So, I've got this friend that I set up with a nice Yamaha CA-610 and a YP-211 'table. 12 months and some 150 LPs or so later, and he calls to ask if I can stop by and see if his boss found him a good deal at an estate sale yestiddy...a Luxman in near perfect working order and eye appeal, for $25!:tears:

Trouble is, nobody in our small circle has any idea about set-up parameters for the SME series III tonearm; ie, overhang, spindle to pivot, etc.

Any help? Any clue what this rig sold for in the '80s?

probably $1000 or more in 1976-80! :yikes:

$25:drool: Get thee to the SME site and if you have to pay for a download of the service and set-up manual, he still got a heck of a deal!!
Craig

To say I was floored doesn't really cover it!

Over the phone he told me it had a Grado cart of unknown specifics, and "some kinda lightweight tonearm".

How do I convince him a hunnerd dollar profit is way more than friendly? I gotta say it, in this neck of the woods, I'm much more likely to find 'nuther friend than to come upon a situation like this again! (just kiddin', Bill) :no:

This is the information I have, I think it is correct. The price would be without tonearm, I guess.

PD-441 Turntable 1976-1980 695.00.

Thanks, guys...

Keep us updated on Bill's progress, did he get the set-up scans? I'm not familiar with the III just have the II I set mine up by eye and ear to play music then fine tune it, they look really complicated but, it all makes sense if you go slow with the instuctions, and the Sound:yes: I think I live in a cowtown, lot's of cool stuff everywhere, you never know, you're rackin' up karma by helpin' him.
Craig

I love the looks of the PD-441. Great table, too. Nice thick dust cover.

Go to the vinylengine.com and get the manuals you need to set up that tonearm.

On the bay that table might approach original list price, usually exceeds 350-400. Add the stepchild SME III and it is one combination many would pay big bucks for. I don't know why but the III is not loved like the others, but it is still a great tonearm. $25...well ok.

Well, it seems ol' Bill took the Luxman home for the weekend and attempted a plug & play as it was set up previously (after showing me how the arm mount slid from one extreme to another with a flick of the wrist, all without taking note of even an approximate setting for a return to accuracy!):sigh: He immediately noticed what was likely a ground-loop hum as well as some other disconcerting matters dealing with set-up alignments and what not...long story short, he has a Ferrari and likes driving that old pickup.

I may not even need to resort to the old challenge of three rounds of nude mud wrestling, winner-takes-table ploy.:D Considering my sallow & svelte 320lbs on a 5'9" frame, a surprisingly effective gambit! :smoke:

This could get interesting...

Keep us posted on how this turns out. He definitely has a Ferrari. If he needs a nice old broken in half ton to swap let me know, yeah right. I'll hear only after you have it plug in and bolted down.

Well, it seems ol' Bill took the Luxman home for the weekend and attempted a plug & play as it was set up previously (after showing me how the arm mount slid from one extreme to another with a flick of the wrist, all without taking note of even an approximate setting for a return to accuracy!):sigh: He immediately noticed what was likely a ground-loop hum as well as some other disconcerting matters dealing with set-up alignments and what not...long story short, he has a Ferrari and likes driving that old pickup.

I may not even need to resort to the old challenge of three rounds of nude mud wrestling, winner-takes-table ploy.:D Considering my sallow & svelte 320lbs on a 5'9" frame, a surprisingly effective gambit! :smoke:

This could get interesting...

:yikes: You and 'ol Bill mud wraslin':scratch2: could be a great avatar pic! Don't forget the babe in the background holding the TT over her head like a trophey! BTW of course I like your current avatar!! $5 bucks on Bill sight unseen:sigh:
Craig

The SME is a mess to set up properly. And the Lux seems to hum. This is the kind of problems that can freak you out and still not solve.

Compensate your friend for the $25 he wasted on your advice, and get this junk off his hands.

Then spend all of 2-3 hours to sort things out and enjoy.

You and 'ol Bill mud wraslin' could be a great avatar pic!

I used that line to completely discombobulate a fellow benchrest rifle shooter in a huge match in Raton, NM 10 years ago...:smoke: Seems his fire control went out the window for the afternoon.:yes:

SaSi-

The hum turned out to be a broken wire at the cart tag juncture, so I sent the armtube to my friend in Glasgow to completely rewire. Bill has already taken the beaded seatcover and favorite coffee mug out of the pickup in readiness for the transfer...:tears:

Don't forget the babe in the background holding the TT over her head like a trophy!

Don't know if I want to see that 'babe', that TT weighs 37.4 pounds and I don't know too many 'babes' that hold that kind of weight over their heads like a trophy. Maybe just a round count babe.

Don't know if I want to see that 'babe', that TT weighs 37.4 pounds and I don't know too many 'babes' that hold that kind of weight over their heads like a trophy. Maybe just a round count babe.

I would think, one of the American Gladiator's would fit the Bill nicely, and could make you head look like an LP:D
bOUDah, I'm stayin' away from you, now that I know you play with gun's too:smshot: Poor guy was you standing right behind him?
Craig

standing right behind him?

Nah, I was situated about 12 to 15 places to his left. Pretty safe to say I was in his head, tho'...:D