[Gianluca Barbaro]

Hi all,
I have recently bought a used 44 HP from Japan: the price was ok and the melodion in itself works well, but I get a “weird” output from the internal mike. It’s like there’s a strong resonance of sort in the medium/high range. Having a PRO44H too, I have compared the two and the output from the latter doesn’t have the same “noise”. Also, I have noticed that the HP model has a sort of plastic membrane in front of the capsule, while the 44H doesn’t (just a “latex” cover). I don’t know if the mike is damaged or maybe it’s a mechanical problem between this plastic diaphragm and the mike. Any insight?
Also, has anyone an idea of where I could order a replacement mike set?

Thanks,
gl

[Melodica-Me]

Gianluca, try Westmusic, I purchased reed sets for both 44 and 44HP as well as gaskets and a lost volume knob. They may have the source for your parts.
Hope this helps
Melodica-Me

westmusic_2@shop.rakuten.co.jp
Att: Go Kawamoto
Website
http:/www.rakuten.co.jp/westmusic/

[Gianluca Barbaro]

Hi Melodica-Me, you’re right! I hadn’t thought about Mr Kawamoto! I’ll try…
What’s your take on the different diaphragm between the two Hammond 44?
gl

[Melodica-Me]

Hello Gianluca, I like them both and I have not had any issues in all these years other than replacing the reeds once for both and I only replaced the sectional reed plate that had a bad reed, and still maintaining the same tonal quality as the existing reed played not replaced I bought from Mr Kawamoto.
Melodica-Me

[Gianluca Barbaro]

Here’s what I’m talking about. This is the diaphragm in front of the mike in a Hammond Pro44H:

http://www.barbaro.it/cms/images/temp/Hammond_Pro44H_mike_diaphragm.jpg

And here’s the different diaphragm in a Pro44HP:

http://www.barbaro.it/cms/images/temp/Hammond_Pro44HP_mike_diaphragm.jpg

I don’t know what to make of such a different design between the two models…

In any case, it turns out the casing elements from the two models are interchangeable, so I tried and swapped the microphone parts between the two, and it worked:

http://www.barbaro.it/cms/images/temp/Hammond_PRO44_hybrid.jpg

It looks like, in my case, it’s definitely a mike capsule problem, because now it works well…

cheers
gl

[Melodica-Me]

I am wondering if this is due to a different type of reed thickness, or plating technique on the reeds. They state that they are both Phosphorous bronze plated but the HP are much brighter. If you are familiar with the Hohner Basso Melodica it has a diapram as well to try to provide constant pressure maybe the difference is in the elasticity of the bladder material? I will ask a few friends that are in with Suzuki and maybe they can tell us the reason.
Melodica-Me

[Gianluca Barbaro]

Melodica-Me, I’m not sure it has to do with chamber pressure. It looks like the HP diaphragm extrudes towards the capsule: maybe it is supposed to mechanically transmit vibrations to the capsule? Or to exalt some vibration range? I’m just guessing…
In any case, Mr Kawamoto proved himself invaluable once again: I was able to order a couple of mike capsules from them, although it will take 2/3 weeks to have them shipped.
I’m thinking about adding a second capsule, in parallel to the existing one, at the other end (basses): once the parts arrive I’ll make some experimentation…
gl

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