SME 3009 II (improved) won't balance with Shure V15 III

From memory the effective mass of the II/Improved is 6.5 grams (maybe 7.5 - too lazy to look it up) for the fixed head shell version and 9.5 (certain on this) for the detachable head shell version.

Both are excellent choices for the V15 series as is the 12.5 gram non-improved SME arm.

I've owned and used all of them with the sure V15/III (tried the IV, but went back to the III).

I currently use an SME 3009II/non-improved on a Thorens TD125II, though with a Grado cartridge.

The only upgrade I rec for the old SME arms is  to have the wiring updated to something better.

DeKay

Excellent. Lettuce know how it sounds! The arm is on the heavy side for a V15 and adding weight to the headshell would work, but the slightest wobble would send the arm airbourne. 

So ... first, yes, I'm using the V15 III (with Jico SAS stylus), so I'm excited to see how it sounds. 

Turns out the guy from SME was wrong. The weight I have is what shipped with the arm originally and what the owners manual shows in use. The pics in the manual actually show the arm being set up with that weight and with a Shure V15 III, too. 

I found a place in England called Charlton Analogue that sells SME arms and parts. The guy there noticed in pics I sent him that the black piece that protrudes out the back of the bearing assembly, which the weight screws into (it's called the spider) was a little funky. This piece is actually supposed to slide into the weight as you rotate it toward the arm. Mine was splayed outward a bit preventing the weight from being rotated all the way in -- by a good 3/4 inch. Thus, even though it felt to me like it was as tight to the arm as possible -- because the spider was stopping it from going any farther -- it actually had quite a way to go.

The spider has these little splits in it that make it a little springy. I was able to squeeze them together with needle nose pliers and with the help of a tiny dab of white lithium grease, I was able to get the spider into the ring around the screw on the weight, and voila! The weight now twists all the way flush to the bearing assembly -- and I can balance my arm.

All it cost me was about 8 hours of sleep last night trying to figure out what the hellI was doing wrong. 

Thanks to everyone who chimed in!

dcindc

Does anyone here know a lot about these SME arms? Even though the guy at SME tells me this is not the original weight, I'm not seeing any mention anywhere online of this arm coming with a lighter weight.

The explanation you received from SME makes perfect sense to me. I'd be inclined to trust it and order the lighter weight.

I always thought the V15 was ok on the original SME 3009 but the later versions ie improved were not a suitable match. I'd double check the compliance charts to make sure your in the range. 

Check the Ebay listings. You can get a one for a lot less than 200 bucks!

Does anyone here know a lot about these SME arms? Even though the guy at SME tells me this is not the original weight, I'm not seeing any mention anywhere online of this arm coming with a lighter weight. I only see mentions of people buying heavier weights because the original was too light. 

FWIW: My weight is 90g. I'm not seeing any mentions online of a weight lighter than that. 

Maybe you can find a competent machinist (out in Rockville if you actually live in DC) who can shave some weight off that CW. Could be done while you wait in the shop.

Well ... turns out it's pretty easy to reach someone at SME. I called and they told me that -- as you suspected -- this is not the balance weight that came with the arm. They sell five/six weights and this is one of the heavier ones. It's authentic -- just not the one that would have come with the fixed-head shell version of the arm. 

I can order a lighter one -- for $200 and a four- to six-week wait. So that's lovely. 

He said not to just add weight to the headshell and use it that way. 

I'm not sure what the standard balance weight is. The one on my arm weighs 89 grams. I'm seeing heavier ones available on eBay, but I don't see any lighter ones. I'm pretty sure this is what came with the arm originally.

No signs the arm has been modified. 

So ... if I need to add weight to the headshell, am I defeating the purpose of matching this arm with this cart? I bought the arm because its very low mass was meant to pair with the V15 III, which I want to use. If I add mass to the headshell, am I not defeating the supposedly ideal match between the arm and cart?

You shure it's the standard weight? (pun intended) Is the outrigger adjusted correctly? Is it the stock headshell? Any sign of the arm being modified? 

Thanks. I know I can add weight to the headshell. I’ve done that with other arms, but what I’m baffled by is that this arm and cart are a common/popular combination. From what I’ve read, the arm was pretty much designed to be a match for the V15 cart (the SME manual even shows the arm set up with this cart). So I’m trying to figure out why I’m having this problem and other people don’t.

The balance weight is the standard one that comes with the arm. I’m not aware of other people having to find a lighter balance weight to make this arm work with the V15.

If worse comes to worst, I’ll add a weight to the headshell. I’m just hoping to figure out why this is happening, because it seems like something must be wrong if this common arm/cart combo works for others but not for me.

Thanks again!

I believe you need a lighter balance weight. To counter you can add more mass to the headshell. Soundsmith makes an excellent set of graded cartridge screws.