Penny Can
The Hobby Shack => Comic Books & Art => Topic started by: Mac on June 17, 2015, 10:13:28 am
-
So this is really more about art and aesthetics than functionality. And at the core... just something I'd like to have... than need!
Lately I've been ramping up wanting a 'classic' iconic Microphone to put in my office. Leaning towards Deco/Art Deco look.
Maybe, just maybe one day I would actually use it, but for now as a decorative element in the room. I've whittled it down to 2 that I love the looks of. There are others that interest me too in the style sense. They all work, meaning not just plastic replication.
Wondering if you ever thought about Mic's. Other iconic mic's I should consider?
1st up is the classic Shure Microphone 5575LE (limited edition) (aprox $400)
(http://www.infomusic.pl/img/artykuly/zdjecia/MC4yMzQ5MDkwMCAxNDE3Njk2MTM3.jpg)
Next is contemporary design on old classic
Heil Fin (Aprox $220)
(http://www.heilsound.com/pro/sales-support/Heil%20Sound%20Product%20Images/Heil%20Sound%20Microphones/Heil%20Sound%20The%20Fin/FIN%20%20red.jpg)
(http://www.heilsound.com/pro/sales-support/Heil%20Sound%20Product%20Images/Heil%20Sound%20Microphones/Heil%20Sound%20The%20Fin/BlackFin-b.jpg)
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/610auZlblzL._SY355_.jpg)
Then what started it all is the Blue Snowball (aprox $60)
Modified:
(http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae51/shocktop_band/PB300015-1.jpg)
New:
(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images500x500/Blue_SNOWBALL_BUNDLE_BA_Snowball_USB_Condenser_Microphone_651857.jpg)
and finally the Blue Bluebird (aprox $200)
(http://beatstruggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/GratuiTous-Blue-Bluebird.jpg)
-
Those are gorgeous, dude.
-
I wouldn't mind having one of each.
-
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been doing some thinking and research. I came this close to pulling the trigger on getting the Shure 5575 Anniversary edition. That’s a lot of freakin money. So my mind started to think of alternatives. You can get an original Shure 55 ‘Fatboy’ just about anywhere and any condition. So I decided to go that route. On a side note, if I can get one not working, and for parts, I saw a great idea of making one into a desk lamp. I might have gone in that direction. But I did score a nice used one for $100.
I love the base stand and thought it was something they thought of for the anniversary. Actually the art deco base was very common for these microphones. I discovered you get the base too pretty easily. I scored one for $50.
I’ll have to do some minor clean-up and paint, but for a 1/3 of the cost I’m getting something that is fun, cool and makes me happy.
I’ll add pictures later.
This is a fun little hobby.
By the by, if the this works out nicely, I might look into refurbishing to original or the lamp idea. Cleaned up, these things double and triple in price.
Edit add:
I bought a stand like this (minus the black portion)... that needs a little clean up work. I've been noticing that some of the models have some very bright colored foam appearing through the slots of the microphone. I'm liking the red or cobalt blue. That will be my next part of the project to go after.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Shure_desktop_microphone_stand.jpg)
and then I bought the microphone Shure 55S Fatboy (used and some scratches) like this...
(https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/a_exif,c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_75,w_226/v1417373277/zs5znjppx2kqwyv33ykp.jpg)
Yes, the anniversary edition looks awesome with the full chrome and bright foam and the slick stand. But $400?
and here is the 'desklamp' idea...
(https://img0.etsystatic.com/033/0/7088965/il_fullxfull.610143376_qewr.jpg)
(http://www.shureblog.co.uk/content/uploads/2013/04/custom-blue-55-new.jpg)
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1db6c1_b4ac801a7efcd2c85847184d9aeab95f.jpg_srz_451_376_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz)
-
So I got my Fatboy and am pleased as punch. It looks brand new... and it's got the Cobalt Blue foam. Save for the scratches, which are minor at best, this thing is beautiful to look at and hold.
I got the base too. It's in decent shape. I'm looking into Powder Coating thee piece. I'm thinking a candy apple blue to bring the highlights of the blue in the microphone. I need to get some quotes on what that would cost me.
If you don't know what Powder Coating is, here is just a brief example. I am actually surprised at how well it looks. My experience from watching my dad with his hot rods was either a lacquer paint or powder coat and at that time was very dull and had some texture. Hell my co-workers told me I could easily set up a DIY at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqmWm2f8A08
and then I run across this process of Hydrographics. So cool...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCtPlEMjGGQ
-
So here's my newly acquired Shure Super 55 'Fatboy', and the S-36 Base. I'm currently in the process of painting the base. The Microphone is in excellent condition. I went to the hobby store and went in the model building area where they had a nice assorment of acylic and lacquer paints. I decided to go with a Blue Pearl Lacquer. I need to finish it with a clear coat.
More pictures to come...
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0039_zpse1prwn2x.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0039_zpse1prwn2x.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0038_zps20erzu04.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0038_zps20erzu04.jpg.html)
-
Now here is my next project... Turner 33D
Kinda looking for some artistic thoughts on this one. I envisioned a dual tone or more on this mic. Notice the very distinctive lines. The fins and the opening. Also notice the slight pitting. I need to get rid of that... I hope. I was thinking of either polishing the metal and painting portions of the mic a color. Or painting the mic in two colors... maybe contrasting?
Any thoughts. I can provide examples of what inspired me to think this direction.
Again, it's all about the Art Deco look. I just find these pieces beautiful.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0041_zpsh3trwdoq.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0041_zpsh3trwdoq.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0040_zpseh0dq5mt.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0040_zpseh0dq5mt.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0042_zpsgw2weklt.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0042_zpsgw2weklt.jpg.html)
-
That really is a beautiful piece.
-
It is isn't it.
And we finished. Put a 'wet look' clear coat on and I'm pretty damn happy about it. And to think I was going to do powder coat.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0057_zps9zcmwvfx.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0057_zps9zcmwvfx.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0056_zpslm4buc37.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0056_zpslm4buc37.jpg.html)
-
I played around a little with buffing the Turner 33D mic. A cloth buffer with rubbing compound did squat. I moved onto a wire brush. That did some cleaning up. I still have some bubbling pitting that won't budge. I think I'll do a little more. Try a fine metal sand paper. Still need to come up with a paint plan.
-
After a day at the pool I just found out I won another ebay bid for a Shure 708 Stratoliner (Zeppelin). I took a chance. Threw out my max number and got it for a lot less. These things cleaned up bring in big bucks ($200+). I got it for $38. My plan for this one is to emulate this...
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/shure1_zpsmrkzmav0.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/shure1_zpsmrkzmav0.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/shure2_zps055d5aqo.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/shure2_zps055d5aqo.jpg.html)
It remains to be seen if I can get the chrome out of it. But the chrome, black and blue looks awesome. I'm on the hunt for a base.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUsU9oWlJz8
-
Should I even mention the other avenue like these projects I'm thinking about pursuing?
Think art deco fan ;D
-
Well, here's a really ugly pic. Sorry, I just suck with camera's.
This is the Shure 708 (Zeppelin)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0362_zpsqxpangtq.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0362_zpsqxpangtq.jpg.html)
I have a paint pattern idea. Now I need to take it apart and prep it. I need to replace the foam/windscreen, but that might be a challenge. I want a bright color foam. It looks simple enough with a half ball shape. One company already said they don't have anything that will work
-
FAILURE #1 & #2
groan... I had such high hopes.
Failure on two fronts. The first is the paint bleed onto the other color due to my negligence in proper masking. The other is the color combo. When I was envisioning this, for some reason the opposite color scheme seemed to work. A metal flake blue and a flat yellow.
Yuck... it looks horrible. So, I'm going to strip the paint and start over. I'm going to try to adjacent colors. Art Deco with Brown and tan. Cross the fingers...
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/photo_zps8hkaexif.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/photo_zps8hkaexif.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0365_zpsa5mf873o.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0365_zpsa5mf873o.jpg.html)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/IMG_0366_zpspnm9okac.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/IMG_0366_zpspnm9okac.jpg.html)
-
The other microphone project is working much better. I'm using pinstripe tape for curves and smaller areas. Have to be careful with removing the tape. Some paint did come up when I went a little to fast.
I'll get pictures in a week, when I let this thoroughly dry and cure.
-
Don't knock the Blue/Yellow color scheme. It has worked wonders for our Chargers. ;D
-
Gah, that's where I ****** up
I keed, I keed
-
Failure #3 & #4
Gahhhh, more problems. If you can see, I'm getting tiny bubbles. Why? I dunno. I don't know if it's bad paint or if it's too humid out? I let it dry for a bit to see if the bubbles went away or smoothed out or what. Nada.
The second thing is the color is just horrible... again. I know I was thinking a Metal Flake Root Beer because I've seen it and it looks awesome. But just brown is bad. And notice the fine texture in the paint. That shouldn't happen either. This should be glassy smooth. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr >:( I need to either wait for less humidity or paint in a more controlled atmosphere like the basement.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/Macarina/Microphone/photo_zpsifac0per.jpg) (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Macarina/media/Microphone/photo_zpsifac0per.jpg.html)
So, despite my other project of the two tone going well. I'm just going to pick a single color and go with that. This is just frustrating realizing my idea's as I go along. I need to plan better. Anyway, I got the base fixed. it needed a touchup. The microphone stand had stripped threads. I fixed that. But still, someone took pliers to it and fugly up'd the stem. I need to find a metal filler and fix that.
-
Wouldn't YouTube have some hands on video tutorials you could check out that could probably fix some of the issues you are running into?
-
I'm not sure about youtube. Google search for these kinds of paints have been pretty good. Found several forums that get into this stuff pretty nicely. And my co-worker here is into restoring auto's, so he has insight to paints, primers, metals, etc.
I think I'll wait for the humidity to drop. Also, i'm going to try lacquer again.
-
Also, i'm going to try lacquer again.
Dude, I know this is a frustrating project for you, but there's no need to turn to the bottle. ;D
-
Dude, I know this is a frustrating project for you, but there's no need to turn to the bottle.
That took about a second for it to sink in... then I did a spittake. Funny chit.
-
;)