srussell
18 posts
Mar 10, 2015
7:47 AM
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I'm looking to make the jump into amplification. As much as I would like one of Greg's lovely wooden creations, it's just not in my budget. So what are realistic options under $200. I'm thinking about an SM57 and possibly springing for an ultimate 57.
I play all sorts of styles - indie, country, singer-songwriter, blues... so I need to be able to go from slightly distorted horn like tone to the gritty, dirty blues tones. I probably need the dirty blues less than the cleaner, country-ish sounds.
Any suggestions?
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Greg Heumann
2963 posts
Mar 10, 2015
8:07 AM
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I've said it before and I'll say it again - you just can't go wrong with an Ultimate 57. It is the world's most versatile harp mic. I don't know of another mic with such a wide range of available tone, the handling comfort, built in volume control and quality of Shure components. I know I'm not "objective" but I honestly believe that statement to the core. You can certainly find a mic for even less $$ but the compromises in tone and quality become large so you have to choose wisely.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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rogonzab
668 posts
Mar 10, 2015
9:02 AM
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An sm57 would we fine for that. Because you dont want a bullet right?
If your budget is under $200, why you dont save a few more dollars and buy the mic you want. Acording the website, the ultimete 57 cost $219
http://www.blowsmeaway.com/ultimate.html
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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shakeylee
152 posts
Mar 10, 2015
9:11 AM
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yes,i think an ultimate 57 makes great sense.
i have several hundred pounds of microphones and tons of equipment.
if i had it to do over again,i would have bought a 57 and a 58 before anything else.
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www.shakeylee.com
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dougharps
873 posts
Mar 10, 2015
9:37 AM
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If you will mainly use the PA for a cleaner sound, and not a harp amp, I would recommend you buy Low-Z with a separate transformer for when an amp might be your choice.
Since you mention singer/songwriter and say you seldom want a distorted amp sound I would encourage you to consider the alternative of getting a SM58. If you hand hold the mic and want a volume control the Ultimate 58 is wonderful. The loose plastic head on the SM57 bothers me when hand holding a mic. However, Greg is right about the range of tones available to a SM57.
I love my Ultimate 58! It is my go-to mic these days, except when I want distortion through an amp and use a 585AV or biscuit with CM element.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 10, 2015 9:40 AM
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srussell
19 posts
Mar 10, 2015
10:00 AM
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Thanks everyone - sounds like I should buck up and spend for the Ultimate 57 versus the normal 57.
@Greg - I don't think anyone here is unbiased lol! My concern with the 57 was can I get enough distortion without adding pedals, or will it be too "clean." Or is there a modern production bullet that's worth my time that I haven't seen. The current shure green bullet is too heavy and large for my hands. The Red Howler and it's derivatives are just awful sound quality.
@Doug - I'm mainly planning to play this mic through an amp - I may do some handheld PA stuff with it, but I doubt it. Most of the time I have played through the PA with whatever is available - normally a 58. I have an Audix OM2 that works great for acoustic playing on a stand as well. But that mic is not going to work for cupping due to it's lack of a proximity effect and high spl rating.
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6SN7
519 posts
Mar 10, 2015
10:02 AM
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If you want a budget harp buy a 57 shire or go to simple mics. Com and see what James has to offer
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dougharps
876 posts
Mar 10, 2015
10:15 AM
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SM57 or Ultimate 57 sounds like the mic for you. Talk to Greg about high vs. low impedance, transformers, and the output levels.
One other option to consider and discuss with Greg might be a SM545 or an Ultimate 545. Greg's site says it has the best breakup of the 3 Ultimates.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 10, 2015 10:16 AM
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Adam Pritchard
59 posts
Mar 10, 2015
12:16 PM
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I can recommend www.simplemics.com. You'll need to keep an eye out on the website for what's on sale but James often has mics for less than $200. I bought a great custom Shure bullet from him which I've been really pleased with.
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bluemoose
1054 posts
Mar 10, 2015
1:54 PM
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AKAI ADM-8 on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Akai-ADM-8-0-5K-ohm-Microphone-Mic-VINTAGE-/251850520611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa375f823
http://youtu.be/2XEzIO1bLC0
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MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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garry
566 posts
Mar 10, 2015
2:50 PM
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Greg may be not be objective, but I am, and I highly recommend the Ultimate mics. I chose an Ultimate 545, as I already had an SM57, but I expect either would be great.
For me, a volume control is essential, and I had previously outfitted my 57 with Greg's XLR VC. But that makes the mic pretty long and unwieldy, especially when you add the transmitter part of my Samson wireless. The Ultimate provides all of that in an elegant little package. Plus by the time you add the cost of a 57 and VC, you're most of the way there anyway.
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didjcripey
859 posts
Mar 10, 2015
3:14 PM
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Or you could buy a hi z shire controlled magnetic element off ebay for under a hundred bucks, shop around for the classic bullet shell of your choice for about fifty, a gasket for another twenty, a bit of mojo and build your own.
(but if you need clean tones, maybe a 57 is the go)
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Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Mar 10, 2015 3:17 PM
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Popculture Chameleon
40 posts
Mar 10, 2015
3:44 PM
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A shure 545 mic cost almost a hundred bucks on amazon last time I checked. Other mics to look into would be from the shaker microphone line or even a modern day green bullet mic that isn't more than 130. Other shure mics are also in the hundred dollar range.
I've said it before but I hope to get my hands on one of Greg's 545 ultimate mics somewhere down the line. However I have to snag a couple of pedals from Lone Wolf Blues first before I can do that. I'm hoping to get a harp shield and I'm about to buy a harp tone pedal
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dougharps
877 posts
Mar 10, 2015
6:02 PM
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I like my Shure Unisphere 585SAV mics (I have two, having bought another in case the first one dies). It is high-z and has a built in volume control. Greg sells cables that would fit this mic.
Ebay 585SAV example
Mine didn't cost this much. Maybe they are becoming hard to find? The version with just a switch ("S")and no volume control (V") is less expensive. Note that the "V" stands for volume control. The "A" is for the high-z version, "B" designates the low-z version.
585SAV data
Just another option, especially if you can find one cheaper than this!
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Mar 10, 2015 6:03 PM
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zackattack
31 posts
Mar 10, 2015
8:27 PM
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I scrimped and saved and got the Ultimate 545 late last year. It is a fantastic mic! It plays clean when you need clean, and dirty when you need dirty. It is very sensitive to changes in hand position, harp position and distance from the harp, but this gives it a lot of character once you become familiar with it.
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Greg Heumann
2964 posts
Mar 10, 2015
9:34 PM
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"@Greg - I don't think anyone here is unbiased lol! My concern with the 57 was can I get enough distortion without adding pedals, or will it be too "clean."
I would have thought so too. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that, when cupped, the 57 goes into overdrive much like a good bullet and breaks up really nicely.
A new 545 is virtually identical to the 57 in tone. A vintage 545 is a little dirtier at both the clean and dirty ends of its tone spectrum.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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jbone
1902 posts
Mar 11, 2015
3:41 AM
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Greg modded a low z e-v m43u for me, to high z, and added a volume pot and screw on connector. It's one of 2 mics I favor and use regularly. This is a smaller-than-bullet size and fits the hand well. Very close to the same badass sound of a true bullet mic with a good cm element.
My other go to mic for harp is a hi z Shure 585s. Much more available than the av model with a volume pot. I find that for harp it's good across the spectrum from low to high but a bit cleaner and clearer than a cm mic.
I mostly use low watt tube amps to play through. When I DO play into the p.a. a beta 58 or regular 58 is good since I sing through one and it's set up already. I've had good results with a SM57 which does break up nicely as Greg mentioned.
I have yet to hear a complaint on any of Greg's works.
If I could afford it and justify it I'd get my 57 modded. Maybe next tax return!
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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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srussell
20 posts
Mar 11, 2015
7:18 AM
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Wow - lots of options. A couple I may have to check out for fun when I have some extra cash. Although I think really in the end what I've learned is the sm57 really does all I need it to do. Especially since the 545 and 57 are so similar.
Now to convince my wife to let me buy an ultimate 57 from Greg. Because if holding the 57 is anything like holding a 58 my hand got tired quickly from the strain of the cord. I have a feeling the price will be worth it.
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dougharps
878 posts
Mar 11, 2015
8:14 AM
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Greg's Ultimate mics are light and easy to hold. I have used an Ultimate 57 and an Ultimate 58, as well as having played through one of his wooden mics on numerous occasions and owning 3 volume controls. His craftsmanship is excellent, and he works to keep customers satisfied!
The only other issue is for you and Greg to discuss whether you get a low-z mic with standard XLR cable and transformer for using the amp, or a high-z mic with high-z cable and a transformer for the PA. If you may go to wireless in the future at some point, it may also be a factor to discuss with Greg.
Good luck!
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Doug S.
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srussell
21 posts
Mar 11, 2015
9:02 AM
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Thanks Doug - Unless there is a really good reason not to do so, I'm planning on a low-z xlr connection. Even though this will mainly be used as a mic into an amp, pedals (hi-z) - I may decide to use it straight into the PA and I'd prefer the flexibility. I have no desire to go wireless - imo wireless just causes more problems. I've played a lot of other instruments, ran and set up sound systems at a variety of venues - whenever possibly a wired connection is always the best choice.
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Tuckster
1462 posts
Mar 11, 2015
10:10 AM
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We're no longer in the cheap zone,but if you can only have one mic,I recommend an Ultimate 57.I would spring $50 extra and add the Bulletizer if you have hand fatigue.In the long run,you'll spend less money not buying cheap mics you never use.
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Destin
107 posts
Mar 11, 2015
7:17 PM
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You should think about the mic/amp combo. Your tone is going to be a result of both amp and mic.
Something to think about
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indigo
70 posts
Mar 11, 2015
9:13 PM
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You are looking at maybe using one mike for grit and the same mike for clean?Into a PA?
You don't want to use any C/M (Bullet) style mike for that.
A second hand SM57 should be well within your budget and they do a great job in both circumstances.
But if you can spring the extra for the ultimate,yep it is the ultimate.
Last Edited by indigo on Mar 11, 2015 10:15 PM
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Georgia Blues
148 posts
Mar 12, 2015
5:15 AM
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One of my mics is a 545 with a blulletizer. It is the most versatile in the stable. Look on ebay for the mic and get the bulletizer from Greg. Can't go wrong for the price.
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2chops
358 posts
Mar 12, 2015
5:24 AM
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I have a SM57 with a Bulletizer. Only $150 total. I want an Ultimate 57 though too. A 57 is a solid all around mic. Good for harp into a PA and amp. Good for vocals and using to mic an amp. The McGuyver of microphones.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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srussell
22 posts
Mar 12, 2015
6:28 AM
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Just as a handy recap for those that want to add, or for those searching this later...
Budget all around mics:
Shure SM57
Shure SM58
Shure 545
Budget Bullet or vintage mics:
Shure 585
Akai ADM-8
ev m43u
look for deals on simplemics.com
For just a hair more:
Any of Greg's ultimate series mics
blowsmeaway.com
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Scotty16
6 posts
Mar 12, 2015
6:39 AM
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there is a mic on amazon that is just as good as the shure 57 and it is called the
Pyle-Pro PDMIC78 Dynamic Microphone and it is just as good as the 57 and dont be fooled by the low price of 14.99 also a microvix harmonica mic is £30 and it is small and fits between your 3rd and fourth thinger when playing holdin it in the left hand. both very affordable and the better the cheaper is better than wasting your money on a bullet mic.
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srussell
23 posts
Mar 12, 2015
6:59 AM
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For me - as soon as I can get my wife to give me the go ahead I'm going to spring for the ultimate 57-long and short term i think the weight difference and volume control will be worth it. My philosophy on instruments, mics, other pa equipment etc. is buy once. Buy the thing you really want and will be happy with long term. Truthfully a mic is going to last me pretty close to a lifetime, and is worth the investment.
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