Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Back in the early '60s we used the EV 664s most of the time, and also had a borrowed Shure 55 ("Elvis" mic) with the fat case housing the optional internal studio shock mount. These mics (664s) were ubiquitous and used for speech and singing as well as announcing duties--my high school had scads of them on desks and stands.

They would make a lousy harmonica mic, as they weigh about 4 pounds. But, superb quality and nearly bulletproof. By about '66 or '67, however, the Shure 565 "Unispheres" were taking over...much lighter and less warm sounding.

I just picked up a couple of vintage EV 664's (NOS). Can't wait to give them a try.

See, they just look COOL. Almost art deco.

Hey Mark..don't forget the PL20 is the same beast but a lot cheaper...least it used to be,part of EV having a 'value' range.

The 664s can be internally wired for hi-Z or lo-Z. If you find the sound choked, you probably will have to switch the wiring. It takes a few minutes.

All you ever wanted to know about 664s:

http://www.coutant.org/ev664/index.html

feedback wrote:Hey Mark..don't forget the PL20 is the same beast but a lot cheaper...least it used to be,part of EV having a 'value' range.

Well, maybe used to be...but I always see them going at the same price as RE20s on the used market (they're discontinued). It's hard to find either one used for less than $300...but that's still a good deal for an indestructible, great-sounding mic. If they were originally sold for less, then those were great deals, because there is no difference from the RE20 other than name and cosmetics. They wanted to market some of the RE line to music makers, since the RE line was thought to be mainly broadcast mics. Good for beating intruders too, I imagine...it's like a billy club.

Some famous RE20 sightings...

Blecchhh.

No comment on the Limbaugh, except to say that it's over the political borderline for this Forum, IMO.

LOL!