Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
- Thread starter gripweed
- Start date
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
If you are simply wanting to see if you have a signal, aligator clip the negitive lead to the barel lead of a guitar cable, positive to the tip lead, and hold the pickup facing any guitar and hit the strings- Althougth the pup is facing the guitar top instead of being mounted on it, the pup just sees the strings-
I've done this before with new desgins to see how a pup sounds in differnent positions-
cheers
If you are simply wanting to see if you have a signal, aligator clip the negitive lead to the barel lead of a guitar cable, positive to the tip lead, and hold the pickup facing any guitar and hit the strings- Althougth the pup is facing the guitar top instead of being mounted on it, the pup just sees the strings-
I've done this before with new desgins to see how a pup sounds in differnent positions-
cheers
E
Erlend_G
Guest
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
Yeah Zionstrat... but there's a different way to do it too!
As you said, connect the wires from the pickup to the guitar cable, and plug the other end of the cable into your amp. Then tap the poles of the pickup with a metal piece, like a screwdriver!
If the pickup works, you'll hear a loud "knock" trough the amp when you touch the poles with the metal.
Yeah Zionstrat... but there's a different way to do it too!
As you said, connect the wires from the pickup to the guitar cable, and plug the other end of the cable into your amp. Then tap the poles of the pickup with a metal piece, like a screwdriver!
If the pickup works, you'll hear a loud "knock" trough the amp when you touch the poles with the metal.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
Actually just checking it with a multi-meter will do the trick. If you're getting a read in the parameters of spec (say, +/-8.1k for a Duncan 59) and there's a magnet in it, IT WORKS.
Although I have done the alligator clip leads to cord to amp + tap the poles thing once or twice.
Actually just checking it with a multi-meter will do the trick. If you're getting a read in the parameters of spec (say, +/-8.1k for a Duncan 59) and there's a magnet in it, IT WORKS.
Although I have done the alligator clip leads to cord to amp + tap the poles thing once or twice.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
This assumes that the magnet is good. If not, you can check the magnet by seeing if if screwdrivers or other magnetic metals stick to the pole pieces. Checking viability of a pickup just isn't that complicated.
This assumes that the magnet is good. If not, you can check the magnet by seeing if if screwdrivers or other magnetic metals stick to the pole pieces. Checking viability of a pickup just isn't that complicated.
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
If you have tuning fork and access to an oscilloscope (I know, a stretch probably), you can verify the pup is working that way. Connect the pup to the 'scope, get the tuning fork vibrating and place it near the pup. You may have to play with the time base and volts/division to see the waveform, but it'll be there if everything is working.
If you have tuning fork and access to an oscilloscope (I know, a stretch probably), you can verify the pup is working that way. Connect the pup to the 'scope, get the tuning fork vibrating and place it near the pup. You may have to play with the time base and volts/division to see the waveform, but it'll be there if everything is working.
Re: Any way to check and see if a pickup is working without putting it in a guitar?
Bob's Helpful Hint #42:
If the pickup is attached to an ANALOG meter, you can knock the pickup pole piece with a screwdriver. The meter will deflect slightly when you do this. The direction of deflection will indicate the pickup's polarity, & the distance of deflection will indicate the magnet's strength.
Try it, you'll like it.
Bob's Helpful Hint #42:
If the pickup is attached to an ANALOG meter, you can knock the pickup pole piece with a screwdriver. The meter will deflect slightly when you do this. The direction of deflection will indicate the pickup's polarity, & the distance of deflection will indicate the magnet's strength.
Try it, you'll like it.
