Green Bullet I bought new in the middle '80's.
> No volume control.  It's labeled "Dual Impedance,"
> but it sounds pretty Lo-Z to me.  Cord running from
> mic has quarter inch input jack for amp.
>
> Does anyone know if:
>
> I could get a 1/4" to 1/4" impedance transformer?  All the ones I've seen
> are XRL to 1/4".  Or would I have to get a 1/4" to XRL adaptor and THEN
> use the XRL to 1/4" impedance transformer (Jeepers!)?
>
> or
>
> If the Green Bullet is truly "dual impedance," can I change it internally 
> from
> LOw-Z to Hi-Z?  Without electrocuting myself?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
>
> Charles

Hi Charles,

A few questions...if I might?

Are you using the mic in a guitar amp...or thru a PA system?

Did the mic used to sound allot stronger...and has it recently lost
some of it's strength? (Since you bought it new in the mid 80's)
Or did it always sound this way?

The model #should be 520D (Mexican) (not a DX)

Since your mic came with a 1/4" jack (which IS high impedance)
I'd guess that the transducer is wired for high already by the cable
it employs.

You could have a bad cord...or a faulty wire at one of the soldering posts
on the tranducer...or a bad 1/4 inch jack or connection.

Have you ever soldered the element yourself for any reason?

One way to know for sure how it's wired is to open it up and take a peek.
Check your connections for anything obvious while you have it open.

The Transducer might have either 3 posts for soldering onto...(there will be
one on one side and two posts on the other side.) Or the more common
2 posts on the element. The 3 post type  is used for impedance switching
from high to low, But most mics that I'm familiar with that utilize the 3 
post
transducers, mostly base microphones, have slide switch on the bottom
of the stand. (As with the Shure 444D dispatch mics) So...I'm guessing
that your transducer is going to be the more common 2 post type.

With the two post type it can still wired for dual impedance. (either/or)
High Imp will use 2 wires and a sheild...(usually to 1/4" Jack)
Low Imp will use 3 wires and a sheild...(usually to XLR Cannon...or other)

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong...
and then we can ALL learn something new...;))

For more info & "THE MAN" when it comes to Green Bullets and
their history...I'd suggest going to http://www.bluesharp.org
for a really informative article by Dave Kott. Just scroll down the
page about 3/4 of the way...and look for the article on the right
called "The Legendary Green Bullet Harp Mic".

Or you can e-mail Dave Kott : grbullets2@xxxxxxx

Dave sez:

"If you have a question concerning a GB mic, I will be happy to help you if 
I can.
I don't claim to know everything about them, but I have gathered quite a bit
of information on them over the years of collecting and research. Feel free 
to
email me anytime with a question or if you're looking for a mic.
I'd be happy to build one for you, or answer your question to the best of my 
ability."

Aloha...& Good Luck! ;))

~Donnie~

MorTone Microphone
http://www.angelfire.com/music4/mortone/index.html

The William Clarke Tribute Site
http://www.angelfire.com/blues/williamclarke/index.html