Well....From what I understand the Pickup is not "Used", only soldered to test it out. It still has a 12" long lead on it, It sounds f***ing amazing. If you've never heard an Orville Thunderbird pickup, you have no entitlement or opinion to judge with. Way Hotter than a Mike Lull T bass pickup. And as for you, my Pal, Scotty...My 65 sunburst thunderbird II has some red in the burst as well. Not Doubting you. Stranger things have happened! And I have played the above mint 64 thunderbird. It was at a music store in Brookfield Wisconsin. I almost did a deal with it. I think I offered 2 60's refinned t birds, one headstock repair and a 60's P bass. They wanted an additional $3,000.00. Warp Drive Music. So there are exceptions. I've seen a lot myself. And from what I understand...there are some consistencies and well as inconsistencies. So who is right and who is wrong. But the Orville I am selling is not used and it is KICK F'ing ASS!!!!!