Need Help with my Elam 251 Telefunken.........

[chigotgo]

Hey, new guy here to gearslutz. Had a question for you guys. My grandfather passed and left me an Original Elam 251. I was intersted in disassembling it to clean it out any dust particles with a electronics-safe brush, however when it came to the capsule(where the diaphragm is) I can't seem to open this section. Is this a "fixed" area that will not open????? The grill itself is 2 different colors, silver on one and black on the other. Is this maybe a splittable type of capsule?? HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also how can I tell whether it is a 6072, AC701, or E model ????

chigotgo@yahoo.com

[natpub]

First off, congrats. Second, STOP!

Third, go to the link below, then contact or call Klaus. Then do exactly as he advises. Simple, eh?

Otherwise, unless you are fully experienced and competent in doing such things to mics like this, DON'T. Now, there may certainly be simple and proper ways to do all you need at home, but to be absolutely positively sure you do the right thing, seek out Klaus. No one knows more about that mic. Heck, he actually owns that name, "ELA M251". In any case, don't risk any harm to what may be an extremely valuable piece:


http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/ind...f2cfdd020c441f


Also, note, there are several "Stickys" at the top of that forum, which have loads of helpful info on basic care, etc.

[kats]

Oh gawd....don't even think of pissing around with that mic. You could damage it unless you know exactly what your doing.

Condolences on your Grandfather.

[Mike O]

Good advice from all. I'd like to add. Accept no substituions for Klaus services. You will not regret it. He will give you straight advice and/or service should you need it.

[button]

...

[blackbox]

holy crap. STOP NOW! that mic is soooo fragile. the wires inside that mic are hardly thicker than a hair. the inner structure of hte mic is an older plastic that's as brittle as glass not to mentionif you damage the capsule you are screwed.

like everyone has said....call Klaus and I'd recommend Tracy Korby in Nashville.

[Krubbadoo]

Walters?

[Jonk]

Good Lord,

That's like inheriting a 1940's Martin D-18 or something (which I stand to do. My dad is scared I'm going to kill him to get it. I'm not going to, I swear!)

Sorry about your grandfather though, man.

[jacobq]

I have a feeling there is an open grave or busted tomb somewhere in a nearby cemetary.

[squeegybug]

Originally Posted by chigotgo

... left me an Original Elam 251. I was intersted in disassembling it to clean it out any dust particles with a electronics-safe brush, however when it came to the capsule(where the diaphragm is) I can't seem to open this section. Is this a "fixed" area that will not open????? The grill itself is 2 different colors, silver on one and black on the other. Is this maybe a splittable type of capsule??

Well, everyone is so negative. I'll offer my opinions. Sometimes when I have trouble tearing open a really valuable delicate instrument, I'll use a razor sharp SnapOn cold chisel and 2 lb engineer's hammer. You'll need to clamp the dog-pizz out of the mic body in a good Craftsman vice, else it will fly across the room when you WHOP! it.

Failing that, an acetylene torch or carbide grinder can often crack that sucker open. And there's always C2 as a last resort.

Hope you get it, I agree some microscopic dust inside those old junkers drives me crazy too.

Steve

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by chigotgo

Hey, new guy here to gearslutz. Had a question for you guys. My grandfather passed and left me an Original Elam 251.

Wow is that cool. So gramps was an old recording biggie? Tell us about him. What great artists had the pleasure of this fine microphone over the years?

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Krubbadoo

Walters?

[GMR]

Originally Posted by squeegybug

Well, everyone is so negative. I'll offer my opinions. Sometimes when I have trouble tearing open a really valuable delicate instrument, I'll use a razor sharp SnapOn cold chisel and 2 lb engineer's hammer. You'll need to clamp the dog-pizz out of the mic body in a good Craftsman vice, else it will fly across the room when you WHOP! it.

Failing that, an acetylene torch or carbide grinder can often crack that sucker open. And there's always C2 as a last resort.

Hope you get it, I agree some microscopic dust inside those old junkers drives me crazy too.

Steve

[dale116dot7]

Until you really know your way around the inside of a microphone, leave it. I had a bunch of mics in for service (not quite classics like the 251, but some nice ones) - a pair of C37A's, a pair of C414EB's (teflon), and a U47... ok that was a classic) but someone who did not know what he was doing decided to clean them. The new owner got them cheap because they didn't work any more. All of the gold was gone - on each and every diaphragm. Except the U47 - it had the dreaded PVC disease. Leave those mics alone!!! Please!!! Let Klaus or Tracy do that work. Don't take it to your local electronics tech, no matter whether you trust him with guitars or amps or your TV set. Mics are specialized business.

[newengland]

why not send it to Telefunken North America. They can service and test the system as good as anyone can, plus they have all the components in stock if anything was needed. www.telefunkenusa.com

[Sounds Great]

Seems the o.p. disappeared on us.

[Bones]

Hmmm ... perhaps trying to locate a suitable benchvice as in squeegybug advice??

I could use a dusty 251 as nice talkback mic