i've been using my pair of pzms (the 33-1090b models) since around '96. i've been very happy with them in small clubs. no, they're not neumanns (how's that for an understatement), but for the investment they've been great.
i really like that aluminum angle bracket. i've only recently begun to think about rigging up a stand for mine, and that looks like a great idea.
currently, i've got mine mounted to 15" squares of plexi, which i can either hang (from the ceiling) close to the stage, mount on poles (with zip ties) near the stage, or tape to walls near the stacks. i've also built little stands (to basicially hold the plate upright) that i might run from the lip of the stage, but i haven't tried that setup yet.
besides getting a stand that would hopefully make setting up easier, i have been considering some of the mods that you've found floating about. however, while i do know a soldering iron from a turkey baster, i am not about to try to mod my mics myself.
a couple of questions:
1) how do i find someone that could mod them for me? (i think i'm especially interested in xlr connections--in some clubs, i have to have quite a bit of distance between the mics and my r1. in fact, i have to use an extension cable in some instances.)
2) the original instruction manual recommended running a strip of material (i think they suggested a folded piece of carpet) along the bottom of the plate to limit the amount of unwanted noise (audience chatter) coming from below the mics. i've never really tried that, but i've wondered if i could take it even a step further--would strips of acoustic foam (say, an inch or two thick) run along the edges of the plates improve the directionality of the mics? again, my goal here is to limit audience chatter.
oh, and i find the PX23 batteries at my local radio shack, no problem. i don't think i've ever used any other batteries in them.
thanks for the info!
-mmd-