Finger Lift for Headshell SME 3009 / 3012 Series 12.7mm 1/2 Zoll

A cocobolo wood body for the Audio-Technica AT91 cartridge brings a dramatic and welcome transformation , elevating this humble, entry-level cartridge into something that sounds far more refined, rich, and musically engaging . Cocobolo, a very dense and oily tropical hardwood from the rosewood family, is known for enhancing harmonic complexity , taming unwanted resonances , and boosting tonal depth — all things the AT91 can benefit from.

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🔊 Sound Characteristics of Cocobolo Body for AT91:

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🎧 Subjective Listening Impressions:

• The plastic “budget cartridge” sound is gone — cocobolo gives the AT91 a weightier and more analog presentation .

• Highs are no longer brittle or splashy , but silky and extended .

• Midrange becomes surprisingly lush , especially in vocals, acoustic guitar, and strings.

• Bass gains real definition and depth , which the stock body simply cannot deliver.

• Overall, it's more musical, involving , and surprisingly audiophile-like for such a simple generator.

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🔨 Why It Works So Well:

The AT91's generator is basic but surprisingly competent , especially with elliptical upgrades (like ATN95E or 95EX styli). The weak point is its thin plastic body , which allows unwanted vibrations and resonances to blur the signal. Cocobolo's extreme density and internal damping qualities help:

• Absorb parasitic vibrations that smear transients

• Reduce resonant peaks in the upper mids and lower treble

• Enhance bass coupling with the headshell for better impact and articulation

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🪵 Cocobolo vs. Other Woods on AT91:

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✅ Best Use Case:

Choose cocobolo for the AT91 if:

• You want to maximize musicality and warmth from a basic MM cartridge.

• You enjoy jazz, vocals, acoustic, blues , or anything with rich tonal content.

• You're upgrading a budget turntable and want big sonic gains without a stylus change .

• You like a rich, romantic sound without losing detail or air.

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🔧 Tip : Use a heavier headshell or tonearm if needed — cocobolo adds mass (often 5–8g more than stock), which can slightly lower resonance frequency, especially with heavier wood bodies.