Question about Bartolini b-axis

[deadline_]

Hi! I just received a set of these pickups, but the epoxy on top of one pickup has scratched away a little. The store is sold out for these pickups, so can't replace it. They have offered me two options:

1. Return and refund

2. Keep and get a 50 % refund

Is this a no-brainer and I should just don't worry about the epoxy and get the 50 % cash return, or should I get a full return and look elsewhere for new pickups?

 

[XLunacy]

You get to decide how important this is to you Makes no difference tonally.
If you know this will bother you everytime you look at your instrument, I say get a refund ; otherwise keep them, -50% is a great discount for a barely-scratched pickup ! There might even be ways to kind of fix it, or make it less visible at least.

 

[dwizum]

I think you have to decide for yourself if you mind that little mark or not.

It's certainly not going to impact the function of the pickup. Personally, I would take the 50% and run! Pickups tend to get worn in pretty fast, so it's not like it's something you'd expect to look perfect forever. 50% off strikes me as a very generous offer. Either way you go, I would continue to support that store, since they're willing to lose money in order to keep you happy. Also, the supply of Bartolini pickups has been very low during the pandemic, you might have a hard time finding another set.

 

[deadline_]

Nub question, but the flaking of epoxy will have no say on the functionality of the pickup whatsoever? In that case I'll keep them!

 

[dwizum]

A divot in the epoxy will have zero impact on the pickup functioning. The guts of the pickup are very simple - a bar magnet, a few small plastic bits, and a bunch of wire wrapped in a coil. The guts are all encased deep in solid epoxy.

Of course, there's always the off chance that whatever caused the divot also impacted the pickup coil itself, but I can't see that being likely. Bartolinis and other pickups that are epoxy potted are pretty indestructible. You could probably run that thing over with a forklift and not hurt it.

If you were nervous, you could check the DC resistance reading of the pickup. If it's dead, it will show either an open circuit or a resistance reading that's way, way off spec (spec is around 9 or 10k for those pickups I think). Checking takes 5 seconds and is harmless to the pickup, so they could still be returned. Of course, you could also just install it and see what it sounds like. If the store is willing to give you 50% back I'm sure they'd also be willing to work with you if it turns out to be dead. But, again, the chances of that being the case seem pretty slim.

 

[deadline_]

Ah, now you gave me peace of mind. Thanks a lot, @dwizum . Much appreciated.

 

[Alivefor5]

Take the 50% off deal. Use and enjoy the pickups.