RE: [Harp-L] harmonica mics

["steve"<mudharp@xxxxxxxxxx>]

It all depends on what kind of grind, crunch, booming low end, clean tone or overall loudness you desire.  There are combinations you can get with certain elements and certain combinations you can't get with that same element.  Then there are elements that just plain stink whether it be CM's, crystals, dynamics or condensers.  Generally, almost all White and Black Label CR's are hot, but may lack some low end.  Although, if you're using an amp with real big low end then you should focus on an element that has hot and bright output providing that's what you're looking for.  If you have an amp with great overdriven tones then I'd stick with a thick toned dynamic, but which one?

(That being said, I've just made another custom mic for Hohner Endorsee, Mike Wesolowski, using a mid rangey 99A86 CM and I did a mod to the element that's been resonating in my think tank for some time now.  I thought this thing sounded very thick and hot for a CM and when AB'n it through the kinda thin toned 50's Magnatone I liked it. 
When he received it he couldn't believe a CM could be this hot and thick and said it was the hottest thing he owns now.)

Now we can add the type of magnet being used: is it Alnico V or is it Neodymium and with dynamic elements this makes a difference.  Is the coil tight, which requires a very tight cup for maximum drive and output or is it responsive that requires less cupping pressure for thick tone?

Whatever tone you dig then go for it.
steve
www.thunderharpmics.com 

 --- On Mon 01/08,  < james.french@xxxxxxxxx > wrote:
From:  [mailto: james.french@xxxxxxxxx]
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 02:34:17 +0000
Subject: [Harp-L] harmonica mics

I have never used a custom hot rod mic but have used green bullets and found <br>them muddy and almost atonal. I used a sm 58 for a long time and liked it. I <br>was fascinated with the idea of a ring mic so I bought a Harmonica Honker mic <br>and have used nothing else since. It doesn't color the sound even though it <br>has some kind of high end roll off (I guess thats what the clean-dirty pot <br>is). I keep the setting on clean as possible. The hand effects are quite <br>dynamic and its just more fun to play without holding a mic. Are the custom <br>mics worth it ? What is their advantage?<br>                          keep turning blue,<br>                            Jim French<br>_______________________________________________<br>Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org<br>Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx<br>http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l<br>

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