While I have written recently about how much I enjoy my new OSP Shure 55S clone microphone, the truth is that I'm a microphone addict. I love buying microphones, nearly as much as I love buying CW bugs.
“Hi, my name is Jim and I'm a mic-a-holic.” Well, there's no 12-step group for mic addicts yet, but there should be!
Case in point: I was looking at the AES web site a couple of nights ago, specifically looking at the Heil Sound listings. I needed to buy new foam ear pads for my Heil BM-10 headset. I didn't realize you could basically rebuild the BM-10, nearly every single part is available from Heil. Anyway, I bought two sets of new pads from GigiParts.
But while looking to see if AES had the foam ear pads, I saw what must have been a typo: They listed the Heil Classic (their exact copy of the 1930 RCA 74B mic) for a paltry $99.99. WTF???
That mic sells for upwards of $190-$250 retail! How the hell could it be so cheap?? Checking the Heil web site, it listed the Classic as “discontinued.” Hmmmm….. Could AES be selling the Classic — with the stand — for less than half retail??
I called AES today in Cleveland to check. According to Phil, the price is indeed correct. All three Classic models are on closeout for $99.99. I immediately ordered one, since I've seen used ones sell on eBay for well over that!
I ordered the HCL5, the model with the broadcast element and the Heil HC-5 element. It's a heck of a deal, I should order a couple more, just to sell later.
The one issue they said is that Heil cannot provide your call letters for the mic flag. But there's a guy who engraves inserts fro the flags that look better than the original lettering from Heil.I don't care much about the flag anyway.
I'm tickled to have the chance to pick a Classic up at a bargain price. Who doesn't love a bargain? I wonder if it will work if I tell my wife how much money I saved by buying the mic at less than half price?? No, that only works for her!
The earpads on my BM-10 are totally gone, so it'll be good to have the headset back. Mine has the HC-5, and its a great little headset. I also own two other Heil headsets, one of older pro sets with an HC-4 and a Heil Pro Micro headset that's pretty good but not nearly as comfortable as the larger pro sets.
I don't particularly like the Heil Heritage mic. It just doesn't look authentic enough, or close enough to the classic Shure 55 look. It resembles the Electro Voice Model 950 Cardax mic, but not closely enough. I have a Cardax that is in fairly good condition. A great rockabilly mic. Actually, the Heil Classic is a version of the budget-priced Nady Classic mic. The Nady Classic is available as either a dynamic or condensor cartridge. The Nady is about $100 cheaper than the Heil, though it lacks the nice chrome finish and the PTT switch. I nearly ordered the Nady Classic, but the look never thrilled me, and since I already own several Shure 55s, the Nady is only a cheap copy of a mic I don't really like as well as the “real thing.”
While Googling for an image of the Heil Classic, I also found out the Heil Classic Pro, the broadcast quality version of this mic, is also on closeout. One web site had it for $129.99. Considering the original price, that's also quite a bargain.
Enough mic stuff for now, its time to get back to work.
73 de KY4Z .. dit dit