T_will Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Ah the abuse! I'm just gonna rip/tug/pull/stretch this tiny inanimate object off me like the indignant interviewees do on 60 minutes...because I can, and I look important doing it. I've read that certain lavs cannot be refurbished (fixed) given types of enclosures (at the head). Question: can Sankens be saved, and if so is it financially worth it? It's clearly a wiring fault, buzz. Twiddling cable connection at the head remedies problem, but only temporarily. I've got two that I'm loathe to retire, I've rotated in a couple of new ones, but it seems like a waste? Cut my losses? "JWSOUND Knowledge base..Activate!" Thanks, Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Anderson Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 If the problem is at the head, throw it out. You can cut the connector off and save it for another cable or adaptor, but the mic is not salvageable. If the problem is at the connector, it will be worth it to fix it. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Check with Sanken. Sennheiser has (or used to have) a program where you could send in an old lav to trade in for a new one. It was expensive, but cheaper than a new one. On a similar note, I sent in an SM which Lectrosonics told me had a badly corroded board (must have been many sweaty actors is all can think). They offered to fix it for almost $600 or trade my broken one for a brand new SMa for $850. Perhaps this is a common practice for manufacturers to offer a replacement at a discount. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 " throw it out. ... the mic is not salvageable. " Contact Sanken, they are usually pretty generous about replacing/trading-in such units... others, too... see why I keep saying: "contact the manufacturer?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Lav mics are a form of EXPENDABLE. They are going to get damaged and the production on which the damage happens should pay for it. Problems at the connector end can be fixed if you know what you are doing. Problems at the head end are "career-enders"--the mic will never be reliable again. Scavange the connector and move on. Philip Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ken Mantlo Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Lav mics are a form of EXPENDABLE. They are going to get damaged and the production on which the damage happens should pay for it. Problems at the connector end can be fixed if you know what you are doing. Problems at the head end are "career-enders"--the mic will never be reliable again. Scavange the connector and move on. Philip Perkins X2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robaudio Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I have sent broke Sanken lavs to Plus 24 in LA for a trade in. http://www.sekd.com/default.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Plus24, the US Sanken distributor, used to have an exchange program but ended it recently. I'm told it was terminated on Sanken's behest. I think it was ill-advised on Sanken's part to end the program. They obviously made money on the exchange since they charged an amount which basically just discounted for the accessories not being included. It could be worth contacting them to see if it's been reinstated. http://www.plus24.net/ John B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Well, Countryman has a repair program too. Basically, they sell you a new mic, at least w/ B6s. Philip Perkins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 " They are going to get damaged and the production on which the damage happens should pay for it. " of course... but check for exchange-trade possibilities; sure, they often sell you the new mic for dealer cost (and then throw the dead body away!), but it can be worthwhile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Lewis Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 I called plus 24, and they recommend you buy an new mic (pigtail version) for $289. No accessories, just the mic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izen Ears Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 This pisses me off - I've lost 4 Sankens this year - getting them in and out of RM-11s! Sometimes it takes force to get it in there, sometimes not. I'm calling Sanken on Monday. I'll post back what they say. Dan Izen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 Dang, Dan... squeeze the sides of the RM-11! Of course, there's a difference between "defective" and "damaged". Replacing a microphone that was defective from the factory is something all manufacturers will do within the warranty period. But I think we can agree that a manufacturer should not be held responsible for replacing mics damaged or lost by someone else. Sanken lavs (and some others) are offered in a "pigtail" version (no connector, no accessories) to accommodate replacing lost and damaged mics. Glen Trew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izen Ears Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 I do squeeze the sides, but often it was still really tough to shove in there. I think perhaps some Sticky Stuff around the sides made it tough. To get them out I push them out by gently pressing the screen of the lav and the sides of the RM11. It's getting them in that's the problem. Come on don't tell me none of you out there haven't had this happen with regular use of the RM-11! Also it was only 3 lavs that busted not 4. Dan Izen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Sorry Dan... Never had that problem! but, I don't use Sticky Stuff. I do use moleskin wrapped around the head once in a while, but it doesn't leave too much residue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 " Sticky Stuff " well we know these are expensive little toys, and we also ougt to realize they are somewhat delicate... clean them thoroughly and carefully... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
André Boisvert Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Come on don't tell me none of you out there haven't had this happen with regular use of the RM-11! I had a Sanken lose its screen while pulling it out of an RM-11. Some very delicate use of superglue and a lot of patience, and it was good as new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Lewis Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 I lost one to a capsule going bad and several are cos-11S and just need replaced because they are old. Looks like I'll be calling Trew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izen Ears Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 I'm not a gorilla! This is at least partially a design thing. Dan Izen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 I do squeeze the sides, but often it was still really tough to shove in there. I think perhaps some Sticky Stuff around the sides made it tough. Dan Izen I'm not a gorilla! This is at least partially a design thing. Dan Izen Design thing of the Sticky Stuff :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 " This is at least partially a design thing. " there are other choices... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Timan Posted November 2, 2009 Report Share Posted November 2, 2009 Come on don't tell me none of you out there haven't had this happen with regular use of the RM-11! Also it was only 3 lavs that busted not 4. I've also never had this problem. Sounds like the culprit here was your use of the "sticky stuff", which maybe both wedged the mic into the mount at a greater diameter that the mount is designed to allow, and maybe also glued the element inside, making it tough to remove safely. Try skipping the "sticky stuff" -- the RM-11 holds the lav just fine without any adhesive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izen Ears Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 Ha ha thanks Noah I don't use the sticky stuff on the inside, just on the outside to fasten it to clothes. Maybe some residue got inside and made it tough to shove in? Sounds like a long shot. I ended up working today so I didn't get a chance to call Sanken but I will tomorrow and I'll post what they say. They'll probably say I'm a gorilla. Dan Izen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Lewis Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 I use Goo Gone to get any moleskin, or sticky residue off. Goof Off is rather harsh and I don't want that stuff near the capsule. Personal opinion, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 I think lighter fluid works about as well as Goo Gone for removing adhesive tape and labels -- assuming you can find it. Both have naptha in them, which think it eats holes in the ozone layer or something, so real lighter fluid is somewhat difficult to find these days. --Marc W. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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