Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Diabolical Artificer · 26th Sep 2018, 2:58 pm

I've had this component for a while, which i think is a ribbon microphone replacement "diaphram" . It's still in it's original box, it had a rubber seal with it, that has now perished.

Dare say there's someone out there who needs this, I'd like to try and ID it properly in order to be able to advertise it.

It's possible it's actually a tweeter diaphram, I found an old thread that mentioned Decca horns. Any info welcome.

TFL, Andy.

Refugee · 26th Sep 2018, 3:31 pm

I have got one of those.
I did many years ago try it out only to find that it was a bit hissy due to the amount of voltage gain required. It has period low noise transistors and a step up transformer but still the hiss. It sounded all right though.

dseymo1 · 26th Sep 2018, 6:05 pm

Surely the OP's example is a ribbon for a Decca London tweeter?

Refugee · 26th Sep 2018, 7:21 pm

It is highly unlikely to be a tweeter.
The construction is a ribbon of aluminum foil in open air mounted between the poles of a magnet.
Andy does not have the magnet or matching transformer.
You can see the foil ribbon through the dust screen on mine.

Nickthedentist · 26th Sep 2018, 7:28 pm

I think desyemo1 has it. Not the whole tweeter, just the replacement ribbon assy. for one.

DK = Decca Kelly, a tweeter: http://reromanus.net/loudspeaker-rep...bish_decca.htm

Refugee · 26th Sep 2018, 7:34 pm

Those look very expensive. The magnets are huge.

dseymo1 · 26th Sep 2018, 9:14 pm

Expensive and very good!
They still have something of a cult following.

Radio Wrangler · 26th Sep 2018, 9:18 pm

The complete ribbon tweeters were very expensive and still are whenever one turns up for sale.

That replacement ribbon could be rather desirable.

David

Diabolical Artificer · 27th Sep 2018, 6:42 am

Thanks all. They look well tasty.

Andy.

Refugee · 27th Sep 2018, 12:20 pm

I looked up Lustraphone last night and there are lots of photos of ribbon microphones.
It looks like what I have got is an insert from a mike made by a quite respected manufacturer.

vidjoman · 27th Sep 2018, 2:18 pm

That’s not from a microphone, it says Decca Special Products on the box. It’s from a ribbon speaker

Refugee · 27th Sep 2018, 3:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vidjoman

That’s not from a microphone, it says Decca Special Products on the box. It’s from a ribbon speaker

I meant the one in my photo in post#2. Mine is a microphone insert with electronics and is shown for reference to related technology.
Andy clearly has a ribbon from a speaker and is not a complete assembly.

26th Sep 2018, 2:58 pm	#1
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,657	Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID I've had this component for a while, which i think is a ribbon microphone replacement "diaphram" . It's still in it's original box, it had a rubber seal with it, that has now perished. Dare say there's someone out there who needs this, I'd like to try and ID it properly in order to be able to advertise it. It's possible it's actually a tweeter diaphram, I found an old thread that mentioned Decca horns. Any info welcome. TFL, Andy. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

26th Sep 2018, 6:05 pm	#3
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Dekka "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID Surely the OP's example is a ribbon for a Decca London tweeter?

26th Sep 2018, 7:21 pm	#4
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Dekka "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID It is highly unlikely to be a tweeter. The construction is a ribbon of aluminum foil in open air mounted between the poles of a magnet. Andy does not have the magnet or matching transformer. You can see the foil ribbon through the dust screen on mine.

26th Sep 2018, 7:28 pm	#5
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Dekka "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID I think desyemo1 has it. Not the whole tweeter, just the replacement ribbon assy. for one. DK = Decca Kelly, a tweeter: http://reromanus.net/loudspeaker-rep...bish_decca.htm Last edited by Nickthedentist; 26th Sep 2018 at 7:33 pm.

26th Sep 2018, 7:34 pm	#6
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Dekka "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID Those look very expensive. The magnets are huge.

26th Sep 2018, 3:31 pm	#2
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Dekka "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID I have got one of those. I did many years ago try it out only to find that it was a bit hissy due to the amount of voltage gain required. It has period low noise transistors and a step up transformer but still the hiss. It sounded all right though. Attached Thumbnails

26th Sep 2018, 9:14 pm	#7
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID Expensive and very good! They still have something of a cult following.

26th Sep 2018, 9:18 pm	#8
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID The complete ribbon tweeters were very expensive and still are whenever one turns up for sale. That replacement ribbon could be rather desirable. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

27th Sep 2018, 6:42 am	#9
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,657	Re: Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID Thanks all. They look well tasty. Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

27th Sep 2018, 12:20 pm	#10
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID I looked up Lustraphone last night and there are lots of photos of ribbon microphones. It looks like what I have got is an insert from a mike made by a quite respected manufacturer.

27th Sep 2018, 2:18 pm	#11
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,324	Re: Decca "DK/30" Ribbon mic/tweeter "diaphram" ID That’s not from a microphone, it says Decca Special Products on the box. It’s from a ribbon speaker