Your next guitar?

[Hink]

Yeah i know about the 57's rep of being unbreakable but It happened. Good news Eric can get hold of a capsule which i would hazard a guess to be the culprit if all the solder is fine should you feel it is worth fixing vs. finding a used one cheap

or keep the two big condensors on it like it is now, if that's what happened I can plug the 57 next time into inputs 5-8 because the firestudio has 2 switches for phantom power each for four inputs

Eric if you read this find out what we are looking at for a capsule but I still need to think on it. It sounds good now but I dont want to put a condensor in that iso cab that I'm apt to crank up, however that iso cab looks like midiworks' guitar sim at this point. I have been tracking two sites for it's release since january and every month they bump it up again, one sight now says end of august and the other says the beginning of september...so that cab might not be a concern...which means maybe get a ribbon mic as you have suggested and pick up my cousins dynamic 58 clone. I also have a pencil condensor of sorts, an Akai that needs batteries...but it sounds good right now

[susiwong]

We have a 1964 ES-345 in stock. It's only OK, nothing particularly fantastic. All the Asian semi-hollowbodies I've played have been atrocious, including my Epiphone Emperor Regent and the early-80's Ibanez ES-335 I used to have.

Sorry, can't confirm the Asian part here per se.
Can we take upmarket MIJ out, then I'll be happy to agree.
Both the MIJ Sheraton (57 Classics) we talked about and especially my MIJ Tokai ES120 (Pearly Gates) absolutely smoke the vintage '59 355 a friend has, he says so himself. Part of it may be the ebony board of the 355, dunno.
And my MIJ Gretsch RHH is the original, no copy of a US guitar, absolutely stunning tone and build quality, just like all Setzers I had the pleasure to play so far.
On the opposite, a friend wanted to buy a new Gibson ES335 last year (I never understood why new ), after about 5 lemons (all real beauties) he is looking for a Tokai now.
Gibson does make some great semis now and then, but the keeper / lemon rate is not too impressive with current 335s and 137s ime, the CS 335 models tend to be better and the top of the line stuff like the Johnny A is mostly perfect.
Only my personal view, ymmcv.
Cheers,
susiwong

[susiwong]

Hello Hink,
in my PA days I've seen hundreds of dynamics run with phantom power on, it can't damage them by design.
Dean said those were cheap mics, maybe crappy design ?

A real danger (for the device providing phantom power) however are those hideous mono jack to XLRm adapters shorting out one side of the phantom power, whenever I see one on stage I first use the wirecutter and ask afterwards.
Being a cheapskate is well and good, but don't mess with Texas or the laws of physics.

Re mics, a capsule change is easy, but check the solder joints first.
SM57/58 rarely die ime.

If you're looking for alternatives, by all means check out the Sennheiser E 906.
Great dynamic mic for guitar cabs, I'll take that over a 57 any time.

Ymmv,
susiwong

[Dean Aka Nekro]

ditto on the e906, sits nice and flat on a cab (if desired), Has more headroom/healthier output than a 57. I likes em' plus they to me sound less harsh than a 57 and defo any 58. The evo series is pretty solid alround . Second only to their 421 from my point of view/only personal experience/preference IMHHO. Never had much of a chance to try the other MD4 something something which i could never justify price wise anyway Whatever happens it should be a sound plan to stick any mic's not requiring phantom power in the side that you have that is not switched to supplying it, Definately if you get yourself a ribbon (unless of course its say a modern Sontronics 'active ribbon' which needs phantom power, Some of the sE ribbons are the same). susiwong @ shit/bad design - definately! 'Crap' is much to polite a word. They looked very similar to what they were sussposed to apping mind

[dimitar]

My new 1996 Squier® by Fender®
Just restored the neck - sanded the profile to more D shape and put a new clear coat.
Also added new pots and new DiMarzio switch + new Elixir Strings.

Here are two samples:
http://nalbantov.com/2011/Dimi_Squier1996.mp3
http://nalbantov.com/2011/Dimi_Squier1996_Solo.mp3

[Uncle E]

A real danger (for the device providing phantom power) however are those hideous mono jack to XLRm adapters shorting out one side of the phantom power, whenever I see one on stage I first use the wirecutter and ask afterwards.
Being a cheapskate is well and good, but don't mess with Texas or the laws of physics.

Would you mind going into more detail about this? Is this a ground concern?

[Uncle E]

(unless of course its say a modern Sontronics 'active ribbon' which needs phantom power, Some of the sE ribbons are the same).

Active ribbons are killer. The cheap Chinese ones I had made sounded exactly like AEA R84's. Definitely recommended if you want the fullness of a condenser but with a softer top-end (which, as you might imagine, is gorgeous on guitar cabs).

[susiwong]

A real danger (for the device providing phantom power) however are those hideous mono jack to XLRm adapters shorting out one side of the phantom power, whenever I see one on stage I first use the wirecutter and ask afterwards.
Being a cheapskate is well and good, but don't mess with Texas or the laws of physics.

Would you mind going into more detail about this? Is this a ground concern?

Per definition phantom power is a voltage of 48V between pin 1 (ground) and pin 2 (signal), as well as between pin 1 (ground) and pin 3 (signal) of an XLR cable.
As pins 2 and 3 have the identical potential of +48V against ground, there is no voltage potential between them and they can safely carry the signal. The capsule of a dynamic mic has 2 wires, connected to pins 2 and 3, so it simply ignores phantom power, period.
So much for damage of dynamic mics by phantom power - an urban myth.

The mono-(unsymmetrical-) jack to XLRm cable, no matter how you solder it, will inevitably shorten one side of the phantom power to ground, causing all kinds of issues ranging from loud hum over blown fuses to a fried mixer PSU, depending on the build quality of the mixer.
In any case the gig will probably be ruined ...
And all that because some smart@ss wants to save $25 for a simple DI box.

Cheers, ymmnv,
susiwong

Thinking about it, when you use such an illegal adapter*** with a dynamic mic and phantom power you will in fact fry the mic coil with 48V, as the potential between pins 2 and 3 will then be 48V.
But that's exclusively the user's fault.

***obviously I'm talking about an unsymmetrical mic cable here, where somebody connected either pin 2 or 3 to ground, a similar scenario

[Dean Aka Nekro]

(unless of course its say a modern Sontronics 'active ribbon' which needs phantom power, Some of the sE ribbons are the same).

Active ribbons are killer. The cheap Chinese ones I had made sounded exactly like AEA R84's. Definitely recommended if you want the fullness of a condenser but with a softer top-end (which, as you might imagine, is gorgeous on guitar cabs).

Agree Eric, I have a Sontronics Sigma and i really like it, I have used the Delta also and again enjoyed it. Fairly decent/fair price wise also. If i were going for a regular ribbon it would definately be a ShinyBox ribbon, Its a small one man operation and the guy (Jon Ulrigg) uses a hand tuned ribbon motor for each. Think they go for $425 USD each for the non-fancy but US Wound transformer model (The '46U' model). Add extra for 'name/known/respected' transformers:

http://shinybox.com/ribbons.php?osCsid= ... 710ff4c235

The discontinued model (46MX) was even cheaper but now no longer available from the website. However if anyone wanted to grab one, KMR Audio in London (http://www.kmraudio.com) have them advertised at £299 GBP for the 46MX. I should think that with them coming from your side mate that the 46MX is still available from some places

If you do not mind me asking, What were the cheap chinese ones you had made for whatever the price vs the fairly budget friendly to fair priced 'brand' models? If you have any audio clips would really like to hear them. Either way though way less money and way less delicate. Then after the price range here the step up would probably be a Royer R121 or similar yes?

I am no microphone buff/expert at all but always have taken care to try things out to hear what works and what does not whenever possible (subject to my own personal taste/preference if its my own time/work). Even before ribbons were becoming easily available again and for a very decent price i had been waiting for them to be as i had tried a few and they were good

All the best and well yeah i do rattle on sometimes All in good will

Dean

Edit:

Gibson Les Pauls...Fire wood

I actually just discovered that they have re-issued one Les Paul that whilst no doubt far to heavy for me (the degenerative spine/back/mess condition i am host to) and also have not yet looked up a UK price or even rough estimate. One i think would be good stuff and you do get more for the money wood wise. Don't know if would pass your own LP frazzler but i would not kick it out of bed , What is the verdict out of axe arson curiousity? Would look dare i say great next to the Tele Baritone - http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... eview.aspx

[Hink]

I really cant see wanting another baritone, I'm just going to make this the swiss army knife of baritones (that weighs 10lbs ) but I appreciate you posting it Dean because the video does a good job showing what makes a baritone so cool.

[hibidy]

My new 1996 Squier® by Fender®
Just restored the neck - sanded the profile to more D shape and put a new clear coat.
Also added new pots and new DiMarzio switch + new Elixir Strings.

Here are two samples:
http://nalbantov.com/2011/​Dimi_Squier1996.mp3
http://nalbantov.com/2011/​Dimi_S ... 6_Solo.mp3

I'm getting "file not found"'s

[justin3am]

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... eview.aspx

I've never played a baritone before. Looks like I'll have to find one to test out.

[Dean Aka Nekro]

Woah this is some of the nastiest junk i have heard in ages:
http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2011 ... Demos.aspx

What is that that guy thinking? Dire

EDIT, JUST CAME ACROSS THIS:

Oh lord this by looks and description sounds like it would be a killer amp for studio work and has susiwong and maybe Eric written all over it:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... eview.aspx

Want to try one! That is amp pr0nz

[Dean Aka Nekro]

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... eview.aspx

I've never played a baritone before. Looks like I'll have to find one to test out.

I think you would really like the additional range on tap, I have my 7-string one tuned down ridiculous 'djent' like but equally it sounds just as good for those Neurosis/Isis/Mogwai..etc. 'post rock' girth with ease. As you are familiar with bass also it would not be so strange feel wise. Problem is most of the baritone scale stuff is aimed at metal players with the superstrat-style body (Ibanez, Schecter, ESP and the like with EMG or Duncan actives) or them horrible Dan Electric single coil jobs which personally i am not a fan of. So bar going for a Warmoth baritone neck on a guitar body that could use it just like Hink did, For players that want a familiar look/shape and 6 strings i have not seen anything which offers that for a good few years. I could be wrong about that as i do not check everything out or work in any shop so miss many things For a straight up baritone of the shelf it fits the bill well and does not look so 'metal orientated' for want of better description (but it should be able to do metal/sludgey/doom if desired with ease). If you do give one a try would be great to hear what you make of it

Cheers and i hear you Hink

Dean

[justin3am]

I don't really care about looks when it comes to instruments. Everything I use turns ugly.

There are a ton of guitar shops in the LA area, I'm sure I'll find something to fall in love with. If not I can look into building something custom. My needs aren't very special though, I'm pretty easy to please.