Koetsu Rosewood Rare Sugano, Sr build - early 1980's

Rare Koetsu Rosewood built by the father Sugano in the early 1980's. I verified this with the distributor, MoFi, based on the serial number 111327.

This cartridge was owned by one person, a doctor in Memphis, for nearly all its life. Very recently it was purchase and retipped by SoundSmith, and shortly thereafter the tip was damaged. I just bought this cartridge with the intent of retipping or rebuilding it, but while waiting for it to arrive I came across a Urushi Gold and bought it. I can't afford to have both, so this is for sale.

Condition:
Body: Superb. The aged rosewood is beautiful and I cannot see a mark or scratch anywhere. It must have been taken care of.

Suspension: I don't have the expertise to evaluate it by examining it under a lupe or microscope, but the cartridge rides just where it should on the record, with the expected space between the record and the bottom of the cartridge ... exactly like my much newer Urushi Gold does. Therefore I believe the suspension to be working as it should.

Cantilever: The cantilever appears in perfect condition, straight and in the proper position. See pictures.

I was not sure how to rate a cartridge in such good condition but that needs retipping, so I just rated it a 5.

This is a great chance to have a Rosewood from the elder Sugano, which may sound better than new Rosewoods, for my price plus the cost of retip or rebuild... still far under current Koetsu retail. At my price I will pay shipping to CONUS and paypal fees. I would prefer to limit sales to CONUS in general. I do not have the original box but I have a Zyx box that is excellent for safe transport.

Thank you, and please feel free to respond with any questions.