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SME 3012 MKII Tonearm Excellent condition 12" SME 3012 Series II tonearm. Includes all parts, original packaging and paperwork including instructions, mounting template, and alignment protractor. I bought this for a project that is no longer taking place and believe the arm has been in storage for some time. I’m not even sure it’s ever been used and would really class it as new condtion. The bearings feel smooth and the arm lift works as it should. Shipping flat rate of $50 at my asking price and will be double boxed. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: PAYPAL OR EFT Region/State: (NI) Nort
At AUD 2,000, this SME 3012 MKII asking price sits ambitiously high against the used market, where clean Series II examples typically trade in the AUD 1,200–2,000 range—bids as low as AUD 900 in recent auctions and play-tested units around AUD 1,800–2,200 elsewhere. Fair for mint condition with box, but overpriced if it's just "unknown" with average wear; hunt for sub-AUD 1,500 steals unless provenance screams perfection.
Buyers must verify the counterweight setup—Series II uses a 169.8g main plus 24.5g rider for 12" tracking, easily faked with wrong 3009 parts—and check for seized vertical bearings or arm-tube dents, common on 50-year-old survivors. Insist on original bias weights (3–5.6g), fluid damper, and service history to avoid AUD 500+ rebuilds.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Founded in 1946 by Alastair Robertson-Aikman as The Scale Model Equipment Company Limited in England, SME initially produced scale models and precision parts for engineering trades before pivoting in the 1950s to high-precision components for aircraft instruments and business machines. By 1961, it had relocated to a dedicated factory in Steyning, Sussex, and fully embraced audio engineering, developing its first tonearm for personal use. Now marking over 70 years of excellence, SME was acquired in 2016 by industrialist Ajay Shirke's Cadence Group, ensuring continued innovation while honoring its heritage, including recent moves like reviving the Garrard turntable brand.
SME specializes exclusively in precision turntables and tonearms, offering models like the acclaimed Model 30 series alongside a range of twelve standard arms and custom variants. With over one million tonearms sold worldwide, the company avoids diversification into amplifiers, speakers, DACs, headphones, or cables, focusing instead on unmatched engineering for vinyl playback.
Regarded as the gold standard in high-end analog audio, SME commands a niche position among discerning audiophiles for its Steyning facility—the world's largest and best-equipped for precision pick-up arms and turntables. Synonymous with industry-leading build quality and sonic refinement, it appeals to serious collectors and professionals who prioritize mechanical perfection over mass-market compromises.
See all SME listings on RADAR.
