Could it be re-finished by someone?
Got to be better than most if not all of the "SME" headshell clones, even the Jelco's.
I suspect the old Grey tonearms have a similar feel (the Greys used a form of ball in fluid-filled cup for their "bearing" as I remember).
You know, I didn't buy one at the time because Linn were only interested in importing the G707, which was really designed for the mid seventies CD-4 Quadrophonic cartridges (mostly high compliance MM's) or good mm's not needing higher capacitance wiring. The 714 would have worked beautifully with an Asak and descendants I feel.. The handful of 714's came in via a different importer and I bet only a handful were sold over here.
I can't go on and I can't go back, I don't feel so matter of fact,
I tried and tried to make good sense, What's the good to try it all again?