Well, I still really haven't decided after reading all these informative and useful replies! Just can't seem to get a consensus out of all this. Althought, and maybe I just ran out of bottle caps to keep track, but the Barbie models seem to have a bit of an edge.
But having never used any Barbie models, I am reluctant. I hear that the internal workings of those mics are VERY complex, and that any rough handling will cause it to make all sorts of horrible noises that will not quite until you lock it up in a closet!
Now I gotta admit, the Mr.Microphone served me well for a few decades now, but it would seem like the new technology would be better? It seems like some of those mic "kits" that some of your guys posted offer a lot of bang for the buck! Could they really offer great fidelity, rich features, and good looks all in one very affordable package like that? I must have been out of the loop for too long to know where things have gone since 1976, when I bought my Mr.Microphone. I DO know though that I was pretty cool driving around saying "Hey good looking, we'll be back to pick you up later" to good looking blondes walking down the street. Man, those were the days of working a Mr.Microphone!
Anyway, I lost the client!!! She I think found a producer named Nuemann to work with because as she left my studio she said "I am going to record at this other studio with A Nuemann. Is this guy a big time producer or engineer or something? What does the A stand for? I never heard of this guy, and certainly didn't know he had a studio in my town. I sure hope I don't lose too many clients to A Neumann because if I wind up having to pay the extra $20 to buy a Radio Shack HiBall mic, I need to pay that puppy off!
Anyway, thanks for the help so far dOOds!