SME series III height adjusting... - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

QUADGOD · 19th Oct 2017, 5:00 pm

Hi... Following SME instructions with a Shure v15 mk3 I've made sure the arm is parallel to the record but that gives me an arm lift height of 3/4" above playing surface instead of the recommended 1/4". Is my eyesight out or? The arm is fitted to a Technics SL120 mk2.

PJL · 19th Oct 2017, 5:53 pm

I think the lift is also adjustable.

QUADGOD · 19th Oct 2017, 7:21 pm

I've not considered that because it's pre set in factory and should be the correct height if arm is adjusted correctly and therefore does not need adjustment apparently...

sp10mk11 · 19th Oct 2017, 7:36 pm

Isnt adjusting the arm lift height the same as on the 3009/2 ie. you loosen the locking hex nut and then turn the assembly on the threaded section up or down so the cueing height is more as you want it, you will of course have to remove the arm from its base to do this job.
Was this arm already fitted to the deck when you got it? or have you fitted it yourself?
Gary

QUADGOD · 19th Oct 2017, 8:17 pm

Yes there's a small lock hex screw to loosen to adjust.. The arm was already fitted. It was exactly the height the instructions state but I noticed the arm tube was not parallel and lower at the base end. Now I've lifted it parallel ive now got extra lift height. I'm guessing that maybe there is meant to be a spacer the arm should stand on because I'm assuming the base is lower than it should be.As long as the sound quality is no different and the cartridge is ok I'm happy.

joebog1 · 20th Oct 2017, 3:53 am

There was a "lift base" available, as shown in my pic.

It is SME original. It is made from some hard plastic material that I cannot identify.

In this picture, the arm is fitted to my home made slate base. I had the same problem as you are having.

It's probably not much help, but it would be easy to hand make something that would suit. The four arm mounting holes can be traced off the mounting base, and the adjusting slot could be filed to fit the standard pattern, from what I can see the two Philips head screws ( my option, NOT origional ) are 70mm apart. I used Philips head stainless steel screws as I had them, they are fitted to wooden dowels drilled into the slate base. The whole circle diameter of the extra base is 87.5mm.

I hope this is some help

Joe

19th Oct 2017, 5:00 pm	#1
QUADGOD Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bedford, Beds. UK. Posts: 59	SME series III height adjusting... Hi... Following SME instructions with a Shure v15 mk3 I've made sure the arm is parallel to the record but that gives me an arm lift height of 3/4" above playing surface instead of the recommended 1/4". Is my eyesight out or? The arm is fitted to a Technics SL120 mk2.

19th Oct 2017, 5:53 pm	#2
PJL Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5,997	Re: SME series III height adjusting... I think the lift is also adjustable.

19th Oct 2017, 7:21 pm	#3
QUADGOD Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bedford, Beds. UK. Posts: 59	Re: SME series III height adjusting... I've not considered that because it's pre set in factory and should be the correct height if arm is adjusted correctly and therefore does not need adjustment apparently...

19th Oct 2017, 7:36 pm	#4
sp10mk11 Octode Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,275	Re: SME series III height adjusting... Isnt adjusting the arm lift height the same as on the 3009/2 ie. you loosen the locking hex nut and then turn the assembly on the threaded section up or down so the cueing height is more as you want it, you will of course have to remove the arm from its base to do this job. Was this arm already fitted to the deck when you got it? or have you fitted it yourself? Gary Last edited by sp10mk11; 19th Oct 2017 at 7:47 pm.

19th Oct 2017, 8:17 pm	#5
QUADGOD Tetrode Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bedford, Beds. UK. Posts: 59	Re: SME series III height adjusting... Yes there's a small lock hex screw to loosen to adjust.. The arm was already fitted. It was exactly the height the instructions state but I noticed the arm tube was not parallel and lower at the base end. Now I've lifted it parallel ive now got extra lift height. I'm guessing that maybe there is meant to be a spacer the arm should stand on because I'm assuming the base is lower than it should be.As long as the sound quality is no different and the cartridge is ok I'm happy.

20th Oct 2017, 3:53 am	#6
joebog1 Banned Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Mareeba, North Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,704	Re: SME series III height adjusting... There was a "lift base" available, as shown in my pic. It is SME original. It is made from some hard plastic material that I cannot identify. In this picture, the arm is fitted to my home made slate base. I had the same problem as you are having. It's probably not much help, but it would be easy to hand make something that would suit. The four arm mounting holes can be traced off the mounting base, and the adjusting slot could be filed to fit the standard pattern, from what I can see the two Philips head screws ( my option, NOT origional ) are 70mm apart. I used Philips head stainless steel screws as I had them, they are fitted to wooden dowels drilled into the slate base. The whole circle diameter of the extra base is 87.5mm. I hope this is some help Joe Attached Thumbnails