Two different sounding SM57's

[rob_m69]

Not sure if this is in the right forum so I apologise in advance if it isn't.

Anyway, I recently bought my second SM57 and found it online for £50 on the Cash Converters website (basically a pawn shop) thinking that if there were any problems I could just send the mic back.

When I first picked up the mic it felt lighter than my old SM57 but I'm sure this means nothing, not every single mic is going to be exactly the same. I thought it might be a fake although it's probably just me being paranoid.

I checked it wasn't a fake and I'm pretty shure (pahaha... that one has definately been used a few times before) that it's not. But when I plugged it in and tested it out on a guitar amp it sounded different to me... so I recorded the same thing with the same guitar, same amp settings, same mic position etc. with my old SM57 to compare.

The result was that the new one sounded alot brighter and almost harsh, compared to my old one which sounded alot duller but at the same time alot warmer. The signal of the newer one was also alot hotter.

Is it possible that one is fake? Or that they might just sound different because they're different models and perhaps built in different years?

I cant post a sound clip at the moment but I will as soon as I get the chance tommorow.

Thanks for your time,
Rob.

 

[RAMI]

While even 2 real 57's can sound different, I'm a little un-confortable with the fact that one is noticeably lighter. Especially since the lighter one is also the one that doesn't sound as good.

I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

While even 2 real 57's can sound different, I'm a little un-confortable with the fact that one is noticeably lighter. Especially since the lighter one is also the one that doesn't sound as good.

Rami practically stole the words right out of my mouth word-for-word. I'm not sure whether that's bad for me or good for Rami (or vice versa), but I don't think it bodes well for your pawned 57, unfortunately, rob.

EDIT: Per the Shure website, the SM57 has a net weight of 284 grams (10 oz).

G.

 

[rob_m69]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm gonna weigh it just to see how it compares.

I record some samples which are here:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=1005517&songID=8282268

The first run through the chords is my old SM57, and the second run through is the second hand one.

Nothing added in terms of eq, verb etc.

Rob

 

[NYMorningstar]

Can you post a pic of the mics and capsules?

 

[rob_m69]

I don't have a camera at the moment but they look prety identical.

I've looked everywhere online at how to spot a fake and so far both have been identical to what a SM57 should be... it came with case, strap, mic holder, has one green wire one yellow, red stamp on board etc.

Was there something else you wanted to look at in the pictures?

Rob

 

[NYMorningstar]

I was thinking the capsules would look different. Are the capsules the same weight?

 

[scott free]

Counterfeit of rage, and feeling unshure

So yeah, I bought a counterfeit sm57 on good ole ebay?

Before I even sound checked the thing...

I noticed that the housing was slightly different, the seam where the two parts come together was in a different location compared to my genuine sm.

The Shure font on the label which wraps around the grill was extremely different in my comparison as well.

The metal grill had a different "weave" also.

Then I plugged it in..."not shure" what to do with it...I still have it, and it is for sale ;-)

Hope this helps.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I know that some counterfiets have shown up at my local pawnbroker...they dont know shit from shineola...being lighter is one of the big things to look for...plus an extra hole down by where the cable plugs in.

 

[Minion]

Someone might have done the transformer mod on the light 57 , it basicly entail just takeing out the transformer wich would make the mic a lot lighter ...


Just a thought

 

[rob_m69]

I know that some counterfiets have shown up at my local pawnbroker...they dont know shit from shineola...being lighter is one of the big things to look for...plus an extra hole down by where the cable plugs in.

It has that extra hole, so its definately a fake.

Thatnks for the feedback guys, much appreciated, I'm gonna send it back and get a refund tommorow.

Think I'll only buy them new from now on!

Rob

 

[darrin_h2000]

If you buy really old you can avoid it too...the same people are able to copy the boxes and packaging pretty well.

 

[mjbphotos]

How many holes should be there?

 

[darrin_h2000]

In a new one...there shouldnt be but one slot to hold the clip from where the cable went in...in the 80s the SM57 and 58 both had an additional round hole about a centameter away from the slotted one.

In the counterfiet mics there is a hole in what would be sold as a new one in the spot that the 80s mics had...the hole hasnt been put into the new mics since 1989.

And they are good with making the packaging look real too...some of the posts above mentioned that the font was not as bold on the stickers arround the capsule...to add to that the decal overlaps too.

 

[mjbphotos]

My SM57 has an oblong oval (where the XLR locks in), one round hole (you can see daylight when the connector is not plugged in), then a second round hole with a screw head visible.

The good news is I like the sound from it!

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

My SM57 has an oblong oval (where the XLR locks in), one round hole (you can see daylight when the connector is not plugged in), then a second round hole with a screw head visible.

The good news is I like the sound from it!

And you should, as that is a real 57. I have five 57s, all circa '98 or so, all bought brand new from Sweetwater - who buys direct from Shure - and all have the configuration you describe, with the holes spaced approx, 1/4" apart. And all sound like real '57s .

You want to avoid counterfeits? Stay away from pawn shops, for starters. Sheesh, that's like being surprised you got the clap form a street hooker.

G.