Email info@enakmics.com Phone: 215-356-8991
Curt learning at the feet of the master in 2015. My RCA BK5 and my 1932 Bruno are in the foreground.
On March 28, 2024, my hero, friend and mentor, Clarence Kane departed this world. Clarence was loved by all and respected by those who knew him well or had watched him work. I am honored to say I experienced both. Many believed that ENAK died with Clarence. However, I am reminded of a quote by Mark Twain: “Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” ENAK lives on. In January of 2025, I finished the purchase of the ENAK name, goodwill and logo. I do not consider myself the owner, but rather the steward of the ENAK name and traditions.
I now have the pleasure of continuing the legacy of my friend and mentor. You see, Clarence and I met a very, very long time ago because I have been a life long ribbon mic freak. I bought my first RCA 77 (I own a dozen RCA 77s) at a church flea market when I was about 12. I have a document around here someplace signed by Clarence when he did a repair of one of my RCA mics I had sent to RCA, before ENAK started. I have a few more letters from the CRAE shop from the early 1980s.
In 1973, RCA stopped making ribbon mics. RCA offered to sell the mic repair business to Clarence and promised to feed him all repair requests. That is when ENAK (Kane spelled backwards) was born. Over the next 40 years Clarence repaired or rebuilt 11 of my 33 ribbon mic collection. On a trip to the ENAK shop In 2008, I offered to buy ENAK as I wanted to learn how to maintain my own collection. I also wanted to continue his legacy after he retired but Clarence would have none of it! However, since we were old friends, he offered to teach me the craft so I became his first apprentice. Since 2008 I have driven to 420 Carew Ave Pitman, NJ many, many times to have my homework assignments graded and to receive a new lesson.
When we met it was a social visit as well as a technical lesson. I would arrive early and have coffee with Clarence and his wife, Beryl. Their dog, Pitty, would stand watch. Those lessons were a wonderful time in my life and I learned a lot, both about ribbon mics and the man I truly respected. So with the purchase complete, I am readying my shop. I even have his original workbench that he got from RCA. During my many years of lessons I had a machine shop duplicate Clarence's tools. In some cases, I improved the design or allowed for “Classic” or “State of the Art” ribbon corrugations. More on that when the final site is done. For now, just know that ENAK is alive and well and someone is continuing Clarence’s legacy.
ENAK
It's not about me.
Curt "CJ" Vincent
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