Ela-M 251 Body from Aliexpress

[thomasdf]

You are right, now it’s getting more obvious how different is Matador’s circuit. The biggest difference being the backplate never getting out of the circuit and the very different polarization method. Thanks

 

[RuudNL]

Some time ago I saw a M251-like body with a T-shaped cutout for a switch on AliExpress(?), but I can't find it anymore.
Does anyone have a link?

 

[HerbertR]

Is the Poctop still worth the trouble in this small body or would you change to Beesneez or Apex etc? Maybe a different PCB? There does seem to be such little room. Looks great though!

Not much space inside - but everything is in the right place... The baskets are too short for the “loooooong” Beesneez capsule holders. So I used other capsule holders.

In my opinion a "Boutique microphone" is worth the effort if time is not a criterion. I spent about 30 hours building the two microphones. There are only good components in these mics inside. And for 4 times the price you get the same quality from other manufacturers... The next part is the tube power supply...

 

[kingkorg]

Some time ago I saw a M251-like body with a T-shaped cutout for a switch on AliExpress(?), but I can't find it anymore.
Does anyone have a link?

Maybe ask Ali supplier that has this one without the cutout? They probably come from the same place, and could be customized?

 

[Barry Hufker]

This is a silly question I guess but as I think about using these beautiful mics (or anyone else's), has anyone thought of painting half the basket black? Is that possible/practical? I'm assuming it could be taped off with material inside that would prevent the paint from reaching the other side. Or possibly it could be dipped? I'm terrible at DIY and so I find all of this fascinating...

 

[RuudNL]

I have 'painted' one half of the headbasket on several microphones.
You have to be very careful not to fill the openings in the mesh.
Using spaypaint works for me, because the paint will land as a kind of 'mist' on the headbasket.
It looks great, but unfortunately it is a bit fragile, even if you degrease the headbasket thoroughly before 'painting'.
And of course cover anything the should not get black!

 

[kingkorg]

This is a silly question I guess but as I think about using these beautiful mics (or anyone else's), has anyone thought of painting half the basket black? Is that possible/practical? I'm assuming it could be taped off with material inside that would prevent the paint from reaching the other side. Or possibly it could be dipped? I'm terrible at DIY and so I find all of this fascinating...

Like what Ruud suggested

https://groupdiy.com/threads/elam-ish-style-body-and-headbasket-donor.81482/post-1055699

 

[paulcheeba]

Not much space inside - but everything is in the right place... The baskets are too short for the “loooooong” Beesneez capsule holders. So I used other capsule holders.

In my opinion a "Boutique microphone" is worth the effort if time is not a criterion. I spent about 30 hours building the two microphones. There are only good components in these mics inside. And for 4 times the price you get the same quality from other manufacturers... The next part is the tube power supply...

Thanks again for the details! It's a bit fiddly but I think it will make a great mic. What are the capsule holders?
Also did you get the aluminium Beesneez capsules? How are those green capacitors? I have those, NOS PIO, Wet Tantalum and Cornell Dublier. I wonder which will sound best.......

 

[thomasdf]

I painted mine black with a mix of black marker and black Posca. Very easy, and good result. I masked the other parts with masking tape and voilà. Only the « outside » mesh is painted this way and it’s nice

 

[ElSmurf]

has anyone thought of painting half the basket black?

Won't that make the rear diaphragm sound darker?

Sorry, I couldn't resist....

I like @thomasdf 's idea of going at it with a black marker and paint marker. I might consider doing that to mine, but first I want to see how it looks with the new sparkly gold coat I just gave it.

 

[ElSmurf]

In the fall I might have some news and be easier to contact.

Curious if you have any (upcoming) news for us. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Beesneez ck12, but would prefer to get one of yours. Since I'm in Europe it would be a better deal shipping and tax-wise.

 

[Tim Campbell]

Right now it seems I am commited until christmas

 

[ElSmurf]

Right now it seems I am commited until christmas

Cool, thanks for the update! Beesneez it is then! I'll get the CT-12 for when I'll build my SM204.

 

[Delta Sigma]

Not much space inside - but everything is in the right place... The baskets are too short for the “loooooong” Beesneez capsule holders. So I used other capsule holders.

In my opinion a "Boutique microphone" is worth the effort if time is not a criterion. I spent about 30 hours building the two microphones. There are only good components in these mics inside. And for 4 times the price you get the same quality from other manufacturers... The next part is the tube power supply...

Are those grommets to get your capsule wires through the holes? Looks great.

I made the mistake of running multiple wires through the same holes in my Beesneez body 251. Originally because they lined up with the PCB awkwardly. Rewired it so the four wires each had their own hole, went with smaller conductors, then put Teflon tubing around the wires. I couldn't believe how much difference it made. Makes sense though, since we're dealing with pF.

 

[HerbertR]

Are those grommets to get your capsule wires through the holes? Looks great.

I made the mistake of running multiple wires through the same holes in my Beesneez body 251. Originally because they lined up with the PCB awkwardly. Rewired it so the four wires each had their own hole, went with smaller conductors, then put Teflon tubing around the wires. I couldn't believe how much difference it made. Makes sense though, since we're dealing with pF.

These four grommets were already located on the capsule holder underside of the rubber body and were about 2 mm high and 4 to 5 mm in diameter. The hole diameter in these four “nipples” are about 2-3 mm in size to pass the cables through them. I bought them on Ebay.

 

[paulcheeba]

Curious if you have any (upcoming) news for us. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Beesneez ck12, but would prefer to get one of yours. Since I'm in Europe it would be a better deal shipping and tax-wise.

See if Ben will do his special sputtering technique. It's more robust than gold and doesn't pop like most. It has the greatest sound I've heard next to a 251 capsule too.

 

[Carlos Alves]

Hi,

I only got C12 and ElaM251 boards. Here you can find the Dimensions:
View attachment 111368
But adopting the PCB to other dimensions is not a real big deal, if enough people are interested.
I adopted recently to Igor's UTM transformers. Makes the PCB a bit longer (110 mm instead 96 mm, so no place for the can, which comes with the SCT700 ...

Hope that helps,
Best regards,
Michael

How can I order one Ela251m Board from you?
Best regards,
Carlos Alves

 

[Tim Campbell]

Today I had a visit from a friend that just returned from China. One of the most interesting things he showed me was a 251 clone from Ningbo Fangzhou . It is cardioid only without a hole for the switch like this body.

 

[thomasdf]

On their website it features a 3pin XLR connector ? So solid state or mock-up for the pictures ?

Edit : more likely solid state as it is not filled under their « tube microphones » section

 

[ElSmurf]

Love that shockmount!