Pickups are usually out of phase with each other because they are electrically (winding direction) or magnetically (magnetic polarity) opposite each other or out of phase when used with each other. Here are four examples of phasing.

• If two coils are wound in the same direction and the same polarity-In Phase
• If two coils are wound in the same direction and opposite polarity-Out of Phase
• If two coils are wound opposite and the same polarity-Out of Phase
• If two coils are wound opposite and opposite polarity-In Phase