Stories from the Shure Archives: The Green Bullet Harmonica Microphone

The Green Bullet, also known as the model 520, was released in 1949 as a two-way radio microphone. But it soon became a favorite of harmonica/blues harp players. It’s been in the studio with the Rolling Stones and on TV with M*A*S*H. Hear from award-winning harmonica musicians Sugar Blue and Nigel Mack and Shure Corporate Historian Michael Pettersen in this short documentary chronicling the history and legacy of Shure’s Green Bullet Harmonica Microphone.
Learn more about the current version of the Green Bullet, the 520DX: www.shure.com/a...
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[@savanaviolenta]

I'm getting this sweet little mic.Sounds very vintage and unique, perfect for oldies styles.

[@monto39]

Like Arrick Garringer says below, the elements were really the sound. They weren't all consistent either - but a good one is killer. I really liked the smaller model 520's, the normal ones are a bit big for my hands. My favorite mix is my Shure CM 99A86 element in an Astatic JT30 shell

[@sharkair2839]

i love how they show walter horton playing an astatic mic. lol

[@norfolknwhey4787]

Right?! Lol

[@Arrick]

The 520DX is a great shell if you swap out the new dynamic element for a vintage CR/CM Shure element. Very easy modification and sounds just like it walked out of the 1960s. You'll pay as much or more for the element as you will the mic though. Sincerely wish Shure would reissue the CR/CM element. The new dynamic elements don't sound good at all for harp and are kind of mocked by serious players. I love my mashup new/old Green Bullet.

[@Nicofrog]

Indeed! But a real serious player will not mock as He/She knows how to get the sound and tone out of anything, hence the name Serious Player!

[@tonyglen33]

1:20 love it lol

[@KleWdSide]

Bruce Springsteen uses a bullet mic occasionally but mainly for his voice

[@savanaviolenta]

It's versatile enough for voice and mic'ing cabs.

[@jamesbboggs1459]

The best!

[@BigDogDaddyD]

The new ones don't sound as good as the old ones with a harp. But the new ones sound better for voice.

[@thewiz8895422]

Only thing good about the 520 DX is the shell. Now I can make a DX sound good as I have been playing for decades, yet it is a mere shadow compared to the CR's and CM's!! PS Also, the cable breaks a LOT where it comes out of the shell

[@Chris-sd8mk]

The main problem with this mic is, the cable coming out of the bottom keeps breaking so you have to get someone with soldering abilities to replace the cable, why didn’t they just put an Xlr there beats me.

[@shure]

We are sorry to hear it! Our service team should be able to assist with repairs. You can learn more at shu.re/service.

[@NattyBeGood]

I like my green bullet, but as Jerry Portnoy taught, 'rubbish in, rubbish out.' No green bullet will make you sound good if you don't play well. But what would I know, I'm just a novice.

[@jasonmills2638]

I hear ya Bro! I got mine a few months ago and luv it. Utube is full of complainers that blame their gear, guitars, amps, drums for not being able to play. I'm proud of my 520dx 😎🤘

[@joeking433]

Did Foster the People use this on Pumped up Kicks?

[@KyTaundry]

I don't know for sure but it sounds like it 👍, based off of the fact the one of my favourite bands (Wolf Alice), use one for lo-fi vocals quite a lot!!

[@gheumann]

There are better microphones. Smaller, lighter, easier to cup, better tone. Trust me.

[@keefmeister77]

I trust you.

[@papnevelde]

Sorry to say this legendary story has no happy end... What a pity! 520DX is a disappointment. Poor harp players have to pay 300 bucks to get a real vintage mic!

[@spokesmanslim7752]

Stevie, you‘re right! The new 520DX isn’t the real deal and the original 520D with controlled magnetic/reluctance element is getting more expensive since it is a collectors item...The truth is that the Superluxe Mic does the same job for less money!!!

[@Harpgrindin]

The only thing cool about that video is the old vintage GB pics, which I already have all the archives anyway, Sugar Blue and the pic of Big Walter. The rest is pure garbage since it points to the modern DX pile of CRAP! Matter of fact I know more about that stuff than the director of archives. Has he ever seen a Brown Phenolic Label Controlled Reluctance? I happen to own.

[@keefmeister77]

I think you mean a black label controlled reluctance element with a phenolic resin bobbin, but yes it would absolutely stomp the current 520DX into a mudhole. I have 12 CR/CM's, nothing else comes close except maybe an R7 crystal.

[@talktothemicrophone5731]

Hey Guys, you two should send some links of your gear. Love this chat. Happy playing.