Author Topic: How do I mesaure the DC resistance of my pups? (Read 2846 times)

Twinfan · « **on:** March 09, 2007, 10:14:22 AM »

As the title says really! I guess I need a multimeter of some sort? Do the pickups need to be wired into the guitar to be tested?

I'm just curious to see how all my pups compare across guitars :D

hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2007, 01:53:01 PM »

multimeter will do, if you turn all volumes and tones up, you can measure the Ohms at the guitar cable or sth.

Works fine.

But note that the resistance is not the same as output, I have pickups that have 13KOhm and feel like less hot than others I have with 9KOhm - at least that is my perception.

Philly Q · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2007, 02:33:56 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Do the pickups need to be wired into the guitar to be tested?

No, you can test on a straight-from-the-box pickup. You can test the individual coils of humbuckers too.

At least... I think you can, I'm sure I've tested pickups in the past. Unless the memory's playing tricks again. :? I'll try when I get home.

Twinfan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2007, 03:46:15 PM »

Lovely - cheers for the help guys.

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2007, 09:02:11 PM »

The only way you'll get a true DC reading is when the pickup is not connected to anything.Use a good multimeter, set to ohms, and read across hot and screen on braided hook up or red and black on 4 con.
Taking a reading off a jack or from the control cavity will not give a true reading as pots/cable etc all add resistance.
DC13K vs DC9K...............aha the great DC res mystery!
DC res is only a very rough guide to output and then only on pickups wound with the same gauge wire.So a VHII for example wound with 42 AWG plain enamel @DC9.2K can easily sound as loud as an Emerald DC13.1K wound with 43AWG-the reality is the number of turns between the two isn't that different but the combination of wire gauge, wire tension and coil size/shape produces a quite different tonal response from each pickup.

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 09:08:53 PM »

I just measured my (unconnected) Stormy Monday and Black Dog - 7.3K and 9.5K. Not exactly the same as the "official" numbers on my warranty cards, but I only have a cheapo multimeter.

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 09:18:58 PM »

Remeber DC res is temperature sensitive!

Twinfan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2007, 11:52:22 PM »

Cheers again folks - will get hold of a multimeter!

hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2007, 09:48:59 AM »

Quote from: Tim

Remeber DC res is temperature sensitive!

Is resistance lower when temperature is higher or the other way round?

My logic would say higher temp = lower resistance as materials should transport current better in higher temperatures ...?