Rca 44BX

RedArmchairStud · 23rd August 2011

Hello
I just scored this! what do you think? Does the ribbons look okay?
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Stefan

adamcal · 23rd August 2011

bit hard to see the ribbon behind the protection, but if there is anything wrong Im sure Steven Sank will get it sorted out.

RedArmchairStud · 23rd August 2011

Here is an attached picture of the ribbons

Bill@WelcomeHome · 23rd August 2011

ENAK, Clarence Kane is the man for RCA work if he will still do it.

seaneldon · 23rd August 2011

We recently sent Clarence/ENAK a 44BX that looked like it had been dropped about 400 times and he made it look almost new and sound exactly as it should. He absolutely still does great work at extremely reasonable prices.

Empty Planet · 23rd August 2011

Clarence has a stellar rep, and so too does Wes Dooley out on the west coast, if you're out thataway. Great guy, great service. If you can get clear enough pics of the ribbon itself, either of these guys will probably be able to tell you if it looks okay or problematic, though sending it in is usually the best option. And if you do decide to get closer photos of the ribbon, be sure you have good information and a clear idea of how to do it. And don't breathe near the thing. Seriously. If that makes the hair raise on the back of your neck, leave it to the ribbon dudes.

Best of luck sorting it all out though. It's a truly fantastic mic. You'll love it.

Cheers.

RedArmchairStud · 24th August 2011

No one of you experts can tell me what you think of the condition of the ribbons in the picture?

cyjanopan · 24th August 2011

No one can`t see ribbon in this picture so how can anyone tell if its ok ? You have it, so just try it. Seems ok, there is a little gap visible so it might be fine

Fletcher · 24th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedArmchairStud

No one of you experts can tell me what you think of the condition of the ribbons in the picture?

No - as mentioned you can't see the ribbon... and even if you could you couldn't tell if the ribbon has been stretched or not from a photograph. I could tell you that its no big deal if the ribbon needs to be replaced... that fix is a simple call to Clarence at ENAK Microphone repair in Pittman, NJ [if you're in the eastern 1/2 of the US... Wes Dooley / AEA in Pasadena, CA would be my call if I were on the wrong side of the US].

You can tell from the photo that the mic was slightly modified by ABC... the jumpers on the bottom and usually inside the bottom housing of the mic... and you can tell that its set for full range operation ["M" means "music" -- "V" would be "voice" which generally means a bass rolloff setting]... and one can extrapolate that its set for 200? operation seeing as there is nothing attached to the "50" pole which would indicate the ability to set the microphone for at 50? output... but there is little information on the actual ribbon other than there is one installed in the microphone and it appears to be in tact.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Peace

RedArmchairStud · 24th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletcher

No - as mentioned you can't see the ribbon... and even if you could you couldn't tell if the ribbon has been stretched or not from a photograph. I could tell you that its no big deal if the ribbon needs to be replaced... that fix is a simple call to Clarence at ENAK Microphone repair in Pittman, NJ [if you're in the eastern 1/2 of the US... Wes Dooley / AEA in Pasadena, CA would be my call if I were on the wrong side of the US].

You can tell from the photo that the mic was slightly modified by ABC... the jumpers on the bottom and usually inside the bottom housing of the mic... and you can tell that its set for full range operation ["M" means "music" -- "V" would be "voice" which generally means a bass rolloff setting]... and one can extrapolate that its set for 200? operation seeing as there is nothing attached to the "50" pole which would indicate the ability to set the microphone for at 50? output... but there is little information on the actual ribbon other than there is one installed in the microphone and it appears to be in tact.

I hope this is of some assistance.

Peace

Thank you for your info. I am still waiting for the microphone to arrive, so I hope it will sound fine when it shows up? Does any one know if there are someone who service these mic's in europe?

Matti · 24th August 2011

Xaudia - Ribbon microphone Repair & Service
There is one in Germany also that I know of
vintage microphones a. repair, klassische Mikrofone u. Reparatur

Matti

RedArmchairStud · 24th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matti

Xaudia - Ribbon microphone Repair & Service
There is one in Germany also that I know of
vintage microphones a. repair, klassische Mikrofone u. Reparatur

Matti

Thank you Matti. I will soon move to Berlin, so it is perfect to have a service man close!

Jack P · 24th August 2011

Nice !

The classic..

RedArmchairStud · 25th August 2011

Does any one know how to change the output impedance on a rca 44bX?
I think it is possible to switch between 30, 100 and 250 ohms?

Fletcher · 25th August 2011

They're usually changeable between 50 & 200... which from the photograph you posted looks like its done on the bottom of yours. If its not done on the bottom then its done inside the bottom housing [which is how its done on every other 44 I've ever seen... which is more than a few].

Peace

RedArmchairStud · 25th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletcher

They're usually changeable between 50 & 200... which from the photograph you posted looks like its done on the bottom of yours. If its not done on the bottom then its done inside the bottom housing [which is how its done on every other 44 I've ever seen... which is more than a few].

Peace

Thanks, but what about this manual?
******//www.coutant.org/rca44bx/44bx.pdf

Fletcher · 25th August 2011

Well - as I was working from memory [which obviously ain't that good] and that spec sheet is working from fact - I'd say go with that!!

If you remove the metal bit under the grill screen [the part that has the RCA logo] you will see where the transformer taps are and can change the output impedance to whatever setting you would like.

Sorry for the previous miss-information... thanks for posting that link... hopefully next time I'll remember correctly.

Peace

Matti · 26th August 2011

RCA Type 44-BX
If you take your time there is almost how to do advice

Matti

zebra50 · 11th September 2011

Hi Stefan,

We can certainly help if you get stuck - drop me a message if you need anything.

Cheers!

Stewart
Xaudia (at) gmail.com
******//www.xaudia.com

SIXTWOFOUR · 12th September 2011

I have one of the only matched pairs of 44's that were matched by one of the head guys at the RCA factory. They are fully mint and sound amazing. If anyone is interested in buying them feel free to PM me.

RedArmchairStud · 19th September 2011

I have got the mic today, but it does not work, no sound.
I am I ****ed?

radeng · 20th September 2011

Sorry to hear your mic needs attention. Send it to Clarence. The shipping will be spendy, but well worth it to have him check it over and repair it. You will then have a mic that should last many, many more years. Pack it in a foam lined inner box surrounded by a few inches of foam, with a sturdy outer box. Good luck, it will probably cost a lot less than you think to get fixed. Clarence is a real gentleman and master craftsman, he cares a lot more about doing the work right than the money he makes. John

EV676 · 20th September 2011

Just a thought.....

That particular ebay seller has had a fair number of vintage microphones listed through the years. I've always thought his pricing was above market.

You paid quite a bit of money for an iconic microphone and IMHO it should be working properly. He claims as much.

I noticed in one of the photos that it has a standard 1/4 male phone plug attached to the cable. That's not the normal connector. Change it to a more standard*male XLR connector wired properly and test it again.

If it still doesn't work then I would have a conversation with the seller before I send it for repair. If you can do some trouble shooting on your own you may be able to return it or possibly negotiate your final price downward to cover repairs. Remember he claimed it worked in his ad copy.

Good luck and with anything ebay YMMV.

myles · 21st September 2011

From the listing:

"I HAVE CHECKED THIS MICROPHONE AND THE SOUND IS GREAT WITH STRONG OUTPUT AND CLEAR TONE"

That sounds like a good place to start your conversation with the seller.

Was it packed well?

Are you using a pre with plenty of gain?

Check and re-check everything on your end before you start the tedious process of negotiating/returning/negative-feedback, etc.

And a +1 on Xaudia - good guys.

23rd August 2011	#1
RedArmchairStud Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 82 Thread Starter	RCA 44BX! How does the ribbons look okay? Hello I just scored this! what do you think? Does the ribbons look okay? eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices Stefan

23rd August 2011	#2
adamcal Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,345	bit hard to see the ribbon behind the protection, but if there is anything wrong Im sure Steven Sank will get it sorted out. __________________ Adam Calaitzis www.toyland.com.au www.facebook.com/ToylandRecordingStudio "what is it you cant face" "I'm a country member"

23rd August 2011	#4
Bill@WelcomeHome Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,185	ENAK, Clarence Kane is the man for RCA work if he will still do it. __________________ "We have a situation where somebody has learned that 'tape' sounds good. Tape doesn't sound good. Tape sounds like crap. But sometimes good stuff gets put on tape." "Putting crap to tape...sounds like crap." Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Resistance is not futile. It is voltage divided by current. "I do not think that the wireless waves I have discovered will have any practical application,..." Heinrich Rudolf Hertz

23rd August 2011	#5
seaneldon Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Bahstahn, MA Posts: 2,687	We recently sent Clarence/ENAK a 44BX that looked like it had been dropped about 400 times and he made it look almost new and sound exactly as it should. He absolutely still does great work at extremely reasonable prices. __________________ Sean Eldon Qualls Mercenary Audio / sean@mercenary.com "They don't think it be like it is...but it do" - Oscar Gamble

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24th August 2011	#7
RedArmchairStud Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 82 Thread Starter	No one of you experts can tell me what you think of the condition of the ribbons in the picture?

24th August 2011	#8
cyjanopan Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 921 1 Review written	No one can`t see ribbon in this picture so how can anyone tell if its ok ? You have it, so just try it. Seems ok, there is a little gap visible so it might be fine

24th August 2011	#11
Matti Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,756	Xaudia - Ribbon microphone Repair & Service There is one in Germany also that I know of vintage microphones a. repair, klassische Mikrofone u. Reparatur Matti

24th August 2011	#13
Jack P Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 962	Nice ! The classic..

25th August 2011	#14
RedArmchairStud Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 82 Thread Starter	Does any one know how to change the output impedance on a rca 44bX? I think it is possible to switch between 30, 100 and 250 ohms?

25th August 2011	#15
Fletcher member no 666 Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 10,108	They're usually changeable between 50 & 200... which from the photograph you posted looks like its done on the bottom of yours. If its not done on the bottom then its done inside the bottom housing [which is how its done on every other 44 I've ever seen... which is more than a few]. Peace

26th August 2011	#18
Matti Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,756	RCA Type 44-BX If you take your time there is almost how to do advice Matti

11th September 2011	#19
zebra50 Gear interested Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 4	Hi Stefan, We can certainly help if you get stuck - drop me a message if you need anything. Cheers! Stewart Xaudia (at) gmail.com ******//www.xaudia.com

12th September 2011	#20
SIXTWOFOUR Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 607	I have one of the only matched pairs of 44's that were matched by one of the head guys at the RCA factory. They are fully mint and sound amazing. If anyone is interested in buying them feel free to PM me.

19th September 2011	#21
RedArmchairStud Gear nut Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 82 Thread Starter	I have got the mic today, but it does not work, no sound. I am I ****ed?

20th September 2011	#22
radeng Gear maniac Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 151	Sorry to hear your mic needs attention. Send it to Clarence. The shipping will be spendy, but well worth it to have him check it over and repair it. You will then have a mic that should last many, many more years. Pack it in a foam lined inner box surrounded by a few inches of foam, with a sturdy outer box. Good luck, it will probably cost a lot less than you think to get fixed. Clarence is a real gentleman and master craftsman, he cares a lot more about doing the work right than the money he makes. John

20th September 2011	#23
EV676 Gear maniac Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 213 1 Review written	Just a thought..... That particular ebay seller has had a fair number of vintage microphones listed through the years. I've always thought his pricing was above market. You paid quite a bit of money for an iconic microphone and IMHO it should be working properly. He claims as much. I noticed in one of the photos that it has a standard 1/4 male phone plug attached to the cable. That's not the normal connector. Change it to a more standard*male XLR connector wired properly and test it again. If it still doesn't work then I would have a conversation with the seller before I send it for repair. If you can do some trouble shooting on your own you may be able to return it or possibly negotiate your final price downward to cover repairs. Remember he claimed it worked in his ad copy. Good luck and with anything ebay YMMV.

21st September 2011	#24
myles Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2003 Location: SW France Posts: 278	From the listing: "I HAVE CHECKED THIS MICROPHONE AND THE SOUND IS GREAT WITH STRONG OUTPUT AND CLEAR TONE" That sounds like a good place to start your conversation with the seller. Was it packed well? Are you using a pre with plenty of gain? Check and re-check everything on your end before you start the tedious process of negotiating/returning/negative-feedback, etc. And a +1 on Xaudia - good guys.