Real or Fake? Shure V15 V

[YANIR GVIRTz]

Saw this on eBay - I think it is missing stamps (on bottom of cartridge, stylus) that should be on a genuine Shure V15. What do you guys think? Real or Fake?

 

[Wolfie62]

Its real. They didn’t all have the stencil on the body. My V15 Type IV has no stencil. I think that stenciling was re-instated with the V15VxMR, so it could be distinguished from the V and V-MR. It was also on the V15 Type III.

 

[benricci]

From what I recall (and keep in mind, it's been many years since I owned one), that the "stamp" on the bottom of mine was simply a sticker that peeled off. I'm fairly confidant that was genuine since I bought it from a Shure dealer at the time. I *think* the writing on the sides was actually printed on the cartridge body, but I don't quite remember 100%.

And I also seem to recall that some of the earlier versions didn't have any indicators/markings at all to denote the version.

I suspect there are those with much more knowledge who can chime in with a better assessment of the particular cartridge in question. From what I see, it doesn't raise any red flags.

One thing I have seen on the counterfeits is that they'll "center" the little brush on the end of the stylus guard. On the real ones (and the one in your photos), that little brush is actually off-center, the reason being it sweeps the grooves the needle is about to trace, a few seconds ahead, to clear out any dust/debris coming up. Or at least this is what I believe it's intended position is for.

 

[saunadog]

And I also seem to recall that some of the earlier versions didn't have any indicators/markings at all to denote the version.

Yes, I also believe that to be correct. I have one similar to the OP's (no markings) but genuine.

 

[YANIR GVIRTz]

Thank you guys!
Just noticed there is one more image on the bay - Shure stylus? After market?

 

[MCM_Fan]

Real. It looks just like my V15 Type V (original, not Vx). You're very lucky. Mine didn't come with a stylus. Hard to tell with 100% certainty from the photos, but it looks like you may have an original V5MR stylus on yours.

 

[Osibisa]

I thought the MR had a red stylus guard w/silver letters and a serial number?

 

[MCM_Fan]

I thought the MR had a red stylus guard w/silver letters and a serial number?

That would be the Type VxMR, which has a larger mouting tube and will not fit the original Type V.

 

[YANIR GVIRTz]

Excellent!
Thank you all for your input!

 

[Osibisa]

 

[Oerets]

Looks like a real one to me.

 

[Dswankey]

Thank you guys!
Just noticed there is one more image on the bay - Shure stylus? After market?

In your initial post the 5th picture clearly shows it says Shure as does the most recent pic you posted.

What is it that you think it could be aftermarket?

 

[ChristopherP]

Looks like mine.

 

[YANIR GVIRTz]

In your initial post the 5th picture clearly shows it says Shure as does the most recent pic you posted.

What is it that you think it could be aftermarket?

There are no marks on the bottom sides of the cartridge. No serial number or model number on stylus front.
Learned here that it is most probably genuine even without these markings.