Sumiko Blackbird Cartridge


I have a Sumiko Blackbird cartridge that is not working. This happened after a routine stylus cleaning. The repair shop says it is dead. I am out quite a bit of money on this and want to know the best way to recoup any expense possible. Do I list it here as not working, usable for trade or retip? Any advise will be appreciated.
sthinnes

Showing 2 responses by dougdeacon

"The repair shop says it is dead."

What on earth does that mean? Snapped cantilever? Broken coils? Fungi growing inside?

Have it evaluated by someone who understands and can work on phono cartridges (like Sumiko themselves or Soundsmith, as mentioned above).

If you just list it for sale as "Dead - don't know exactly why", I think you can guess how many bids you'll get.
Sthinnes,

Thanks for clarifying and for the detailed warning to other Blackbird owners. You may have saved someone else the grief you're suffering. Of course it's disturbing that several owners have had a wire come loose. It seems there may be a design/build defect.

I don't think we have much difference of opinion about your chances of selling it. My suggestion was not that it wouldn't sell. It was that it probably couldn't sell (for much) unless you provided a bit more information.

You've done that. If your listing includes some of this info, potential buyers will feel more comfortable about what they're bidding on. You may get more interest... and I hope you do.

Sorry for your disaster. Most of us have been through it at one time or another. It's never fun.