Identifying Shure Microphones

	Model 51 "Sonodyne" Rugged high output dynamic semi-directional microphone for wire and tape recording, PA and communications. Low, medium high impedance switch 60-10,000hz.
	Model 710 "Rex", Model 510 "Hercules". Model 510 features 'controlled reluctance' for announcing and mobile PA systems. Moisture resistance. High impedance without transformer. 100-7,000hz. Model 710 is the crystal version. My Dad has had one of these for 40 years for use in cutting his own disks and it still sounds good.
	Model 55S 'Small Unidyne' and Model 556S 'Small Broadcast'. High efficency dynamic (40-15,000hz) for PA, theater-stage sound systems, recording and broadcasting. has low, medium, high impedance switch. The 55S is for general purpose and the 556S is for broadcasting.
	Model 708A "Stratoliner" crystal. High output (-53db). It is semidirectional when placed sideways. 100-9,000hz Pearl Gray finish. High impedance.
	Model 737A "Monoplex" crystal. 'Feedback killing' crystal. Reduces pickup of random sound energy by 73%. Satin Chrome finish.
	Model 520 "Green Bullet" controlled reluctance rugged high impedance mic with metallic green body and plated grill. 100-7000 cps. Also 707A crystal. Modern bullets use a magnetic element and can be wired high or low impedance.

I received this letter recently from Holland and I would like to share it with you.

Hi Keith,
Here's what I got on my two Shure green bullets:
Microphone 1 has a tablestand with a hand-switch to open the mic.
Green metal label on outside reads:
- Controled Magnetic Microphone
- Model no. 520 SL
- Ohms High Z
White label on the inside reads:
- Controled-Magnetic Transducer
- Model number 99B86JA
The hollow inside of the tablestand reads:
- Model S36
According to the Dutch importer of Shure gear, microphone 1 is manufactured
between 1949 and 1955 (it's a fairly rough estimate, I agree, but better
than nothing).
Microphone 2 has a black cord attached to it with a ragular guitar jack 
at
the orher end.
Green metal label on outside reads:
- Controled Magnetic Microphone
- Model no. 520 D
- Serial 0538
White label on the inside reads:
- Controled-Magnetic Transducer
- Model number 99S556TG
According to the Dutch importer of Shure gear, microphone 2 is manufactured
in 1969. The dating on this mic is much more precise and is based on the
serial number 0538. There is no serial number listed on microphone 1, so
that's probably why they can't pinpoint the exact year of built.
The importer also mentions the fact that Shure started to manufacture the
green bullet again in 1980. So there must have been a moment between 1969
and 1980 on which Shure decided to stop producing these mics. Do you, by 
any
chance, know what year that was?
This is all I got. Hope it is of any use to you.
Harmonically yours,
Thijs van Erve
The Hague / The Netherlands
e-mail at work:	[email protected]

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