Output problem with B-Band A5 pickup

[Tycho]

I have a D-03RE with the B-Band A5 in it.  (I think it's the A5; it's whatever used to come stock in the D-03RE in any case.)  The output has always struck me as very anemic compared with other pickups I have in other guitars.  I figured that was just the way the A2 was. 

I don't know why I never did this before, but today I A/B'ed it with my D-03-12 (which has exactly the same pickup) through the same amp.  The 12 was way louder.

I realize, of course, that a 12 will always be louder than a 6, but that wasn't enough to account for this difference.  I would say the 12 was at least twice as loud as the 6, if not more so.

Twelfth Fret has already checked out the pickup and couldn't find anything wrong with it (including the battery life).  I'm going to bring it back this week and ask them to have another look, but does anyone here have any ideas?

[Tycho]

Update: I took my guitar to Long & McQuade, since I happened to be in the area and I like the guys there.  (I've bought two other Larrivees from them, and countless other gear.)  They told me that some of these pickups had bad preamps.  They're going to contact Larrivee and try to get a new preamp for me under the warranty.  In the meantime, I got to take the guitar home so that I can keep playing it while I wait.  Kudos to Paul and Eric and L&M!