So, I'm in Halifax and I stop by the local Musicstore. For the purpose of this entertaining little bit of foolishness it doesn't matter about the names. This reminded me about the now legendary thread about Guitar Center on another well known international forum, so I thought I'd share here.
I'm literally just browsing about in the "live audio" area and I overhear someone looking to get a live condenser mic to replace his own "58". This person had apparently tried someones "condenser" mic and loved it. It was suggested by someone that he try a Beta87, so that's what he was looking for. There's one sitting on the shelf, but the salesperson talking to him says, That's a dynamic, and I don't think we have any of the condensers in. Customer says, I was talking to someone and they said you have 3 or 4 in stock. He says, I'll check... Nope none in.... But have you ever heard of Neumann? Best mics in the world...and proceeds to start showing him a KMS.
I know I shouldn't, but I couldn't stand it. I spoke up. Sorry I couldn't help overhearing you're looking for a Beta87 and I saw one over on the shelf. Salesman says, No, that's a dynamic... He's looking for a condenser. I say... Actually it's a condenser. Salesman says, A Beta87C? I say, No 87A, but the only difference is in the polar pattern. All Beta87 are condenser mics.
At that point, with what dude was selling this person, I gave my 2cents on the Beta87 by saying more or less... There's a reason why the Beta87 is one of the most popular live vocal mics of the last 20 years.
I didn't get into the fact that dude was trying to sell the guy a mic that is infinitely less suitable for most, but 3-4 times the price or any of that... Which I could have. I could tell the salesperson was pretty ticked at my interference, and as I left he muttered. Thanks, you can hang around and do my job for me if you want.
No thanks... I already have a gig.