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Topic: Shure SM57 -- Disposable or Repairable? |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 2:52 pm |
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One of my trusty SM57s mysteriously stopped working. It's probably about 10-15 years old, and really has not been used all that often.
Does anyone know of a reasonably priced repair service, or should I just bite the bullet and look for a replacement. |
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 3:34 pm
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Send it to Shure. Thay will replace it for a price. Less than buying a new one.
Very rare for a 57 or 58 to break down !
_________________
Bill |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 5 May 2015 4:28 pm
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| So if you plug another mic into the cable it works? It would be a shame to send your mic in for service if it was in fact something else that had failed, cables go bad all the time, I've never had an SM57 fail, and I've used a lot of them for decades. Not saying it can't happen, but be very certain that that is where the problem lies before taking such steps. |
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Gerry Simon
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 5:26 pm
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| When my band burned up in a bar fire, the equipment fell thru the floor and was bulldozed into trucks and hauled off to the dump. I went out to that dump a few days later, all covered in snow, and found some wires that I pulled up and a 58 was on the end. I replaced the cartridge,(easily done), and it is still working 35 years later. |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 6 May 2015 11:03 am
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If you go to Shure's support page on their website, you will find the instructions for sending your mic in. It's a set fee (last time I sent in a 57 it was $50). They destroy your mic and give you a brand new one, in the box with a mic clip and a bag. If you send yours in, only send the mic and keep your accessories as spares.
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 6 May 2015 11:31 am
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i found an old beat up discarded 57 about 25 years ago and used it regularly. it finally quit a while back, but that's the best overall mic ever made.
always worth another 75 bucks if you need one! |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 May 2015 6:16 am
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Thanks for the comments and anecdotes. Indeed the problem is with the mic, not the cable. Our first thought was that a cable went bad, not the trusty SM57. Multiple cables tested out fine, both with our Nady cable tester and with other mics that were known to be good.
Shure's own product description touts the SM57 as nearly indestructible: "It can be dropped down six flights of stairs then dunked in a glass of water and still perform like it just came out of the box (please don't try this at home)."
That is why it was so surprising when the SM57 conked out during a recent home recording session. (We like the sound we get from guitar amps recorded in stereo with twin SM57s -- one SM57 close up and the other a few feet back.)
Probably will follow Bill & Michael's advice and send the mic back to Shure. Their flat rate repair/replacement cost for the SM57 is $55.00, plus $3.78 sales tax. |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 7 May 2015 6:47 am
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$55 is a great deal. Where else can you get a brand new 57 for that price.
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 May 2015 6:59 am
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Shure mics are often faked... with a 57, if the wind screen won't spin, it's probably a fake. Google 'fake 57'... if your mic failed early, it might be a fake.
_________________
Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 May 2015 8:03 am
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| Stephen Cowell wrote: |
| Shure mics are often faked... with a 57, if the wind screen won't spin, it's probably a fake. Google 'fake 57'... if your mic failed early, it might be a fake. |
Interesting...
The 57 in question was purchased new in the box from one of the big mail order outfits (American Musical Supply, Musician's Friend, etc.) so if it's a fake, they've got some s'plainin' to do.
Guessing if the mic is indeed a counterfeit, Shure will not hesitate to let me know. (The windscreen does spin, by the way.) |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 7 May 2015 8:15 am
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| SM57 windscreens are held on by a clip that allows the cap to spin freely, this is normal. If the mic has failed it is either a broken wire/bad contact at the plug end or a broken diaphragm, there's just nothing else there to break. |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 8 May 2015 7:13 am
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There are two things you can check before you send it in. First, undo the screw for the XLR connector and inspect the wires soldered to connector. There could be a broken wire there. Second unscrew the capsule and verify that the two wires from the transformer are attached to the capsule. Since it's not working anyway, don't be afraid of breaking anything. If there is no broken wire, then it's probably the capsule that has a break in the coil and you will need to send it in for replacement.
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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