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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
520 D or 520 SL ?
520 D or 520 SL ?
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Ger Scheeve
4 posts
Apr 28, 2020
3:36 AM
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Hello fellow musicians
I have been using a Shure 520 DX for about 20 years now. I have polished it, and put on a bigger vintage knob. I operate the knob when I'm playing, with the palm of my hand. Can't think of a more practical way to play: mute when I don't play, adjustng level for accompeny, fighting feedback, crank up when soloing, it's all in the palm of my hand.
I have been looking at YT for a 520 SL, everybody is verry enthusiastic about it. I know there is also a later version with controlled magnetic element, the 520 D. Can't find comparisons between SL, D, and DX. YouTube would be nice.
So what I am thinking of, is a SL or a D. With fixed cord, pig tail, and I will mod it with a pot in the stand mount, bigger knob, like my DX.
Can anybody advise me on:
Differences between SL, D and DX
Where to buy safely
Last Edited by Ger Scheeve on Apr 28, 2020 4:50 AM
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LFLISBOA
72 posts
Apr 28, 2020
4:49 AM
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In my opinion comparisons are almost useless, because there's so many factors that affect tone. Even Green Bullet have each individual sound, but a good source would be Dennis Gruenling webpage. He has many models for sale, and you can have an idea of which model may sound.
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SuperBee
6607 posts
Apr 28, 2020
6:18 AM
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I may not be up with green bullet current product knowledge but last time I was paying attention DX was the current model.
I have used DX GBs and i wasn’t totally thrilled. Mainly i thought they were overpriced but I think you can obtain them relatively cheaply these days. I was looking about >10 years ago.
I believe the D is the previous edition and was a dual-impedance model, meaning the user could select the setup for hI or Lo impedance. I think these elements are generally regarded a bit more highly than the DX model.
The SL is pretty much the old 50s-80s green bullet. If I was looking to buy a GB this is where I’d be looking, but if I was in market for a vintage mic I think GB would not be my prime choice.
I think the SL designation is actually a bit more specific to a particular model, maybe the one on a desk stand with the ‘hold to talk’ switch on the stand, but it’s too long since I was learning about all that.
All those shells are similar enough to not matter much, but the DX has a volume control because Shure maybe worked out that it was only harp players who were still interested in that old mic. If you get the oldest model, it will probably have a CM or CR element which could be fabulous or not so great.
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Harpaholic
961 posts
Apr 28, 2020
8:33 AM
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Superbee has it right. The 520 was the original green bullet. The 520SL was the push to talk model. SLB would be Low Z.
Maybe think about having you mic upgraded with a vintage CM and a new volume control. Would be a big improvement.
IMO, stay away from the D and DX.
Dennis G. Is a good option if you got the dough!
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Apr 28, 2020 8:40 AM
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KingoBad
1746 posts
Apr 28, 2020
9:45 PM
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I have a 520 D that is pretty hot. If you get it for a good price (I got mine for $20 about 7 years ago) it might be worth your while. I keep mine as a good backup.
I know plenty of people who can get a good sound out of a DX, but they sound great through any vocal mic too.
I mostly play acoustically through a vocal mic, but I have a Greg Heumann custom wood mic that has a vintage cm in it. It is a monster and I can't play it through just anything. It's like riding a rocket.
If I were looking to upgrade from a DX, I'd be looking for a vintage CM or CR. I'd also check out the bulletini. I am a big guy, wih big hands, and I don't like to hold a big honkin mic all night.
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Danny
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dougharps
2102 posts
Apr 29, 2020
7:31 AM
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I had put my 520D element in an Astatic Biscuit mic shell I got at a flea market. I sold the big Green Bullet shell to someone building a mic. I thought that the element from the 520D was too hot and feedback prone in the Biscuit for me to use at stage volume.
I traded an extra ceramic element for a Mexican CM element that has since served me very well in the Biscuit shell without the problems I had with the 520D element.
I still have the hot 520D element somewhere in a parts drawer. I have heard people say these elements can be made to work well, but that was not my experience and I am not going to mess with it.
If anyone is interested in buying the element from the 520D, please email me with some kind of offer.
I have more functioning harp gear now than I will ever use in my remaining days. I am happy with what gear I have and need to downsize.
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Doug S.
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Ger Scheeve
5 posts
Apr 30, 2020
2:32 AM
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Wow
Thank you very much for all your information!
My choice is the 520 shell, after all these years I'm so used to it. I also have a blue Hohner Astatic, and even an A static T3. But the GB rules for me.
From your info I understand that probably a cm or cr element will be a considerable upgrade. I'm not a purist, that wants a vintage look, preserved and unchanged.
It has to sound good and look good. 30 years ago I got the T3 from a colegue, I stripped it from the hinged stand mount, put on a pig tail cord and a potmeter. I'm a musician, not a conservator. For me the DX was a step forward because of the more sturdy low mid, and less feedback problems.
So I think I will pick up a second hand DX somewhere, and put in a cm element, if I can find it. When it really is tip of the top, I might take it apart again and have it covered with nickel.
So if you have tips on where to buy a cm element, please let me know.
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