Can any one identifythis vintage mic?

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chrisghost

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I came across one of these the other day. There isn't a clue to any kind of brand or number on it, so I was hoping someone here recognises it.

It has a Canon plug, so it can't be older than late 60's and it has the weird switch you see below the head. When I use the switch there is no difference in sound, so it's broke and I don't know what it's supposed to do. ThankX. DSC04672.webpDSC04671.webp
 
Looks like an EV but then again maybe an AKG?

Can you open it to see if there is any ID inside?

I bought a $5. used SDC microphone once from GC that had no markings on it got home and opened it to find out that it had a battery compartment and there it was the name Sennheiser :D sounds great on snare or high hats. The deal of the century!







:cool:
 
Well, this is a dynamic, but I did open it up for clues, but there weren't any.

Doesn't sound too bad on first hearing, but I have yet to test it in action. Would be nice if it was a EV or AKG, but let's not get our hopes up to soon.

Nice deal on that Sennheiser man! You need that kind of luck now and again, don't you. I went to some guy's home to buy a used multicable the other week. I mentioned that I like to fix old mics, so he gave me a plastic bag with two pulled-appart mics for free. They were AKG D202's! Still have to fix them though, but if even one can be made to work...
 
What about the XLR plug in side, anything there, serial number, anything?
How about a picture of the head of the microphone straight on!
 
And that switch? What does that do to the audio quality when you move it?

Get to work on those 202s. :D
 
Nothing's written on, etched in, or labeled anywhere. Switch makes no difference what so ever. When you unscrew the head, the two leads look cut and twisted back together again (+ tape), so I think it's a dead on/off switch that got bypassed.

Indeed I'll check that switch, after working on the d202's ;) But I'll put a few extra pics on tomorrow.

So? How's your $5 Sennheiser condenser on cowbell? Must be a near eargasm, richt? :D
 
didn't shure make a stereo eng mic that looked like that?? VP something maybe... vp 88??
 
Nothing's written on, etched in, or labeled anywhere. Switch makes no difference what so ever. When you unscrew the head, the two leads look cut and twisted back together again (+ tape), so I think it's a dead on/off switch that got bypassed.

Indeed I'll check that switch, after working on the d202's ;) But I'll put a few extra pics on tomorrow.

So? How's your $5 Sennheiser condenser on cowbell? Must be a near eargasm, richt? :D

Can't wait for the pics. My bet is it's an EV. Haven't tried it on cowbell not many clients wanting to use a bell :( ..... :D
 
At first glance it looks more like a pipe bomb or shaped charge. Probably a good thing that the trigger is busted... ;)

It looks a bit DIY to be anything more than a home made or prototype mic. If you can open up the shaft, there might be some labeling on the wires or circuit board. Probably not a direct ID, but googling the parts might find the trail to the actual ID.
 
At first glance it looks more like a pipe bomb or shaped charge. Probably a good thing that the trigger is busted... ;)

It looks a bit DIY to be anything more than a home made or prototype mic. If you can open up the shaft, there might be some labeling on the wires or circuit board. Probably not a direct ID, but googling the parts might find the trail to the actual ID.

Shape charge? Shadow were you in the Army Engineers?
 
Search under the "University Sound" brand, which I think was made by EV.
 
No, Army Band. But I did do basic at Ft. Leonardwood which is home to the Army Engineers. Aka the flaming S### House.

Fort "lost in the woods". I remember it well. basic and AIT in 1970. Then I was off to jump school.
 
It looks like a Shure SM 53 to me.

That's what I thought at first the 53 or the 54 that's why I asked for a better photo of the top of the microphone.
Then I realized that the response selector if that is what it is in the photo you give is on the opposite side of the shaft to be able to call it a Shure 53or 54.
 
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Thanks a lot for your input guys.

Indeed it looks a lot like a Shure 53 / 54, but not quite. Maybe it's a pre-model (like Unidyne III is to SM57). Maybe it's a knock off. Maybe it's the right head on the wrong body, as someone's clearly done DIY on it, but then color of the head does match the body.

Like I said before, there is no labeling / numbering on/in the mic anywhere

I'll search the net a bit more when I find some time. Here's some more pictures for now.

DSC04680.webpDSC04679.webpDSC04685.webpDSC04681.webp
 
Use the macro focus... Normally the one with the flower icon. That's the one that lets you get up close and personal and be IN focus. YMMV. Sure looks like it's seen a few years.
 
Use the macro focus... Normally the one with the flower icon. That's the one that lets you get up close and personal and be IN focus. YMMV. Sure looks like it's seen a few years.

My thoughts exactly when I saw those rusty threads in the pictures.
 
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