This is a modified Linesman’s Handset (AKA a “Buttinsky”)- it has been completely rewired to adapt the microphone as well as the earpiece to both be microphones compatible with modern record equipment or PA systems.
There are two modes on this handset, and the dial works on both to make noise and interrupt the audio signal.
- When the black switch is pushed “up” you will get audio from the headset, which is a standard dynamic type microphone. It’s a little quiet, but has fairly decent audio (even though it still sounds like a phone!).
- When the black switch is pushed “down”, you get the original microphone, which is a crystal microphone. In order to work, this microphone does need phantom power. Additionally, I wired in a 600 ohm transformer and a small circuit setup to make the output signal balanced. This microphone sounds very high gain, grainy, and is super sensitive!
I have used these mics to record vocals, guitar, and as a room mic for drums. They sound super organic, highly compressed, and naturally distort really well. After gutting the old wiring and circuit boards, I rewire them with high quality wire using modern audio construction techniques and encase all of the wires and bits which might work loose in hot glue and epoxy (as needed), so these mics should be really durable. You can grab a cell phone microphone stand clip to hold it, or you can just hold it in your hand. Every one of these is a little different depending on the year it was made and the condition I found it in. I keep an eye out for General Electric handsets from the 60s and 70s, as I find they tend to work the best. | Cost is reliant on supply- typically I charge $75 plus the cost of the handset (or you can supply the handset!).
