Sme headshell :please help me identifying this one

[5acan]

Hi

Does anyone know what model is this one?
Usually sme headshell are drilled , this one is plain.
Thanks

[walpurgis]

If I'm correct, that's an early one from the sixties. SME offered the perforated headshell in the pursuit of lower mass, when high compliance MM cartridges appeared, like the Empire, Shure, Ortofon and ADC top of the range models around 1970.

[5acan]

Thanks...it looks very neat for a 50 years old lady ..

[Barry]

The later perforated headshell is called the S2, however surprisingly the forerunner, the un-perforated headshell depicted is known as the S3. It might be that because the SME arm was developed with the Ortofon SPU in mind and initially sold without a headshell, the first (empty) headshells offered were the 'whale-shaped' Ortofon G-type headshell made for SME by Ortofon, and possibly refered to by SME as the S1

There are other rare variants of the S2. One has the cartridge fixing holes elongated into slots, and some were specially rebadged for cartridge manufactures: the "Shure SME" for example, and a rare silver-coloured version made for Radford and badged as such, for use with the B&O SP cartridges Radford imported at the time.




(Note reference to 'a lightweight aluminium shell'.)

[anubisgrau]

how do you actually align the cartridge with fixed holes? or you are limited to a particular pickup?

it would be crazy if you would need to do it with adjusting the pivot but....

[Barry]

how do you actually align the cartridge with fixed holes? or you are limited to a particular pickup?

it would be crazy if you would need to do it with adjusting the pivot but....

They are SME headshells, designed to partner the SME 3000 Series arms, which use a sliding bedplate to achieve the correct overhang.

[struth]

They are SME headshells, designed to partner the SME 3000 Series arms, which use a sliding bedplate to achieve the correct overhang.

Very good system it is too. Makes life easier

[walpurgis]

Like this.

[anubisgrau]

Very good system it is too. Makes life easier

i would never think so but you are right.

[Ian7633]

I'm using an Ortofon 2M Black in my 3009 S2 and it was so much easier to set up than when I had the same cartridge in a Linn Ittok. I really like the SME, and their factory is just down the road from me so face to face negotiations can be had.