Icemaster
41 posts
Aug 04, 2011
9:20 AM
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I have a 545 and I want to send it to Greg to have it ultimate-ized. My question is, if the bulletizer eliminates the grill noise and makes it more comfortable to hold, then why would you not order one?
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"A harmonica is not just a souped up kazoo" -Mo Rocca
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LSC
58 posts
Aug 04, 2011
9:23 AM
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Perhaps if you were used to playing a stick and didn't want the larger diameter or have really small hands.
BTW, I've got one of Greg's conversions, with Bulletizer, really brilliant piece of kit.
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LSC
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Joe_L
1385 posts
Aug 04, 2011
9:25 AM
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I had Greg ultimatize a Shure 545 for me after I dropped it and dented the barrel enough where I could no longer connect the four pin connector to it.
I didn't order one because I don't really have a problem with hand cramping anymore. I've loosen my death grip on the mic. I don't have a problem with grill noise.
I thought about getting a Bulletizer, but decided that I didn't really need it.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 9:26 AM
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Oxharp
445 posts
Aug 04, 2011
9:37 AM
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I have an Ultimate 545 from Greg with a fixed grill and a Bulletizer.
The bulletizer is removable and is held on by 3 grub screws so it can easily come off.
I dont have a problem with or without it its still a great mic to have with your gear.
I would get one no questions.
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Oxharp
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hvyj
1637 posts
Aug 04, 2011
10:37 AM
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I love my 545 Ultimate, but I don't use a bulletizer. I handle the mic just fine w/o the bulletizer. I've tried one and I think the bulletizer is awkward to handle.
I'm used to using stick mics and I think bullet mics are more awkward to cup. So, I have no interest "bulletizing" my 545. I like it fine just the way it is. Grill noise is not a problem for me.
But, I suppose it all depends on what a player is used to.
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 10:47 AM
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Kingley
1563 posts
Aug 04, 2011
10:45 AM
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I'm interested in hearing from some users of the Ultimate 545. How does using a stock 545 compare to using the Ultimate 545? Is it indeed far better to handle or is the difference negligible?
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hvyj
1639 posts
Aug 04, 2011
10:56 AM
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The 545 Utimate is significantly easier to handle than a stock 545 because it so much shorter and lighter. The difference is substantial.
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 12:25 PM
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Kingley
1565 posts
Aug 04, 2011
11:08 AM
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Thanks for the info.
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Piro39
4 posts
Aug 04, 2011
11:53 AM
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I had greg ultimize my old 545 pistol grip and a PE54 which is very similar to the 545. I also had him bulletize them. I think this bulletizer is a great invention for stick mics. Makes them much easier to grip and your stick mic feels like you are holding a small bullet mic. Highly recommended.
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Joe_L
1389 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:09 PM
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I've had experience with a variety of stick mics of various sizes.
Personally, the difference in length and weight is very insignificant to me. I never used a volume control with that microphone prior to ultimatization.
The thing I really like about the Ultimate 545 is the new connector. I asked Greg to keep it wired up hi-Z and I asked for the screw on connector.
I use either a screw on to phone plug adaptor (adding extra length) or a cable directly connected to a screw on connector.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Kingley
1567 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:16 PM
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Yeah I like quite a few stick mics. Currently I have two stock 545SD mics that I use. One is wired Hi-Z for using into amps. The other is wired Lo-Z for direct into the PA. Both have on/off switches, which are very useful.
I've never tried using a Hi-Z mic direct into the PA. Is that a useable option or not?
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hvyj
1640 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:34 PM
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Sure.You can play a hi-z mic direct into the PA. But when you plug into the 1/4" input on the board,(instead of the XLR input) you bypass the mic preamps on the board.
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Kingley
1568 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:42 PM
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Ah yes of course. I remember those being for Hi-Z now you mention it.
So what would happen if you plugged into the XLR inputs instead with a Hi-Z mic?
Would it just become a feedback nightmare? Or would there just be a weak signal?
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 12:43 PM
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Joe_L
1390 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:44 PM
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It depends on the PA. Some have Hi-Z inputs. Some do not. If I plan on plugging into the PA. I bring a Lo-Z vocal mic. Currently, I use an SM-57 for that duty.
When using the 545, I plug that into an amp usually the Harpgear Double Trouble. I don't use the 545 into the PA as some places I go don't have Hi-Z inputs on the PA.
I never tried plugging a Hi-Z w/ an XLR connector into a Lo-Z input on a PA. I would guess that it would overload the PA.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 12:46 PM
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Kingley
1569 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:55 PM
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Joe - About 15 years ago I had a 545 and used it direct into the PA. I remember at the time the guitarists being pissed because I could drown them all out with ease if I wanted too (a very nice experience indeed! lol).
Anyway the guy who ran that particular jam used to come over moaning that the harp was too loud. I used to say to him "Well just turn it down then, it's in channel one". He would go over to the desk and then say to me "channel one has the volume slider all the way off" after which of course he would trace my lead back to the desk figuring I was lying to him.
Imagine his surprise when he found my mic plugged into channel one with the volume rolled all the way off. I had no idea at the time why it worked, just loved the fact it did. I seem to recall that I'd wired it for Hi-Z. Maybe that was a Hi-Z mic into a Lo-Z channel?
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 12:56 PM
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hvyj
1642 posts
Aug 04, 2011
12:57 PM
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If I were going to plug a hi-z mic into the XLR input on a PA, I'd use a direct box or a hi-z to lo-z IMT.
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Kingley
1571 posts
Aug 04, 2011
1:04 PM
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hvyj - Yes I know a DI box or an impedance transformer would be a good way to do it. But the question is what would happen if you plugged a Hi-Z mic directly into an XLR input(Lo-Z input) on a PA?
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 1:07 PM
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Cristal Lecter
79 posts
Aug 04, 2011
1:28 PM
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Hi Icemaster,
Yes I use a Ultimate 57 with a bulletizer and I can't advice more than having 200% of trust on your option....
The grip is so much easier, NO grill noises, and in addition the possibility to adapt the sound chamber created by the bulletizer....
For me this is the best invention made for this type of microphone, period and Greg should be somehow rewarded for having this idea
Christelle
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 5:38 PM
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BAG
82 posts
Aug 04, 2011
5:35 PM
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I bought the ultimate 545 and later added the bulletizer. Fantastic both ways, but tough to neat the bulletized version.
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Greg Heumann
1203 posts
Aug 04, 2011
6:33 PM
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I'm just sittin' here, reading all of this and grinning. First, thank you to all of my customers - I really do value your confidence in me and my products. And Christelle (aka Cristal) was one of the people who pushed me to develop the Ultimate mic and the Bulletizer.
About 50% of the Ultimate 57's and 545's I sell are sold with Bulletizers. I truly believe it comes down to your personal physiology. I cannot hold a stock SM57 in the rear of my hand (I like to leave as much "chamber" between harp and mic in my grip as possible) without getting a hand cramp. Yet others including Jason Ricci play easily for hours without a Bulletizer. As they say - your mileage may vary.
The Bulletizer DOES fatten the mic's tone a bit as well.
Cheers and thanks!
P.S> - I built (and shipped) NINE Ultimate 57 and 58's to SPAH today. I also turned a wood shell, added a coat of lacquer to another, cut 8 grill blanks, etc, etc. I'm am one busy mofo. Hope to see lots of you at SPAH!
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2011 6:35 PM
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Big Daddy Ray
96 posts
Aug 04, 2011
6:41 PM
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Wait....Greg...a wood body for the 57,,,or?
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