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This is what I was told by a German expert on SME arms
"Dear Peter,
thanks for the pictures. The tonearm is not original at all. The counterweight and the antiskating weight are copies and not original. I service only tonearm in original condition. The original counterweights are as spares available, but expensive.
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Mit freundlichen Grüssen, Best regards, Met vriendelijke groet, Salutations distinguées, Distinti saluti, Med venlig hilsen
Robert Graetke
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Analog Tube Audio - finest quality handcrafted in Germany
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I would appreciate if I could be put in contact with someone who knows his way around SME arms.
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Hi Rosewood,
Contact Alfred at www.smetonearms.com.
Formally the Canadian distributor, now does re-builds. Knows a lot about SME and still has factory contacts.
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Thanks Dan.
I will comtact him.
Kind regards,
Peter
These parts are not original.
1) The knife edge
2) the counter weight stub
3) the counterweight
4) the rider weight
5) the ride weight carrier
6) the headshell is not original = an Ortofon one - I knew that when I bought it
7) The bias weight support wire is from an "improved" 3009
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No. Got it in a trade. Wanted to sell it.
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Have you contacted the trader to tell him what you have been advised? I didn't realise fake parts existed. It seems that everything of any value is getting faked these days.
Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk
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Here’s a quick snap shot of my end gear on my original 3012R
For reference.. if it helps
https://i.imgur.com/X5yGQ4z.jpg
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Thanks for the photo. The grub screws are the easiest to tell apart from the original. I may have to take the arm to someone who owns one and make a direct side-by-side comparison.
Yes I have. He is a private seller and a Dane and he is adamant that everything is original, but contrary to this the evidence is mounting that 6 parts, apart from the headshell that I knew about, are somewhat good copies. Perhaps an earlier owner wanted to use it with a heavier cartridge?
EDIT: I am in touch with someone who owns an original arm and perhaps I can go for a visit later this week to make a direct comparison.