|
Post by creolian on Nov 25, 2017 1:11:21 GMT
Hello all,
Talking to a soundo friend yesterday the subject wandered onto microphones and I mentioned this forum and that the Shure sm57 is the mic of choice for Michael, et al... He informed me that a lot of the inexpensive shure mic "deals" out there are fakes, including the 299$ SM81 he bought a couple of recently... Ughhh.
Shure enough, a quick Internet search for counterfeit shure mics and there are many articles... Apparently the easiest place to find them is on fleebay. my bud bought his at a local small store ( they took them back ).
I was not aware and it would not have occurred to me. In this world gone mad, Caveat Emptor!
All best,
Jeff
|
|
|
Post by Stevie on Nov 25, 2017 9:09:45 GMT
This came up many years ago on this forum Jeff, but it's a good idea to keep folks informed. The problem is that it is easy to buy otherwise identical looking mics without the Shure name silkscreened thereon, and it's but a short hop and skip from there to apply a different name and ship them out of a different factory door. I have an SM58 look and feel alike that I purchased from Studiospares in the UK. It's just fine and I don't care if it gets knocked about. Studiospares sell genuine Shures for four times the price too. I have a genuine SM57 Beta too and I'm sorry but I cannot tell much difference.
One other thing that was revealed back then is that an identical capsule is used in both the SM57 and SM58, only the pop shield differentiates the two and this applies to the Beta models too.
I think that whatever the rights and wrongs of copies / fakes / homages, if an entity is over charging then they get their just desserts having created a void in the market by their own actions. Thatcher had it right: the market will have its way in the end.
I have a Steinhart wristwatch that is Swiss made with an ETA elabore ebauche and is every bit the match in fit form finish and function to its equivalent Rolex. I can make that bold claim because I have a Rolex too. It doesn't claim to be a Rolex, it just has Steinhart on the dial, but it is 1/20th the price. If it gets battered I don't mind too much and the Rolex remains a box queen. Go figure.
Being charged Shure prices for a fake is totally wrong, but being grossly overcharged for the same thing just because of a name is wrong too, if only morally. If the name is more important than the performance then that is an individual choice and long may it be so.
e&oe...
|
|
|
Post by creolian on Nov 25, 2017 11:10:57 GMT
This came up many years ago on this forum Jeff, but it's a good idea to keep folks informed. The problem is that it is easy to buy otherwise identical looking mics without the Shure name silkscreened thereon, and it's but a short hop and skip from there to apply a different name and ship them out of a different factory door. I have an SM58 look and feel alike that I purchased from Studiospares in the UK. It's just fine and I don't care if it gets knocked about. Studiospares sell genuine Shures for four times the price too. I have a genuine SM57 Beta too and I'm sorry but I cannot tell much difference. One other thing that was revealed back then is that an identical capsule is used in both the SM57 and SM58, only the pop shield differentiates the two and this applies to the Beta models too. I think that whatever the rights and wrongs of copies / fakes / homages, if an entity is over charging then they get their just desserts having created a void in the market by their own actions. Thatcher had it right: the market will have its way in the end. I have a Steinhart wristwatch that is Swiss made with an ETA elabore ebauche and is every bit the match in fit form finish and function to its equivalent Rolex. I can make that bold claim because I have a Rolex too. It doesn't claim to be a Rolex, it just has Steinhart on the dial, but it is 1/20th the price. If it gets battered I don't mind too much and the Rolex remains a box queen. Go figure. Being charged Shure prices for a fake is totally wrong, but being grossly overcharged for the same thing just because of a name is wrong too, if only morally. If the name is more important than the performance then that is an individual choice and long may it be so. e&oe... Hi Steve, As far as morality and ethics go I ain't no saint and if someone wants to sell me fake merchandise... I don't want to hear em bitch when I pay em with counterfeit cash. Seriously, my perspective is from using sound gear as tools in situations where reliability is crucial. If for no other reason than what might be a false sense of security, I want the real deal. I had no idea that fakery had infected things as mundane as 100 dollar microphones but thinking about it, I'm not surprised. All best Jeff
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Nov 25, 2017 13:37:53 GMT
Whenever I buy a Shure mic, for the sake of a few quid/bucks, I buy it from a reputable Shure dealer.
In fact I would only ever buy any mic from a reputable dealer that is recognised by the manufacturer. There are too many fakes out there!
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Stevie on Nov 25, 2017 13:43:00 GMT
There used to be a local busker that pranced around the local shopping precinct with a cowboy hat on and a carp guitar using a ghetto blaster for a backing track. Except he wasn't singing or playing anything at all. I told a drummer friend of mine that I used to work with about the guy, and when he saw him, he put washers in the guys hat saying fake money for fake music.
But regarding fakes generally, when a company outsources production to (eg) the far east because it cannot employ locally for whatever reason, it's only a matter of time before far eastern excess production capacity is put to good use. Given my remarks about Swiss watches, it follows that the fake microphone may well have come off the same production line as the so-called real thing probably sharing much of its component parts. I hesitate to generalise here even though that's what I'm doing, but received logic is that many far eastern facilities do not regard trademarks and copyright as highly as others do.
I believe the authorities only make token attempts to stymie the trade to make it seem as though they're interested. Most such raids are circulated on the vine before they occur. A bit like company audits over here!
e&oe...
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Nov 25, 2017 13:53:08 GMT
I'm afraid that in some parts of the world, the word 'copyright' means 'the right to copy'
It is almost impossible to police or control that situation. That's why I buy Shure mics from recognised reputable Shure dealers.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by Stevie on Nov 25, 2017 15:59:02 GMT
It seems to me that if items are in effect fundamentally the same thing (if only under the skin) one costing 4 or 5 times as much as the other, then they ask for what they get. Every company is in it to make a living and yes- profit too, and I have no difficulty with that, but there is that old saying, "you can fool some of the people all of the time..." etc. Sooner or later, these rigged prices have to collapse. It's Thatcher's market writ large and it will have its own way, either illegally in the short term, or morally over time. If the item is a total facsimile designed to con unsuspecting punters, I do have a real issue with that.
e&oe...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 17:59:29 GMT
Reminds me of an occasion years ago in Singapore when a mate of mine bought a 'bargain' Led Zep cassette in the local market(in the days before even CD's) and when he played it the intro was the thump of a stylus hitting vinyl followed by hissing,crackling and the sound of Robert Plant singing in the bath while cleaning his teeth. I'll never forget the look on his face. You get what you pay for as they say. (He also bought a 'Rolex')
|
|
|
Post by Pickers Ditch on Nov 25, 2017 18:26:41 GMT
Reminds me of an occasion years ago in Singapore when a mate of mine bought a 'bargain' Led Zep cassette in the local market(in the days before even CD's) and when he played it the intro was the thump of a stylus hitting vinyl followed by hissing,crackling and the sound of Robert Plant singing in the bath while cleaning his teeth. I'll never forget the look on his face. You get what you pay for as they say. (He also bought a 'Rolex') Similar story... A colleague bought a "Cartier" tank watch back from Hong Kong, cost him $2.00. His house was burgled a few months later and the only thing taken was the said watch. The bu88ers smashed his back door to get in though...
|
|
|
Post by washboardchris on Nov 25, 2017 18:38:02 GMT
Sadly the Mic's are not the same apart from looks.My singing partner had a shure Beta 58 that looked like a real one but had half the output
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2017 18:55:32 GMT
Check out the Gibson Les Paul I bought for 200 bucks...
|
|
|
Post by mitchfit on Nov 26, 2017 18:20:16 GMT
Fred, gibson has sought to help expose this market... www.detectafake.com/viewProduct/?269612but i doubt there will be any govt actions about the many egregious importer shills if the public outcry doesn't force same. mitchfit ..."A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment."...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2017 18:33:08 GMT
Should not require a public outcry. It just shows how corrupt our givernment officials are to allow it... but they allow technology and intellectual property to be stolen and given away...what is the problem with a fhony guitar
|
|
|
Post by mitchfit on Nov 26, 2017 18:49:06 GMT
..."but they allow technology and intellectual property to be stolen and given away"...
please don't get me started.
[outta respect for MM's forum policies]
mitchfit
|
|
|
Post by Stevie on Nov 26, 2017 19:53:25 GMT
Guys it's wrong. I know it. I fancy everyone on here agrees. Even King Canute knew it. But like prohibition, I don't think anyone can stop it. Better to try to find a way to get by in spite of it.
Too many "it"s!
e&oe...
|
|