Just my 2 centavos:
You can't go wrong with the Shure SM series of mics. They are designed to be used next to the source which helps separate sounds from other sound sources, reasonably priced, reliable, sturdy and versatile
a. SM58 -- arguably, the industry standard; rugged mic fairly resistant to damage but grille will sometimes dent when dropped; cardioid response pattern (rejects sound mostly from rear of mic)
b. Beta58 -- premium version of the SM series, costs a little more; stronger grille; frequency response curve fairly similar to SM 58, but the beta series has a gradual high frequency roll off towards 20K Hz, giving it a brighter sound. It has a super cardioid pattern -- rejects sound mostly 60 degrees from the back which is less likely to feedback because of tighter frequency response in the lower end
c. PG58 --- cheaper versions of the SM series; never personally used this but friends say it's more than adequate.
Live on stage, I prefer the beta 58A because of its higher gain before feedback threshold but I use SM58s along with other mics in the studio.
Preference, price point and planned usage will most likely dictate your final choice, but it's always best to compare mics in the store or borrow a pair to compare during practice or a live show.
Best of luck on your search and watch out for those fake Shure mics. They may be cheap but their sound never comes close to the real ones.
