AlexMC
4 posts
Apr 01, 2017
2:56 PM
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I've been playing about 6 months and making good progress. I've got an SM58 for acoustic sounds but want try Chicago Blues style through my tube guitar amp.
I've tried using the SM58, but it doesn't drive the amp hard enough (wrong impedance?) and I find it completely unwieldy to cup.
Can anyone recommend a bullet mic on the smaller side... with a volume control and in the budget range?
It'll be used for practicing/recording at home and informal jams at most... I don't anticipate ever turning professional or even playing a gig, so I'm not necessarily looking for an 'investment'.
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Rontana
388 posts
Apr 01, 2017
3:17 PM
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You should talk to Greg Heumann, owner of the site linked below. He's a member on this forum, and could sort out what you need in short order
Mics
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Greg Heumann
3328 posts
Apr 01, 2017
8:06 PM
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Hi, Alexl - if you don't know me I understand you can't take what I say as objective - because it's my product. But I will tell you there is simply no other small bullet on the market that comes close to the Bulletini in tone. The reason is that once you get smaller than the diameter required to accommodate vintage elements, you're stuck with modern ones and they all (to be polite) suck.
The Bulletini has "The Heumann Element" - I start with a high quality neodymium magnet vocal mic, and modify it both mechanically and electrically to give it the qualities of a vintage element.
Please DON'T take my word for it. The Bulletini page on my web site has plenty of demo videos by others; it also has a Customer Testimonials page where you can read what my customers think of it.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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ME.HarpDoc
233 posts
Apr 01, 2017
8:35 PM
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Greg is spot on as well a being both knowledgeable and ethical. The Bulletini is the ONLY currently produced small bullet (at least that I'm aware of) and at a fair price.
If you want to check out some SLIGHTLY smaller vintage bullets, go to Dennis Gruenling's site, badassharmonica.com. Dennis reconditions vintage mics and you can hear each one he has for sale. You'll find they are also at a fair price but generally at higher cost than the Bulletini
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nowmon
115 posts
Apr 02, 2017
5:33 AM
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Another thing to look into is a RED HOWLER ,small bullet mic. you can look into internet and find a deal. they are $ 100. from a music store, I picked up one for $30. I just entered bullet harmonica on internet and a few pages of mic`s come up. the address for red-howler is-www.digital-reference.com,good luck...
Last Edited by nowmon on Apr 02, 2017 5:34 AM
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jbone
2277 posts
Apr 02, 2017
6:30 AM
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Greg does excellent work. I have and use an EV m43u mic he modded for me some years ago and it's always dependable and sounds great!
I use a high z ball mic as well, a Shure 585. This mic looks like an sm58 vocal mic but it's impedance matches what a tube amp puts out. It can easily be mounted on a mic stand. This enables a better cup and more hand effects.
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Reverbnation
Facebook
Youtube
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1847
4044 posts
Apr 02, 2017
10:52 AM
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the shaker retro rocket is
an excellent choice only a hundred bucks. it has a crystal element.
"all the cool kids use crystal"
not sure why you would need a small bullet, they are all pretty small.
a good mic should be a priorty not that expensive
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Last Edited by 1847 on Apr 02, 2017 10:57 AM
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Greg Heumann
3329 posts
Apr 02, 2017
11:52 AM
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Anyone out there with a Red Howler AND a Bulletini? Or A Shaker mic AND a Bulletini? Please weigh in.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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Cotton
81 posts
Apr 02, 2017
3:27 PM
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I own both a regular Shaker and a Bulletini.
I bought the Bullentini from Greg at SPAH last year.
I played both at his booth in the vender area.
I like the small size of the shaker and the lightness.
Price is very fair/budget.
Bullentini is same size to cup but heavier. Very well made. MUCH more sound (hotter) than the shaker. Played both, put down the Bullentini and said "Will you take a check" Probably the last mike I will ever buy.
Still like the shaker, it is my backup.
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MindTheGap
2208 posts
Apr 02, 2017
11:39 PM
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I have a Superlux D112C (same as the Red Howler) and a Bulletini. The Superlux does work fine and I'm not so negative about it.
But the Bulletini is better in every practical respect and also sounds much better, subjectively.
- Light and small: no fatigue when playing for a long time
- 'Crackle' finish: grippy in sweaty hands!
- Volume control well placed
- Removable cable
- Easy to cup and responds strongly to cupping
- Very strong signal, so easy to make your amp overdrive, if that's the sound you want.
As for the sound, it's a richer and more bassy which is what people seem to prize in that style you are talking about.
Alex, you mentioned on the beginner's forum that you needed to change to head shaking to do warbles when holding a mic. The Bulletini is much lighter than the SM58 you were using, or a big bullet mic, so you'll find warbles easier.
The Bulletini is not really a 'budget' mic of course. Myself, I like to experiment and happy to spend a bit of money and lot of time doing that. But if I wanted just to buy a mic and play, without the faff, I'd just buy the Bulletini and play that.
It's also rather aesthetically appealing, if that's a consideration.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Apr 03, 2017 4:07 AM
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Littoral
1455 posts
Apr 03, 2017
4:09 AM
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Wish I could have gotten to intermediate after 6 months. It has happened so maybe...
I have a bulletini element in a regular size bullet shell (JT30) and it's a great mic. Just pull the trigger on it. You'll be saving money in the long run. I use it straight in PA's and get a great sound. That's amazing to me. It doesn't get along with my big amp though, so far.
Last Edited by Littoral on Apr 03, 2017 4:34 AM
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AlexMC
5 posts
Apr 03, 2017
5:23 AM
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Thanks for the tips. The Bulletini looks great but at 5x the cost of a Special 20 it's not really what I call 'budget'. I'm just a bedroom player so not looking for 'the best money can buy'.
I'm considering Silverfish mics, in particular this (high-impedance ceramic)one at £70:
http://www.silverfish-harmonicas.com/product/ceramic-mic-black-cat/
I refer to my level as intermediate as I've got a good understanding of most harp techniques & am making good progress mastering them; I've got several scales down, understand harmony and chord progressions, and can jam along to a backing track with greater musicality each time. Just had my first jam with another musician and starting to work on learning songs by ear. Got a LONG way to go but I expect to continue playing into the future.
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MindTheGap
2209 posts
Apr 03, 2017
6:58 AM
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It's true that it's only inexpensive if you can afford it. Here's a cheaper alternative thing to try:
1. Unscrew the mesh ball from your SM58.
2. Make sure you are using a mic impedance matching transformer between mic and amp.
3. Try cupping & playing with that.
That should overdrive nicely. If you like that sound, you could buy an SM57. That will respond the same way.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Apr 03, 2017 6:59 AM
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Greg Heumann
3330 posts
Apr 03, 2017
7:52 AM
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Alex - it sounds like you're doing well and working up toward playing with others. My grandmother said "I'm too poor to buy cheap things."
I know from my own journey that buying cheap gear is best left to people who already know what good gear sounds like. You CAN find bargains. But the worst thing is to let your head blame your gear for your not having the tone you want. I wasted a lot of $$ because it was pre-internet and I was too "smart" to ask. But it wasn't until I got gear I KNEW others were getting great tone with - that I KNEW the rest was up to me. You can know it and you can KNOW it, you know what I mean?
So I encourage you to spend your hard earned $$ wisely.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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dougharps
1387 posts
Apr 03, 2017
8:24 AM
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I have owned a number of bullet mics of varying cost with CM and with ceramic elements, as well as a few dynamic elements (EV630).
I am currently playing primarily with a cleaner sound through ball mics (SM58, Shure 585SAV) for my music. I play these through the PA and through amps, but there are still times that I want the sound you get with a bullet. Since I seldom play in bands needing the bullet sound I am not currently in the market for another bullet mic, and just pick one of those I have collected over the years when I want that sound.
I have played Bulletinis owned by 2 local players who previously used bullets with vintage elements. The Bulletini sounds fantastic and is easy to get a good cup. These two local players, one an intermediate level and one of whom has toured in past years and who is a really good blues player, had each sworn by the sound of those vintage mics. I played through their classic bullet mics, and they were good and sounded similar to the better of those bullets I have collected over the years. These 2 players now have each bought a Bulletini and now they use their previous mics as backup mics.
If I were starting out today looking for a bullet mic I would just buy a Bulletini. I would have saved a lot of money I spent on other vintage bullet mics.
With regard to your low Z ball mic, I recommend you get an impedance converter so you can always use it with an amp if you have need.
PS James Cotton often used a ball mic, and he certainly played Chicago blues.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Apr 03, 2017 9:16 AM
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1847
4045 posts
Apr 03, 2017
10:10 AM
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well i do not have a bulletini to compare it to....
but i have one of these... does this count?
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Little roger
173 posts
Apr 03, 2017
11:03 AM
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I have a bulletini and can warmly recommend it.
Max in Italy does a great little mic
http://www.bluexlab.com/WP/?p=180
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TetonJohn
309 posts
Apr 03, 2017
1:53 PM
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To save money you might try used (er, vintage) at the buy and sell or trade (or whatever-it's-called) page here. I'm SURE there are folks here who have more microphones than they need!
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