LIP RIPPER
408 posts
Mar 31, 2011
9:56 AM
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I picked one of these 515's up for $19.99 shipped. It was untested and bottom connector missing. It looked pretty good in the pix though. So I told Rharley I had it coming and if it worked and I liked the sound I though I might send it to him for hotrodding. He sent an email reply to me and told me he had read my post about modding my Epi Valve Jr. He asked me why I needed a mic builder if I could do that. that was the nudge I needed. I told him these things were very heavy and the first thing I was going to do was put it on a weight loss program.I took it apart, cleaned it, chopped it, took a 6 inch reamer and hogged all kinds of material out of the inside, then polished the original alluminum finissh. I didn't want to paint for 2 reasons; 1. I didn't want to have to clean up my paint gun after such a small project and 2. the original shure ribbon was almost mint. I just put the volume control now while home for lunch and these things are marvelous. I like it better than my bullet with a vintage 99b86, better than my Sm57 and better than my shaker Madcat. I want to thank Ron for a few pointers along the way. Considering what it takes to bring these to his level of quality, fit and finish they are a bargain.
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rharley5652
448 posts
Mar 31, 2011
11:41 AM
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Thanks Lil'Rip,.No problem with the Pointers,.
Had I seen that 66 Mercury Cyclone GT you Built ,.I'd have given ya that nudge in your first E-mail to me ><
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Simply Unique Kustom Mic's By Rharley
Last Edited by on Mar 31, 2011 9:10 PM
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Ray
324 posts
Mar 31, 2011
3:06 PM
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I have an original 515sa that I've compared to a Shure 533sa, Shure pistol-grip 545 and a vintage green bullet with a 99A86 element and it doesn't come close to sounding as good. It sounds ok but nothing special.:o) jus' sayin'
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LIP RIPPER
409 posts
Mar 31, 2011
4:24 PM
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That's interesting. My 99b86 is a 1972. I understand that there is quite a variable between these elements from one year to the next. The Older the better? More conjecture? I'm curious about the 545 too. Of the above mentioned mics which is your favorite?
LR
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Ray
325 posts
Mar 31, 2011
6:47 PM
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I like the green bullet the best. It's a 520SL. I just checked the element #'s for the year made but they are too faded to make out. I'll try tomorrow under better lighting conditions. But the 545,533 are cleaner sounding mics compared to the 520sl.
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rharley5652
449 posts
Mar 31, 2011
8:58 PM
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Lil Rip ,."The Older the better??"
That is true about the 515's for sure,.But the tone is so close,.between newer an older models,. may be true about 545's?
If your lookin for a Bad Azz,.Sleepin Giant,."Blow Away The Green Bullet" Blues Harp Mic ,.check into getting an Electro Voice 634A ,.638 or 641 Hi-Z Microphone.. great bottom an mids!!
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Simply Unique Kustom Mic's By Rharley
Last Edited by on Mar 31, 2011 9:09 PM
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Greg Heumann
1095 posts
Mar 31, 2011
11:41 PM
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There wasn't that big a difference from year to year. There was simply a difference from element to element.
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/Greg
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LIP RIPPER
410 posts
Apr 01, 2011
3:24 AM
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My 99b86 doesn't have the bottom that I'd prefer. The Sm57 does but I really have o drive it hard. This 515 allows me to play very lightly and still picks everything up. I will add that their was a thread about counterfiet Sm57's and reference was made to the colors of the wires. My Sm57 has a black and a red wire coming from the element. Greg I think you mentioned that they should be a different color so maybe mine is a copy.
LR
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Ray
326 posts
Apr 01, 2011
3:56 AM
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I have an EV638, a couple of 641's and a couple of 630's. They do have great bottom and mids. But I still prefer my 520SL. I guess beauty is in the "ear" of the beholder. :o)
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