rob aylestone
Moderator
I needed a new SM57, as my attempt to repair a dead was was less than brilliant, so I figured what I'd do was order a new one from a real Shure dealer, but then eacrjh around for a fake, but as close a one as I could find. So correct box, labels, stickers, mic clip, instructions and appearance.
In the videos I have done, many copies had problems. No transformers, no rotating grill ring, high or low output level, shrill tone, even spelling mistakes. I found one for £45, that looked like the one that had just arrived. The fake box declared "Made in Mexico" hardly unusual fo a Chinese product, but the REAL Shure label gave me a shock. "Made in ......... CHINA!!!"
yes - Shure are now having their mics made in China. The more expensive fake turned out to be a very good one, and the zip up bag was the nice Shure softer plastic and the grill slots were not the usual thicker and chunkier ones, but identical to the Shure.
I am wondering if the genuine ones, especially 'B' grade could be diverted away from Shure, and be sold? after all, Thomann in Germany have sold their MB75 which is a very good copy for quite a few years now.
The only real differences seem to be in weight. 270g for the real and the copy 245g - I've checked all my 57s and all the old tatty ones are heavy. The other issue is the printing - little things. Some white printing when it should be green, no bold text sometimes, and trouble with alignment. In addition, the little symbols above some characters are missing in the Portuguese text.
Sound on the fake was a little different, but not a big difference to be fair. Certainly not that common thing and cutting sound some very cheap one have. It's still uploading but will be up soon. Shure made in China - wow!
In the videos I have done, many copies had problems. No transformers, no rotating grill ring, high or low output level, shrill tone, even spelling mistakes. I found one for £45, that looked like the one that had just arrived. The fake box declared "Made in Mexico" hardly unusual fo a Chinese product, but the REAL Shure label gave me a shock. "Made in ......... CHINA!!!"
yes - Shure are now having their mics made in China. The more expensive fake turned out to be a very good one, and the zip up bag was the nice Shure softer plastic and the grill slots were not the usual thicker and chunkier ones, but identical to the Shure.
I am wondering if the genuine ones, especially 'B' grade could be diverted away from Shure, and be sold? after all, Thomann in Germany have sold their MB75 which is a very good copy for quite a few years now.
The only real differences seem to be in weight. 270g for the real and the copy 245g - I've checked all my 57s and all the old tatty ones are heavy. The other issue is the printing - little things. Some white printing when it should be green, no bold text sometimes, and trouble with alignment. In addition, the little symbols above some characters are missing in the Portuguese text.
Sound on the fake was a little different, but not a big difference to be fair. Certainly not that common thing and cutting sound some very cheap one have. It's still uploading but will be up soon. Shure made in China - wow!