Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on August 23, 2016 at 6:14pm

Like this?  Built it about 4 years ago, never happy with the sound.  Probably needed a pre-amp.

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on August 23, 2016 at 6:58pm

That's cool, like Beeker on the headstock.

Permalink Reply by Crashmast on August 23, 2016 at 7:55pm

I used a carbon mic from a phone in my first CBG after reading something online about guitarists in the 1920s doing it. The sound is pretty much exactly what you'd expect; like talking on the phone, only with a guitar, if that makes sense.

It's not very useful, in my opinion, as a primary pickup, but you could easily get some cool lo-fi sounds using one, especially in conjunction with another pickup.

Permalink Reply by Skeesix on August 24, 2016 at 6:05am

Microphones and speakers can be used as pickups, but they're going to be weaker because they have a lot less winds in them. 

As the others have said, a old telephone handset would make a great microphone with a tinny sort of special effect. I've seen people use them as harmonica mics. 

Permalink Reply by David Clewell on August 24, 2016 at 7:10am

The "old" telephone mics were packed with carbon granules that would compress or decompress as you spoke into them, thereby changing its internal resistance. This changed the direct current voltage (dc) to a pulsating direct current (pdc) that corresponded to the changing air pressures. This pdc would then affect the receiver at the other end. There were no windings or magnets in this type of transmitter, If this is the type microphone you have, you would have to have a voltage source to provide the dc and some kind of preamp to drive a speaker. 

No! I don't think it is worth the effort. Keep the telephone intact, it will soon be a historical keepsake. 

Dave