Astatic D-104 unusual mod help needed

[DennisTeeth]

Hi folks,

I found one of these on ebay, with a TUG8 stand.

I'm in a 1920s jazz band and would like to make an authentic looking vocal mic by removing the head of my d104 and mounting it in a hoop with springs, like the old broadcast mics.

So my question is :
Can i use the original crystal mic and simply wire it to xlr to then run into a PA?
Or do i need to replace the capsule with a modern equivalent suitable for stage use?

I don't know much about technical electronics but i can use a soldering iron and i play mean musical saw,
thanks for your kind attention,
i will look forward to your answers....

dot dash

Teeth

[Night Crawler]

That's a unique idea.
The D-104 mic elment has a very high impedance of around several meg ohms if you can find a transformer to match it to the load of the PA it would work fine.

Another option would be to use a FET transistor to match the two impedances but it would have to be placed inline near the mic element to prevent hum that would be induced from the mic cord going to the PA.

di dah

[sparky17]

My buddies would get an AC hum if it wasn't grounded. I'd make sure you have grounding on your D104 head somehow (three wires, + and - audio and ground)

[likes2grill]

I love how he does these D-104's if you want some ideas [Please login or register to view this link]