V77 Care and Feeding

[whyseye]

I recently came across a V77 at a price that I couldn't resist....

I've had the chance to test it out a bit, and I'm a very happy camper, but since I'd like to keep this one around for a long time, I'd like to care for it as well as possible.
I wonder if I should be concerned about how many hours the tube might have on it? My guess is that any attempt to change the tube might substatially alter the sound.
The previous owner also lived very near the beach, at least for a few years, and there is some bit of pitting in the metal jackets of the connectors to the power supply - I'm also wondering whether that might be something that I can take steps about now, to stop any further potential damage from corrosion? Are replacement parts still available for these older models?
What else can I do to maximize the life expectancy of the mic?

 

[PhilGood]

Just put it away or cover it when it's on the stand and not in use.

The tube should last hundreds of hours, maybe even thousands. The only thing to consider would be installing a tube socket in case you ever wanted to change the tube to something different, like an NOS tube instead of the stock one, which can make a difference in the sound.

As far as the connectors on the PS. Nothing to worry about really. Those are standard and readily available parts, but the ones in there should still last a long time.

 

[whyseye]

My biggest concern is that the salt moisture that has caused the jackets to show signs of early external corrosion, is somehow eating away inside the power supply as well....
...I know that once corrosion gets a foothold, it's tough to stop....am I just being paranoid?

 

[PhilGood]

Have you got any photos?

 

[whyseye]

No photos...
I'll see if my ancient digicam can focus closely enough to show the detail...it's like a softly textured patina, with a hint of a greenish tinge, and it looks worst on the jacket of the connector cable between the PS and the mic - the mic end of the cable looks fine, and the faces of the ins and outs on the PS have a little of that texture, but no greenishness...
...perhaps I should consider ordering a replacement mic cable, just to be safe?

 

[crazydoc]

My biggest concern is that the salt moisture that has caused the jackets to show signs of early external corrosion, is somehow eating away inside the power supply as well....

Then look inside.

 

[whyseye]

....

It never occurred to me that I could....

....so...uhh.....thanks.....move along now....nothing to see here.....



























....really....nothing at all.....

 

[PhilGood]

No photos...
I'll see if my ancient digicam can focus closely enough to show the detail...it's like a softly textured patina, with a hint of a greenish tinge, and it looks worst on the jacket of the connector cable between the PS and the mic - the mic end of the cable looks fine, and the faces of the ins and outs on the PS have a little of that texture, but no greenishness...
...perhaps I should consider ordering a replacement mic cable, just to be safe?

Holy crap! Did they actually drop it IN the ocean????

I live less than a half mile from the Pacific and my stuff has NOTHING like THAT!!

 

[BudgetMC]

Perhaps this might explain the "can't-pass-this-up" price?

"MXL V77, temporarily submerged only once. Cheap."

 

[antichef]

Is the v77 a good mic to use for recording the underwater mating songs of porpoises and whales? Fluid, briny response?