Shure 51 audio quality?

[NR5P]

I used to have one of these a good while back.  I sold it without ever trying it out on the air and have been kicking myself ever since.  I decided AFTER I sold it how much I liked the looks and wish I'd have at least tried it out.  I've got the opportunity to get another one.  Is it a decent sounding mic?  Just curious if anyone has had experience with it. 

[KK4YY]

I don't know how it sounds... but it doesn't look like it had a lot of bottom. Stop kicking yourself.
Here's the spec sheet.
www.shure.com/user-guides/us_pro_51_ug.pdf

-Don

[WA3VJB]

That spec sheet response curve shows a nice bump-up between 3-4K, and another peak around 6K.  That would make for good articulation, among hard consonants, without too much sibilance such as on esses.

I agree with Don's observation; the low end rolls off significantly by 200hz, but the lack of lows can improve intelligibility without being so pinched as to create space shuttle audio.  

For looks alone it's a winner in a vintage station.  The response curve is hi hi FB for most work, and the multiple impedance can make this a versatile mic.  (35K ohm isn't that high but still adaptable.)

[flintstone mop]

Probably a deluxe version of a D-104 without the 10meg loading resistor needed on the first grid of a mic pre amp tube.
Were these called stage mics? Good for vocals/singing?
Fred

[KL7OF]

I have been using a Shure 51 for years... on my 813s x 813s rig...It feeds the first grid of a 6SJ7 in the Homebrew Radiotron speech amp..  6SJ7 -6SN7- transformer coupled to push-pull 6L6's with some neg feedback...I like it better than the Shure 55  for hammy use...