Microphones, to repair or not repair ?

[essexbasscat]

Hi all

Looking into repairing an SM57 that's stopped working after I had hassle trying to replace the screen unit.
The diaphagm appears to move in and out with ease and there's no tears to the membrane. The Circuit is intact, yet the mic. doesn't work anymore. I'm guessing it's time for a new capsule.

While reading around the topic, I see many people advising something along the lines of "You may as well buy another one instead of replacing the capsule".

This puzzles me, as once a new capsule is fitted, you'll effectively have a working microphone that should work as well as a new one. Ok, the body of the mic may look secondhand, but that's not much of an issue TBH if you're after a reliable piece of working kit that works well.

Any thoughts BC ? both around the the mic problem and around the value (or not) of fitting a new replacment capsule.

Thanks all

EBC

[icastle]

Depends on the cost of a new capsule.

If it's only a few quid more to buy a new mic then it's probably not worth the hassle.

[essexbasscat]

Cost of a new beta 58 capsule from Shure is around £55.00 - £60.00, whereas new beta 58 = £126.09 +vat from studiospares

That said, a new SM58 from said shop is £71.83 +vat and a beta 57 + £106.08 +vat. I'll have to contact Shure re replacement capsule cost of an SM 58 and SM57, but the beta 58 seems to be worth the trouble ?

[Phil Starr]

As you say with a new capsule it is effectively a new mic (in a shop soiled case though). the beta is a much better mic than the SM. Only you can decide what it is worth to you.