Elvis Presley

Elvis's signature microphone from his early RCA days, both studio and live. Pictured is a stamped version displayed at Graceland.

elvis singing into a Nuemann M49 at Studio B - June 1958

Visible in this ca. 1960 photo of Presley. The article "A Brief History of the U-47" from the George Neumann archives, transcribed in this 2010 page from voice actor Thom Wilkins' website, also mentions Presley's use of the mic.

In the past, superstars such as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Miles Davis and David Bowie used the U 47 repeatedly during the course of their careers. This mic remains a top favorite even today, and is used in numerous contemporary productions.

Auctioned off on Gotta Have Rock and Roll's website on October 16, 2010.

Elvis Presley owned and used this Shure SM-57 microphone many times during the years 1972 and 1973 and appears on the cover of his RCA album “Good Times.” Elvis’ name is engraved on the neck of the microphone. According to Elvis’ close friend Charlie Hodge Elvis often had his name engraved on the microphones that he lied and that he didn’t want anyone else using. Elvis used various microphones over the course of his career and kept many at Graceland, his California homes and at his home in Palm Springs. One of Charlie Hodge’s jobs besides helping Elvis on stage with his music was to vocalize with him every day. This microphone comes with a letter from Charlie Hodge and several color photographs showing Elvis using this microphone. Estimate: 10000-15000

Auctioned off on Iconic Auctions' website on December 16, 2012.

A Shure “55 S” brand microphone (Serial 5747 V) owned by Elvis, who switched to the brand at the recommendation of his friend and back-up singer. The “55 S” has unofficially been referred as “The Elvis Mic”. Used in the early 1950’s during most concerts and studio sessions this style of microphone is etched into the legacy of Elvis. This particular microphone comes with excellent providence coming with a letter from Prop dealer John A. Tarter, stating that the microphone was used to record numerous songs in RCA Nashville Studio Facility. The microphone was originally acquired from Elvis’s sound engineer Larry Finch. Full letter of authenticity from L.A Prop & Wardrobe/ John A. Tarter and Grey Flannel Auctions.

In this picture Presley is using a RCA Type 44-BX.

Auctioned off of Gotta Have Rock & Roll's website on November 21, 2015.

This is Elvis Presley's stage used custom made Shure SM53 microphone with is name Elvis" engraved on it. Elvis used the microphone on and off stage in the the early and late 1970's. Elvis gave the microphone to his close friend Charlie Hodge who maintained many of Elvis' microphones at Graceland. Very good condition. Comes with letter of provenance from Charlie Hodge and photos of Elvis using the same, or very similar, microphone. Also comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.

Visible in this photo of Presley and mentioned in this Facebook post by SugarHill Recording Studios.

RCA released the 77 DX in 1954. This gem of a mic has a very dynamic frequency response depending on the angle in which it is positioned. It has recorded countless legends including Al Green, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and more!! It is still widely used today especially for recording Brass instruments. Come try it for yourself.

In a photo shared by Benmont Tench on Instagram, Elvis Presley is seen using the Altec 633A Salt Shaker Microphone during a televised performance.

Featured in this page from the Jimmy Ellis fansite Orion.

This Altec 195a microphone with 29b capsule and power supply was worn by Elvis while recording in the studio/rehearsal and also live. It was bought from Elvis record producer/ sound engineer Pill Porter in the summer of 1973 by veteran producer/chief mastering engineer Chet Bennet who has worked at CBS, Columbia Records and others. He owned the mic until March, 2014 when I bought it from him (see letter of authentecy [sic]).

The mic is identical to the one that Elvis wore on his legendary 1968 Comeback Special on NBC. I have asked the producer of the show, Steve Binder and also the sound engineer, Bones Howe, who both said that the equipment they used on the comeback show was delivered by NBC at their request. Where Elvis’ mic is now today is not known but if by any chance NBC leased the equipment from Bill Porter (who had already worked a lot with Elvis) then this might be the actual one.

It still works and sounds great.

You will find an interview with Bill Porter where he mentions the Altec mic here.

The letter of authenticity can be viewed here and reads:

Mr. Kenneth Dokkeburg, this letter is to reference the Altec model 195a microphone with the 29b capsule and its power supply. The microphone was bought from record producer / sound engineer Bill Porter in the summer of 1973 when I went to his Las Vegas studio [United Recording] to purchase used recording equipment for my Florida studio [Titan Sound Studios]. At this time I noticed 2 Altec microphones and I asked Bill about the mics as I saw the same Altecs with Elvis using them. He said he owned two of these mics, one was used for rehearsals and the other one for Elvis to use in his Las Vegas concerts and shows which Bill did the sound for. The mics fell out of favor and were later replaced with another brand. The Altecs were put in storage on a shelf. I bought the mic that was used for the Elvis shows not as a collector but as a working studio mic. Regards, Chet Bennett Divide, Colorado USA

Elvis used the Shure SM58 during the "That's The Way It Is" movie The SM58 can be seen many times