casapete Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 May be a bit of a dumb question, but I have 2 Shure SM58 Beta mics which I bought maybe 12 years ago. Both still sound fine to me, and apart from an occasional clean / tidy up have never needed anything doing to them. I do look after them really well, never dropped them and never lend them to anyone (not even on a wedding gig!) So how long can I expect them to last - do they deteriorate over time / get dodgy? Or do they just go on for ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I think that with regular cleaning/de-gunking, they`re just like anything, only really need replacing/fixing if faults develop. Our old singer thought his mic was on the way out, was advised to clean the cover, and it sounded like a new mic once he`d done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 The foam inside the grill solidifies and makes the mic sound dull and lifeless. A new foam is the work of seconds. New baskets are also cheap. Beta 58s should last forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 As long as you keep them clean then you should only need to replace them if/when they start going faulty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Protium Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Singer in my old band has a 58 that was run over by a Transit and still works fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whizzzy Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Unscrew the protective grill, pop the foam windshield out and wash it out with some warm soappy water. Whilst that's out use a soft nail brush to give the wire mesh a gentle scrub. Mics usually go on for a long time if they are looked after and not dropped or stored in cold damp conditions (ie back of a van) and then taken into a hot humid room when condensation will form on the mic. That's about it really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 I have a pair of 20 year old (probably) 58s, that have never had anything done to them (except for gaffa tape holding the casings together, damn those punk bands) and still sound as good as they always have. I have done nothing to them, and have no intention of replacing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Dave Vader' post='1345143' date='Aug 19 2011, 09:49 AM']I have a pair of 20 year old (probably) 58s, that have never had anything done to them (except for gaffa tape holding the casings together, damn those punk bands) and still sound as good as they always have. I have done nothing to them, and have no intention of replacing them.[/quote] Nonsense. You should use the method endorsed by professionals: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vToepYWmOq4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vToepYWmOq4[/url] Edited August 19, 2011 by bremen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 [quote name='bremen' post='1345147' date='Aug 19 2011, 09:52 AM']Nonsense. You should use the method endorsed by professionals: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vToepYWmOq4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vToepYWmOq4[/url][/quote] Well, I have been using that method, but mainly by mistake. (Can't see vid, at work, but read description, sounds good advice) One was in a terrible state after I had that cold, had lovely green bits hanging off it from mistimed coughs and sneezes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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