Can you clarify this wiring for me?

[frudoc]

Newey, being awesome, made a great custom diagram for me - and then helped me understand how to use it! Coming back to it now, however, I have a question. I am totally new to wiring anything, so I assume this will be obvious to those of you who have wired a guitar before.

In the picture below, at the marked sections, how exactly are these to be wired? Take the neck pickup: Do I run that one wire to the first switch lug and then run a short second wire from the first lug to the second lug, being sure both wires are soldered together?

This seems to be the idea with the black wire coming from the bridge pickup, but I was not sure.

Does my question make sense?

[JohnH]

what you describe will be fine. You can either use a short bit of bare wire between the switch lugs, and then solder on the pickup wires, or, strip a longer length of insulation from the pickup wires and use the resulting projecting bare wire to solder across two lugs. Electricity doesnt care (in this case), so long as the parts that need connecting are connected

[frudoc]

I think I get it. Thanks!

[newey]

frodoc-

Glad you like the diagram- and I'm hoping that JohnH's answer means he's OK with my rendering. However, a few things to mention since you may be unfamiliar.

First, I don't show the ground from the neck pickup. That should be attached to the back of the pot where your other grounds are collected.

Second, you should check the concentric pots, as discussed in the other thread, to see which way is which on those. While you've got your meter on the pot, also check to see which lug is the "clockwise" and which is "counterclockwise"- you want to measure between the wiper and each side lug as you turn the pot, and the one with the close-to-zero resistance with the knob turned clockwise is the CW lug (I think- someone should correct me if I've got that bass ackwards . . .) Mark the CW lug.

Third, check the switch and mark the commons in some fashion, it'll save you grief later on.

[frudoc]

Great. Thanks!

From other things I have read and watched, I figured out the ground wire stuff. The other stuff you mentioned here I will have to pour over for a but when the kids are not screaming and running around me. Parts of the second and third point are foreign to me right now, but I will get'm learned soon.

Still have to find a good multimeter and soldering iron! I think I need to go search for threads on those things soon too.

[sumgai]

No sense in beating around the bush....

Bust on down to Radio Shack and pickup one of their 29 dollar meters, that'll do everything that we might ask/tell you do here on this forum. Probably for most any other forum or website you're likely to encounter, too. While you're there, snatch a pencil-style soldering iron too, preferably a low wattage unit (40 watts or less).

Yes this'll set you back as much as 50 clams, give or take, but then again, both of these tools will last for many years. The only 'consumables' will be the occasional battery for the meter, and some solder for the iron. Get lots of that (rosin core!), and practice, practice, practice!

If you're not in a hurry (in which case, your Nutz merit badge is in jeopardy!), you can get better deals off the web. My main concern there is, newfers (that's you) don't like to get scammed, or taken advantage of. When a newfer shops locally, he can take it back personally, and either ask politely for help (not very easy over the Innerwebs), or.... if push comes to shove, he can threaten to ram it down someone's throat until they give him some good old customer satisfaction.

HTH




sumgai

[DarKnight]

If there is any reason to believe that you'll be doing more soldering, I do recommend this little and cheap tool for you:


Those are quite cheap and handy when soldering as there is no loose wires moving around while you're trying to solder them. You can adjust it so that it holds wires in place even inside the guitar cavity, so soldering in tight spots is a breeze. Also it is great help with other projects where you need an "extra hand".

Cheers
Dark

[frudoc]

Thanks for that. When I do shop online, it is usually at Amazon where, since I only buy Prime qualified products, returning is a breeze and shipping is free. That said, I try to buy local whenever I can - though I live in a small to medium sized town where finding quality items at reasonable prices is not always easy.

I have one of those third hands coming my way, as well as some other goodies. At this point the only "necessities" I don't have yet are the iron and the multimeter, but since I still have a little time before my guitar refinish is done, I am able to do some research and make sure I am confident in my purchases - though I can't wait to start practicing my soldering. I already have some bits and pieces on the way for practicing on. Looking forward to it!

[sbgodofmetal]

as far as a good multimeter goes and since like me your just really getting started try wal mart they have a good easy to read digital multimeter for only $12 in the do it yourself ilse near the paint section, just look for light switches and fixtures and you'll find it...

[frudoc]

Picked up a multimeter finally. Just went to my local Shack and got the Extech Value Kit that has a decent little multimeter, a non-contact AC voltage detector, and a continuity tester "pro." It came with a nice case for all three items and some decent leads and a temperature sensor. Overall, for $29.99, I'm happy. I'm also glad I was able to get something decent locally.