Astatic Corporation
Manufacturer of iconic D-104 and JT-30 microphones.
The Astatic Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial audio gear, got its start in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1931. The company is best remembered for its D-104 and JT-30 microphones, which found lasting popularity in amateur radio, citizens band radio, and blues harmonica playing.
In 1930, amateur radio operators Creed M. Chorpening and F.H. Woodworth began testing microphone designs for their own stations. Their friend Charles Semple, who worked at Brush Development Company, showed them crystal pickups the firm was developing. This led Chorpening and Woodworth to establish the Astatic Microphone Laboratory, Inc. in Youngstown in 1933. Semple joined as general manager to oversee production and sales of the D-104 crystal microphone, along with other crystal microphones, phonograph pickups, and recording heads.
Astatic moved its operations to Conneaut, Ohio, in early 1944, supplying microphones, pickups, crystal cartridges, hydrophones, and sonar devices to the military during World War II. After the war, the company changed its name to The Astatic Corporation. In 1988, it formed CAD Professional Microphones as a division. The business reorganized as Omnitronics LLC in 2000, and later combined CAD, Astatic, and Omnitronics under the CAD Audio brand. Today, the company produces audio products for recording, live performance, commercial, and personal use, and is based in Solon, Ohio.
In 2012, the Citizens Band product division of Astatic—acquired from Omnitronics by Barjan LLC in 2006—was sold to DAS Companies, a distributor for interstate truck stops. DAS expanded the Astatic name to non-microphone accessories like coaxial cables, meters, and antennas.
Astatic also made bullet-style microphones, especially popular with harmonica players. The original JT-30 model debuted in late 1939, with many variations in different colors, including the JT-30-C, W-30, 31, JT-31, JT-40, JT-50, and Model A. It became a favorite among blues harp players. Production continued in versions like the JT-30VC and CAD HM-50, marketed to harmonica players until 1999. That year, Hohner bought the molds for the JT-30 shell and Astatic’s last batch of crystal elements, selling it as the Hohner 1490 Blues Blaster. The Blues Blaster used Astatic MC-151 crystal elements until 2001, then switched to a Japanese element. The Astatic JT-30 Roadhouse was identical except for its connector.
Quick Facts
- Headquarters
- Solon, Ohio
- Country
- United States
- Products
- Pro audio
- microphones
- sound equipment
- Owner
- DAS Companies, Jam Industries
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Astatic Microphone Laboratory, Inc. was founded in 1933 by two amateur radio operators, Creed M. Chorpening and F.H. Woodworth, after their friend Charles Semple demonstrated crystal pick-ups from Brush Development Company. Semple became general manager to manufacture the model D-104 Crystal Microphone, along with other crystal microphones, phonograph pickups, and recording heads. In early 1944, the company moved to Conneaut, Ohio, and supplied microphones, pickups, crystal cartridges, hydrophone, and sonar devices to the military during World War II. After the war, the company became The Astatic Corporation.
The Astatic model D-104, introduced in 1933, became known for its high frequency response that improved communications audio quality. Early versions used a 1-inch thick case and large ID tag; the design was modified in April 1937. A black 'grip' switch stand with a metal ID tag appeared in January 1938, and a solid-state amplifier was added to the stand in the 1960s. Special editions included the 1976 Bicentennial Golden Eagle (18k gold plated) and Silver Eagle (chrome with a press-to-talk bar). The Silver Eagle remained in constant production and was one of Astatic's most popular D-104 microphones until production ceased in 2001.
The Astatic model JT-30, introduced in late 1939, was a bullet-style microphone that became extremely popular among harmonica players. It was lightweight, cupped easily in the hands, and distorted sound when run through a tube amplifier. Many variations existed, including the JT-30-C, W-30, 31, JT-31, JT-40, JT-50, and Model A. Production continued in versions such as the JT-30VC and CAD HM-50 until 1999. In 1999, Hohner bought the JT-30 shell molds and Astatic's last batch of crystal elements, selling it as the Hohner 1490 Blues Blaster. The JT-30 Roadhouse was identical except for a different connector. Both were discontinued in 2013, ending 74 years of JT-30 production.
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