Just a warning to everyone to really look at your pickups if you are ordering from a 3rd party on amazon (or anywhere for that matter). I ordered a set of WLH pickups from a 3rd party seller, fulfilled by Amazon earlier this week. When they arrived yesterday I opened the prime box and found the Duncan box was cracked and wonky (one of the hinges was pulled apart). Anyway, packaging was correct for the WLH set but the pickups inside were obviously cheap generic humbuckers and not SD. No logo, no adjustable pole screws, brass baseplate without SD identifying marks, incorrect 2 wire lead etc. I don't want to name the seller because they have a 99% rating on Amazon and since the package was fulfilled by Amazon I figure it could have been a guitar enthusiast employee who cracked it open and swapped the pickups. Amazon is great though and I filed for a return. When I have done this before for a defective item (most recently a car tire compressor that stopped working on the second tire) they have handled the return and refunded my money without question. Hopefully there aren't many newbies out there ordering $200 pickups and getting $10 sets they think are genuine!
Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
- Thread starter Joejitsu
- Start date
Mark Cearlock
New member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Those aren't fake, someone just blatantly trying to rip you and/or Amazon off..
Those aren't fake, someone just blatantly trying to rip you and/or Amazon off..
dpaterson
New member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Well now. This is interesting (and I am indeed new to this pickup buying and swapping thing).
I have a (new) SD Invader on the way. Also from Amazon via a third party. So what are the things to check for (if there are any in addition to what the OP has listed)???
And while we’re on this topic: do Dimarzio pickups have any identifying marks or info. on them??? As some will know I just put a DM SD in one of my guitars also ordered from Amazon via a third party. Sure does not sound as I would have expected given all the rave reviews and articles I have seen on this pickup. Now you have me wondering. I do not recall seeing a single identification mark or info. on the pickup itself. It did, though, come in a clear perspex box sealed with stickers that were difficult to remove and I would definitely say that the stickers had not been previously removed although I suppose this is no guarantee. As I say: do not recall seeing any identification marks or info. on the pickup itself though whatsoever??? I will check again when I pull it out to put the Invader in though.
Sorry but I have to say that this type of thing makes my f***ing blood boil. Evidently there isn’t a country or place in the world that’s immune anymore and it is getting worse by the year. This place is so f***ed that you kind of just expect your sh*t to have been tampered with unless you pay the premium courier charges (and based on a particular experience a while back even that is no guarantee anymore).
And by the way: I don't know what this "reverence" is for Amazon (or any other supplier for that matter). I've also just found out (first hand) that one of the most reputable suppliers worldwide (at least I thought so anyway) ain't quite as forthright as one may think. StewMac none other. Turns out: they will not publish a review of any product if it's not a "glowing" review. I just had cause to have a lot to say to them about these pathetic Floyd Rose Special Series. But they intercept all reviews and "head them off at the pass" by offering replacements (which in this case they did not and instead questioned my ability and knowledge on the subject and hinted that there MAY be a problem fitting in a Jackson) (and there's no issue in fitting i.e. fits perfectly but the quality is utter rubbish even when compared to the stock Jackson licensed Floyd). That's not good enough so far as I'm concerned. All it means is you're going to be sent the exact same item with the exact same shortcomings (any my complaints are universal based on the reviews and comments that can indeed be found on Amazon for the exact same tremelo system). Giving Amazon their due: at least they publish ALL reviews (good or bad) so this at least stops you from ordering the same junk and looking for something else.
Well now. This is interesting (and I am indeed new to this pickup buying and swapping thing).
I have a (new) SD Invader on the way. Also from Amazon via a third party. So what are the things to check for (if there are any in addition to what the OP has listed)???
And while we’re on this topic: do Dimarzio pickups have any identifying marks or info. on them??? As some will know I just put a DM SD in one of my guitars also ordered from Amazon via a third party. Sure does not sound as I would have expected given all the rave reviews and articles I have seen on this pickup. Now you have me wondering. I do not recall seeing a single identification mark or info. on the pickup itself. It did, though, come in a clear perspex box sealed with stickers that were difficult to remove and I would definitely say that the stickers had not been previously removed although I suppose this is no guarantee. As I say: do not recall seeing any identification marks or info. on the pickup itself though whatsoever??? I will check again when I pull it out to put the Invader in though.
Sorry but I have to say that this type of thing makes my f***ing blood boil. Evidently there isn’t a country or place in the world that’s immune anymore and it is getting worse by the year. This place is so f***ed that you kind of just expect your sh*t to have been tampered with unless you pay the premium courier charges (and based on a particular experience a while back even that is no guarantee anymore).
And by the way: I don't know what this "reverence" is for Amazon (or any other supplier for that matter). I've also just found out (first hand) that one of the most reputable suppliers worldwide (at least I thought so anyway) ain't quite as forthright as one may think. StewMac none other. Turns out: they will not publish a review of any product if it's not a "glowing" review. I just had cause to have a lot to say to them about these pathetic Floyd Rose Special Series. But they intercept all reviews and "head them off at the pass" by offering replacements (which in this case they did not and instead questioned my ability and knowledge on the subject and hinted that there MAY be a problem fitting in a Jackson) (and there's no issue in fitting i.e. fits perfectly but the quality is utter rubbish even when compared to the stock Jackson licensed Floyd). That's not good enough so far as I'm concerned. All it means is you're going to be sent the exact same item with the exact same shortcomings (any my complaints are universal based on the reviews and comments that can indeed be found on Amazon for the exact same tremelo system). Giving Amazon their due: at least they publish ALL reviews (good or bad) so this at least stops you from ordering the same junk and looking for something else.
Last edited:
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
If you get something that isn't right, it should absolutely reflect on Amazon and that 3rd party. That's why they have ratings. If you have a question about the legitimacy of SD products you receive, you can always post pics here or contact SD directly.
If you get something that isn't right, it should absolutely reflect on Amazon and that 3rd party. That's why they have ratings. If you have a question about the legitimacy of SD products you receive, you can always post pics here or contact SD directly.
Dave Locher
New member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Wow! At least they are obvious fakes and not outright counterfeits. I would bet somebody out there bought them, swapped the real ones for those, then returned them. Probably thinks he is clever as hell and would be shocked if you suggest he stole the Duncans.
Dpaterson: as far as I know ALL Dimarzio humbuckers have Dimarzio USA stamped into the backing plate. A Super Distortion will also have a small white sticker that says "dp100xxx" with the x being the color (c, bk, etc) and an f if it is f-spaced. It's possible you got a generic copy but more likely you just don't love the SD. It sounds very different with different amps & speakers.
Wow! At least they are obvious fakes and not outright counterfeits. I would bet somebody out there bought them, swapped the real ones for those, then returned them. Probably thinks he is clever as hell and would be shocked if you suggest he stole the Duncans.
Dpaterson: as far as I know ALL Dimarzio humbuckers have Dimarzio USA stamped into the backing plate. A Super Distortion will also have a small white sticker that says "dp100xxx" with the x being the color (c, bk, etc) and an f if it is f-spaced. It's possible you got a generic copy but more likely you just don't love the SD. It sounds very different with different amps & speakers.
Blille
New member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Lol posted within the same minute. Great minds...
Lol posted within the same minute. Great minds...
dpaterson
New member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Hi folks.
Well first to the OP:
I honestly think you should post a review regardless of whether Amazon is going to rectify (which I'm sure they will). Point is: neither you nor Amazon knows what the real story is behind those pickups and I reckon you can be pretty sure that you're not the only one that's gotten nailed. And if the supplier is not at fault: I'm sure they'd like to know anyway.
@Dave Locher:
Thanks for the info. As I said: I don't remember seeing any identifying marks on the DM SD itself but I will look when I haul it out which will be in the next couple of days hopefully. The box was indeed sealed with the sticker you mention and with those details on the sticker. The sticker is one of those that you cannot remove and reattach i.e. it tears upon the removal and has to be removed/torn in order to open the box. It's probably alright though. But obviously I'll check (and post either way i.e. don't want to be the cause of false alarms).
Sure glad that the OP started this thread though i.e. unless it is blatantly obvious that pickups are fake (such as those sent to the OP): how would you know or even think to look (I know I wouldn't have ever thought about it). One thing you can be sure of: that Invader gonna be checked with a magnifying glass and if it ain't "the real deal" I'll make it my life's mission to let the WORLD know (and we all know how I can post even on a bad day!!! LOL!!!).
Hi folks.
Well first to the OP:
I honestly think you should post a review regardless of whether Amazon is going to rectify (which I'm sure they will). Point is: neither you nor Amazon knows what the real story is behind those pickups and I reckon you can be pretty sure that you're not the only one that's gotten nailed. And if the supplier is not at fault: I'm sure they'd like to know anyway.
@Dave Locher:
Thanks for the info. As I said: I don't remember seeing any identifying marks on the DM SD itself but I will look when I haul it out which will be in the next couple of days hopefully. The box was indeed sealed with the sticker you mention and with those details on the sticker. The sticker is one of those that you cannot remove and reattach i.e. it tears upon the removal and has to be removed/torn in order to open the box. It's probably alright though. But obviously I'll check (and post either way i.e. don't want to be the cause of false alarms).
Sure glad that the OP started this thread though i.e. unless it is blatantly obvious that pickups are fake (such as those sent to the OP): how would you know or even think to look (I know I wouldn't have ever thought about it). One thing you can be sure of: that Invader gonna be checked with a magnifying glass and if it ain't "the real deal" I'll make it my life's mission to let the WORLD know (and we all know how I can post even on a bad day!!! LOL!!!).
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
People return stuff to Amazon all the time. I do it too when necessary. I pay Amazon $100+ per year for the fast, free shipping and easy returns. I highly doubt that they inspect every single return with a microscope and if Amazon fulfills the order, they probably just see two pickups come back in return and check it off as ok. I'm not saying that there isn't someone loading SD looking boxes with SD looking paper inserts with cheap Asian pickups and selling them on Amazon. It wouldn't be the first time that a seller on Amazon was selling fakes. But it may be just as likely that it's a return from a buyer who is simply a scumbag.
People return stuff to Amazon all the time. I do it too when necessary. I pay Amazon $100+ per year for the fast, free shipping and easy returns. I highly doubt that they inspect every single return with a microscope and if Amazon fulfills the order, they probably just see two pickups come back in return and check it off as ok. I'm not saying that there isn't someone loading SD looking boxes with SD looking paper inserts with cheap Asian pickups and selling them on Amazon. It wouldn't be the first time that a seller on Amazon was selling fakes. But it may be just as likely that it's a return from a buyer who is simply a scumbag.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Yeah, someone definitely bought a set of WLH, swapped out their stockers and returned them in the WLH box assuming no one would really check.
"Fake" or "Counterfeit" is going a bit far. Obviously, that's not the case here.
At least your order was fulfilled by Amazon...not much to worry about at that point aside from the inconvenience/disappointment.
Yeah, someone definitely bought a set of WLH, swapped out their stockers and returned them in the WLH box assuming no one would really check.
"Fake" or "Counterfeit" is going a bit far. Obviously, that's not the case here.
At least your order was fulfilled by Amazon...not much to worry about at that point aside from the inconvenience/disappointment.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Yep, the old “return the camera box full of bricks” trick. Since we know Amazon will take care if you, the question is what Amazon will do to the 3rd party retailer.
Yep, the old “return the camera box full of bricks” trick. Since we know Amazon will take care if you, the question is what Amazon will do to the 3rd party retailer.
B
Ben1962
Guest
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
Sent from my SM-J737V using Tapatalk
Send out a death squad
Sent from my SM-J737V using Tapatalk
Re: Fake Seymour Duncan pickups on Amazon
DiMarzios have a generic-looking brass baseplate, but come engraved with something like DiMarzio Made in USA DP### or something
DiMarzios have a generic-looking brass baseplate, but come engraved with something like DiMarzio Made in USA DP### or something
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