SME 3009 Series II non improved

[stevieboy]

Will be setting up my SME 3009 Series II as a monsoon project when its nice and rainy outside. Plan to get the Denon 103.

Plan to get heavy counterweights for the Denon and a heavy Jelco headshell around 12 gms or was it 16, to mechanically 'load' the Denon properly.

Single run Cardas wire is already there, gotta get rca plugs.

Wanted to know if forum members have experience or can suggest any other carts I can check out? Any other vintage carts that might be a good match?

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

Funny. I have a similar project in mind on the same arm. I have ordered the cardas silver wire etc. Will put the DL103 when ready. Mine is a split-counterweight arm, and does not seem to have room to make it heavier, at least at first glance. Was planning to do all this in June.

 

[jls001]

Lots of pictures and blow-by-blow (and ball-by-ball) accounts expected from both intrepid DIY-ers

@Gerry_the_Merry: you should seriously post how you made your 3009 so shiny and new. I have long ago included that project in my bucket list. I know it's a lot of elbow grease but the results are stunning.

 

[stevieboy]

Mine is a split-counterweight arm, and does not seem to have room to make it heavier, at least at first glance. Was planning to do all this in June.

Does it have a circular yoke above the knife edge? If so, its Series I. You're lucky you already have the split counterweight!

Lots of pictures and blow-by-blow (and ball-by-ball) accounts expected from both intrepid DIY-ers


@Gerry_the_Merry: you should seriously post how you made your 3009 so shiny and new. I have long ago included that project in my bucket list. I know it's a lot of elbow grease but the results are stunning.

Haha hardly an intrepid DIYer. Have not yet mustered up the courage to solder up the CNC MC stage hehe. But sure will post pics though it will the same as the SME 3012 rewire I did. Have decided to keep this one a 3009 only. So I have both on one table.

Gerry the merry, posting how yo got your SME cleaned up would be really helpful! My SME 3009 is quite spotty around the base.

Regards

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

Steveiboy, mine is series II for sure. There were some early split counterweight versions in S-II which is what I have. I have no idea how good the arm is, will find out in 2-3 months time when the work is complete. When I was not very familiar with it I was planning to send it to Robert at ATA for complete redo (with the 100 euro silver wire), but I have decided to do the rewiring myself as partsconnexion had a cardas silver wire for a much lesser amount. The other thing ATA was about to put was a bronze bearing but this too I am told by G401fan is available on eBay separately. I feel I can quite economically upgrade this to full spec, and along the way re-polish it, not that it seems in need of re-polishing. But when I look at what Tony of PFM has done with his arm, i feel an inferiority complex. You should look up his Garrard and Thorens restoration threads, and also one by Sonddek.

I merely took apart the parts around the base, pillar, bearing etc, and cleaned them with WD40, wiped, applied brasso, wiped, scraped off any sticky stuff with nails or some hard plastic, and kept repeating this process. The paint does not come off even if you scrape hard.

 

[stevieboy]

GTM,

The bronze knife edge should be a step down from the steel. It's meant to replace the plastic/nylon ones in the improved series. You can try an xtm counterweight from ebay. His customers say it works for them.

Yes have seen those threads. Good to know the finish does not mar on repeated brushing. Had done only a little and left it.

Regards

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

Steve, yes. I have seen the Vinyl Engine discussions around this and it is not a given that the bronze will bring an improvement in the improved arm also. On second thoughts I will stick to rewiring only and try to bring improvements one at a time.