I have a cheap multimeter that I would like to use to measure pickup output. I do not know much at all about them. What setting would I use to measure a pickup?
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I believe Jim is simply looking for info to measure the resistance of the pickup. Set the meter on ohms (the upsidedown U symbol). Touch one probe to each wire of the pickup. It doesn't matter which probe is touching which wire.
Jim you probably mean 5.85 k ohms, not ohms. K means 1000. 5.85 k ohms would be the same as 5850 ohms. Anyway, that measurement sounds about right for a Strat pickup.
Back to the subject: A cheap multimeter may not help much. You're talking millivolts, plus varying frequencies. Most AC meters are calibrated for one frequency only and aren't sensitive enough anyway to give you any kind of good reading.
The best you can hope for is to find an RMS meter (Root-Mean-Square) which gives a better average over all frequencies. To do it right you have to put it into a load (hook it to your amp) with a steady input signal (not strumming or tapping) and measure across the input leads. Not exactly cheapo meter kind of stuff.
Sorry
Anyway, from what I gather, CBG isn't about precision, it's about improvisation. Best way to test is to hook it up and see what it sounds like.
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Jim you probably mean 5.85 k ohms, not ohms. K means 1000. 5.85 k ohms would be the same as 5850 ohms. Anyway, that measurement sounds about right for a Strat pickup.
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TA DA!!!! We have a winner! I agree!
The best you can hope for is to find an RMS meter (Root-Mean-Square) which gives a better average over all frequencies. To do it right you have to put it into a load (hook it to your amp) with a steady input signal (not strumming or tapping) and measure across the input leads. Not exactly cheapo meter kind of stuff.
Sorry
Anyway, from what I gather, CBG isn't about precision, it's about improvisation. Best way to test is to hook it up and see what it sounds like.
Jkevn said:
My pickup when I was growing up had a 150 horsepower engine. ;)
If a big cheesy grin forms under your nose..tada! Output has been Measured!
Tres Seaver said:
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