Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
What's odd to me is how you got two duds out of three. I've only ever gotten a single pickup that has failed for no reason, and that was a Dimarzio
Seymour Duncan wants $255 for shipping to replace two "Dead on Arrival" Antiquity II Surfer Strat Pickups.
- Thread starter TW144hz
- Start date
TW144hz
New member
My luthier, who has 40 years of experience, was absolutely shocked. He said he has never encountered a brand new set of pickups with two 'dead on arrival' units in his entire career. He suggested to me SD pickups are the best in the world.
TW144hz
New member
I am not familiar with the community rules yet, so please warn me if I am doing anything wrong. I have shared the video evidence of the dead pickups via this Google Drive link: "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jc9pLfB47cnmbepoubIEgpcTWzJKrYRT/view?usp=sharing"
justFred
Well-known member
Seymour Duncan tests their pickups before shipment
. They conduct comprehensive testing, including measuring the DC resistance (DCR) of the coils to ensure they meet specifications. This quality control process occurs during production and before the pickups are placed on shelves for shipment.
Key details regarding Seymour Duncan quality control include:
- Production Testing: Each pickup is tested to ensure proper winding and functionality.
- Measurement: Technicians use multimeters to check the coil resistance to ensure they meet the specific output specifications of that model
TW144hz
New member
As you seen the pictures that I shared, multimeter reads 0.5K and 0.9K instead of reading around 6.6K, the other multimeter reads OC (Open Circuit). I asked my friend who bought them for me, “Is there any situation like drop, fall, impact products?” He said no, he’d carried the products in his backpack all the time even in flight. 0.5K and OC values make think us there’s coil issue inside the pickups.
its very unfortunate that you got two dead pickups, sorry to hear that, but its is very odd. can you see any break in the coil? are the start and finish coil wires visible? the pups worked before they were packaged, as shown by the individual resistance readings. not sure there is an easy way to sort this unfortunately. is there an authorized dealer in a neighboring country?
TW144hz
New member
Hello, how could you decide the pups worked before they were packaged? Individual resistance reading values are 0.5 and 0.9K and (these values make think us there's poor contact in coil) not 6.78 and 6.55K (Antiquity II Surfer Strats has 6.78 and 6.55K DCR Values). We refresh the solder for 4 times to check if it's caused by a cold solder, but still are not working. I don't know much technical detail about pickup, but my luthier told me "Should the fault originate from the coil's exterior, repair is possible; however, an internal fault constitutes a manufacturing defect, rendering it unfixable." and "Despite being ductile, the copper snapped instantly without stretching." Actually Zuhal Muzik claims to be the authorized Seymour Duncan distributor, yet when I explained the situation, they refused to help, stating they won't provide support since the product was purchased directly from Seymour Duncan rather than through them. I am also sharing the photos of the wiring behind the back cover, just in case.
Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surfer Strats - Middle RwRp
Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surfer Strat - Neck
TW144hz
New member
Hello my friend's been USA for 3 months with Work & Travel Program. He was working in WI, he bought these online in Seymour Duncan Official Website. He hasn't got physical receipt (not got a paper), he got receipt in mail-box.
There should be at least one in Istanbul, as these pickups are sold in Turkey, including custom shop offerings. I'm not sure they would be of any help though, considering you didn't order the pickups through them.
Eh... It sounds like your luthier may have broken the magnet wire while handling the pickups.
You could try to find a pickup winder in Turkey who'll repair the broken coils. That's probably the cheapest option in this case.
TW144hz
New member
I don't think luthier may broke my pickups and it covered by plastic cover how can he damage to coil? In Istanbul some luthier may do unwind-rewind things but seymour duncan original delicious sound may be faded. all I want is for Seymour Duncan to rectify the grievance they've caused me. In Ankara where capital city of Turkey and I'm studying, as far as I know there's no luthier who do unwind-rewind things in Ankara.
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TW144hz
New member
Hello guys, thank you for advice & attributes. Since many questions were raised, I went back to my luthier to get the multimeter readings for the pickups and recorded the process; here are the results. As I mentioned, the issue is entirely related to the coil. The recording was made on April 7, 2026, at 1:54 PM. Google Drive link: "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KzXzAeMNVztsAvtHM5ljED6qks6OD9DB/view?usp=sharing"
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Also, the leads would be coming through the hole between them; those have been futzed with.
TW144hz
New member
It didn't come to me as shown in picture. We were trying to fix the pickup so it would work.
Those pickups look rough for brand-new pickups. Are you sure your friend didn't do something before getting them to you? That soldering job does not look like OEM SD. The wire is pushed back and frayed, and burn marks on the solder joints. .
TW144hz
New member
Yeah, we were trying to fix the pickup so it would work. But it didn't.
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