I usually stick to the KC corner so bear with me if this is asked 1000 times before. I gave up on the search engine of this forum.

QUESTION
I need a wireless mic or 2 and I'm looking for quality but don't want to spend $600+ for a Shure Beta 87 with the SLX receiver.

I have found a used Shure Beta 58 with a Shure L4 Diversity Wireless Receiver. I know this is an older receiver but is it reliable? I will be gigging about 120 to 180 dates next year and need to have something that will stand up to that.

I am also interested in any suggestions of other manufacturers that make equal quality wireless mic systems.

Thanks for your help.

Understand, the older wireless technology is going to be more susceptible to noise from things like neon/flourescent lighting...

So Jim, are you planning to come out from behind the keyboards and do some lead vocals? Otherwise why would you need to go wireless?

kenny,
I always sing lead vocals... from behind the boards anywhere from 8 to 20 songs a night depending on which band I am with. I do have a need to get the crowd involved from time to time.

BUT the main reason is I am starting up a duo with my girlfriend and she will need to work the crowd. I am really looking for her but will likely use it too.

I bought some AKG WMS400 systems at work and have been using them successfully for just under a year.

They sound pretty good, have good battery life and you can change frequencies in case of interference.

It has a sturdy metal case and comes with a strong plastic carry case, which puts up with some abuse. It is road worthy, to an extent.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/A...660&src=3WDTWXX

$500 there, but you can get them cheaper than that.

Thanks Trucks I would like to look at something other than a Shure system. But what I find is the cheaper systems have lots of problems with noise and cutting out if get more than a few yards away from the receiver. I was trying to stay under $500 and the Shure system fits the bill.

I am leaning towards the Shure PGX receiver and a Beta 58 handheld. I love my Beta 58 (wired) and have had success with the hand held Beta 58 with an older receiver.

Anyone have experience with the PGX receivers?

This post is a little late in joining the party...but I'll toss it in there anyway just in case you're still wondering about how you're going to do the wireless thing.

Our singer brought a very old Shure wireless system along with her. In all honesty, I don't even know the model - but I'm guessing it's a predecessor to the current PG series (the receiver isn't rack mountable, there's no frequency selection capability, etc. .... and knowing that our vocalist is always broke.... it HAD to be the "value" line).

We've been used it every gig we've done over the past three years. I slap the receiver on the side of the house rack using Velco - and toss it in the "Miscellaneous" case when we're done. We've NEVER had a lick of trouble with it. The one time I thought it was having problems - I put a new 9V battery in the mic and all was well again.

It and a PSM200 wireless In-Ear system is the only wireless stuff on stage - so we're not using it in a "busy" wireless environment. Neither do we wander far afield from the transmitter (the far side of the dance floor - so...40-50 ft max?). The mic has an SM58 "...ish" appearance - and compared to the "wired" SM58's the rest of us use - it's the hottest MIC on the stage (the channel input level gets set at roughly 2/3rds the level of her "wired" SM58)

At first, I was a little leary about the thing - but after 3 years of using it - I'd buy another one just like it in a second. It hasn't given us a lick of trouble - in any venue.

The output gain difference is probably due to the unit having a line level output.

Thanks for the input guys. I made a decision and I am real happy with it.

I bought the Shure PG24 with a Beta 58 and it is sweet. We have used it in several different environments and it has performed flawlessly. You have 18 or so channels so we have experienced no interference and the distance you can go from the receiver has not even been a problem.

I really like the Beta series mics and will say that the wireless is hotter then my wired beta 58.

Thanks guys.

Hopefully the selectable frequencies are not in the 700-800Mhz band, which the FCC has just opened up for emergency use.

The Shure beta 58 is a very durable mic, the year of it doesnt matter, as long as the condition is fine.

PS. Ive been a professional music engineer for 10 years.

Hope that helps

JACK