CB shop black list.

I'm sure your 488 sounds better than mine. my electrovoice however can't be beat

 

I agree, the EV has something about it that makes it sound better but can't forget these mics were made for environments where ambient noises were high to begin with.

 

I would like to hear what the 488 sounds like when used with the amplifier board. I love how it feels in my hand but it doesn't sound as crisp as my EV stuff

 

Been doing this exact same mod to the 577B since 93 using the transformer from Telix-Turner, as well as rewiring the switch obviously. For the 488T I left the amplifier board in, setting it up for my 2970 to do SSB by using the RX pin as 8 volt power. Inside the 2970 I ran the regulated 8 volts through a 100 ohm resistor to the unused RX pin on the chassis side jack. This gives the correct voltage for the microphone at the same time providing protection to the 8 volt source should a wire ever short out in the microphone plug or elsewhere. Alas I have been sort of burned out on this line of Shure microphones due to the never ending failures in the voice coil. One new 577B sat in a box for years and when it came time to use it the coil was open. I decided to take it apart to see why. They use a glue which starts out yellow but later turns darker as it chemically corrodes the super fine wire coming from the voice coil. I am thinking this is the same chemical (glue) used in the older 148 Cobras around the 070 VCO IC. So many times I have found this once yellow (now dark brown) glue around the pins on the IC where a pin had actually been eaten through thus killing the radio.

 

I think the 577 was never intended for 'mission critical' use, as is the 488 and the 602, both of those mics are FAA approved if I remember and have a bit different construction.

 

I have taken the elements from both models apart and the construction is identical in every way*. Still have them. The 488T differed only in the amplifier board. So if I had to guess outside of the amplifier the only difference is in the tightness of quality control and inspection of each component as required by the FAA. My 488T still works fine and I believe small things like paying careful attention to not allowing too much glue (or it fails inspection) may be part of the equation. The glue is identical in color so I guess it is chemically the same yet cannot know for sure. On the back: FAA TSO C58 CATEGORY "B", Serial # 69733. I had in years past given thought to your considerations wondering about the same things you just mentioned. The disassembled 577 and 488 elements appear the same except the glue appears to be more tightly controlled in application. Small precise portions on the 488. Knowing how the typical MFG works to save cost it lead me to guess years ago the 577 is built from the elements that failed TSO certification yet otherwise performed the same. Mind you I'm only making generalized guesses but I have the elements in various stages of dis-assembly to study (thanks to a gift from our 'Rabbi' around 9 years ago).

If I was wealthy I would have long ago given up all the models mentioned so far in favor of a Blue Microphones Kiwi, assuming I had $1999.95 (or for a custom version $2499.95) to spend on just the microphone alone. But then I must wonder. Just exactly what radio does one use with a microphone costing over 2 grand?

* Forgot to add: they do differ in color scheme.

 

My 577B is still working........just nobody on there to talk to much anymore!

 

Sad sign of the times. SMS and smartphones can go to hell. (Even though I have a smartphone)

 

Tucker you are correct, the shop is now rays cb shop. I have been using ray for 30 yrs, He is the best in the business.
What is not mentioned is most truckers want the hack jobs and loud ### radios , Guess what if that is what you want you are paying for it NOT the tech. It is very simple Let the tech know what you want, Ray does NOT butcher radios. unless that is what you want. He is the BEST amplifier / radio man in the country. He matches the amp to the radio not the radio to the amp. JUST tell him to let you see the scope and the signal generator. I promise you if you let him match the amp to the radio you will have the cleanest signal on the air. I know from the last 30yrs i have dealt with him. SO TAKE THE SHOP OFF THE BLACKLIST!!!

 

Ray who? Helps if you quote who you are answering. If you are talking about Ray in W. Memphis, you are right, he shouldn't be on the Black List. As far as being the "best in the business", I would not go that far.