didjcripey
959 posts
Sep 18, 2015
11:50 PM
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Wondering about the longevity of shire CM/CR elements. They going to last forever, or will something start to break down? At the moment, seems the older the element, the more desirable. Some of the black label CR's must be 65 years old already. Will we reach a point where we are chasing the newest ones, cause the older ones are breaking down (like the crystals)?
Also thinking about usage. Will more usage wear them out sooner? Should I save my best elements for special occasions, in the hope they'll last longer, or use them while they're good?
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Lucky Lester
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Thievin' Heathen
605 posts
Sep 19, 2015
12:16 AM
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I can't comment on the lifespan of elements, but from the human lifespan angle, I say "if you got it, use it up. When it goes out, get another one".
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Mojokane
840 posts
Sep 19, 2015
1:13 AM
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Just carry as many spares as you possibly can.
My luck, they'll all die at the same time!
I am pretty happy with THE...thanks Greg!
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Yes, there are blues in Hawaii.
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SuperBee
2821 posts
Sep 19, 2015
1:41 AM
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Hmm...dunno. I have a 65 year old one, and a 62 year old...and 56, 43...
The 2 oldest are defs the best...I guess they'll break down eventually but they'll probably outlast me.
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didjcripey
960 posts
Sep 19, 2015
1:58 AM
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Don't know what the diaphragm's are made of, but I'd expect they'd go eventually. Other than that, corrosion might be an issue?
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Lucky Lester
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marine1896
401 posts
Sep 19, 2015
2:29 AM
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Lot's of info here...
http://www.greenbulletmics.com/DATING_the_ELEMENTS.html
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"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
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Greg Heumann
3107 posts
Sep 19, 2015
9:16 AM
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CR's and CM 's have held up very well compared to crystals and ceramic elements. They are not indestructible but I've been playing a 1950 black CR in my gig mic for YEARS, dropped it several times..... still going strong.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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SuperBee
2823 posts
Sep 20, 2015
3:25 AM
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Each of my 4 has distinct characteristics. The 2 older mics are more versatile. Probably natural selection. They're not custom mics. I expect that more of the old mics that are much good have likely been weeded out...so those which are still in use are maybe, on the whole, a little better...but folks keep bringing them back so I'm probably talking out my hat...
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Larrystick
102 posts
Sep 21, 2015
5:10 AM
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Over the last three years I've bought and tested a couple hundred Shure CM and CR elements, and some of them do, in fact, die. But I bet the failure rate I've experienced is less than 10% overall. Sadly, most of the failures do come with the more costly Black Labels from '49-'53. However, even the CMs I find that are caked with dust, rust, and other crud still seem to sound great.
As you all know, each of these elements has it's own individual tonal character. Even those made side by side in the same month. My stage mic is a '50 Black Label, but I've had some outstanding elements from the 70's as well. You just don't know if any individual one is right for you until you play it.
Shure developed the elements to be durable, and in this 1949 catalog page they noted that, "The "Green Bullet" is practically immune to the effects of high temperatures and humidity. It is a rugged streamlined unit that lends itself to fine-quality low-cost installations where durability is an important factor."
By the way, if you're ever interested in reading these old catalogs, Shure has them all available as PDF's on their site: Vintage Shure Catalogs
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 For questions mail james@simplemics.com
Stickman from walkthatwalk.org
Last Edited by Larrystick on Sep 21, 2015 5:14 AM
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6SN7
573 posts
Sep 21, 2015
6:10 AM
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I have had 2 elements die on me after 10 years of use. I had dropped them over the course of using them, but no serious abuse. They both just started to fade and then died. One did it shortly after buying it but I was given a new one by the seller, Tom Ball, a million years ago when it seemed like he was the only guy selling mics.
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