(Warning:Keith is not a real expert, he's just the guy with the website and too much time on his hands, so don't take anything he says as gospel.)


> Larry wrote:
>What element do you recommend for the JT-30. I bought one that needs an
>element, I 'm a relatively new player and for a few bucks I thought I'd
>replace the element. The previous owner said "It was dropped." Would this
>kill it? Thanks, Larry

Larry,

The original crystal elements are delicate. If you drop them, leave them in the trunk on a cold night or leave them in the back seat of the car on a hot day, they die. The Ceramic elements are tough and will last forever.

The crystal elements are 'Hotter' and sound louder at the same volume. The ceramic elements are 'Dirtier' and provide a nastier 'Attention Kmart Shoppers' kind of sound.

So it depends on the sound that you want. Do you want clear musical tones to back up a folk singer or play irish music or do you want that big, bad William Clarke playing through the reverb on an old fender bassman sound?

Willaim Clarke used the Ceramics. Little Walter used the Crystals.

Did I help or did I make the decision harder?

Actually I find that there is very little difference. Either one is fine with me and I switch harp mics mostly to see how they feel in my hands. The sound problem does not seem to be a big factor between element types. Either way, you won't make a mistake. (but if you buy the crystal, you are a guaranteed repeat customer when your mic breaks again).

Keith

 

 

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