Specifications & instructions

To get the best out of your Silver Bullet

It is recommended that Silver Bullet harmonica mics are coupled with a right-angled jack lead. Not only does this make these mics look extremely cool on stage when as harp player you may be the centre of attention, but also avoids any minor cable-pull which may occur during prolonged playing with a rear-mounted jack socket and a straight jack plug!

To get the best out of your Silver Bullet Dynamic | Special – Dirty 50KΩ/Clean 4KΩ switchable

  • The microphone switches between unbalanced medium (4KΩ) and high (50KΩ) impedance which should be matched to a high (500KΩ/0.5MΩ) impedance (sometimes labelled as passive) socket on your amplifier. Poorly matched impedance may diminish the volume and performance of the mic. An amp input impedance of at least 10 times the amount of the source mic impedance is advised.
  • Both the dirty (50KΩ) and clean (4KΩ) dynamic elements in this mic produce a strong signal but differ in sensitivity by about 10 dB – with the dirty element producing the hottest and most powerful signal. For relatively seamless switching between elements:

    1. At initial EQ sound-check select the clean element and turn the gain on the mic to full. 2. Then adjust amp volume to appropriate level and adjust amp tone settings (bass, treble etc) to suit – including adding a touch of reverb. 3. Then turn down mic gain to off and switch to dirty element. Slowly adjust gain on the mic to appropriate volume level – which will be “about <1/3”. 4. Practice switching from the dirty to clean element and back. From dirty to clean – switch element and then immediately turn the volume to “3/4 – full” to compensate for the differing sensitivity and to avoid a significant dip in volume, mid performance. To switch from clean to dirty: turn down volume to about 1/3 then switch elements from clean to dirty. If you don’t turn down the gain down sufficiently you risk feedback or excessive volume.

  • Dirty sounding dynamic (50KΩ) element – Turn up the gain to drive the mic’ and achieve various degrees of distortion. At sound-check use the gain on the mic to find your sweet-spot with rig/amp settings – balancing amp and mic volume to achieve the desired level of distortion and volume. Use a touch of reverb to achieve a crunchy classic “blues” harmonica sound which is full of tone.
  • Clean sounding dynamic (4KΩ) element – This element produces clear and rich sound with clean low, mid and high frequencies without excessive treble. If you like a very light touch of distortion (depending on your rig) it may be possible to drive the mic’ by turning up the gain on the amp and setting the microphone volume to maximum, ideally applying a touch of reverb.
  • Ensure a good hand-cup and seal around the mic and your harp for optimum volume and tone.
  • Unbalanced microphones can pick up interference (buzz/hum) from fluorescent lights and some electrical equipment. If this happens increase distance or turn off source of interference. Avoid extended cable runs and use a shielded cable – such as a good quality electric guitar lead.
  • A neat rig for amplified playing uses a right-angle jack plug for the microphone with no gain knob – minimising the risk of accidental changes in volume, mid-performance. However, if required, a larger knob can be can be retro-fitted to the 6mm potentiometer shaft.
  • Your microphone is precision equipment so avoid dropping and use the protective case when transporting.
  • Please do not attempt to disassemble/ open the microphone as this will damage the components and negate your warranty.
  • Periodically wipe the surface of your wooden microphone fascia with olive oil to maintain the good looks of your Silver Bullet.

    To get the best out of your Silver Bullet Dynamic | Special – Dirty 50KΩ

  • The microphone is high (50KΩ) impedance which should be matched to a high (500KΩ/0.5MΩ) impedance (sometimes labelled as passive) socket on your amplifier. Poorly matched impedance may diminish the volume and performance of the mic. An amp input impedance of at least 10 times the amount of the source mic impedance is advised.
  • Dirty sounding dynamic (50KΩ) element – Turn up the gain to drive the mic’ and achieve various degrees of distortion. At sound-check use the gain on the mic to find your sweet-spot with rig/amp settings – balancing amp and mic volume to achieve the desired level of distortion and volume. Use a touch of reverb to achieve a crunchy classic “blues” harmonica sound which is full of tone.
  • Ensure a good hand-cup and seal around the mic and your harp for optimum volume and tone.
  • Unbalanced microphones can pick up interference (buzz/hum) from fluorescent lights and some electrical equipment. If this happens increase distance or turn off source of interference. Avoid extended cable runs and use a shielded cable – such as a good quality electric guitar lead.
  • A neat rig for amplified playing uses a right-angle jack plug for the microphone with no gain knob – minimising the risk of accidental changes in volume, mid-performance. However, if required, a larger knob can be can be retro-fitted to the 6mm potentiometer shaft.
  • Your microphone is precision equipment so avoid dropping and use the protective case when transporting.
  • Please do not attempt to disassemble/ open the microphone as this will damage the components and negate your warranty.
  • Periodically wipe the surface of your wooden microphone fascia with olive oil to maintain the good looks of your Silver Bullet.

    To get the best out of your Silver Bullet Dynamic | Special – Clean 4KΩ

  • The microphone is medium (4KΩ) impedance which should be matched to a high (=/>50KΩ e.g. 500KΩ/0.5MΩ) impedance (sometimes labelled as passive) socket on your amplifier. Poorly matched impedance may diminish the volume and performance of the mic. An amp input impedance of at least 10 times the amount of the source mic impedance is advised.
  • Clean sounding dynamic (4KΩ) element – This element produces clear and rich sound with clean low, mid and high frequencies without excessive treble. If you like a very light touch of distortion (depending on your rig) it may be possible to drive the mic’ by turning up the gain on the amp and setting the microphone volume to maximum, ideally applying a touch of reverb.
  • Ensure a good hand-cup and seal around the mic and your harp for optimum volume and tone.
  • Unbalanced microphones can pick up interference (buzz/hum) from fluorescent lights and some electrical equipment. If this happens increase distance or turn off source of interference. Avoid extended cable runs and use a shielded cable – such as a good quality electric guitar lead.
  • A neat rig for amplified playing uses a right-angle jack plug for the microphone with no gain knob – minimising the risk of accidental changes in volume, mid-performance. However, if required, a larger knob can be can be retro-fitted to the 6mm potentiometer shaft.
  • Your microphone is precision equipment so avoid dropping and use the protective case when transporting.
  • Please do not attempt to disassemble/ open the microphone as this will damage the components and negate your warranty.
  • Periodically wipe the surface of your wooden microphone fascia with olive oil to maintain the good looks of your Silver Bullet.

    I hope you enjoy using the Silver Bullet for your amplified harmonica playing! Your feedback is always welcome (please email: silverfishharp@gmail.com). Happy harmonica playing!
    Rick www.silverfish-harmonicas.com

    Impedance matching

    To get the very best out of your microphone in terms of volume, sound quality and performance you ideally need to ensure that the microphone you plug into your amplifier is matched to an input that is ideally about 10x that of your microphone.

    Although perfect impedance matching is ideal, sub-optimal impedance matching may be compensated for with adjustment of microphone gain and amp settings or use of a pre-amplifier. If in doubt please contact Rick for advice – who is always happy to advise.

    What kind of Silver Bullet Harmonica Microphone should I buy?

    The choice of harmonica microphone may be a little daunting. If you are struggling to select the right harmonica microphone or are unclear on the difference between the versions of Silver Bullet available (different impedance: medium or high-Z) or even what impedance is about (a measurement of the resistance of the microphone – divided into low, medium and high measured in ohms or Ω) don’t worry! Hopefully this summary of the Silver Bullet range will help you understand their different characteristics and help you select a mic that is best for you.

    If you don’t know the specification of your amplifier or can’t be bothered with that sort of thing – both the 4KΩ and 50KΩ dynamic microphones perform exceptionally well on most amps and when used with PA systems. Therefore your choice may be driven more by the kind of sound you like. For a clean sound chose the 4KΩ dynamic and for a dirty sound – the 50KΩ dynamic is for you. Both are packed with tone and great performing microphones. For optimum flexibility chose the switchable Silver Bullet | switchable (clean/dirty) enabling seamless switching between both types of dynamic element.

    To some extent sub-optimal impedance matching (ideally amp input should be 10x that of the source mic’) may be compensated for to a degree through adjustment of microphone gain and amp settings or use of a pre-amplifier.

    For very low-powered and small amplifiers (such as the Roland microcube) you may best chose the more sensitive 50KΩ dynamic microphones which provide a very strong signal and sound with little effort.

    Features

  • Full bodied tone with harmonic overtones
  • Great feedback rejection
  • Lightweight/small bullet
  • Robust industrial-feel construction for rigor of touring
  • Reliable dynamic element
  • Choice of clean or dirty-sounding microphones
  • Choice of impedance
  • Choice of gain or no gain bullets
  • Steel mesh grille with choice of fascia
  • Two-stage mesh and foam to reduce breath noise
  • Shock-mount design reduces handling noise
  • Rubber sleeve to improve hand-seal
  • Quality electronic components and connector
  • Holster-style case
  • One year guarantee

    • Caring for your Silver Bullet Harmonica Microphone

  • Your microphone is precision equipment so avoid dropping and use the protective case when transporting.
  • Please do not attempt to disassemble/ open the microphone as this will damage the components and negate your warranty.
  • Periodically (a few times per year) wipe the surface of your wooden microphone fascia with boiled linseed (or olive oil at a pinch) to maintain the good looks of your Silver Bullet. The wooden fascia has been well impregnated with oil so just feed the top sparingly with oil. Finish with wood-finishing wax buffered up with a soft cloth. Clean the holes afterwards with a point of the cloth or cotton bud.
  • Periodically (a few times per year) wipe the leather-wrap sparingly with leather wax or Dubbin and then wipe-off to avoid it leaving a greasy surface.
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