PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

[Mononoaware]

It's very simple: As a seller, please take the path of honesty and mention any magnet swaps to potential buyers.

Twice now in three months, I've bought a used Duncan pickup, installed it, been disappointed in the sound, and pulled it with the intention of trying a magnet swap to discover... a non-factory magnet with a big fat A8 written in magic marker. It's aggravating beyond belief because not only has the seller not disclosed alterations to the pickup, but now I have to scrounge or buy a magnet to return the pickup to stock. Worse, if I were to sell it to someone else without checking the magnet, I'm now on the hook for someone else's lazy omission.

So, please, keep your karma clean and disclose any swaps you've done in your ad copy. Don't be one of "those guys."

 

[Adieu]

Re: PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

Wow, is it really that common?

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

Wow, is it really that common?

Perhaps I've had terrible luck.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

Unless you are turning and burning pickups, the odds of getting a modded one are pretty low for the average purchaser. Probably jumps up a bit if you're scraping the bottom of the price barrel in the used market.

That said, sellers SHOULD indicate if a pickup is modified from stock. That's mandatory and most policies on selling sites protect the buyer against "items not as described". In forums, it's proper etiquette to mention such modifications and most members would support the buyer's side if there was an issue.

However, mentioning if it was previously modded (and subsequently restored to stock form) may be considered optional. However, a good seller will be upfront and honest with their buyers.

I often ask sellers of used pickups if the pickups have ever had any modifications. That's called due diligence as a buyer. If they say "no" and I find out it has, that becomes an issue.

I try not to rely on assumptions as a buyer and there are often visual cues that a pickup has been modded if you have access to pictures beforehand (tape edge that doesn't line up with where it overlapped previously, baseplate screws that show head wear from removal/reinstall, broken wax around the screws, etc.)

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

Unless you are turning and burning pickups, the odds of getting a modded one are pretty low for the average purchaser. Probably jumps up a bit if you're scraping the bottom of the price barrel in the used market.

That said, sellers SHOULD indicate if a pickup is modified from stock. That's mandatory and most policies on selling sites protect the buyer against "items not as described". In forums, it's proper etiquette to mention such modifications and most members would support the buyer's side if there was an issue.

However, mentioning if it was previously modded (and subsequently restored to stock form) may be considered optional. However, a good seller will be upfront and honest with their buyers.

I often ask sellers of used pickups if the pickups have ever had any modifications. That's called due diligence as a buyer. If they say "no" and I find out it has, that becomes an issue.

I try not to rely on assumptions as a buyer and there are often visual cues that a pickup has been modded if you have access to pictures beforehand (tape edge that doesn't line up with where it overlapped previously, baseplate screws that show head wear from removal/reinstall, broken wax around the screws, etc.)

Very good points.

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: PSA on magnet swaps and used pickups

Agreed. And buyer policies I'll follow from now on.

In my defense, both pickups were *very* clean and included box and springs. The retaping job was ace on both. Not an excuse, but I'm no longer going to assume just because it looks good as new, it is good as new.