|
It depends on the guitar sound and amp.
For clean guitar or semi-overdriven "vintage sound" guitars (especially through open-back Fender type amps), I've never had great luck with SM57s -- my SM7 performs better. RE20 and 421s are also better performers in the is application (is my experience).
My favorite setups are a Soundelux U195 on the grill and/or a Blue Baby Bottle 1' away. I'll take a distant mic too, which I'll mix in to taste (condensor, I use a 4033 but many will work). Lots of people love ribbons close on the front of the amp in this "vintage sound" application (Royer, Coles, Beyer, RCA, AEA). I've also seen a whole lot of 414s close on an amp (combined and mixed with a dynamic or ribbon sometimes).
The SM57 has too much "bite" for me on a clean guitar, in general. I'm usually looking to smooth and mellow the treble response of the amp a bit and the SM57 (along with a lot of condensors) does quite the opposite. Bright condensors can be used at least 2' back as distant mics to mix in with the close mic, but they usually sound too bright and brittle up close. YMMV.
Somewhat surprisingly, clean guitar sounds are much more peaky than distorted sounds and will make certain mics (an SM57) react poorly. A compressor pedal before the amp helps my 57 to sound more consistent, but in general, an SM57 not the best mic for these sounds (my SM7 performs better). Some people agree wholeheartedly with this view, some people totally disagree. Of course, YMMV.
Others will have to chime in on "modern" distorted sounds, as that's not my specialty.
|