Sennheiser E609???

[MikeNiteRail]

I want one, but I am confused. Are there multiple versions? Which should I look for? I see the "silver" on Musician's Friend and eBay. Thanks.

[teefus]

the original black version of the 609 was priced a little high for guitarists used to paying $80 for an sm57. they are fantastic mics and i have one. they sold for $250-300, iirc. it is a fantastic guitar mic and the only one so far to put exactly what i am hearing on stage out to the p.a.
the silver model is voiced like a 57 and is much cheaper. i think the 906 is more similar to the original black 609 but i haven't looked at the specs in a while.

[slhguitar]

The 906 also has a little switch on it for 3 different voicings. Flat, Boost, and Cut, affecting the "Presence Range" (around 4 KHz). I liked the 609 original black mic quite a bit, but I have heard that the silver sounds quite brittle in comparison. The 906 is supposed to be the best of the three, and is only a little bit more expensive. Do a search on this forum, there was a great thread a little while back about these exact mics.

Cheers,
Kenzie

[Denyle_Guitars]

The 906 also has a little switch on it for 3 different voicings. Flat, Boost, and Cut, affecting the "Presence Range" (around 4 KHz). I liked the 609 original black mic quite a bit, but I have heard that the silver sounds quite brittle in comparison. The 906 is supposed to be the best of the three, and is only a little bit more expensive. Do a search on this forum, there was a great thread a little while back about these exact mics.

Cheers,
Kenzie
+1 to all that. I'd just like to add that the black one really shines with a variable impedance preamp. It can sound rather dark if loaded down too much. It's no longer made but there are plenty on the used market. I would recommend a used 409 or a new 906 above all. I didn't care for the silver one either but I know guys that use them to great effect.

[Dutchman]

+1 on the E906, my 57's have been retired from guitar amp duty...

[rburkard]

I have an original 409 which the black 609 was modeled after. I also have a newer "silver" 609. Both microphones look the same except for the coloring of the grill on one side. They sound, while having both similar specs a different sound. The old 409 (609 black) sounds warmer while the "silver" 609 sounds a little more trebly due to the use of a neodymium magnet. It all depends on what you are looking for. The old microphone sounds better especially for live mic applications with brighter amps/speaker combination while the new 609 sounds better with warmer amp/guitar/speaker combinations. Both are a lot better and much easier to use than an SM 57.
Rene

[fullerplast]

I have an original 409 which the black 609 was modeled after. I also have a newer "silver" 609. Both microphones look the same except for the coloring of the grill on one side. They sound, while having both similar specs a different sound. The old 409 (609 black) sounds warmer while the "silver" 609 sounds a little more trebly due to the use of a neodymium magnet. It all depends on what you are looking for. The old microphone sounds better especially for live mic applications with brighter amps/speaker combination while the new 609 sounds better with warmer amp/guitar/speaker combinations. Both are a lot better and much easier to use than an SM 57.
Rene

I also have both and generally agree with your summary, although I've not yet found the 609 to be better than the old 409 in any application. (The 57 of course can be a contender for all amp micing applications, depending on preference.)

[Don L]

I got a couple of older black e609s and love them.

[Rod]

Great thread guys....Thankx for all your comments and insight!! It's been very helpful

[stereoaction]

with the exception of the "fuzz" guitar smattered around (which is plugged direct into an old tape deck, overdriving the preamp) all other guitars (about 8 or 10 tracks worth) are all the 609 silver. I have the black and 906 too. this is a rough mix of a song that is not even doen, but am enample of the 609

http://bryanewald.com/audio/If%20I%20knew.mp3

[meterman]

Thanks guys, I was considering just such a purchase. So the newer cheaper silver 609 is not the way to go, either look for an older black one or get the 906...check.

I have heard these mics have all the sound quality of a well-positioned SM57 without all the guesswork and inconsistencies, is that true? I'm looking for something primarily for laying down guitar tracks in a home studio, though I would probably use it live as well.

Thanks...

[Rod]

Thanks guys, I was considering just such a purchase. So the newer cheaper silver 609 is not the way to go, either look for an older black one or get the 906...check.

I have heard these mics have all the sound quality of a well-positioned SM57 without all the guesswork and inconsistencies, is that true? I'm looking for something primarily for laying down guitar tracks in a home studio, though I would probably use it live as well.

Thanks...
I think that the 609 is still a way better sounding mic than an SM57 for guitar

[TDavis]

I recently picked up one of the older e609's and I like it better for "live micing" than the SM57 I was using. One of the main reasons I bought it, was to use it for recording.

[Roodboy]

Is this mic generally just hung off the cabinet?

[theBruce]

Yup, let 'er dangle.


I have several Sennheiser mics. I like the e609 Silver better than an SM57, but I just love the MD421. I would rather record a cab with an MD421 than an e609 or SM57 any day.

[puddinstone]

Thinking about getting the e906 for live use with my amps (see sig).

Is this a good pick?

[stereoaction]

with out question. sounds great and super easy (no stand nessesary).