Steane’s ‘Ellipsoid’ was a budget ribbon microphone made in Melbourne Australia in the late 1940’s. The advertising literature from December 1948 declares it to be the ‘World’s Smallest Ribbon Mike’!
Other claims made in the blurb also raised my curiosity, especially the bit about ‘No boom or puff’! (Never previously on my list of ribbon mic problems!) So when my newly purchased Steane’s ‘Ellipsoid’ arrived I had to plug it in straight way. However………….. As I turned up the volume on my headphones I was horrified by the sound that assailed my ears. It had a very unpleasant nasal honk and a gratingly harsh high end! This was not what I was expecting! The previous owner had assured me that this shiny gem was fully working and all original. Hmmm!
On opening it up this is what I found. Whaaaaaaaaat TF!
The ribbon motor and transformer had been removed! The body of the mic was filled with grotty, yellowing, wading and a crudely soldered Astatic ceramic element dumped unceremoniously on the top.The whole horrifying confection was sort of held in place with a couple of random bits of grey foam.
The grill was also stuffed with wading to stop the lose element from rattling around (and maybe improve the tone?) Perhaps it was an attempt to get rid of some of that legendary Aussie ‘Boom’ and ‘Puff’! Anyhow, I sadly stuffed it all back together as I found it and bunged it back in the post to the previous owner for a full refund. What a disappointment!
P.S.
If like me you are unfamiliar with Steane’s microphones here is their Microphone catalogue circa 1948/9. The mics listed here offer a range of applications for both the professional and the amateur user. I notice that the Dynacard model also guarantees ‘No Boom or Puff’! 🤣 The Home Studio shown on the last page is interesting as it appears to be an early form of Karaoke system allowing the user to sing along with the radio and thereby add ‘zip’ to any party!
Anyhow, perhaps one day another Steane’s microphone will come my way.
Martin Mitchell's Microphones 
Possibly been modified for use with harmonica?
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Yes exactly. The Astatic MC-127 ceramic element is a popular choice for blues players.
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The size and shape is near perfect. Unfortunately for myself and others, the harp players have bought out all of the surplus stock of these obsolete ceramic and crystal cartridges.
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Ha ha, once again you have proven yourself a discriminating sound man!
I can just about see the rationale behind building a makeshift “bicycle lamp” from what was probably already a broken and fairly worthless mic. Still, what a letdown!
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Bicycle lamp? Yes….I can see that working 🤣
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Incidentally, “No Boom or Puff” sounds like something from the Monty Python “Bruces Sketch” – which I know better than to quote from in this day and age.
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A friend found one lying on the side of the road in suburban Sydney. Really want to hear it!
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I have both the Ellipsoid and Torpedo. The Ellipsoid is a bit nasally, need to work on it. Hooked up the Torpedo through some valve preamp stages recently and it sounds incredible. They are being used in radio communications.
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If I see either of these mics for sale again I shall be tempted to buy.
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