What type of mic was Little Walter using at his gig at the University of Chicago on May 20th, 1966? It's been suggested that he used a Shure 535, TWO Shure 535s tapes together, a Shure 777 Slim-X, or a Japanese copy of a Slim-X. There are many photos of this gig (all shot by the late Raeburn Flerlage). Let's look:


For comparison, here are three of the "contenders".


Shure Slim-X 777


Monarch MC-24



Shure 535


Here are some of the photos of Little Walter from the gig:


Mic cord looped back and taped with electrical tape to body of mic


Note smooth chrome "head" of mic, with no rings like a Shure 535 and no notches on sides like Monarch


Compare shape of head of mic to Slim-X.


Note overall shape, size and color of mic, compare to Slim-X


Note mic cord looped back and secured to body with black tape, also connector.


Compare the screw on the side of the "head" of mic to Slim-X, also note Switchcraft-type screw on, spring base connector. Compare size of mic to size of harp

Note that the Shure 535 is 7 23/32 inches in length not including the cable connector, which appears to add at least another inch, making it approximately 8 3/4 inches long minimum. Also note that the concentric circles around the "head" of the 535 are not present on this mic.

My conclusion - it's got to be a single Shure 777 Slim-X, or a Japanese carbon copy of one.

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