SM57 Incarnations (for tricone)

[Edward Meisse]

I'm looking for a mic for my tricone. I'm told that the SM57 is perfectly adequate and won't break the bank. But I find that there are currently 3 incarnations. There is the SM57, the SM57 Beta and what one vendor has refered to as the, "Commercial Version." The commercial version is the least expensive and comes with its own cord. I'm told that it tends to pick up sound in a narrower physical range. That is, only what goes directly into it.

[Brad Bechtel]

I have found the SM57 is an excellent all around microphone, and for the price (typically less than $100 USD) can be used for just about anything. I'm sure others will chime in with preferred mics, but let's keep it in the ballpark of the SM57 (no references to the Neumann KM150 for $1500, please).

Shure's web site shows these models of the SM57:
SM57-LC : Without Cable
SM57-LCE : Without Cable, with 5/8-inch to 3/8-inch thread adapter for mounting on European stands

I could find no reference to a "commercial version" with a hardwired cable.

The Beta 57 is "a high output supercardioid dynamic microphone designed for professional sound reinforcement and project studio recording. It maintains a true supercardioid pattern throughout its frequency range. This insures high gain-before-feedback, maximum isolation from other sound sources, and minimum off–axis tone coloration."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM57 has a bit more information and some links that might be helpful.

[Michael Maddex]

I have a PG-57, which Shure says means 'Professional Gear', but since it cost less than the other models when I bought it, I figured it stands for 'Pretty Good'. FWIW, this may be what the dealer meant by 'commercial version'. Anyway, the PG model looks like the Beta 57 and the specs are similar to the other Shure dynamic mics. It came with a 15 foot separate cable, pouch and mic clip. I believe that there is also a Hi-Z version available.

This mic has worked well for me with both dobro and flattop guitars. In general, I don't think that you can go wrong with Shure, but YMMV.

HTH.

[Craig Ferguson]

Sm57's will do fine but if you can afford the extra cash get a sennheiser 421. It has a nice bass roll-off feature and pristine high end. It's also dynamic so you don't have to worry about phantom power. I found used on ebay for $200.

[Dave Boothroyd]

I must just point out that SM 57s and 58s of all types are dynamic mics.
The SM57 has an ancestor which came with a fixed cable, the Shure Unidyne, one of which I still use occasionally.
Beware of bargain Shure Mics. There are many inferior copies, the best of which are very difficult to identify by eye. Your ears will tell you, but it might be too late by then.
Cheers
Dave

[Bob Hoffnar]

I have one of these for sale if you want;

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=