You are looking at a unique early 1957 model Shure Brothers 55S dynamic cardioid microphone made into a custom LED lamp. One of America's most iconic microphones and made famous by several musicians including Elvis Presley. Even the young Fidel Castro preferred using one of these when speaking after the Revolution. Classic, clean deco lines give this mic the attention it deserves. This 55S made it's debut in 1951 and had a run of several years until being discontinued in the late 1970's Shure brought the mic back again due to high demand as the "Super 55" and is still being sold today. A cast zinc body with a glossy satin chrome finish.
Pic # 2 shows this very model from an old Shure data sheet along with the 556S model.
I should start by letting you know that this mic lamp is made by a gentleman in Canada named Gord D Birtch who is a Jack of all Trades. An artist and all around good guy with an eye for these older mics. He has an online store called Luminous Groove. I have several of his lamps at my residence for personal use and have been collecting them for almost 2 years. I send him the microphones and he turns them into this finished product. Sadly Gord stopped making these lamps last year due to health problems but I still have a few examples left from the dozens I have sold in the past few years.
All of the mics are gutted, cleaned and professionally wired with high quality, efficient American L.E.D lights. Gord will often install metal mesh screen in his mics. Some do not have them but it really comes down to how the mic is designed and how we want the light to be thrown.
This 55S has the mesh screens but still casts an amazing ambiance once activated as you can see in the pictures provided. This will make an excellent accent piece anywhere in the home, studio or office and this mic lamp will screw onto any microphone desk or floor stand. I do have several vintage stands available in my Ebay store however.
The 55S itself is in excellent physical condition and you'll notice it comes with the period Shure A88A "pull to talk" lower handle / adapter. The ribs are free of any dents or fractures and the satin chrome finish has very lite wear. Mostly some fine pitting on the lower pistol grip and some very lite scratches and scuff marks on the head. One of the nicer examples I have offered. The Shure badge looks very nice and completely legible. The joint mechanism on this mic has lots of tension and works perfectly allowing you to tilt the head backwards putting light wherever you need it. A cable connector is attached to the bottom of the mics lower A88A adapter as if there was a regular cable attached to complete the effect. This is a quality build.
That A88A adapter is just as nice as the mic and is an all metal build with a satin chrome finish. These were sold for those who wanted their early Shure mic to have an on / off option and the adapter gives additional 4 inches of height to the mic. It really compliments the look of the mic giving it a touch of elegance and is quite unique.
The cable itself is a high quality cloth covered item and has an older vintage feel to it. It's appx 9 feet in length and has an on / off switch as you can see in pic # 15. Simply plug this in and your good to go. I believe these LED's are rated at 50,000 hours. I haven't had a single lamp fail in the 3 years I've used these and I use them all the time.
This is an actual early 55S mic. Not a replica. I can't talk these lamps up enough. More like sculptures and one of the coolest lamps you could own and perfect for that mid century vibe and an excellent gift for just about anybody.
The light is certainly strong enough to read a book next too.
MICROPHONE STAND SHOWN IS NOT PART OF THIS SALE...USED FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ONLY.
An I do have several desk and floor stand available in my Ebay store if needed.
And as always...
I can promise you will be happy with it for the price paid. If not...I have a no hassle return policy. The shipping will be on you as I believe that's fair but the purchase price would be refunded. Simply return in the same nice condition...period. Check my rating. International buyers are welcome as well. Buyer must pay within 24 hours or an unpaid case will be opened and item relisted. Domestic buyer will get priority shipping.
If you have any questions feel free to ask and...thanks for looking.