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I just bought duplicates of two of the mics that I own, and upon inspection I am a bit worried. The markings are clearly different on them. I bought an SM57 and Audix i5.

The new 57 has a lighter grille cap but it's still dented in so it's not a sign of a fake. The pins on the old one are labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an A above. The new one is labeled 1, 2, and 3 with an F above. The logo is also whiter.

The i5 logo is a bit whiter as well. The new i5's serial numbering is smaller and the pin cap is an ugly green with the name 'switchcraft' on it. The aluminum grille mesh (the silver one) seems like it was made with a different metal and seems a bit of a tighter weave.

Am I being anal over small details or do I have reason to be worried? I don't think that these are fakes, I know companies change these things occasionally, but still. The only thing that seems like it would be a fake is the pin cap on the i5, because it's ugly and green and obviously seems like it came from a different supplier. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You
-Jake

Comments

Guitarfreak Mon, 11/09/2009 - 19:02

They were bought brand new in factory packaging. Your 57's don't have any letter on them? The one I am referring to is quite small. If you are looking at the XLR pins as you would a face, the letter is at the 12 o'clock position above the piece of metal that sticks through the plastic. Mine says SHURE also, contoured to the bottom of the circle.

djmukilteo Mon, 11/09/2009 - 19:12

OK.... there is a small vertical bar so maybe it's an "I" but to me it just looks like a vertical bar above the metal tab which is why I didn't mention it....

So if you bought it from Shure in the box, what makes you think it's a fake?
All you need to do is register it online at Shure and load the S/N in off the boxes barcode label and that will tell you if it's real or not...
Sorry can't give you any help on the Audix...but I would thing you could do the same thing with the registration.
Don't you just love the sound of the SM57!

Guitarfreak Mon, 11/09/2009 - 19:35

Yeah they do sound nice lol. I registered my 5 mics and didn't get any error messages up front so I guess it's all good. I only got one thank you email from each company though. I thought the responses were automated which would mean I would get 5 thank yous for 5 registered mics but whatever. No errors is good enough for me I guess.

djmukilteo Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:03

Well I think if you bought them from a reputable dealer in the boxes with all the paperwork and valid S/N's being registered online that's more than enough proof that you are using official product.
The online registration system is one of the ways manufacturers track their products and sales these days and to thwart fakes and scams....that is why it's always smart to register your products...you help them they help you....

Guitarfreak Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:16

djmukilteo wrote: Well I think if you bought them from a reputable dealer in the boxes with all the paperwork and valid S/N's being registered online that's more than enough proof that you are using official product.

So one would think, but Music123 has been known to cut some corners. I was sent a refurbished PreSonus FireBox that was made for European current, and it blew when I plugged the American adapter into it. Their customer service/tech support staff isn't very helpful and they're not very nice either. I am on short terms with M123, and I might not be doing business with them anymore.

Link555 wrote: wait.... how do they sound?

Still waiting for the FB back from PreSonus :lol: It should arrive the 12th.

djmukilteo Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:36

Well maybe that falls under "reputable dealer" huh...customer satisfaction and service is all part of the game....if you get tech support that sucks send them an email and complain....that's what I do....there are plenty of dealers out there to buy from....there's no room these days for unresponsive companies
Even though I don't think M123 would sell fake mics!?!?

Guitarfreak Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:46

Hah, I guess so huh. The thing that bothered me is that they gave me no inclination to worry or doubt what they had just sold me. It wasn't until after the unit had failed and I inquired with PreSonus about it that they tracked the S/N and found out what actually went down. That type of business practice just isn't acceptable in this day and age, at least not when MY money is on the line. I will just choose to buy from someone else.

At this point if I end up with a functioning unit I will keep my mouth shut because I am a nice guy, and all things in perspective I've got bigger things to worry about. But if the unit in question were much more expensive or if I used it to run a stable business I might have considered suing. There is no reason I should be without an interface for almost a month because the company I bought it from didn't feel like researching their sources and/or disclosing important information.

jammster Mon, 11/09/2009 - 21:21

Guitarfreak wrote: There is no reason I should be without an interface for almost a month because the company I bought it from didn't feel like researching their sources and/or disclosing important information.

I hear you GF, that does not sound like your getting treated fairly.

Seriously, do not consider being a nice guy.

Be honest, call the Manager of the store and tell them what is going on.

Tell them why your upset, and also why its not right that your having to wait this long to get the interface that you had paid for in full.

If they don't listen to you then you can tell yourself that at least you got your feelings out of your system and if they cannot treat you right you can gladly not give them business ever again.

Perhaps they will listen to you and speed up the return delivery or something else positive.

Its always best to be assertive with your dealings, if the manager of the store values you they should be honored to treat you better than this.