Bobbo
1 post
Jan 24, 2012
6:23 AM
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Hi. I'd like to start playing amplified(dirty) blues harp. Currently I play acoustic guitar/sing and play harp with a neck rack. I have a Fishman Loudbox 100 acoustic amp. I just ordered a Harp Attack pedal from Lone Wolf. My question is what is a decent mic for under $200? I did do a search and read alot on the topic. I know it is very subjective. Can anyone comment on a 520DX vs a Shure 545? Is there a better mic than these under $200?
Thanks for your comments.
Bobbo
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HawkeyeKane
662 posts
Jan 24, 2012
8:36 AM
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Are you looking at a mic to use in conjunction with your neck rack or one that you use handheld?
If you're looking for one to use with the Dylan-rack, there's really only one mic made specifically for that purpose, and it's a condenser mic.
Applied Microphone Technology AMT HR2 Clip On Harmonica Microphone
In terms of a handheld mic, you're absolutely right. It IS very subjective and really depends on the taste of the player.
As I'm sure you've read in your research, many players like bullets and others like stick mics like the 545. I'm a dual preference kinda guy. On bullets, I've never had a problem with the 520DX, but there are better bullets out there. For the price, it's a good mic. But I myself use a bullet derived from the design of the 520DX, the Peavey H5-C Cherry Bomb. It's around the same price of a Green Bullet, and I find it has a more ballsy tone to it. The only other bullets you can find new these days are things like the Hohner Bluesblaster, Astatic JT30RH, Nady Bushman Torpedo, DR Red Howler, and the Shaker Retro Rocket. None of which are very popular, but, again...to each his own.
I've played on a 545 before, but the weight and grippable surface on it led me to not like it all that much. That's not to say it isn't a GREAT mic for dirty blues harp, because it most certainly is. The 545 can be adapted into an Ultimate 545 and fitted with a Bulletizer for better gripping by Greg Heumann if you're willing to spend a little more. If you went this route, then I'd definitely recommend the 545 over the 520DX. Just my 2 cents...
Another mic you might consider is an Akai DM13. These can be found on eBay, usually for a considerable amount less than 200. They're roughly the same size and shape as a 545, but MUCH lighter in weight, and they have a greblon type of rubberized coating on them for better gripping. Great ballsy tone!
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jan 24, 2012 2:22 PM
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LSC
149 posts
Jan 24, 2012
8:51 AM
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Actually there are alternatives to the AMT. There is the Harp Hugger microphone clip for mounting two mics on one stand. There is also the Strnad as well as no end of homemade solutions, some of which are quite clever.
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LSC
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HawkeyeKane
663 posts
Jan 24, 2012
9:12 AM
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@LSC
I stand corrected. I keep forgetting about the Strnad. Those are getting harder and harder to find these days though. I just did a google search on it. Only place that had it advertised was soundexchange2 and they're out of stock.
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Hawkeye Kane
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bharper
139 posts
Jan 24, 2012
9:14 AM
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A Shure SM57 is a good choice if you are uncertain what you want. It has great bluesy tone when hand held, and is excellent in other uses as well, unlike a bullet mic. The SM57 is useful as a vocal mic and is very good for mic'ing up amplifiers.
Also, the Bulletizer from Greg Heuman turns the SM57 microphone into a bullet. It is an excellent product.
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Bobbo
2 posts
Jan 24, 2012
11:21 AM
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Guys thank you all for your input. I went to the blowsmeaway website - Wow! After reading/listening I think the Ultimate series is what I'm looking for. Can anyone comment on the 57 vs 545? I'd like the best blues tone cupped but also being able to sing into it would be nice. the 545 comes stock high Z where the 57 comes stock low Z, but the ultimate series offers the 57 in high Z. if I did get a 57 should I order it high Z and why?
I can always bulletize it later if it hurts my hands.
Bobbo
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HawkeyeKane
664 posts
Jan 24, 2012
12:40 PM
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Bobbo,
First off, I'm unfamiliar with your Fishman acoustic amp, but if it's like other acoustic amps I've seen, it may have a low-Z XLR jack on it for microphones. If that's the case, then you COULD order it low-Z and play it straight through the amp.
However...
If you plan on using it with your new Harp Attack pedal, which runs on a high 10 meg ohm impedance, then you'd be better off getting the high-Z 545 or Ultimate 57 and running it through the 1/4" input on your amp via the Harp Attack. The 57 in my experience has made for a more versatile mic when alternating its use between harp and vocals.
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Hawkeye Kane
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hvyj
2070 posts
Jan 24, 2012
12:41 PM
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545 comes stock lo-z, but can be wired for hi-z. 545 is at least as good as 57 for vocals. I think 545 is better for harp than 57. IMHO, the 545 Ultimate is hands down the best harp mic I've ever played through and I've been playing since 1979. The stock 545 is a little awkward to handle but the 545 Ultimate is not.
545 is much better than a bullet mic because it is more versatile. A 520DX is a one trick pony--it gives you a certain raspy tone and that's it. You can get a variety of tones and timbres from a 545 by using different breath and mic (hand) techniques. I prefer the lo-z configuration and use an IMT to play through an amp. Great harp mic.
Btw, harp sounds better going into the 1/4" input jack of the amp even if the amp has an XLR input. Again, I use an IMT for this purpose. Personally, I don't use distortion pedals, but I will use a pedal board and the lo-z 545 signal processes very well and also sounds wonderful going straight into an amp or PA. Terrific harp mic for all uses.
Last Edited by on Jan 24, 2012 12:47 PM
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Kingley
1733 posts
Jan 24, 2012
12:52 PM
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The Shure 545 is a killer harp mic. They can be picked up very cheaply on ebay.
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atty1chgo
222 posts
Jan 24, 2012
2:23 PM
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It seems that conversation on the Forum regarding stick mics invariably focuses down to Shure SM 57 or Shure 545 or some modification thereof, as if nothing else exists. Just sayin'.
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HawkeyeKane
665 posts
Jan 24, 2012
2:24 PM
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atty1, I made special mention of the DM13 for that very reason.
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Hawkeye Kane
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hvyj
2071 posts
Jan 24, 2012
3:16 PM
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@atty1: I know you like EVs and i agree that EVs in general are excellent harp mics. For many, many years I used RE 15s and I still love their sound. I would take an RE 15 over a Shure 57 any time. It's a close call, but I like my 545 Ultimates better than i do my RE15s for all around purposes. Can't go wrong with a good EV, though
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dted
13 posts
Jan 24, 2012
4:13 PM
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Since the EV mics are being discussed, I may as well offer a mint condition RE-18 mic I could sell. Similar to a RE-10 or RE-15 but slightly bigger head to hold onto. How about $95 or reasonable offer?
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Leatherlips
22 posts
Jan 24, 2012
5:30 PM
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If you're looking for cheap, take a look at 'bottle-o-blues' mics.
I bought one recently and love the tone. It's a little too directional, but apart from that I really like it.
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lor
75 posts
Jan 24, 2012
7:52 PM
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I just got a tiny Olympic (up to 15K Hz) electret mic and a pre-amp kit for a generic electret that I pulled off and put a jack in for the Olympic all of which I put into a plastic box with a nine volt battery and a volume control and I can strap to my belt. Thing works great! Less than 50 bucks.
Ask me if you want details.
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Bobbo
3 posts
Jan 25, 2012
8:30 AM
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Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'm going to go with a 57 Bullet from Blowsmeaway. Seems the most versatile mic since I want to play clean sometimes and when I want it dirty I can use the Harp Attack.
Bobbo
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Bobbo
5 posts
Jan 29, 2012
6:35 PM
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Guys, I ended up buying an Ultimate 57 Bulletized high Z mic from BlowsMeAway and a Harp Attack pedal from Lone Wolf. Both Greg from BlowsMeAway and Randy from Lone Wolf were very helpful and patient with all my questions and emails. Highly recommend them. Received the mic/pedal yesterday in the mail, plugged them into my Fishman acoustic amp and the tone is just awesome!!! Both clean and dirty. Still playing around with the settings/etc. I didn't have the $ for a nice harp amp, and this route wasn't cheap either, but I'm very satisfied with the setup and tone.
Bobbo
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Mojokane
496 posts
Jan 29, 2012
6:50 PM
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glad you're happy now....
..personally, I have a hard time with stick mics. Not very ergonomic for my bigger thannormal hands. It get's too loose in the cup. Ffor me.
The only one I do use every so often, because it is lighter in the hand, would be the EV RE10. There is one on Ebay right now. Item #270902693280. Apparently it is in decent shape.
My advice on what to bid....try sniping it (bidslammer) and set your ceiling at 125. Chances are good you may get it.
when you snipe, you usually need to go a little higher. This will guarantee it. Sniping is THE ONLY WAY I DO EBAY NOW.
..it removes the bidding "fever", which almost always inflates an auction.
Sometimes Seller will jack it up, too.
They are still ways to "shill" auctions, without being detected. But let's keep this dirty little secret between us harp guys, OK?
Good luck!
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by on Jan 29, 2012 6:58 PM
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Willspear
42 posts
Jan 29, 2012
7:58 PM
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Congrats on the ultimate 57. A guy who frequents a jam I go to has one and it rocks. Looks killer too. He doesn't have the bulletizer something I'd buy for sure because I get hand cramps with stick mics after a half dozen songs. The sm57 really is one of the most versatile mics on the planet
Just feel its worth mentioning I have acquired 2 different
American d4t microphones which are cheaper than any of the usual bullets and they are with the stock elements right there with any cr or cm. the ooze tone and are actually the easiest cupping mics I have ever used.
They really react to varying levels of cup. They are loud mics. Freakishly loud.
Never seen em sell for much more than a hundred bucks. High end would be like 140. I bought one for around $100 and the other for $17 shipped. The $17 one is one of my two go mics.
I have a 440sl that is so strong it is problematic with several amps without tubing down the amps that is my favorite mic for searing tone, it cuts like a hacksaw. The d4t is a better mic for so many amps.
Last Edited by on Jan 29, 2012 8:09 PM
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