[ljguitar]

Hi kaketc...
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned these, but Naiant mics are handbuilt, very inexpensive and excellent for a multitude of purposes, including recording guitars.

You could own a matched set of them for around $50, and they come in at least 4 flavors.

I own a bunch of SM-57s and SM-58s, and Behringer XM8500s (all similar yet unique-all dynamic), and I own an array of Peluso CEMC6, AKG 414, Shure KSM44, Rode NT-3s and a pair of the Naiant MSH-1. The dynamic mics are not that good for recording compared to the others. They are really PA mics not studio mics (I know they are sometimes used in studios - I also own one of those).

The Naiant are tiny and warm sounding, and can take the high sound pressure levels of amps, and produce wonderful acoustic recordings. The power up on half phantom which makes them a great match for units like the Zoom H4 recorder.

They have a tiny bit of self-noise which is easily masked, and it is certainly no more self-noise than an SM-57 would exhibit when cranked to the levels it would need to be preamped to in order to record.

If quality recording is what your question is about, give them a look. I don't have any investment in the Naiant company. Just want to see you get some good mics that will do a great job.

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore.html

Here are two no-effects tests done with a pair of the MSH-1 (6mm diaphragm) mics in a Jecklin array. Amazing quality in my mind for a matched pair of mics that cost me $55.

If you buy them, be sure to order the package with the mic clips. The mics are tiny and don't fit conventional mic clips. They are actually assembled in an XLR Neutrix connector.

Lion Sleeps test - click

Yesterday test - click

Oh yeah...cheap phantom power supplies...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...wer?sku=180621

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ply?sku=336830

Tons of them for $19-39 and if you want you could buy a cheap mixer with dual XLR and pan controls that has phantom power for around $50 and it would serve as mixer, preamp, phantom power supply etc. all in one package.

Hope this helps