Sumiko Blackbird Cartridge

First of all, Sumiko does not do repairs on cartridges. Once the warranty is up, the best they can do is give a discount on a new one. My current cost would be $900.00 and return my old cartridge. I am not going to spend another dime on a cartridge that is so vulnerable with it's "open body" style. A retip with Soundsmith would cost over $300.00 and quite frankly, this cartridge is not worth further investment; and "What on Earth does that mean?" Well Doug, since you asked so nicely...
I didn't feel the need to go into great detail but here's what what happened. I always use a magnifying visor to do any detail work. I was looking at the stylus as I carefully
cleaned it and noticed what looked like a small hair clinging to the cartridge body. I used some tweezers to touch it and possibly remove it. Immediately, both channels went out on the cartridge. That's all it took. I did a forum search and read several similar accounts of others having the exact same kind of experience with a Blackbird. It wasn't a "hair" or any other foreign body. It was a wire that appeared after using the cartridge for a couple of years. Despite your opinion, I can be honest and list it as "not working" and still get something for it. It can possibly be retipped or used as trade for a discount on a new BB.

First of all, Sumiko does not do repairs on cartridges. Once the warranty is up, the best they can do is give a discount on a new one. My current cost would be $900.00 and return my old cartridge. I am not going to spend another dime on a cartridge that is so vulnerable with it's "open body" style. A retip with Soundsmith would cost over $300.00 and quite frankly, this cartridge is not worth further investment; and "What on Earth does that mean?" Well Doug, since you asked so nicely...
I didn't feel the need to go into great detail but here's what what happened. I always use a magnifying visor to do any detail work. I was looking at the stylus as I carefully
cleaned it and noticed what looked like a small hair clinging to the cartridge body. I used some tweezers to touch it and possibly remove it. Immediately, both channels went out on the cartridge. That's all it took. I did a forum search and read several similar accounts of others having the exact same kind of experience with a Blackbird. It wasn't a "hair" or any other foreign body. It was a wire that appeared after using the cartridge for a couple of years. Despite your opinion, I can be honest and list it as "not working" and still get something for it. It can possibly be retipped or used as trade for a discount on a new BB.

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.

Was about to generate a new post, but saw this one in my search:

I have a Sumiko Blackbird with what may be a broken wire too. One channel if I remember correctly the left is silent. Any idea if this can be repaired & if so, how much it would cost? Thanks in advance.

-E

It seems there are a LOT of Blackbird owners ( or ex-owners may be more precise) with the exact same problems cropping up. This is not the only thread of late.Not sure what they have done to the build of them but I am glad I avoided the purchase of one when it was on my radar.Soundsmith maybe your only hope.... at a price.You may decide as others have to just cut your losses.Many more options out there to invest in that will likely give a far superior performance.YMMV of course!