Identifying an original Turner RK56

[rockytopcummins]

I'm wanting to find an old school original RK56. Does anyone know of any specific marking or the like to decipher between the old quality microphones and the new cheaper made ones?

 

[space cowboy]

does this cover it?

NOTICE
Telex has sold the Turner brand to DAS, a truck stop electronics distributor. Their first two batches of microphones are not acceptable to our standards. As a result we no longer sell the RK-56 microphones. We have been told the company that made the element for Telex either went out of business or no longer makes the element. This is what made the RK-56 the best sounding noise cancelling microphone on the market, which justified the price. Now the Road King look alike mics sound better at less than half the price. If you have an older RK-56 you can identify it by looking at the back cover. It says TELEX TURNER. If it only says TURNER, you have one of the new mics and we can't improve the sound quality. If you have an original TELEX, don't get rid of it. We can repair any failures, except for the element. Element failure is rare.

 

[rockytopcummins]

Unfortunately not. I have found that statement. That took place within the last few years, and I had already found that during my research. Thanks for trying though. What I'm aiming for is and ORIGINGAL, even before it was Telex Turner. Going back to an original Turner from the 1970s era. I know it will be difficult to find, but that's what I'm going for.

 

[CbRadiosPRONTO]

Still, that's spot on information from Bob.


CbRadiosPRONTO

 

[2RT307]

I have two RK-56's. One is a Turner Telex, and the other is an original. Darned if I can find the one you're asking about, but if I find it this weekend I'll post a pic of the back. Best as I recall, the back on it was stamped into the plastic, not painted on like the one I'm posting a pic of.



73,
Brett

 

[Mudfoot]

I had one that was made in Mexico. It was built sturdy and sounded great. It was fairly old.

 

[Atlasta]

I have one. It's not in the best of shape as seen in the photos but still works quite well. Would like to find an original replacement cord for it.

 

[W5LZ]

I think I would suggest you find a beat up old microphone of the 'right' time period and just remove the cord. I really doubt if that same cord is even manufactured anymore. If it's 'looks/style' you're after, as long as it has the correct number of conductors it won't matter electrically. If it's not 'looks/style' you're after, then replace the cord with almost anything, won't matter.
- 'Doc

 

[sonoma]

I was thinking the old original ones had the fat mic cord on them. I have a few here and it has the name stamped in the plastic on the back and the fat cord. not the long thin one.

 

[Mudfoot]

Clean that Beechnut out.

 

[CbRadiosPRONTO]

I believe the RK's had two different cord options. I have two old ones. One has a fat cord am I hate it. It doesn't stretch and pulling the mic to get it to stretch will yank my Optima off the shelf.


CbRadiosPRONTO

 

[rockytopcummins]

I think I would suggest you find a beat up old microphone of the 'right' time period and just remove the cord. I really doubt if that same cord is even manufactured anymore. If it's 'looks/style' you're after, as long as it has the correct number of conductors it won't matter electrically. If it's not 'looks/style' you're after, then replace the cord with almost anything, won't matter.
- 'Doc

I'm not going for the "look". I'm wanting it for the audio quality. I haven't used one, but I'm told the originals have a much better broadcast quality than the newer ones. Better made, better quality mics.

 

[medic18d]

if you find one open it up the original element has a solid back plate on it . the new elements have a opening in the back of the element . as long as it has the good element you should be good .

 

[W4KVW]

I just picked up an Original Today.It does not have that gold emblem on the front of the microphone like the new model.I have not plugged it into my microphone tester yet so hopefully it works.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[renegade109]

I have one. It's not in the best of shape as seen in the photos but still works quite well. Would like to find an original replacement cord for it.

not original but by using a adapter, or just cutting the 2 phone plugs off and wiring it to the correct mic plug, you would have a very good cord. Check out Heil Sound and on the first screen, under "about us" go to ham radio and then parts.