How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

[DEADBYDAWN]

I have a JB TB4 in my guitar and want to test it to make sure it isn't the issue in a muddy low E problem I am having.

How do I test the pickup with a multi meter? What readings should I get for the JB TB4 ?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

plug in the guitar jack cord to the guitar's jack

set pickup selector to the JB

turn volume all the way up

set meter to ohms

one lead to the tip of the cord

one lead to the sleeve ( the part just below the black ring below the tip )

tip should be the hot lead to guitar

sleeve should be your ground

whilst you are there

check sleeve to bridge ( to see if it is, in fact, properly grounded )

if the jack is wired backwards the signal goes thru the ground first then out the hot
could make for some unexpected sounds


anyways the JB should read around 16k ohms
this is not perfect, as the proper way to test would be to remove the pickup from the circuit

 

[blueman335]

Re: How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

I use an alligator clip wire for each of the multimeter's leads. That way I can clip it to the PU's wires, and not have to fumble with trying to hold them in place.

 

[copperheadroads]

Re: How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

set your multi meter to 20 ohm if you don't have 20 you can use 200 ohm it will just move your decimal put i probe on the ground wire from the pickup the other probe on the hot wire from the pickup & take your reading .just remember a installed pickup will read a little lower than one
a jb is around 16.4k

 

[blueman335]

Re: How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

Readings vary with the temp; the warmer it is, the higher the ohms.

 

[DEADBYDAWN]

Re: How do I test a pickup with a ohm meter?

Thank you guys.