I have the EV 641. Same mic with a on/off switch. This mic is the first mic I owned. Used it for vocals and harp in the '60s. I plugged it into a Gibson 100w amp head with two 2x10 cabs. Over the years it has been one of my favorite mics. I wish it had more bottom. I think you will like the cup you can get with it. Besides the sound, they just look good!
When I say I wish it had more Bottom I am talking about more bass tone. I have a JT30 that Dennis @ DJ's Custom Electronics worked on. I asked him if I could have a mic that had good bite (attack) but not so trebly sounding. He put in a CM element. It was like turning up the Bass control on an amp. I have another JT30 he worked on where he just exchanged one crystal element with one that sounds warmer (less high response), but didn't add much to the bottom. I like them both, but I use the one with the CM element more. Maybe Greg could better answer your question. I don't know if the EV 641 can be modded as easily(or at all) as a JT30 or a Shure Bullet for warmer or fatter tone. These three mics will have more or less Bottom depending on what amp they are plugged into and how each amp is dialed in.
I like the 638. My go-to fave for most things is my 631B. Most EV mics have a boosted midrange in comparison to the Shures and Astatics, etc. That's why most amps have a 'bass' knob. ;-) ---------- Todd L. Greene
I suppose I just like more Bass than the knob gives on some amps. I have also found that on some amps the knob turned too far makes the amp sound muddy, but YMMV. I'm certainly not saying anyone should agree with me on what I think is good tone. But I have found what works for me!
No, Orphan, you're spot-on. Some EV mics, including the 638, just don't have the bass response that the Shures do. Others, like the RE-10, Re-15, and 631 have a better bass response, but also with that extended midrange. Those mics are great for a bass-heavy amp such as the Sonny Jr or Bassmans, though. ---------- Todd L. Greene
Other than just maybe a revision to the original, it indicates the dual impedance model. A simple sleeve change inside and it goes from low to high impedance. I use mine in Hi-z, so no transformer needed. ---------- Todd L. Greene
Yeah, it has a removeable magnetic on-off switch. If you take it off, it just stays on. No volume knob. I've been okay without it, but one of Greg's inline volume controls wired properly would be nice to have.
Just got the mic and it's a beauty. I plugged it into my amp which is a Peavey Special (120 watts - the predecessor to the Special 130) and the difference between that mic and my other microphone, an Electrovoice 660A, is astounding. I can see what you mean. There is so much more bottom with this microphone. I shudder to think what it would sound like on a tube amp. Thanks for all of the advice.
