EV RE20 Repair

[darnold]

Well ive messed around with this old EV RE20 until it just doesnt work at all anymore. I know i should probably stop messing with it because im probably making it worse. But im really curious how to repair things now. I dont believe ive permanently damaged the microphone, but it seems like ive got something wrong.

Im just wondering if theres anything i should be watching out for, big no nos that can damage the mic permanently. Ive been really carefull and have just done some light soldering.

The problem, is these schematics are a different color code than my mic. I bought it used so i wonder if it has been worked on before. Its definately old because the foam around the capsule is comepletely deteriorating, ive been gently cleaning it off to replace it but im worried about messing with things around the capsule, but its getting everywhere and needs to be cleaned out.

Anyway, anyone who would like to pitch in go ahead.

Thanks.

Danny

 

[darnold]

BTW. I was just thinking it would really help if someone could post pictures of the electronics of their RE20. Somewhere i have something wired wrong (unless its really permanently fried). I would go by the schematics but i can easily tell that the color scheme does not match up.

Thanks,

Danny

 

[RickW]

I inherited an older (1975 or so) RE-20 from my father in the late 90's. Not only wasn't it working properly, but the outer casing - for some reason - had two small holes in it (like screw holes...but not). Since it wasn't working anyway, I contacted EV for an answer. I ended up sending them the mic and not only did they fix the problem, they replaced the whole upper casing - windscreen and all - and sent it back to me. It was like a new microphone! Granted, I had to pay for the repair because of it's age, but it was only like $120 or so. I wasn't gonna complain! They were great on the phone and they fixed the mic fairly quickly, even though I wasn't in a rush for it.

Maybe you could contact them for help. Even if you want to fix it yourself, what's it hurt to ask? Just my .02

Not many companies left that will actually help a customer anymore. It was nice to find one of the biggies that did!

 

[darnold]

Wow thats great to hear.

I was definately considering it, because i know shure is pretty good about that too. While ive been working with this one more ive discovered that its probably around 20-30 years old. The foam around the capsule was practically completely deteriorated. I ended up finding out that the low cut filter was broken and thats where the problem was. I ended up bypassing it completely because i rarely use it anyway.

Its still not out of my mind to send it to EV and get it fully repaired but ive really had alot of fun restoring it myself. It still has a few problems though. It seems to be shorting somewhere because it will work and then stop. It seems like alot of the solder connections could be resoldered so i might just do it anyway to make sure it doesnt have any problems.

If it becomes to bothersome, ill send it in, or at least have them send me a new bottom end of the mic (electrical stuff) with a new low cut. The frame is in good condition too.

Either way, its been pretty fun to finall get into some electrical stuff.

Danny