sammyharp
88 posts
Mar 08, 2011
1:45 AM
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I just did some surgery yesterday. I've had a Shure 520DX for years, and in recent times(ever since I've had my ultimate 57)haven't really dug the sound of it. In my opinion the 520DX sounds cold and thin. Well, I had an sm57 die on me about a year ago, and finally found a use for it. I tested the capsule to make sure it worked, and it did. I decided to use it as a donor, removed the capsule from my 520DX, and tried to fit it in. I had to do some slight modifications to get it to work. I shortened the contacts for the transformer connection. I cut the screw down as far as possible. I connected it directly to the transformer in the 520DX. It's a super tight fit to get the capsule and transformer in the housing! I plugged it in, and the thing sounds great! Much more presence and power than the old element. Here's a sound clip of me playing it straight through my modded champ:
Shure 520DX with SM57 element
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2011 1:51 AM
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hvyj
1283 posts
Mar 08, 2011
5:07 AM
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Years ago I read an interview with Sugar Blue where he talked about putting a Shure XLR mic element in a bullet shell. He said he preferred the sound of the XLR element, but liked the handling characteristics of a bullet style shell.
It's not clear to me that this is what he currently plays through, but at the time I think SB had an endorsement deal with Shure.
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jawbone
417 posts
Mar 08, 2011
5:22 AM
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Hey Sammy - this is something I've been wanting to try - is the wire still xlr or did you switch to 1/4"??
You put the transformer in the shell as well??
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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sammyharp
89 posts
Mar 08, 2011
5:32 AM
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@ jawbone- yup, the transformer is in the shell! I took the transformer from the 520DX out of its mount, and taped it to the side of the sm57 element. It was a tight squeeze, but it works!
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jawbone
418 posts
Mar 08, 2011
6:29 AM
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Hey Thanx Sammy - to be honest with you I've never looked inside my 520
(unlike Red Green "If it ain't broke - you're not trying hard enough"!!)
I didn't even know that there was a transformer in there. I thought you only needed them for the lo z to boost them. Just goes to show, the more I learn, the more I find out I don't know.
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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sammyharp
90 posts
Mar 08, 2011
10:05 AM
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So what do you uys think of the sound?
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jawbone
419 posts
Mar 08, 2011
2:05 PM
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I really liked the sound - a nice amount a break up and compression - at least to my ears and through the crappy computer speakers.
One more question - how is it wired - are you using the 2 wire 1/4" end or a 3 wire xlr??
I'm no Rocket Surgeon - I need the dots close together!! ;-)
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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jawbone
420 posts
Mar 08, 2011
2:07 PM
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Hey Sammy - contact me off forum - jawbonejr (at) hotmail (dot) com
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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sammyharp
92 posts
Mar 08, 2011
2:09 PM
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I'm using the 1/4" plug. I only really had to disconnect the wires from the 520 element and connect them to the sm57 element. Everything else I left intact. Pretty simple really. I think I'll take some pictures of the wiring and post them here.
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oldwailer
1567 posts
Mar 08, 2011
4:53 PM
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That's a great idea!
You know, the SM57 works without transformer at all--that's right, you just remove it! Many people I found prefer it, saying the high and low responses are improved--I did find that you need to turn the volume up about one notch to get it as loud as it was with the transformer. Some like it, some don't--kind of like everything else in life.
I have only tried this using the XLR connector--but I'm headed for the shop right now to see if it will work with a 1/4" jack--did you go into the amp with a 1/4" jack too? If you can do that, I'm going to change every mic I've got to guitar cables--I hate having to accommodate both kinds in my rig--it forces me to carry a mixer around. . .
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Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2011 4:58 PM
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jawbone
422 posts
Mar 08, 2011
7:24 PM
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I have built quite a few mics using a shure "clone" cartridge and just wiring it up with the 2 wires on a 1/4" cable but figured I must be missing out on a lot.
Thoughts??
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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MN
54 posts
Mar 08, 2011
11:51 PM
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This seems like a mod that Greg H. and our other resident mic gurus ought to provide! I have a JT-30 and a 520 each loaded with white CR elements. I'd rather fit one with a 57 element than have two mics that sound virtually the same.
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