Category Archives: SME Tweaks

all about our SME tweaks

Garrard 301 / 401, General, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

There are news about SME tweaks

There are news, the revised “5-Pin Conversion Kit V” for the SME tonearms of the 3000 series allows the connection of the phono cable with phono DIN from the bottom side, if a side connection is not possible due to space limitation.

In addition, the bronze groundplate xh is still quite new, the solid bronze base plate has been specially designed for use with a Garrard 301 or 401 to raise the tonearm (SME 3009/3012) to an ideal height for optimal VTA adjustment. In addition to the elevation, there is more punch and dynamic with the bronze groundplate xh and a deeper and more controlled bass range. The stage response becomes wider and deeper.
The pictures show an SME 3012-R with “5-Pin Conversion Kit V” and bronze groundplate xh. The tonearm internal wiring is made with Pure Silver Hair Wire. The tonearm has got a complete restoration.
General, other tonearms, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Two rather rare guests on my workbench

There were two rather rare guests for a therapy on my workbench. One is a Fidelity Research FR-66s with B-60 Elevation Base in excellent condition. The second guest is not quite as rare, however, this SME 3012-RG has never been assembled and 40 years only stored!? The bearings were refurbished, the internal wiring was renewed and a bronze cutting edge bearing Mk3 was mounted.

General, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Restoration SME 3009 S2 improved


This SME 3009 S2 improved came in reasonably good condition, but with many missing parts to the service, the tonearm was completely disassembled, cleaned, the bearings were refurbished, the internal wiring was renewed. Afterwards the tonearm was precisely mounted and adjusted.

The connection terminal was also not present, so the 5-pin Conversion Kit H Kit was mounted to operate the tonearm with already existing phono cables. after such a procedure, the tonearm is again complete and in excellent condition.

Garrard 301 / 401, General, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Bronze groundplate xh


The Gronze Groundplate xh (extra high) is specially designed for a Garrard 301/401. The Bronze Groundplate xh elevate the SME 3009/3012 to the optimal level so that the VTA can be adjusted optimally.

The Bronze Groundplate xh is not a common spacer, but a stable and solid foot for the SME tonearms. The SME 3009/3012 is firmly screwed to the bronze groundplate and for adjustment the complete tonearm including the bronze groundplate is moved. The tonearm can be moved by 12mm (+/-+6mm) for adjustment.

Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

…the beginning is the conversation… (G. Funke, Germany)

Actually I had already planned to buy a new tonearm, but then I remembered again the website of Mr. Graetke. I was a bit sceptical, but after the first phone call my doubts were gone. Very competent, friendly and fair, I felt I was in good hands there. Now the tonearm has been tuned, remounted and the tonearm cable has been installed and it only remains to say: great cinema, my expectations have been exceeded by far! It is not necessary to go into detail at this point, because the tonearm is now better in all details. Price/performance: Mr. Graetke’s work and the resulting sound are worth every cent. I can only recommend every doubter to contact Mr. Graetke and let his knowledge and craftsmanship flow into his own tone arm.

Product(s): Service für SME 3009 Series 2 improved, Bronze-Schneidenlager  Mk3, Pure Silver Hair Wire

customer feedback, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

…After the revision my already good tonearm became unbeatable good… (F. Stuhlreyer, Germany)

Through a friend I became aware of the work of Mr. Robert Graetke, I entrusted my old SME 3009/II improved to him. What should I say? They still exist, the “super professionals”! After the revision my Continue reading …After the revision my already good tonearm became unbeatable good… (F. Stuhlreyer, Germany) →

Garrard 301 / 401, Service and Repair, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

Garrard 401/SME 3012-R in Vinylista plinth with Bronze-Slider

I made this beautiful Garrard 401 for a customer. The plinth is made by Vinylista, Berlin (Martin Brenner), the plinth is equipped with a Continue reading Garrard 401/SME 3012-R in Vinylista plinth with Bronze-Slider →

EMT / Ortofon tonearms, General, SME tonearms, SME Tweaks

A small sensation: Advertisement of the very first SME tonearm

This is a small sensation, this advertisement was published by SME in 1958 or 1959. Nothing really special, but when you look at the Continue reading A small sensation: Advertisement of the very first SME tonearm →