Re: [Harp-L] Crystal Microphone Element

["Mike Rogers" <bullfrog9@xxxxxxx>]

I speak from personal experience.  I wasted money on cheap alternatives with 
amps and mics.  But I wasn't satisfied, until I saved up and turned to techs 
in the know, like Greg.  My advice is to bite the bullet and invest in 
quality.  It's well worth it.

Mike
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg Heumann" <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Harp- L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>; "todd allen" <soundguyaudition@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 9:06 PM
Subject: re: [Harp-L] Crystal Microphone Element


Yes, I have tried them. I'll try to be delicate here. They SUCK. That is a 
modern el-cheapo $2 element and it has nothing to offer the harp player. 
There is simply nothing made these days that will reproduce the tone of an 
old crystal, or for that matter an old CR or CM either. That isn't to say 
there aren't some modern mics that are good for harp - the Shure SM57 is a 
very versatile and decent harp mic. But the currently produced crystal 
elements are just plain awful.

/Greg

http://blowsmeaway.com
http://facebook.com/blowsmeawayproductions
http://bluestateband.net




From: todd allen <soundguyaudition@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: February 10, 2012 3:41:44 PM PST
To: harp-L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Crystal Microphone Element
Reply-To: todd allen <soundguyaudition@xxxxxxxxx>


has any here tried a replacement Crystal Microphone Element or any newer 
Crystal Element with any luck?
I am always looking on eBay but there either untested (another word for it 
don't work) or there price is beyond absurd.
here's one listing I was going to try for 15 buck it wouldn't be a huge 
loss.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Astatic-Crystal-Microphone-Element-D-104-Qty-1-/320771285619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aaf756273

Specifications
Size  L  50 mm   W 50 mm  D 16.5 mm
Impedance 9 k ohms
Sensitivity -55 dB