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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: stevetoney on November 04, 2010, 01:49:50 PM
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Is anyone else inclined to consider NOT buying a mic like I've linked to below when the seller disassembles it to show the insides in the listing. Isn't that a somewhat amateur-ish move?
I realize that some mics simply have a sheath that comes off very easily, so perhaps those aren't that big a deal, but in the case of tube mics I've read many times over again that touching the tubes is BAD for the tubes and decreases life, so even though this guy says the mic was just serviced, I think I'd have some reservations about this sale simply because he took it apart to take a picture of the insides!
Really, I have to wonder what is gained from seeing a photograph of the innards other than that the thing isn't caked with gook...but what's the big deal about that? When has anyone ever seen gunk on the inside of a mic sleeve?
Just curious about others thoughts on this because I seem to see lots of ebay sales where the seller takes the mic apart to take pics of the guts.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Telefunken-Schoeps-M221A-tube-microphone-AC701-/180582089173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0b8801d5
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I don't know if I'd buy a tube mic after some one (who may or may not have technical know how) took it apart..
just get a couple of these
http://soniccircus.com/Schoeps-M222 (http://soniccircus.com/Schoeps-M222)
they only run $2,775.00 for one....
only a cheap $5550 for the pair
they sure sound nice though...
I'm liking a number of TalyorC 's recording form the recent Phish Phall tour including halloween!
--Ian
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tonedeaf, eBay is a not-very-rational market for professional microphones. I've seen way too much variation in price based on salesmanship and not much solid information. Many ads misidentify the microphone being sold or contain other claims that are plainly wrong, but people bid anyway.
My reaction when I see a microphone disassembled to show its capsule (especially small-diaphragm models) is similar to your reaction concerning the tube. Of course capsule defects aren't always visible, but that's even more true of tube defects--they're almost always invisible.
The thing about the Schoeps M 222, though, is that the original model used the Telefunken AC 701k tube, but this was changed a few years ago along with slight changes in the power supplies. So it may be relevant to show what kind of tube the microphone has, in case the buyer is trying to put together a pair of them for stereo use.
Tubes in microphones are generally operated at rather low temperatures, so touching the glass envelope of the tube isn't as harmful as, say, touching a halogen light bulb when it's cold. The halogen bulb heats up tremendously when it's in use, which is why grease from a fingerprint can cause it to crack. What should really be kept away from probing fingers is the ultra-high-impedance input circuitry that the capsule connects to, but that is equally true with solid-state microphones.
--best regards
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I have heard you are not supposed to touch the tube either, but look at how many high end Tube based Pre Amps and Amps have there tubes exposed to the world for style. So obviously it can't cause to much of an issue.
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I have heard you are not supposed to touch the tube either, but look at how many high end Tube based Pre Amps and Amps have there tubes exposed to the world for style. So obviously it can't cause to much of an issue.
Just because they're exposed does not mean they are for touching by random hands.
Example: cleavage
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well, I would have said (obviously controversially) that unscrewing the barrel to reveal the interior would not have been too detrimental. The seller appears competent and knowledgeable...
I didn't appreciate the sensitivity of the parts through.
What the connector used?
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it's an HRS isn't it?
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Kinda reminds me of the $2k+ mic auctions on ebay where the seller has taken hi-res photos of their mic lying directly on a coarse-graveled concrete driveway.
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that's hilarious!
really??
I did see that with a really expensive piece if rack gear once on eBay...
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Another funny incident on ebay is one where a potential buyer asked a seller of a vintage Schoeps mk26 capsule to take the capsule apart to have a look at the internals (I guess to see if the rubber gasket was failing) and the seller agreed.
The auction description changed a bit after this as the seller claimed he could get the capsule to work at all after taking apart and then a day before the auction ended he was able to get it working again.
Why in the hell would you ever even consider taking apart a capsule?
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you see it all don't you?
Just because you have decent gear doesn't necessarily mean you have the mindset to go with it...!!
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"I need you to post pics of the internals. Otherwise how do I know you didn't put CSBs in there?"
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I've read many times over again that touching the tubes is BAD for the tubes and decreases life,
I've never once read that. I have 4x el34's and 4x 12au7's in my stereo amp and switch out the tubes all the time. I touch them regularly and have for many years with no issues whatsoever.
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I've read many times over again that touching the tubes is BAD for the tubes and decreases life,
I've never once read that. I have 4x el34's and 4x 12au7's in my stereo amp and switch out the tubes all the time. I touch them regularly and have for many years with no issues whatsoever.
...a few links from the first page of my google search on 'is touching tubes bad'.
From Survival Tips for Tube Amps (http://www.kldguitar.com/support.htm)
Things to do when re-tubing:
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4) Never touch the tube you are replacing bare handed. If you do, clean it with alcohol, let dry, and re-install it.
...and a couple of other links that discuss the subject
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/instruments-guitar-bass-amps/150757-bad-touch-tubes.html
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/archive/index.php/t-1558676.html
So it seems like lots of people handle tubes without any negatives. It's also seems like lots of people feel it's best to avoid handling the tubes. As usual, no universal concensus. :-\
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It's a glass bulb, what harm could you possibly do by touching it? Interesting that those threads all relate to instrument amps. I don't read those boards anymore, just hi-fi boards, so maybe that's why I've never seen this issue before.
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It's a glass bulb, what harm could you possibly do by touching it?
oils:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_light_bulb
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It's a glass bulb, what harm could you possibly do by touching it? Interesting that those threads all relate to instrument amps. I don't read those boards anymore, just hi-fi boards, so maybe that's why I've never seen this issue before.
Yeah, I know. I've wondered what the big deal was too because I've never really heard someone say, well the tube was handled and that's what led to a failure (it's not to say that it doesn't happen...I've just never heard it but admittedly it's not a subject that I've researched.). If I were to bet, I'd be willing to bet that the issue is an urban legend brought forward from a time long ago when perhaps it mattered on some brands of tubes.
Nevertheless, I think the issue is that the tubes get really hot and the residual oils left from handling (the same residue that leaves a fingerprint on the glass) bakes on the exterior surface of the glass and for some tubes that can be a failure mechanism.
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I sleep with my tubes under my pillow :P
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thanks for the links Scott and Steve
could be too that hi-fi guys rotate out tubes more often that guitar players so tube life/longevity is less of an issue. I have a few sets around the house for use depending on what mood I'm in. I don't think guitar players do that much swapping out.