American R331 Ribbon Microphone

Happy New Year to all. I just got one of those American R331 Ribbon Microphone and it doesn't work; so i'd like to open it to see if the ribbon is broken or if a wire is unsoldered but i can't find out how to open it . Does anyone have any tips ?

http://uv201.com/Microphone_Pages/american_r331.htm

some more info on it in just in case.

Thanks Pucho, i read that and a couple other pages but there is no indication on how to open it.

I tried.  I would imagine it's something simple and until you get it open it will look super complicated.

It's pretty easy...just start removing screws.

I have yet to find a better mic for tracking rhodes piano through a tube amp. Absolutely stellar!
And I love how these mics have turned a rich, purple color over time.
If you can get yours working and sounding anything like mine, you'll have a real winner on your hands.

       



[ Optional ]
• Remove the 4 flat head screws at the top of the headbasket. You don't have to do this, but it helps for lining up the ribbon motor during re-assembly later.

       



[ Step 1 ]
• Remove the 3 phillips screws on the bottom plate.
• Remove bottom plate to reveal two more slotted screws
• Remove the two slotted screws

   



[ Step 2 ]
• Separate the headbasket portion from the body...mind the wires that connect to the ribbon element.
• Remove the two slotted screws below the headbasket assembly (optional, but might make the next step easier)
• Remove the four tiny, slotted screws surrounding the perimeter of the headbasket base
• Note the build date, and post photos here!

   



[ Step 3 ]
• Separate the headbasket base from the main grille
• Gently pull off the main grille assembly to reveal the ribbon motor
• The copper-looking mesh guard can be removed by hand—it stays in place via magnetism.

     

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Very nice indeed - thanks for sharing!

Is this the model with the dynamic element too? Looks like it is the element below the ribbon motor, but I could only see two wires going to the transformer etc.

I believe the R330 has the dynamic element for additional patterns.

This one does not.

Hi Skylar,

What is that white-ish cylinder made of? It looks like just a block of wood to fill the gap and take the date stamp.
You don't see many of these mics on this side of the pond.

Thanks!

Jus plain ol wood.

Thanks Skylar, i'm glad i asked. I was not even close

• Remove bottom plate to reveal two more slotted screws
That's where i was stuck because of the rubber gasket not moving . now i got it open and unfortunately the ribbon looks like it's stretched.
Is there a way to readjust the tension or do i need to change it.

From the photos, it does not look like there is a tension adjust mechanism on that one.

Very occasionally, you can remove a ribbon clamp, re-rension the ribbon, and re-clamp. But more often that not the ribbon will be stuck to something, and you will just tear it.

If you were over here I would say send it to me  , but in the US, your best bet is to send it to Marik at SAMAR audio design.

http://samaraudiodesign.com/Home.html

Or just look for Marik on this board and send him a PM.

Stewart

Hi Stewart,
Thank you for suggestion and i will call Marik , he worked on a couple of my mics in the past and did a great job. But i was just curious to try
to readjust the ribbon on my own first. Right now it looks like it's glued at both ends so even after i unclamped  it is not moving. The ribbon is not torn
and is still corrugated . It is stretched uniformly and bowed .
Thanks
francois