RARE VINTAGE Grundig "shaver" Dynamic Microphone NEEDS RESTORATION!!

Nice microphone to look at, classy old skool but unless substantially upgraded, probably of most use for decoration only

Although branded as Grundig, there are rumours around that this was actually an AKG product rebadged but we are not sure about that.

Looks great

Grundig Dynamic Desktop Microphone

GDM 111

Made In Germany

1960's

Bakelite casing throughout

Gold plated front/rear mesh

LARGE dynamic microphone capsule

Impedance matching transformer

Original cloth covered audio cable but the original connector has been removed.

No accurate frequency response figures can be found but I wouldn't be expecting too much from this microphone - great looker, great name but performance errrrr....

COSMETIC CONDITION:
The damage is obvious - one brown bakelite side panel has a substantial chunk missing from it. The other panel has a little damage at the bottom but not nearly as serious.

The main base and support brackets (both bakelite) are undamaged

The dynamic capsule is clean and undamaged

The original foam which was around the capsule has disintegrated over the years.

Gold plated mesh is in excellent condition - you wouldn't know it was almost 60 years old.

TESTING:
Technically all is good. I checked the capsule carefully as it looks similar to the old carbon types but it is definitely dynamic.

The capsule measures 30 Ohms DC.

The transformer allows this to be changed to 2500 Ohms DC

I mention DC because I have no means now to test the impedance at various frequencies.

Connected to my desk in a somewhat hairy fashion but it DOES WORK, actually the audio (speech) was not too bad.

So, a great candidate for restoration - its really all about replacing those side panels and fitting new foam inside/around the capsule.

The gold mesh is in such great condition, as is the fine gauze behind it.

Curious thing about these (must be for marketing) as the gold mesh goes right from the front to the back, surely not much point at the back as no audio is going to be picked up in that direction - faces straight into the rear of the capsule.

The actual microphone is fairly small: 80mm high x 45mm wide x 25mm deep

Weight is 220g

That dynamic capsule is BIG but actually the diaphram area is pretty much a standard 1" - it is totally sealed.

Quite rare to find these days and this one does need some loving care to the casing.