Seven.Oh.Three.
216 posts
Jun 12, 2013
9:03 PM
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Hey all!
I'm looking to pick up a shure 545 soon with a long term idea to have it "Ultimized" by Greg. My question is this, is there any reason not to buy new? I know some may say a vintage mic might have a better element but is there really that much difference? One main reason I'm looking at the 545 is because I'm frustrated with dealing with vintage bullets and want one solid, reliable and decent mic.
Thoughts? Input? Guidance?
Thanks!
7.o.3.
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Kingley
2747 posts
Jun 12, 2013
9:48 PM
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Superb mics for harp. The old ones (made in USA) do have a slightly better tone, but the new ones are great too. The current available model is the Shure 545SD it has an on/off switch and is dual impedance. The Shure 545 is my absolute all time favourite stick mic. The current model also has the same tone as an SM57. The SM57 might be cheaper to acquire. Only real difference it has no on/off switch built in and has the black body versus the chrome of the 545. Both use standard XLR connectors.
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arnenym
151 posts
Jun 13, 2013
12:49 AM
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As Kingley said it is a small difference between them. If you're tired in old mic's you could buy a new one and get 99% the same tone with a little less treble on the amp..
Greg's ultimate microphones with Volumecontrol is fantastic good microphones.
A bulleteizer give you a better grip, but it made the mic a little feedback prone.
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Greg Heumann
2201 posts
Jun 13, 2013
8:23 AM
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The older ones definitely have more "balls" - more breakup when cupped.
I charge $139 to convert a donor mic, and $229 for a complete Ultimate 545 made with a brand new element and transformer. That's $90 more. If you can buy a new 545, have it shipped to you and then ship it to me for less than $90, then all it cost you is effort and time. Is it really worth it? Why not just buy the complete mic from me in the first place? Note I can supply an Ultimate 545 made with a vintage element and transformers too - I charge another $35 to do that.
The new ones DO sound like 57's, and there is one other important difference. The housing on a 545 is plastic while the 57's is metal. This makes the 57 more durable (although the plastic seems to hold up pretty well) and if you're interested in a Bulletizer, it will be rock solid on a 57 body but feels just a little "squishy" on a 545 because of this.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jun 13, 2013 8:25 AM
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Kingley
2749 posts
Jun 13, 2013
9:23 AM
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Greg - Obviously I'm aware that by default the SM57 is Lo-Z, but am I right in thinking you offer the Ultimate 57 in Hi-Z mode with a screw on connector as well?
7.0.3. - Greg makes a great point. Unless you can get one for next to nothing, then it would make sense to just get the Ultimate 57/545 in the first place. I'm damn sure from the reviews I've heard that you certainly wouldn't be disappointed.
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1847
819 posts
Jun 13, 2013
9:41 AM
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what bullet mic do you have?
what is the problem you are having with it?
who are the top 3 harmonica player's that are your favorite's ?
what mic do they use?
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PASS THE HAT
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Greg Heumann
2205 posts
Jun 13, 2013
9:57 AM
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@Kingley - yes - I offer the Ultimate 57 in high-Z. No rocket science - I use the Shure dual impedance transformer found in the 545 to do it.
And what 1847 may be implying is that there's no reason your bullet mic shouldn't be completely reliable and have great tone.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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Kingley
2752 posts
Jun 13, 2013
10:13 AM
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Thanks for the confirmation Greg.
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Seven.Oh.Three.
217 posts
Jun 13, 2013
10:35 AM
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@ Greg- You're absolutely right about ordering right form you. I'm trying to decide if I want to purchase a 545 right now and then down the road (Read: when I have more money) ship it out to you have have it "ultimized" or just save some more coin up and get a new ultimate mic right from you. Decisions decisions.....
@1847- Right now I have a working 520DX. Not a bad mic for where I am in my harmonica life. I'm not having any issues with it. Just I picked up a Special 6 and a lone wolf delay and a mic is my final piece to the puzzle. I had purchased a couple different older 520 shells that I'd love to build into something usable. But based on the cost of doing so I'd be concerned about them breaking. I'm thinking the 545 would be more of a workhorse and if something happened it would be less expensive to repair. As far as players go I'm into Ricci's sound (sm57), Butterfield(545) and Cotton(PE585).
I guess it makes sense to just save up and do it right the first time.
Thanks again for all the input guys!
7.o.3.
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1847
820 posts
Jun 13, 2013
1:31 PM
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i am a firm believer in getting exactly what you want
if you compromise on a purchase, you most likely will never be completely happy,
and end up buying the original item at a later date
spending even more money for it lol
jason uses the ultimate 57, they are not that expensive
considering, it will last a lifetime.
at the end of the day, it is still a shure 57
i bought one awhile back brand new $50.00 bucks
use it mostly to mic the amp if needed.
the 585 cotton mic is a classic
my buddy just got one on ebay like new $20.00
at that price you really cannot go wrong.
here is a very good deal on the buffalo mic
Vintage Shure Brothers 545 S Series II microphone 1960's old used vocals ebay $120.00 out the door
i personally do not care for the pistol grip
i would have it removed,or buy the model with out it
some people would consider it a travesty to remove it
i am not in that camp.
butterfield mic
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PASS THE HAT
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garry
409 posts
Jun 13, 2013
4:16 PM
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the ultimate 545 is a thing of beauty, and much nicer to use than a regular 545 or 57. especially when it's set up with wireless. highly recommended.
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Harpaholic
214 posts
Jun 14, 2013
3:15 PM
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703, I have a beautiful vintage full strength 60s-70s 545s Pistol type with a Bullitizer and its been converted to a 2501mp screw on connector. 100% original except the connector.
I actually prefer the pistol type.
The Bullitizer fits tight and gives it a nice balance, it does what it was meant to do!
I plan on putting it on ebay (joebluesharp2) along with several other mics because I have three 545s and more mics than one man can play. I will let it go for a good price and you'll know your getting a good one
if interested let me know
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jun 14, 2013 5:50 PM
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