MD-421 questions

[rackmonkey]

My MD-421s have served me well for many years, but one recently took an unfortunate drop (drummers...they beat things with sticks) and the headbasket is pretty well crushed on one side. 

2 questions:

1) trying to get the dropped mic disassembled to push the bent basket back out a bit. This is an older U5 model that has all the silicone goop and the silicon washer thingy around the main assembly nut/bolt. The silicone has sort of melted around the nut and has made it just about impossible to unscrew. I’ve tried about everything except heating the nut with a soldering iron tip to try and expand it a bit and maybe melt the silicone.

Does anyone have a trick i’m overlooking for getting the nut loosened? It may have also simply been overtightened at the factory. But my buddy who runs a studio said he’s run into this before (no advice except manhandling it and hoping for the best) so it seems it’s not an isolated thing.

2) i’ve thought about getting a couple of new ones just to have some more on hand, but the MD421 II’s i’ve heard don’t sound as smooth in the highs as the older models. Something is just different. The spec sheets show what looks like a bump centered around 5k with the newer model compared to the old one, but the Y axis isn’t labeled on the old models’ frequency response charts so it’s hard to quantify. Any opinions on the II’s? Am I just suffering from old mic ageing and bias?

Appreciate any thoughts you might have.

BT

 

[tommia]

It is very tricky to open a 421. The capsule is also very fragile. If if works leave it like it is. That's the vintage look.

 

[rackmonkey]

Sound advice and I would be inclined to leave things alone if  the function weren’t affected, but the basket is so crushed in it seems to be affecting the highs, especially off axis. But given the stubbornness of this nut I may just have to figure out how to live with it.

BT

 

[panman]

The silicon never was a problem for me.  I might not quite understand the issue. Is the silicon hardened or what? I do not see how that would be possible. Melted? How? Normally I just scrape it off with a screw-driver and get the nut out with a socket. Are you sure it was not opened before? Perhaps someone put glue in there.
I agree, you need to take it out and see what other damage is there. Vintage does not mean it sounds like ****. May be difficult to pull the capsule out off the grill without further damage. That`s why it would be better to pull the dent out from outside first to make space anyway and who knows if the correct sound comes back with it, though not likely.  If ok then, leave it or give it to someone who is an expert to fix it. And yes, it can be fixed.

 

[shabtek]

Could you use a wire hook to gradually pull the dent out, similar to auto body dent pulling.

 

[panman]

Could you use a wire hook to gradually pull the dent out, similar to auto body dent pulling.

Yes, something like that or maybe a fishing-hook.

 

[rackmonkey]

Great idea on pulling the basket back into shape from the outside. Should probably do that no matter what to avoid possible (further) damage to the capsule when I pull it out.

Agree that the silicone thing is weird. I guess it’s possible someone glued the nut given how hard it is to turn. I think i’ll try the soldering iron to heat the nut a bit and maybe melt whatever might be causing it to stick (if that’s even what’s happening.)

Good advice all. Thanks for the help!

BT

 

[Whoops]

The silicon never was a problem for me.Normally I just scrape it off with a screw-driver and get the nut out with a socket.

I have the same experience and method with 421 mics. Never have any problem opening one and the silicon always came off easilly

Do whatever you need to expose the Nut but be carefull not to damage the plastic body, don't make holes in the the tunnel back wall