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Pickup Testing 101..

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by ZenG, Oct 24, 2017.

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  1. Oct 24, 2017 #1
    ZenG

    ZenG

    Dec 13, 2013
    You can't get there from here
    What Ohm setting on this multimeter would you use to test bass pickups?

    If it's a pickup with just two wires (say black and white for example) I can get a reading off some pickups but not others no matter what the setting is.

    Next Question:-

    A pickup that has four wires:- how do you test these?

    I can't get any readings at all for pickups with four wires.


    IMG_0578.JPG
     
  2. Oct 24, 2017 #2
    Killed_by_Death

    Killed_by_Death Snaggletooth Inactive

    Jan 2, 2015
    14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
    On that meter I'd use 200k
    Check the value from each lead to every other lead & record your results.
     
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  3. Oct 25, 2017 #3
    BassLife77

    BassLife77

    Nov 13, 2009
    San Diego
    If a pickup has 4 wires it has 2 coils. each coil should read near the same resistance. If each coil is 4K wiring in series is 8K and parallel is 2K
     
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  4. Oct 25, 2017 #4
    ZenG

    ZenG

    Dec 13, 2013
    You can't get there from here
    Thanks. Wouldn't happen to know what's going on with three-wire pickups would you? I have some of those too..
     
  5. Oct 25, 2017 #5
    Killed_by_Death

    Killed_by_Death Snaggletooth Inactive

    Jan 2, 2015
    14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
    3 wires just means that the two coils are already connected:

    il-tap-using-a-dpdt-switch-humbucker-wiring-diagram-neck-humbucker-bridge-humbucker-picture-free.jpg
     
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