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A series is when two coils or bobbins are connected in series end to end. The total sum of their DC resistance is added together. If one coil is 5 K ohms and the other coil is 5 K ohms the total sum of both coils in series would be 10 K ohms.

This can happen when the two wires of a bobbin are reversed and hooked up in series in a humbucker with opposite magnetic fields on each bobbin. Series-out of phase can happen when using multiple wiring or switching combinations in a pickup.

This is a typical wiring for a Gibson style humbucker. The beginning of the adjustable coil is grounded, the two finish wires are connected in series with each other and the beginning of the non-adjustable coil is positive. Typical humbucking pickups are hooked up in series and can be modified for series, parallel, in-phase or…

Parallel is when two pickups are combined, either by a switch or other device. When using a 5-way lever switch on a Stratocaster, the number two position normally puts the bridge and middle pickup together in a parallel connection. The ground wire of each pickup is soldered to the outside of the volume control and…

Use a rosin core solder used for electrical purposes such as 60/40 that melts at 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Never use acid core solder that is used for plumbing. Silver solder is not recommended and is normally used for jewelry. I use it for soldering two metal pieces together. You can use solid core 60/40 solder…

I would recommend using a soldering iron instead of a soldering gun. The soldering guns have large coils that can actually demagnetize your pickups. If you use one try plugging your guitar into an amplifier with the volume turned up to about 2 or 3 and listen to the hum generated by the soldering gun….

Basically there are two types of volt-ohm meters that can be used for measuring guitar and bass pickups. I use both analog and digital meters for measuring the DC resistance of pickups. The analog meter is one that has a movable pointer and the digital meters which are more popular now gives you the precise…

Find a qualified repairman and if you take the job on make sure you have and the correct schematics showing how the components are hooked up. Generally faulty wiring can be repaired providing you have the proper tools such wire, solder, switches, screw drivers, nut drivers, contact cleaning solutions and soldering iron to name a…

The most common are cloth braid as used in vintage pickups. It is commonly called “push back” wire and is very durable and is wax coated and sometimes the stranded conductors are tinned. Another similar hookup wire is the cloth braid single conductor with exposed shield braid used for decades on the majority of Gibson…

The sound can short out on single coil pickups if the lead wires from a pickup are reversed. I’ve seen this happen to Fender Mustang guitar that use the phase switch on each pickup. This happens when the covers are removed or replaced with pickups with exposed pole pieces. The coil windings can short out…