Just noticed that AT will soon launch the AT2050 a new 20 Series multi-pattern condenser. Don't know when or how much, but it could be an interesting choice.
You don't need a mic to note the difference. Thin pics (at least when strumming) are the ones that give the clickety-clackety sound. This is a well known fact, not an opinion.
I do think there is a difference between budget gear, but I wouldn't buy either of these. I would save a little more for the MAudio DMP3. It is a tried and true budget preamp of very good quality.
Not that one is more "important" than the other, but my preference was to have a great preamp first. I haven't regreted that decision (although I already had a very nice LD).
If you have $800-$1000 to spend on a mic, you have a lot of choices. AEA, Bock, Blue, AT4060, eg. Go somewhere where yo can try as many as possible and compare to what you have.
Here's the spec sheets for the SH and SD versions. They talk about the impedence.
http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_545sh_ug.pdf
http://www.shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_545sd_ug.pdf
A...
I would use mic placement, not eq, to get the sound I want. Work at it. You don't have to use XY, there are other options: ORTF, spaced pair combos, one mic at neck joint and one over the right shoulder technique, etc.
If you can record in a big open area with tiles floors you may not want any absorbtion or reflection. Spend some time playing-recording in the area facing different directions and see what sound you get.
Well Kevin, I'd say you are off to a pretty good start. Listening through a cheap sound card and speakers I feel you are capturing the full sound of the instrument. It's detailed and clear with all notes sounding natural.
Very nice.:)
The whole point of recording with two mics is to put them on separate tracks. Panning the two tracks opposite each other is how you define your stereo image. Recording two mics onto a single track is not stereo, it is mono. Record each mic to its own track.