Karaoke Forums

I have 3 shure SM58s that I have been using for a couple of years, (120 or so shows).

The mics have been abused and dropped several times, and I have had to replace several chords.

What has happened recently is that I have noticed the sound volume for the mics has become uneven. When I first bought them all three mics responded to sound identically, but now one of the mics needs to be about 5 db louder to get the same sound response.

This is not a chord or board issue, I can switch the mics and still see the difference.

Since the mic is still responding I figure it is not an electrical short, but probably some rust/gunk/dirt inside the mic that is degrading the response. I have usually set up one mic as the primary mic, and it tends to get far more use, so it may have gotten a lot more wear.

My question is can you "clean" a mic to improve its response as they get older, assuming I am correct it is just the basic grit/dirt etc that is slightly reducing the movement of the critical parts involved.

No I am not talking about cleaning the cosmetic (and protective parts) but the functional inside. Just thought I should ask before trying anything.

Alternately is it more likely that it is damage from being dropped.

You don't mention the grilles. Have you replaced those, and taken them off and cleaned the foam inside from time to time?

http://www.audiopile.net/products/Micro ... ball.shtml

Also, are you positive they aren't fakes? There are a *lot* of bogus SM58s running around.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
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I am pretty sure they are real. I bought them from a major local music store.

I know several musicians who have used enough mics to be able to tell the
difference and they have commented favorably on them.


I have pounded out a couple minor dents in the grills, and rinsed out the foam, and they all look pretty good and there is no reason those physical parts who have the main purpose of protecting the interior would cause a change in performance so long as they are physically intact.

could be that they have been dropped enough to damage the
cartridge. Shure states "Loss of magnetic field strength due to mic being dropped", on their website.

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You can get new replacements from Shure for $56. You need to fill out a form & get an RA I believe. Interesting though, i've been using my same 3 SM58's for 15 years 7 nights, in smokey bars with some of the worst kind of abuse over the years & they still sound great.

If the grills were gunked up yes they would alter sound quality - but you say you clean them out so that shouldn't be an issue.

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