SME 3009 Cueing Mechanism Dashpot Series II Early Tonearm Part Series 2

Very Good condition. SME 3009 Series II early cueing mechanism dashpot, with slow, smooth cueing action.

The SME 3009 Series II was a moving-coil tonearm produced in England, fitted as standard with a hydraulically damped cueing mechanism. This dashpot is the early-type unit, identifiable by its black round plunger lifter rather than the T-bar design used on the later Series II Improved.

Key specifications

• Compatible Model: SME 3009 Series II (Early)
• Cueing Type: Damped hydraulic lifter — lowers arm gently onto record when released, then disengages
• Mounting Method: screws on to thread on bearing
• Lifter Design: Black round plunger/piston that rises from cylinder to lift arm tube (distinct from later T-bar design on Series II Improved)

Specifications

• Compatible Brand: SME
• Colour: Black
• Compatible Model: SME 3009 Series II (Early)
• Compatible Product Line: SME 3009 / 3012 Series II
• Country of Origin: England
• Year Manufactured: 1960s
• Mounting Method: screws on to thread on bearing
• Lifter Design: Black round plunger/piston that rises from cylinder to lift arm tube (distinct from later T-bar design on Series II Improved)
• Cueing Type: Damped hydraulic lifter — lowers arm gently onto record when released, then disengages
• Parent Arm Effective Mass: 12.5g (with stock headshell)
• Parent Arm Bearing Type: Metal knife-edge bearings (steel)
• Lift Actuator Style (early/Series II type): Black round mushroom cap rising from dashpot body (not T-bar)
• Piston Material Variants: Brass or aluminium piston
• Damping Fluid (service specification): 300,000 cSt silicone oil
• Production Era (parent tonearm): SME 3009 Series II: 1962–1972
• Identification vs. Later Dashpot: Later Series II Improved used larger T-bar lift; early/Series II used black round cap