Odd Shure mic connector

[Randall]

I'm trying to wire up this four pin XLR to a mic cable for an EV model 664 mic. Problem is, I can't seem to get the rubber sheath off. It doesn't want to slide off, and if I peel it back it appears to go inside two slots in the metal. Does anyone have any insight into this connector and how to use it? I have never seen one like it, and I don't want to damage it.

[Enzo]

It is a four pin, but not an XLR, but that doesn't help you.

I might heat the sheath with a heat gun, staying back far enough not to melt it. I might wedge small screwdrivers under the edge or even hardwood toothpicks, to lift the edge over the grooves.

Unless it is molded to the cord.

[The Dude]

Is there a set screw on the side of the connector that allows the pin part to come out like the connector in a microphone? Maybe the rubber sleeve part stays put? It's a Shure connector and most all of their male XLR's have the same plastic/pin thingy with the set screw on the side.

[g1]

Is the rubber stopping the threaded ring from you pushing it down? Agree with The Dude that there is probably a set screw under that ring. I think if you can push the rubber back a bit so the ring moves down, you may see a set screw.

[Randall]

"Maybe the rubber sleeve part stays put?"

I'm starting to believe that. Where you'd expect to find a set screw there is an indentation that looks like it was stamped in, causing it to bulge out on the inside over the top of the 4 pin plug, holding it in place. Is it possible this connector was never meant to come apart?

[The Dude]

It might be under that threaded collar. Is there a way to thread it off or forward enough to look under it?

This is a typical Shure XLR male connector showing where the set screw would be if there was one.



Edit: FWIW, if you do find a hole with the set screw, they are reverse threaded.

[Randall]

Here it is with the rubber forced back and the ring out of the way. I have made hundreds of XLR cables in my time, there is no set screw on this one.

[dmeek]

I haven't seen one like that but would the plastic part unscrew like the all-metal ones?

https://music-electronics-forum.com/...1&d=1582249522

[The Dude]

Well, it was worth a shot. I haven't seen one without a set screw.

[Randall]

I don't think it does unscrew. I will correct myself as Enzo said, it is not XLR, but an Amphenol MC4M. I think I'm getter warmer here, I found this:

https://www.adorama.com/shc11c.html

It looks right. I wonder if this a Shure branded connector in name only since it is a Shure cable, not meant to be serviced?

[The Dude]

Very possible. If no set screw, I'd try to carefully remove the rubber, maybe with some heat like Enzo suggested. If you destroy it, you could maybe make something out of heat shrink and left over parts.

[Randall]

Yeah, but even if I do get the rubber off, it sure doesn't look like those four pins are ever coming out of the shell, since it looks to me to be stamped shut. I think this is a lost cause.

[The Dude]

https://www.ebay.com/p/1301541840?ii...iABEgJ30PD_BwE

Spendy little connector!

[Randall]

Exactly. Customer apparently got bilked on this one, thinking he was avoiding the cost of the alternative.

[The Dude]

At least the one I linked comes apart for repairs. Let me guess- a $30 connector for a $20 mic?