[Harp-L] Re: Crystal mic element in a vacuum (was which mic to buy)

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe moisture isn't itself the culprit - I believe it simply  
slowly breaks down the molecular bonds within the crystal. This is why  
they get lower and lower in output, and eventually crumble into  
powder. Removing the moisture doesn't "heal" these bonds - the damage  
is done. Crystals simply absorb moisture over their lifetime and it  
weakens them. Too bad!

/Greg

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> From: BluzeHarp@xxxxxxx
> Date: February 25, 2011 10:06:13 PM PST
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Crystal mic element in a vacuum (was which mic  
> to buy)
>
>
> In a message dated 2/25/2011 11:10:20 A.M. Mountain Standard  Time,  
> Vern
> writes:
> I don't know much about crystal mics but from the posts about them   
> they
> seem to be some kind of hygroscopic salt.   Would subjecting a   
> degraded
> crystal to a vacuum restore its "zorch?" ...
>
> Vern, I've tried that (38 year refrigeration background).   I've  
> been able
> to moderately improve output  on a couple weak elements, most weak  
> ones
> didn't  improve at all.  Full 'zorch' was never restored.  One  weak  
> specimin
> died!  I'd say less than 10% of the  weakened elements are  
> candidates, but, my
> sample size was much too  small to draw any definite conclusions.   
> Zero
> dead elements  came back to life.

...<SNIP>