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Mounting Graham B44 arm on SME 20/2

I acquired a Graham Phantom II B44 tonearm having a standard (circular) mounting base with the intention to mount it on a SME 20/2 platform. The previous owner had the arm mounted on a SME 30, using a custom base adapter (sub-base). This circular custom base replaces the base on the SME plinth that provides the slotted hole for SME tonearms, and provides a center hole plus additional mounting holes for the standard Graham tonearm base.

Sadly, this custom sub-base adapter was shipped via FEDEX separately from the arm, and was lost by FEDEX!

So far, all my searches have not given any fruit in locating such a custom adapter. I am still pursuing it but I am posting here in case the group can offer any helpful ideas in sourcing such an item.

I have read that the B44 can be used with a variety of turntables using custom mounting bases. So far, I have no idea who sells such bases. To avoid confusion, there is a version of the Phantom II/III that comes with a mount to fit the slotted SME base. That's not the version I have.

Also, after contacting SME directly, they don't provide any other bases.

Thanks

pyma6
elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

Is it possible the seller forgot to put it in the box? Seems an odd thing to steal.

When I was selling LPs on ebay, a few times, I turned the box over, taped the label on, put it in the stack, then, later, checking the stack, oh, this one's empty, not sealed on the back side.

lewm
14,671 posts
 

Bizarre. I suggest complaining all the way up the line in the Fedex system.  What right have they got to arbitrarily decide not to deliver even an empty box?  If you had the empty box, you might at least use that to discuss with the sender. But as you suggest, it may be that the package was stolen somewhere in PA, and they don’t want to acknowledge it. People like to disparage the USPS but I use their priority mail for packages all the time and have never had a problem. Whereas I am always holding my breath when it comes to Fedex, "Castaway" notwithstanding. I recently bought an expensive linestage, and it arrived via Fedex with ALL of the large output coupling capacitors having been shaken loose inside the chassis. Two out of 4 of them were broken off at both ends, so they were bouncing around inside. And other damage was done as well, even in the correct ARC factory shipping box. Fortunately for me, the seller, a dealer in Minnesota, was an upright guy who took all responsibility, because I know Fedex would never have done so.

pyma6 OP
17 posts
 

Did the seller forgot to put it in the box? Did the the seller not put it in the box for whatever reason?

Obvious questions but very unlikely. I have been in constant contact with the seller who is willing to take back the arm for a full refund of the sale, if within a reasonable time another adapter is not found. There does not seem to be a motivation for the seller to not ship it. Besides, he is a younger guy, not like some old folk forgetting where he left his keys!

elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

can you post a photo of the part you need?

is this bottom plate what you need?

can this work? it's the right diameter hole ....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/135145360450?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

 

maybe these guys can make you a part

https://www.artisanfidelity.com/tonearms/graham-phantom-b44-supreme

see the plate under this arm

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

from their literature

https://acoustic-precision.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GRAHAM-PHANTOM-II-B44-apd.pdf

"two mounting profiles: the standard Graham Custom Mount and an SME mount"

can you change the bottom to fit a standard SME sliding plate?

................................

return it, buy this one?

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/graham-audio-phantom-ii-b44-9-tonearm-no-cartridge/

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