Shure Ultimate Series Mics
Anybody have experience with these?
http://www.blowsmeaway.com/ultimate.html
Also, check out Jason Ricci's YouTube video on the site. He's really kicking ass with an Ultimate 57 tied into a wireless transmitter.
Clean, crunchy, full, bassy, trebley, etc.?
Does he modify the element or the electronics, or just the physical part of the enclosure?
Hi. I've read this post with interest and checked out the web link. Very cool looking mics!
On a similar note, about a year ago I bought a vintage Shure 545 from a US customiser on ebay. He added a volume control, shortened the stick and converted what was a low impedence mic (a Shure 545L in fact) to high impedence and put a 1/4" jack in the bottom end. Quite similar in customised design to the ultimised one's Greg does really, somewhere in between the ultimised and the normal 545 for weight and length. It has a great tone, pure Butter sound! Prior to that I used a shop bought 520DX but only use the 545 now. I love it! I think that if Greg's mics are like the one I use then you will be more than happy, especially if you like that Butterfield type tone as Ricci displays so well in the video.
As another aside, I reckon Greg's Bulletisers would be well worth a go as gripping the 545 for any length of time is hard on the fingers! Looks like a great innovative idea.
Rob
Harpin' in UK :O)
Ah, forgot to mention, the US guy I bought from goes by the ebay name of "technobird" and is still trading mics. Have a look on ebay!
Greg does not change the element so the sound is pretty much the same. I find it a little fuller - maybe I'm finally starting to get a better cup??? To quote Greg - "I would only add that the SM57 has a really useful range from quite clean while warm (in free air) to quite crunchy/dirty when fully cupped. Makes it a really versatile mic".
The Bulletzer looks interesting and I'll probably get one. Your best bet is to get hold of Greg - very easy to deal with, informative as all get out and no pressure. Try him.
"...especially if you like that Butterfield type tone as Ricci displays so well in the video."
Maybe it's the rocker in me, but as much as I really love to listen to Little Walter, Smith, and Williamson, I find myself pulled more toward "modern" blues - which really tends to be more like what we know today as "classic" rock of the past. I'm finding myself leaning more and more to the Butterfield style of amplification than the Chicago Blues style of gritty, dirty sound.
Shure makes a new "vintage" model 545 without the pistol grip (Paul is commonly pictured with one with the pistol grip)... something to keep in mind...
As a result of this thread I've gone ahead and ordered one of Greg's Bulletizers. I'll post a review when I've had a good blow through it although that could be a week or so as I have to wait for delivery to the UK.
Thanks for taking the plunge for the rest of us. I'm looking forward to your review.
I sent my sm57 to Greg to have it 'ultimized'. He is a first class guy to deal with and very helpful. The mic is now lighter. more evenly balanced, looks great, and I find the volume control to be extremely useful at my level - full on for solos and half way (or by hearing the level) for comping. I'm only a jam player (just on 3 years under my belt) so I can't comment on 'performance' levels. After having it for about 9 months, I'm glad that I did it!!!