Introduced in 1932, the Model 33N was a carbon microphone developed and manufactured by Shure Brothers Company – “Microphone Headquarters.”
From our 1932 catalog: The Model 33N Shure 2 button microphone embodies the acme of refinement and design. Greater improvements in performance, utility, and appearance are incorporated in this new model than in any other two-button microphone. No expense has been spared in making an instrument that will bring the joy of satisfaction to everyone who owns or uses it.
The Model 33N throughout its makeup bears the touch of the artist who designed it. Its modernistic lines add to the appearance of any equipment which with it is used. A beautiful high-polished nickel-plated surface gives a final touch to the excellent workmanship employed in every phase of the manufacture of this instrument.
One of Mr. Shure’s marketing innovations was making the microphone beautiful. He shrewdly determined that celebrities and politicians would not object if their photo in a newspaper or magazine featured an attractive mic.
Our Model 33N was expensive. Its 1932 list price was a hefty $50 [$1,100 in 2025 currency.] Budget carbon mics of the era were only $5 to $10.
Mrs. Shure opined that the Model 33N was our very first carbon microphone. Though this could be true, your author has been unable to confirm her contention with documentation. However, the 33N certainly was one of our earliest carbon transducers.
Being one of the first Shure-branded mics, Shure Suzhou wanted a 33N for its history exhibit. Alas, the 33N is a rare bird to find in 2025. So, Vincent Kang and his colleagues in Suzhou decided to create a modern reproduction of the 33N – an appearance model only, not an operational unit. Your author assisted this Suzhou project by providing photos, catalog sheets, and dimensions taken directly from a Model 33N stored in the Shure Archive.
I asked Vincent, “Since you are making one 33N reproduction, perhaps you could fabricate two and send the extra one to Shure Niles?” Vincent did just that. Check out this beauty…
Suzhou even recreated the “Quickaway” hooks on the support ring. These patented hooks permitted fast replacement of a carbon mic element if it failed. The sole U.S. design patent issued to S.N. Shure was for a mic support ring with “Quickaway” hooks.
Related information: 1933 catalog with the Model 33N
Shure Model 99 radio modulator with the Model 33N
Arcana – mysterious or specialized knowledge
Before Shure Brothers Company began designing and manufacturing carbon microphones, we distributed carbon units made by Ellis Electrical Laboratory, Berwyn, Illinois. In the letter below, note “337 West Madison” [the address of Shure Brothers Company] and the initials of SNS [S.N. Shure] directly above the P.S.
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The Shure logo on the Model 33N is a paragon of Art Deco design.
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Below is the Model 33N instruction sheet, dated November 1932.
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In memoriam Pope Francis – requiem aeternam.
