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Slim Harper
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 Jan-28-03, 03:25 AM (PDT)
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"Mic mods/Favorite mic"
 
   Would anyone like to share what their favorite mic is? And why it is the favorite. ie: tone, ease of holding or cupping,element etc. Or what modifications they like on a mic? I like the 1/4" jack on a mic instead of a hardwired cord. Makes it easier to switch mics when my mics have jack or am using the Switchcraft 332A mic adapter. Thanks,
Slim


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Wharf Rat
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 Jan-28-03, 10:46 AM (PDT)
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1. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   Would love to but I have not yet started playing with a mic, but it is coming soon. Any advice on the right one to get when the time comes??? I was going to start out with a bullet and a little Pig Nose amp... Is this a good idea for a low-budget, but rapidly improving harp player??? Any feedback or info is helpful...
Cheers!
WR


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South Hound
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 Jan-28-03, 03:23 PM (PDT)
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2. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #1
 
   The pignose is a great economic buy for a beginner amp. Good sound, portable, great reviews, durable. You can't beat it for the price. As far as your mic's go all I can recommend is to do your research. Know what type of music you like to play, chicago blues, accoustic, rock etc. Each style of play requires different techniques in playing. Each mic will cater to those techniques. In addition, each mic will sound a bit different with each amp. I would strongly recommend to invest in your mic first (in accordance to your playing style), so that you can take it with you to plug and play when looking for your amp. That way you can hear the difference your mic will have from amp to amp. Keep playing and good luck.

SH


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Slim Jim
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 Feb-06-03, 07:10 PM (PDT)
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3. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   I like the JT-30/Hohner Blues Blaster, and the Shaker Dynamic. I Play mostly Chicago style and both of these fit the bill. I have a favorite home built that is made from a motorcycle bullit tail lite and has an early 70's Shure controlled magnetic from a GE desk mike. It is the same element as a Green Bullit of that time. I set it up with a volume control and a 1/4 inch female jack that is on the bottom. I like to face my inputs down cos I step on the cord alot, this way my mike dosen't bounce off the floor. I also like a on/off switch to help with feedback control. This mike sounds much better than a similar one with a new,recived from Shure two weeks ago, element. I'm not at all impressed with the new stuff, so I'll keep looking for the vintage elements. Hey Wharf Rat, I would suggest that you look at a Danelectro Nifty Fifty amp and a Hohner Blues Blaster mic. The Nifty Fifty sounds great for a solid state amp and will give you the closest to a tube amp sound of all the small low priced amps. It sounds so good and costs so little you can afford to keep and enjoy it forever,even after you step up to a more pro outfit. The Blues Blaster is soon to disappear and you will do yourself well to grab one while you can.It is an Astatic JT-30 and they have quit making the crystal 151 element that is in it. When the current supply is gone than thats it for that mic other than the ceramic version which I am not familiar with but understand is not the preferred model. I really have no idea why that is. Suck N Blow, Slim Jim


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bluzharper
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 Feb-09-03, 02:24 PM (PDT)
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4. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   I prefer jt-30's with Green Bullet Elements, no volume pot.
I build these myself and hot wire them. You get the best sound and tone with the least amount of feedback. I recently picked up an ElectroVoice 630 with on and off switch. It has the original element
and really sounds great. This is becoming my favorite. I was lucky enough to be in a guitar shop when a guy brought it in with some other stuff to pedal. Grap these up while you can still get them cheap. There are some great ham radio sites on the net that sell these real cheap. One or two players have made a cottage industry just buying this type of mic and reselling them. Best to ya...bluz..


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Slim Jim
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 Feb-13-03, 06:44 PM (PDT)
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7. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #4
 
   Bluz,Hello, would you explain what you mean when you say "hot wire it" in regards to mics. Some of us may want to try this ourselves as we all search for that elusive tone.I do it all the time, and I know that which we seek came from cheap guitar, low wattage dimed amps with speakers that had terrible freq responce range and was made of cardboard.Add to that whiskey and a dispatchers or whatever else was around mic and we spend hundreds and thousands of dollars and uncountable hours trying to duplicate "it". Go figure, I can't and I do it daily still. Thanks for allowing me to ramble on,Slim Jim


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Antonio
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 Feb-10-03, 08:13 AM (PDT)
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5. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   Does anybody use or have used the shure SM 57 for clean sound (with blues harp or chromatic) straight through the PA? I like the sound of the SM 58 but I thought the 57 may be easier to hold due to its small size. Have you found it as durable and reliable as the SM 58?


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bluzharper
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 Feb-10-03, 02:16 PM (PDT)
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6. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #5
 
   Ive done it a few times. You could pound nails with a 57 and not hurt it. I have big hands so I dont care to use a 57. The 57 has a smaller pattern when it comes to picking up sound. Thats why its used to mic instruments and amps ect.


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SeldomSeen
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 Apr-05-03, 04:57 PM (PDT)
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10. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #5
 
   I used to use a 57, but the I found the old straight-bodied construction hard to hold. I took some black electrical tape and wound a lot of it behind the element to create a "ridge" for me to hold onto. It was a good mike, but a little "hot" for my taste.
I now use a 58; easier to hold, and the element is "backed off" more from the tip than the 57 is, so it's not quite as "hot."


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Rage
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 Feb-15-03, 02:42 PM (PDT)
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8. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   Most of the time I use my Strnad harmonica pickup. The tone is great, it fits perfectly in your hands and you don't have to worry about the holding the harmonica and mic at the same time. Its not the best when you need to switch harps quick though. When that situation comes up I usually don't clip them in, I just sit the harp on the pickup and its fine. The volume knob is a big plus too.
Other wise I use the 57, its unstoppable. Probably the best all around. I have yet to try a small hand held like the green bullet or the blues blaster. Anyone here think I should?


"Rage" play like you mean it...


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tmcmulli
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 Mar-20-03, 09:16 AM (PDT)
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9. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   I collect mics, and my favorite by far is a "Crystal Balls" JT/30 that I picked up from Kevin's Harps years ago. Sounds better than a normal JT/30, even better than my 50's Astatics, has a volume pot and the 1/4" jack. The Green Bullet is another fav, but which one sounds better really depends upon the amp. I have a '56 Fender Vibrolux that sounds perfect for Chicago Blues with the Crystal Balls mic. I't been reliable, too. I've played it for about 4 years at least. To me, favorite is all about tone.


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bluzharper
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 Apr-26-03, 10:37 AM (PDT)
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11. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #9
 
  

When I spoke of Hot Wiring, I meant grounding the shell of the mic.
I do not use volume pots. The less in the signal path the better.
I use old JT-30 bodies with old Green Bullet Elements in them.
Keep in mind all elements sound different. Two of the same can be worlds apart, sound wise. I have built and sold many of these, keeping the very best for my private stock.

Best To Ya ....... bluz


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SeldomSeen
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 May-01-03, 08:36 AM (PDT)
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12. "RE: Mic mods/Favorite mic"
In response to message #0
 
   Not too long ago, I picked up a Radio Shack cordless unit for little bit o' nothing. Really, it's kind of a cheapie, but I broke it out in a jam session just for grins. Has a nice, fat, distorted tone, and it's good for occasional use. I like the clean tone of the Shure 58, though. Suits my style of play (a Green Bullet seems to have too limited a frequency range for my taste).
I love going cordless ... I'm one who likes to move around while playing. Would like to know if there's a Samson or Nady belt pack that I can plug my Shure 58 into, or would I have to do some major customizing?


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