FAKE SHURE SM57'S (including pics)

[iLCacciLLo]

I've seen those mics on ebay, and I suspected from the cheap price. I even went to shure website to see if they had a new 57 more affordable version, due to the low price showing on ebay.


After some months a friend of mine got one of those microphones. We opened it , and after removing the resin/glue we found the chinese paper, and also the transformer bobin without wire.
The wires also, were not yellow and green , like with the original 57 and 58.


So things to look for are:

-How much does it weight?

-Does it have a transformer? is the output balanced?

-Colour of the wires attaching from the bottom part(XLR) to the upper part(diaphragm) , they should be green and yellow

Im pretty shure that the fake mics are the same as sold with the Tbone and Fame brands.

[Ludwig]

I got caught with the same scam. The seller I bought off though wasn't even aware his account had been used to sell fake items.

If the deal looks too good to be true, it almost definately is as far as new SM57's are concerned.

[Tim]

Leather?

[Michael_Joly]

Here's a FREE DIY mod for the ES-58 (et al) mics floating around that are imitation SM-58s. Allows you to tune or eliminate the presence boost built into these mics. Happy Holidays! best, M

[hugo_zair]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

Wow. CraZy.

So you said that you bought these from a local dealer? Where did THEY get them from?!?

It's not hard. Try googling on "sm57 wholesale china" or "sm57hot selling"
here's just two of dozens of results.
Hot selling!!Free shipping SM57 microphone mic brand new in box SM57LC 10pcs retail box SM57 LC 1786227 China Wholesale 2008-11-30 11:23:55

China wholesale+ freeshipping NEWEST SM 57 S Vocal Microphone Mic (20piece / lot).HOT SELLING on TradeTang.com

Another clue posted by many folk on other forums is that Shure ALWAYS use yellow and green wires from the capsule to the body. Fakes apparently have red/green.

[beatnik]

hi guys!

i have bought two sm57 here in italy.

i have seen many articles on the web about spotting fake chinese copies.

i am confused on mines... they have some details of the original and some of the fakes.

- green and yellow wiring (both on the capsule and on the xlr connector, the original should have blue and red on the connector)

- weight is 240 grams (original rated 284)

- three holes in the bottom

- on xlr connector i have marks for pin1,2,3 and shure, and also the silver line

- resistance between pins 2 and 3 is 600 ohms (i've heard it must be 400)

- the package contains all but the user guide and the sticker look very poor quality. the bag is the bigger one and has a "made in china" label inside.

what do you think about them?

[elmostephane]

I'm thinking reviving this thread pob isn't the greatest thing seeming as everyone really says the same thing... Anyway, here's my bit:

Just bought one off ebay, had had another one off an auth reseller. they are both the same except the finish, all wiring, pouch, etc is the same. the ebay one weights slightly less, but the thing that really gives it out:

recorded 10sec of acoustic guitars with both mics:

ebay(fake) one has a higher output and harsher sound
real one has a bit more low mids and lower output.


Hope this helps, but my advice is:

You won't know if you got a fake one until you put it to the test with a real one...

[musikwerks]

Great thread, but if I was a counterfeiter I'd be studying all your close up pics and detailed descriptions and taking notes. The next wave off knock offs will be hard to pick now!

[Chrislpp]

Many just realized they have fake 57's

Quit ruining the placebos!!!!

[bmdaugherty]

I also have a very early sm57. So early that it still says "unidyne III, Shure Brothers Incorporated, SM57, made in the USA". See my picture below for an explanation of the second hole on older mics. I am positive that mine is not a fake, but it also has the ever-so-slightly recessed xlr connection as the fakes have.

What gives it away for me more than anything is that the real ones seem to have solid pins on the xlr out, but the fakes appear to have hollow folded pins common in cheap manufacturing.

They must have stolen the old design...

[Demonslave]

Have a close friend that works for Shure here in chicago take a look at this thread and I will post with feedback as soon as I hear back, he is at the Grammys so it may be a day or two.

[Joe_caithness]

I have a fake BETA57... I took it apart and all the shure markings inside are wierd/wrong

[yobyddet]

hi TS,
do anyone here have info how to recognize the real shureSM58 with the fake one...
thank you for the info
:D