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Free Sample Lessons
After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.
- Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
- Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills
HI
The MC-127 was called "ceramic" and the MC-151 was called crystal. In fact BOTH are crystal mics using the piezoelectric principle to convert sound waves to electrical energy. They were both man-made crystals - just different formulations. According to Astatic literature:
MC-151 -- crystal element with a midrange presence rise
MC-101 -- crystal element WITHOUT a midrange presence rise.
MC-127 -- ceramic element with a midrange presence rise
MC-126 -- ceramic element WITHOUT a midrange presence rise.
Note that the MC151 mold wore out, and later MC151's were made using the MC127 mold - the "MC127" is still visible in the molded back case - but they then put a sticker on the element that said MC151. If the sticker has fallen off, there's really no way to tell whether it was an MC127 or an MC151.
Because crystal elements are extremely sensitive to input impedance, the difference in tone between a crystal and a CR or CM element will depend on the specific amp you're connected to. Trying to describe the difference in words is just impossible to do well. The only way to know is to try them, back to back, on the same amp, by the same player, in the same room, at the same time.