If you use a Shure 545 or SM57, you're not alone. These are wonderful harmonica mics and are in wide use. However their small diameter can make holding and cupping them uncomfortable. Over the last few years I've had many customers ask "Can you fit an SM57 or 545 element into a bullet-type shell?" The answer is no - the cartridge of these mics is about as long as a typical bullet shell's outside dimension, and then there's a transformer (located in the barrel of the standard mic) and the connector that have to be accommodated.
The Bulletizer(tm) is the solution. It gives you a larger surface to grasp and cup, and provides an acoustic chamber inside your cup to bring out the best of the mic's tone. You can even "tune the tone" by varying the position of the mic inside the shell. The Bulletizer fits standard Shure mics as well as their Ultimate Series counterparts.
Wow, Greg-you are one innovative sonofagun! That's cool! I'd like to hear the audible difference between a mic with and without it. ---------- Todd L. Greene, V.P.
Last Edited by on Feb 01, 2010 10:09 AM
At first glance I thought it was a Brinkmann MagLight...so Greg, your next challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to put little LEDs inside that bad boy. Wait-that means everyone in the audience would see all the nosehairs in my illuminated nose.
Very nice, G. I've had a goofy old bakelite teacup that I dremeled the handle off and drilled a hole in the bottom of to achieve the same thing. This is very cool. I'll be ordering one very soon.
My only mic is an SM57...and also ran into the same issues with cupping... my solution? I took a section of pvc pipe insulation, secured it onto the mic, and duct taped it firmly. Larger diameter made it easier to hold, and its SOFT! I can play for six or seven hours at the jams with no discomfort whatsoever. After all, cupping is in the hands...No change/difference in volume or tone. My tinkering only cost me $2, Im telling you, try it.... ---------- Kyzer's Travels
That's a cool idea. I've been thinking about getting an SM57 lately (specifically one the ultimised versions) and I'm wondering what the main problem people have with holding it is. Is it just that the diameter of it is small so it's diffcult to hold it and for a long time? Is it difficult to get a good cup with it being so small? Would the SM58 solve the problem(since it has the ball shaped grill) or is there more to it than that? I had been debating whether to get an SM58 or SM57, I was leaning toward the SM57 because I figured it would be easier to hold. But maybe this isn't true. Thanks for any help you can give.
BTW Greg, I'm always amazed at the products you comes out with, everything is always such high quality. I do have one question though, I had been thinking about getting a bullet mic and having someone put in an SM58/SM57 element into it, but it sounds like that isn't possible from what you said. But in this video below they show an old RCA bullet mic(:56 - 1:10) that they say has an SM58 element inside it. It has a short cord connected to it that has an XLR connector, so it must be some sort of low impedence element. Do you think it's not really an SM58 element? It is a really cool looking mic and when I read that it had the SM58 element it made me want it even more. I guess I still want it even if it's not really an SM58 element, it just looks so damn cool.
I also have a question about the bulletizer. Does it just slip on right over top of the mic? Is it easy to take it on and off whenever you want, or is it something that has to be left in place? Thanks.
Great job Greg, We see so little innovations for gear specifically designed for us that is priced within reason for the common Harp player that I get off on it!! It's also nice when someone has something ready and already workable before they market it. Congrats ---------- The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
" It's also nice when someone has something ready and already workable before they market it." Haha, that's the first thing I thought! Breaking the trend.
One of these days I'd like to get one of those ultra sm57s bulletizer.
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
don't folks that use bullet mics also leave a bit of a space between the grill and the harp to have a chamber to help with getting different sounds with hand techniues? I have a sm58 and it hurts after a while, I used a 57 at my last gig but found it a pain to space it right from the harp. I think i might be getting one of these in the near future. that red 545(?) looks awesome.
Thanks everyone for all the kind words. I'll try to answer your questions:
@Todd, Kingley - No sounds clips yet - haven't had time. From what I've heard, it still sounds very much like a 57 both cupped and uncupped, but may have a little more warmth in both positions. That could be wishful thinking. Have to play with it more.
@Zack - its 2" in diameter, which is about the size of the smallest bullets (like an EV 630 or M43) - but considerably smaller than a JT30 or Shure Bullet. A JT30 is 2.34 in diameter. Multiply the diameter times "pi" to understand the impact of diameter on grip size.
@Ryan: The 57 head is very small in diameter. To cup it well you want to hold it in the rear of your hand, with only 2 fingers over the mic - the other two are for holding your harp and getting space between the harp and the mic. Many players, myself included, find that this causes hand cramps. The larger diameter is much more comfortable to hold. As for getting an SM58 element inside a bullet? I don't know, never tried. It is not the same cartridge size as a 57 or 545 though. The 58 with its large ball is pretty easy to hold anyway. And as for installation - I made it to slip over the front of the mic - a requirement to work with Ultimates because of the volume control. It is retained on the barrel by means of a o-ring (included) that you push into a groove on the back side of it with a special tool (included) so you don't scratch the mic. Once the o-ring is seated it is very secure but is also easily removed/reinstalled.
@Happy - yeah, that's an Ultimate 545. Check out my web site!
Jon, it is very secure for playing, I assure you. I have had a couple of beta testers gigging with it and they were happy before I ever announced it. I don't make products you can't use in a professional performance setting, period.
If you step on your cable, SOMETHING has to give. If I ever step on mine (I don't any more because I have learned how not to) I reflexively bend over with the pull to avoid stain on the cable. If you don't do that and if the cable doesn't break and if the 1/4" jack doesn't pop out, the mic conceivably could pop out of the shell. No worries though. You can drop an SM57 or 545 hundreds of times without damage.
Try one! If you don't like it, like everything else I sell, I'll happily refund your money. ---------- /Greg
true dat! the judges are gonna wait till you get the ultimized back. i think if you post "wow! it's like a totally different mic!", they're gonna rule it as a new buy.
