sm58 on ebay.

ORIGINAL: xxtraloud

Can anyone help me figure out if a sm58 on sale on ebay is the real thing or just a fake from china? Because I know people get them from China at a very low price, and then resell them on ebay for less than a real price. Or aren't they all built in china anyway?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shure-SM58-Microphone-New-in-Box_W0QQitemZ260125518486QQihZ016QQcategoryZ133006QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Don't buy an SM58 or SM57 off e-bay.. if the price is too good to be true they are all fake. It's not worth it, get one from a real Shure dealer and you will get a real one. If you have the money to spend it might be fun to buy one off e-bay and then also buy a real one and see how close they are in sound quality. I've been temped to do that but never did.

ORIGINAL: xxtraloud

there are some shure dealers on ebay as well. Where are shure mics made anyway

I checked the history of the company link on the web site, it looks like they were made in Mexico till 2005 but then it says it opened a plant in China, however, it does not say what products are made there.

ORIGINAL: xxtraloud

good call! I had the same idea! I just called Shure and asked where the sm58 is made and they told me in Mexico. I wonder if he knew what he was talking about. But it seemed he knew, coz he asked me first what model. So I guess the made in China are fake....F#%$%in chinese

Yeah.. and just think they will be getting Starbucks soon... just what we need Chinese hopped up on caffeine.. yikes !

At this point I don't even want to take the chance to buy it used.

true, they are not expensive. But it's the GRAND TOTAL that I am spending to start recording at a decent level. firepod + sm58 + xlr cables + firewire card + who knows what...

that looks like a fake to me.

What makes you say that? How can you tell?

Look familar?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130121028384&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=260125518486&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

"SURE" does!

That SM58 you had in your first post looks "too shiny" like they did back in the 1960's
they have a semi shine now, could be a fake. The second one Cmpsr put up looks real.

ORIGINAL: Dave King

that looks like a fake to me.

What makes you say that? How can you tell?

Dave - I don't know why the OP said that it looks fake, but here's what makes me think it's fake:
(quoting from the ebay website where this "SM58" is listed):
"This model has an on and off switch, and I also have models available without the switch."

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but SM58's don't come with an on/off switch, right?

I dont understand this. An SM58 is only about $89 brand new, why would you get a used mic, that someone slobbered on or if its new, take a chance of it being counterfit to save pennies.

Cj

Well, I"ve got to agree with Cj on this. Why would you even consider a used SM58 when a brand new one is only $89? Complete with warranty. It just doesn't make any sense.

I totally agree with saving pennies whenever possible, but there's a point when you can become 'penny wise and pound foolish'.

ORIGINAL: Roflcopter

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but SM58's don't come with an on/off switch, right?

I think there's an 'S' version that does:

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw12_artikel-189235.html

Not trying to be argumentative or anything, but is thomann an authorized dealer? I didn't see that on their website, and looking at the SHURE website, I don't see any models with a switch on them. I just don't ever remember seeing an SM58 with a switch and can't confirm it on Shure's website...I'll still stand corrected if someone knows better than me. Lord knows I make mistakes!!!

EDIT: OK - I found it!!! On the spec sheet it specifically states:
SM58S (With On/Off Switch)

I bow to your Roflcopter!

Way back in the 60s they even had some with a volume knob on them

Yes, you can see one HERE

I've bought some SM-57's and 58's used off of ebay for around 45-60 bucks each. When you are buying 6 or 8 mics, saving $40-55 per mic adds up quick. And they are so durable, as long as they aren't all scratched up or the windscreen all bent, I'm not scared of buying them used.

But a used SM-58 for $60 is normal. A new SM-58 for $60 is a little fishy.