This listing is for an item that looks a lot like one of my RCA microphone manual restorations, but is actually a 22-page compilation, from a number of sources, of information relevant to the RCA 77-D and 77-DX series of microphones. Note that this is not an auction for an original manual for the 77-D or a microphone.
I wanted to come up with a way to provide more information than a typical manual provides- including data, specifications, response curves, theory of operation, more photos (a manual only has one photo), catalog pages, commonly used RCA mic stands, and pricing. After many hours of painstaking restoration with Photoshop, this is the exciting culmination. This is a restoration not to be confused with a Xerox copy. See my manual auctions for a more detailed description of the process. The restored photographs look much better than in the original documents.
The 77-D was the first broadcast/recording quality RCA ribbon microphone to use a single ribbon, a continuously variable shutter, and a damped acoustic labyrinth to create a polydirectional microphone with many different pickup patterns. The 77-DX is a mere refinement of the 77-D.
So, this booklet is really for owners and collectors of either model. Here are the contents:
The first document in the booklet is the 5-page article from a 1946 issue of RCA Broadcast News that introduced the 77-D model to the broadcast world. It contains many photos, including close-ups of the interior construction of the microphone, and more response curves than the manual provides.
This is followed by catalog pages of the 44-BX, the 77-D, and common RCA microphone stands.
Then there is a black and white version of the 44-BX and 77-D advertisement from the era.
Next there is a two-page application note covering the electrical and mechanical characteristics and features of RCA ribbon microphones, with a sample preamp circuit; this information is very useful and not available in the manuals.
Finally there is a price list from 1950 and an RCA broadcast equipment order blank.
This is really more like a super-manual with a much historic information that gives you the feel of the era. Like my manual restorations, it is plastic ring-bound and has heavy, clear plastic covers to protect it.
Did you know that several companies now offer restoration and repair services for these mics? See the links on my eBay "about ME" page for more information. We offer fine quality protective "bags" for the 44, 74, and 77 series RCA mics, along with manuals, refrigerator magnets, T-shirts and restored RCA ads for the vintage microphones. See my eBay store (click in the heading area above on the left) to see the individual listings for the many restored RCA microphone manuals and documents available. The top category is Microphone Manuals.
The time-consuming restoration process involves carefully scanning the original manual into Adobe Photoshop and spending hours processing each page to produce a manual that looks better-than-new. All photos are stripped out and processed separately. All tears, marks, stains, etc. are removed from the original manual, even printing defects are corrected. The text is brought back to original sharpness and detail, as are all of the illustrations.
Our production standards are high:
This is a highly professional product that takes a lot of time to prepare, but it is worth it! eBay customer feedback has been very positive regarding quality. So, if you own one of these wonderful RCA microphones, you deserve a quality manual to go with it. The photos are of a sample not the actual manual you will receive.
Contact me if you have a good original manual for any RCA, Western Electric, or Altec mic not found in my stores that I can borrow for restoration - you get a free manual of your choice, or un-framed ad!
This is a good time to buy some of my collectible RCA Broadcast Microphone magnet sets, they can be shipped free with any combination of bags, manuals or T-shirt. See my other listings for these magnet sets (each set has 4 magnets) each depicting a famous RCA microphone model. We have several different T-shirts designs. Since we combine shipping whenever possible -- be sure to alert us when you are making multiple purchases. The magnets and t-shirts are attractive and very cool!
WE COMBINE SHIPPING TO SAVE YOU MONEY -- WE SHIP OFTEN
Seller uses USPS Shipping for All USA & Canadian shipments or EBay International Shipping.
Our shipping is using eBay's calculator to your specific location as the US Postal service revises pricing on occasion. If you buying multiple items, and shipping appears high, please contact us with your exact ship-to address and we will confirm pricing before your purchase!
Satisfaction Guaranteed for purchase price only within 7 days of receipt. The photos are of an actual restored manual (only a few pages are shown).