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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: johnw on February 04, 2009, 09:42:18 PM

Title: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on February 04, 2009, 09:42:18 PM
I bought a pair of these and was under the impression that they were made of all metal. The pair I got has a metal clip and screw but a plastic base. Anyone had issues with the base cross threading or breaking?
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: shaggy on February 04, 2009, 10:09:01 PM
No, but every little part is replacable.  I think the base is something like $12 a piece....call Jerry Bruck at Posthorn and he'll set you up.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2009, 02:06:22 AM
No as in they normally have a plastic base? Thanks shaggy!
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: SClassical on February 05, 2009, 03:26:20 AM
I have a pair that is made out of plastic (cannot remember the item number). One of mine cracked. A single holder cost so much. I love Schoeps mics but I am really sorry to say that I personally feel that if they can over price something so cheap I feel their mics can also be over priced. Even a single Lego brick is stronger and cheaper than these plastic holders. Sorry if I offend some Schoeps lovers here...I'm a Schoeps lover and owner, too but to be honest who can really say these tiny plastic things are worth every penny???
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2009, 05:34:29 AM
They are definitely pricy, but the options are limited, so prices are going to be that way. The SGC is supposed to be all plastic and have a reputation for breaking easily, but they are relatively cheap ($22) compared to the SGCM ($77) which I thought were supposed to be all metal. But if it is just the clip part that generally breaks on the SGC, I'm ok with the price. If the plastic base on the SGCM also tends to crack or misthread then I'm considering returning these.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: ts on February 06, 2009, 03:18:42 PM
I've never had a problem with my SGCM's and the base is plastic. I've been using them for about 6 years with a vark bar and they get handled pre and post show as in screwed on and off the bar. I do leave them permanently attached to the lemo end of the cable so i am not touching the clip end ever. i had the plastic sgc's and cracked at least 3, clip portion only, never the base.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on February 06, 2009, 09:00:18 PM
I've never had a problem with my SGCM's and the base is plastic. I've been using them for about 6 years with a vark bar and they get handled pre and post show as in screwed on and off the bar. I do leave them permanently attached to the lemo end of the cable so i am not touching the clip end ever. i had the plastic sgc's and cracked at least 3, clip portion only, never the base.

This answers my question. Thanks!
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 23, 2011, 12:22:39 AM
This thread answered my question too. So, is it worth the $75 for the metal version, or should I just buy 2 sets of the cheap plastic ones ???
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: hi and lo on July 23, 2011, 01:05:00 AM
Get a DINa bar and a pair of the cheaper SGCs and you'll be well covered.

The SGCs have worked very well for me and I don't see them breaking until they've either got plenty of miles on 'em or they're simply abused. You'll get your money's worth  and provide amazing flexibility in how you want to run your rig.

You'll also have a kwon/nola bar as a backup of if you want convenience. The DINa pattern has you covered in so many situations and those bars couldn't be any more reliable or convenient. I'm sure you know this from running your mbho's kwonbars though! :)
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 23, 2011, 01:10:00 AM
Get a DINa bar and a pair of the cheaper SGCs and you'll be well covered.

The SGCs have worked very well for me and I don't see them breaking until they've either got plenty of miles on 'em or they're simply abused. You'll get your money's worth  and provide amazing flexibility in how you want to run your rig.

You'll also have a kwon/nola bar as a backup of if you want convenience. The DINa pattern has you covered in so many situations and those bars couldn't be any more reliable or convenient. I'm sure you know this from running your mbho's kwonbars though! :)

Look at my rig sig :) I already have DINa/DIN/NOS bars for my schoeps, and tonedeaf is holding the MS/Wide ORTF bars for me as well, so I never have to worry about mounts. I'll prob just order 2 sets/pairs of the cheap SGC mounts for use when I dont want to run DINa/DIN/NOS/etc :)
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on July 23, 2011, 11:28:35 AM
I ended up selling mine due to lack of use, but I've thought about getting another pair. I'm not sure I would trust the SGC clips since I've heard of them breaking after setup and the capsules falling to the ground. If you're planning on buying 2 pairs of the SGC, I'd just go ahead and buy one of the SGCM.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: Brian Skalinder on July 23, 2011, 02:48:20 PM
I used the SGCs for years and never had any problems that I recall.  I don't think the SGCM are worth it at 3.5x the price of the SGCs.  If you're worried about it, buy an extra SGC just in case and you'll have three SGCs for less than the price of one SGCM.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: ero3030 on July 23, 2011, 03:09:51 PM
use a 5/8 to 3/8 metal adapter.   ed
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: johnw on July 23, 2011, 03:18:13 PM
Doesn't matter how many spares you've got if one fails and the capsule takes a 7 ft dive onto concrete. Then again if you velcro tie the cables to the stand that should break the fall. Also if you're using the KCY, the other capsule should keep everything from coming down as its unlikely that both would fail simultaneously.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: Brian Skalinder on July 23, 2011, 03:26:12 PM
Doesn't matter how many spares you've got if one fails and the capsule takes a 7 ft dive onto concrete.

If you set up mics, the clip fails, and falls all the way to the ground -- you're doing something wrong.  As you suggest, securing the cables to the stand with velcro or with the shockmount cable-clip would prevent anything catastrophic from happening.  The SGCMs just seems like an unnecessary expense, unless one's in a really challenging, risky environment (which I wouldn't consider field recording concerts).
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: hi and lo on July 23, 2011, 05:19:16 PM
Doesn't matter how many spares you've got if one fails and the capsule takes a 7 ft dive onto concrete.

If you set up mics, the clip fails, and falls all the way to the ground -- you're doing something wrong.

I couldn't agree more. It's on par with ensuring your stand or clamp doesn't fall over a balcony by using a safety cable.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: shaggy on July 23, 2011, 05:51:47 PM
Been a while, mind if I pipe in?

If you are using side address capsules like the V series or multipattern MK6 or figure 8 MK8, you need the SGCMs.

I bought mine over the plastic clips b/c I use them in a MK4V/ORTF Kangol rig.  They are a necessity since the 4V capsules I use have to be oriented a particular way facing out.   The thumbscrews on the SGCM lock the active head/capsule to prevent them rotating and moving from the original position.  Same thing applies when I use the MK8 and MK4V in a MS set up on a bar, those plastic clips will hold everything relatively tight but for that added security of not having the set up rotate due to cable tension (KCY cables are stiff), it is worth spending the extra money on the SGCMs. 
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: F.O.Bean on July 23, 2011, 10:59:22 PM
Well, I'm not sure if I should buy 2 pairs of the SGC's for $80, or 1 pair of SGCM's for $150.00 :P I dont plan on running them like that often, because 99 out of 100 times, I'm FOB/DFC and can use my NOLAMounts :) So maybe I should just buy 2 pairs of the cheapie ones :)
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: hi and lo on July 23, 2011, 11:07:37 PM
You're overthinking it. Buy a pair of the SCGs, secure them properly to your stand in case they break, and be done with it.

If you want SCGMs great, but you don't need two pairs of SCGs in lieu of SCGMs.
Title: Re: ? about Schoeps SGCM
Post by: tim in jersey on July 24, 2011, 12:42:14 AM
I've overtightened (and busted) the plastic bases on both. My solution has been to Loc-Tite a 3/8>1/4 brass adapter in to the plastic base of the SGC(M) and then Loc-Tite that assembly in to another brass adapter 1/4>3/8. Clear nail polish also works to "lock" the threads on the plastic base to prevent me from overtightening...