Wooden Microphone Boxes

[MHanson]

Hello all,

I thought there was a talk about wooden boxes for microphones some time back ... but can really find anything other than wine boxes.

I'm looking for some nice boxes for a few microphones, specifically a C-12, 251, and CMV 563. I would like to find some molded/sized appropriately for each mic and don't want to spend stupid money if I can help it.

Any good recommendations?

Thank you,
Michael

 

[kags]

Many companies sell them at reasonable prices, if you want the classic wooden boxes. For instance: https://www.telefunken-elektroakust...=1&product_cat=parts-accessories+wooden-boxes

Otherwise there are lots of non-wood options like pelican, skb, etc…

The key is using insert materials that do not decompose.

 

[soapfoot]

Flea makes some very nice c12 boxes, and you can order them direct without the logo

 

[RuudNL]

Many companies sell them at reasonable prices, if you want the classic wooden boxes. For instance: https://www.telefunken-elektroakust...=1&product_cat=parts-accessories+wooden-boxes

I suppose the price ($399) is a joke?

 

[kags]

I don’t disagree that 400 bucks is not cheap, but it’s a retail product from a company that sells $10k microphones. Maybe there is a company in Shenzen making nice wooden boxes for mics?

Retail pricing is what it is, but I know a few wood shops in LA that would certainly charge a few hundred to make a custom wood box with lining, hinge and clasp.

I personally use harbor freight “pelican” style cases for many of my mics, but I do like wood ones, too, when they are avail.

Maybe Warm or Mic-parts or Mxl can get a low price in boxes?

 

[RuudNL]

Studio 939 used to sell microphone boxes for $27...

 

[Barry Hufker]

I use Pelican (or similar) for my mic cases. IME, Telefunken is known for buying cheap and selling (inordinately) high. There's no reason for a wooden box like theirs to sell for $400...

 

[MHanson]

Thank you all.

I emailed Flea a couple weeks ago but haven't received a response.

I looked at the Studio 939, but am insure if they will fit a C12 or 251 nicely. Seeing a donor body mic in the box made me pause.

I was about to buy some of these until I noticed they were no longer available. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806027219161.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

And TAB's are all backordered? https://www.tab-funkenwerk.org/product/c12box/
I'll try calling them tomorrow just to be sure.

I really don't want to pay the $400 price from Telefunken, hence asking for recommendations.

 

[ccaudle]

The key is using insert materials that do not decompose.

Any good sources for that? I recently got some nice plastic boxes with a tray to hold 4 together, but they are empty inside, I will need to source cushioning material.
Some Pelican style boxes have foam with cube shaped cuts that don't completely separate the material, which makes it relatively easy to cut out enough cubes to fit mics or other small items. I have a case like that which as far as I can tell still hasn't deteriorated in 20 years, so seems like decent material.
Finding something like that would be nice for these boxes.

 

[kags]

Custom cut polyethylene foam can be found at a lot of places, especially for gun and camera equip.

Look up local foam shops in your area.

The pull-apart cubes are okay but may decompose after several years- just keep an eye on it.

 

[nashkato]

is there any reason besides the looks , that one wants to store a mic in a wood box ?
humidity ,...?

 

[Barry Hufker]

I keep my microphones in a Pelican case, loosely wrapped in a plastic bag (to keep out foam particles) with a small package of desiccant. That seems to work..

 

[OneRoomStudio]

with a small package of desiccant

This might be the least talked about, but most important part of mic storage. Keep particulate matter AND moisture away from your capsules!

 

[Kelvin Zero]

Seems to be sold out at the moment, I guess they'll turn up again:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006213533913.html?
The U87ish ones are new to me:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007760913422.html?

 

[MicMaven]

is there any reason besides the looks , that one wants to store a mic in a wood box ?
humidity ,...?

Yes, and for MORE reasons, including, but not limited to, protection from dust and other debris, shock and vibration, water and other liquids, mold mildew and fungus amongus, dings and scratches, odors, theft, and mishandling by marauding children and killer bees, to name a few of the more obvious risks.

Parenthetically, this item was listed as "mint" and "nearly new" on a well known online auction site and illustrates the ravages of mishandling and improper storage!

Just My take. Yours may vary. James

 

[ccaudle]

Yes, and for MORE reasons, including, but not limited to...

It sounds like you are comparing a wooden box to nothing. I interpreted the previous question to be why would you use a wooden box instead of a plastic or metal case.

 

[13engrsapper]

I prefer pelican or SKB, and as has been mentioned putting them inside some kind of bag in the box. We live in hurricane country and water protection is essential.
I can't count the hours/days I have spent cleaning decomposed foam out of old vintage mics, so a bag of some sort is helpful inside the box to prevent that necessity years down the road.

 

[MicMaven]

It sounds like you are comparing a wooden box to nothing. I interpreted the previous question to be why would you use a wooden box instead of a plastic or metal case.

Um ... er ... Right!

(He typed, slinking back under his rock ...) JHR

 

[OneRoomStudio]

My ideal solution (which I haven't actually found yet) would be some sort of small waterproof container (material doesn't matter much) that stacks easily, and doesn't weigh much or take up more room than necessary. Wooden boxes and pelican/ABS cases are fine, but they can take up a lot of room when you have a handful of mics stacked on a shelf. A zip-lock bag would be fine, aside from the lack of stack-ability. The little case that Oktava MK-012's came in back in the '90's were a nice size (but the latch was a little cheesy and they weren't water-tight).

 

[kags]

A metal tool box is about 20 bucks on amazon. Cut some foam and you could easily store a few mics in it. Safe and sound. Also a great conversation piece when the neighbor sees you carrying it. I say "it's my tools!." Credit for this design goes to Cathedral Pipes...