Precision is such that accurate tracking force up to 1.5g can be applied without a tracking-force gauge. There is slight wiggle room to rotate the cartridge in the SME headshell even though it has two mounting screw holds rather than slots. Common to all are J-shaped arm tubes, the methods of applying tracking force, fully-protected ball-races for the vertical axis, and 0.13mm-radius knife-edge bearings in chrome seatings for the horizontal axis. One issue I found is that one must make sure the cantilever is parallel to the headshell edges when installing the cartridge in the headshell. It is still far better than using the cartridge in the headshell and also risking damage to the cantilever/cartridge during set up. However, with my vdH cartridges sounding best when the arm is raised in back, to get proper alignment, this places the jig at an angle where only the front edge hits the grid sheet. I find this tool works best when the armtube is close to level allowing the clear metal jig to lie flat on the grid sheet. Very limited quantity available Mandatory additional weight if heavy cartdiges such as Ortofon SPU etc. That is, the two sides each flare out slightly toward the back, and the headshell edges are high above the grid plane, so your tool is much easier and accurate. Your SME tone arm is in need of a repair Please feel free to inquire for an estimate SME 3009/3012 additional rider weight Rare NOS additional rider weight for SME 3009/3012 SII unimproved tone arms. This solves one problem I found with my original SME 3012R headshell: The sides are not perfectly parallel. Yes, SME UK is asking a lot of money for a rebuild, but if youd bought a 2000 MG back then, think about what youd pay to have it rebuilt to spec today. I like the long straight sides that are parallel to each other for easy sighting and alignment. The 3009 was distributed by Shure over 30 years ago, when it was new - I doubt any of Sumikos partners were even out of high school back then, much less in the hi-fi business.

Repairing shure sme 3009 tonearm