Shure SM57 vs. SM58 on guitar?

[lttoler]

I have been using an SM58 for micing my guitar cab, but I'm wondering how it differs from an SM57. Would there be much difference? Can anyone tell me?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ido1957]

March 2000 response:
Tapehead
Dedicated Member
Join Date: Oct 1999Location: Vancouver CanadaPosts: 377Rep Power:536

These microphones are essentially identical with one difference: the SM58 is optimized for vocals--i.e. the round windscreen contains a pop filter whereas the SM57 does not. Their response patterns are identical except for a slightly lower presence peak in the 8-11 kh range which I would theorize is due to the damping effect of the windscreen. (This contradicts the popular but erroneous idea that the SM58 has more presence than the SM57--in fact it's about 1db less at the freqencies I just mentioned. The writer above has sharp ears and noticed the difference.

 

[ido1957]

Take the ball off and you got an SM57....

 

[punkin]

I wonder what Blue Bear would say.

 

[guitaristic]

Same mic...just one has a ball on the top

 

[moresound]

Same mic...just one has a ball on the top

That one must be the male!

 

[witzendoz]

When I ran live sound and i would run out of SM57's I would stick a spare SM58 on guitar and never notice the difference. In fact when I started the studio and used to run out of mics during live tracking often a SM58 was used on guitar. I even used an SM58 on snare or toms before now when short of mics.

The one mic everyone should have in the tool box an SM58.

Alan.

 

[Villain S Deeds]

Take the ball off and you got an SM57....

Does that work with the Betas too?

 

[clint blackwood]

I just have the SM58 but I remove the windscreen (ball) when recording guitar.
It makes the transients sound quicker. Its quite noticable for acoustic guitar and drums.
A small condenser is usually good, but it would clip in front of loud cabinets.