Shure SM-57 vs Sennheiser E906

[wintermoon]

I've always used a 57 on a short mic stand but at a few festivals the sound man used an E906 draped over the amp lying on the grill. I couldn't hear much of a difference (the Senn might be a bit cleaner sounding) but the E906 eliminates the need to haul an extra mic stand.
Not sure if I can justify the $ just for that convenience.

[DawgBone]

I've used and heard many various mics on guitar amps but I've yet to find a mic where the sound quality was so obviously better I was willing to pay for it and ditch the sm57 for live or studio use for that matter.

I've used the sennheiser, it's a great mic but not really any better, just a little different. I had a bass player tell me to get with the times. That there are better mics for that now. My ears dont lie. There is a reason the 57 is such a go to for amps and the 58 is such a go to for live vocals. They are affordable durable and sound great tho I generally go with the beta 58 on vocals as it seems a bit richer while lacking some of the top end sizzle of a regular 58. You definitely got a point about not having to carry an extra stand but usually if there is sound reinforcement they handle all the micing.

[st.bede]

There is a four page post over at the gearpage. I also really like 421 and 57 together. Not really for live. Just throwing out the idea, in case it inspires someone.

When it come to durability, mics need to be treated with respect. 57 is a beast but it will lose some of the top end if pounded around. It is hard to notice but it happens. I hate when I see people tap/hit the mic to check if it is on.

[Helliger]

I have both and prefer the sound of the E906. Sound adjustments are nice. Ability to hang it over the speaker is nice.
To me it sounds a bit smoother than the SM57 even though the SM57 is great mic and a real workhorse (especially considering the low price)

[339 in june]

Andy Bartosh made a well documented review/comparison of these mikes here :
My favorite microphone(s) for recording electric guitar
I had a SM57 and needed another mike. In the light of Andy's review, I bought the E906 and don't regret. Much easier to use, and sounds at least as good.

[vernon]

In the recording studio, I would usually default to a Neumann U87 with a -10db pad. That microphone would give me the most sonic range to work with…

Of course it wasn’t my studio, and I didn’t have to buy the mics.

[omphalopsychos]

Sm57 on a cab is a classic and inexpensive choice. If you don't want to carry a full sand, they make short mic holders that clamp onto the guitar cabinet.

Access to this page has been denied.

[burchyk]

I feel like 57 has a bit of an upper mid spike, which can actually be useful in a live situation.

906 almost feels like it has somewhat recessed mids. Can be used without a stand in a pinch, although I find it depends on the cable and whether hanging it down from the handle puts it in a desired position.

I prefer a condenser like 414/214 in a controlled environment, sounds closer to what I hear in the room and is less harsh in the top end.

[JazzNote]

For my ears the sound of the E906 is an improvement over the sm57, although i prefer a condenser mic or a MD441 in front of the amp. For recording i would use the E906 for a parallel track und then mix them together. Having listened to quite a few recorded archtop tracks there's no way to go back to a sm57 after hearing the E906.