New Flip, Less than 24 Hours: Unidyne III SM57

I feel like all of my posts lately have started with me apologizing for taking so long between updates. To be honest, home life keeps me very busy. I don't normally have time to post. However, I still take some lunch breaks to troll the pawn shops, looking for the next deal.

On my latest visit to Pawn King, I had my eye set upon a couple of guitars, including a really nice Les Paul copy, a bit overpriced, but I considered making an offer. Unfortunately, there'd be no way to make any money unless I could buy it for like $60.

At any rate, I looked at a shelf and saw an SM57 microphone. To me, standard, run-of-the-mill SM57, but on closer inspection, I saw that it was an older piece:

Instead of the standard "Shure" logo, it had a "Unidyne" logo, but retained the SM57 designation. This didn't look like a copy, and the brand sounded familiar. A quick google search revealed that Unidyne was the name of the microphone type/element, as a product of the Shure Brothers company (you can see it on the left of the 2nd picture). Also of note is that the microphone was manufactured in the U.S.A., rather than in Mexico, like modern SM57 microphones. The "Unidyne" designation was later removed.

Looking at forums, there was quite a fan club for the Unidyne version of the SM57 microphone, some because of the USA manufacture, and some because of an audible difference, such as smoothness and clarity, from the Unidyne. (see here here and here). Further, I saw some of these SM57 microphones going for sale for $300 (for new-old-stock), with a price floor for working microphones around $125.

Price tag on the microphone was $49.99, and I made an offer of $40, which was accepted. Jackpot! Probably an easy way to triple my money. I made sure the microphone worked and threw it up on ebay.

In the meantime, I tested the microphone. The hype is real. These microphones are fantastic. I've played through many instrument microphones and haven't been really impressed with them. Shure SM57 and Beta57a microphones do just a splendid job, don't get me wrong, but this one has just a bit extra, somehow.

In truth, the old Unidyne microphones have a unique transformer in them that can likely be traced as the cause for difference. Although some places sell transformers you can use to transition your new SM57 (which has the same cartridge as before) to the vintage sound. Regardless, I'd never spend $100 for a new mic only to put an $80 part in it. Give me my $40 instrument microphones that do just as well!

I threw the microphone up on ebay and Reverb, with a $150 Buy-it-Now price with free shipping. I knew I was onto something when I saw a $120 and $130 offer come through, but I waited on it.

Strangely, the microphone sold within 24 hours to someone who accepted my counter of $148, someone who lived in Russia. Weird!

At any rate, the microphone was sent off and I have officially done another flip!

Buy Price: $40
Sell Price: $148
Less Shipping: $10
TOTAL PROFIT: $98

Now that's what I call profit! Now, why did I sell it, when I was impressed by the sound? Because I can't resist the type of profit that comes from a quick flip.

Consequently, someone sold me a non-working Unidyne SM7 for $50 that should make it into my inbox in the next day or two. I'm interested in spending some time checking out the internals as I try to fix it! If I do, this one will probably be a keeper. We'll see.

Stay tuned!

~C