Changing Out A Microphone Tube With Photos Options

[bobg]

The following (Copyrighted) photos show how I changed out the Stock ECC83/12AT7 Tube of my sE Electronics Z5600A and replaced it with an early 1960’s “Made-In-England” Mullard ECC81/12AT7 Tube. (Informational Links at the bottom of page)

Changing a Tube in a Tube Microphone does not require high levels of technical or dexterity skills but it is best to do it in a clean and dust-free (as possible) environment making sure your hands are “squeaky clean” so as to not transfer oils from your skin to the glass tube surface. (I actually used a Nikon Camera-Lense Micro-Cloth to remove the stock tube and install the Mullard)

The Photo below is the sE Electronics Z5600A 9-Pattern Tube Condensor Mic, the #1 favorite in my small collection of mics.


This next Photo shows the first part of disassembling the mic by unscrewing the bottom-cap.


This Photo below shows the mic with its metallic body removed making the electronics on the front of the mic visible.


In this Photo below, the microphone is turned around so the back electronics are visible along with the mic’s stock tube that is inserted in the cream color ceramic socket below the tube.


This Photo below shows the Stock ECC83 Tube removed after gently pulling it out of its ceramic socket.


In this Photo below, you can see the Stock Tube next to the Mullard Tube. The metal pins at the bottom of the tube are inserted into a matched set of holes in the ceramic socket.


This Photo below shows the Mullard Tube in place and the metal housing partially installed.


This photo below shows the microphone metal housing in place waiting for installation of the screw-on Bottom-Cap and the Photo below shows the mic completely re-assembled




To learn a bit more about the types of Vacuum-Tubes used primarily in Audio, use these links:
Vacuum Tube Basics: Vacuum Tube Basics

How Vacuum Tubes Work: How Vacuum Tubes Work

At your own Risk: At your own Risk

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This post has been edited by bobg: Jun 26 2013, 01:34 AM