Do Not Buy New Pickups before watching this. Sharpen My Axe

#knowyourgear #sharpenmyaxe #mcknightrepair

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Tools used in this video
Radius Gauge with slots
Fret Rocker
Precision Notched Straightedge
The Music Nomad gauge I use
Digital Caliper
Digital Multimeter
Nyon test Socks
Clip On Tuner in this video
My Favorite set up tools
7 Function Digital Multimeter
Low Voltage Test Leads
Fieldpiece Digital Pocket Multimeter

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[jinjxmusic]

Phillip - thank you. I saw this video when it first premiered and bought a multimeter... that has sat for over 6 years in a closet. Of late I know that times are challenging and while I have amazing folks who do great work, I want to push myself to both save money and get a better understanding of all this all works. I pulled out the multimeter, cut the thick plastic off LOL and the thing is decent quality. I put in the battery, looked over the manual and did exactly what you showed. I don' thave the gator clips yet though being able to hold the tips to a cable I was able to see the output on a spare humbucker I had put in the bridge of an Ibanez LP. The bridge is 8.68 and because I had these wired out of phase in the middle that'd just not enough to really get the gnarl. Thank you for giving us your information and helping us get closer to what we want/need without settling and hoping only.

[mrBDeye]

Which pickup should I buy, Toyota Tundra or Dodge Ram.

[GradyElla]

Picked up a really nice Tobacco Sunburst MiM Strat used the other day for a very good price with the intent of doing mods just for the fun of doing mods! It plays fine, but this gives me a project and a place to learn. This guy, Phillip McKnight has to be about the most generous, helpful man I've encountered on the internet with the possible exception of Chef John from Food Wishes! I'm going to hotrod the pickups in this guitar just because, but I now know and understand a little more thanks to Phil. Don't you wish more people were like this? Thank You Phil! It's nice of you to do stuff like this.

[scottr]

You can just use two pickups and put them top to top - if they attract, they are opposite polarities. If they repel they are the same polarity. The bottoms will be the opposite of the tops.

[Michael-jvcn]

Watched this 45 minutes ago then ran to Harbor Freights lol With 20% coupon was $8.86 for both items out the door. Just tested my bridge humbucker at 13.83. Thanks Phil great video.

[PJ-eemc]

I think this is a perfect video. Lots of valuable information that I found very helpful! I must admit that I never tested my pickups through the cord. What a great idea! "Too soon old, too late smart".

[dustinzimmerman]

The video I have been waiting months Finally I can check pickup readings with them in the guitar. All hail you Phil 🙌🙏👏❤♥😍🙌🙏

[audioware]

Good stuff!!!
Regarding pickups output balance, the bridge pickup sees far less amplitude in string vibration, than the neck, so bridge pickups need to be hotter to compensate.

[billavonda]

Phillip, been watching your videos for a long time now. playing and messing with guitar builds for over 35 years... After watching this video I threw the meter one of my Charvel guitars (using the meter and 1/4" cable method) I was blown away to discover that all this time I had the neck and bridge pickups swapped! Guitar sounds great but man I feel stupid. Thanks for all you do!

[ytrichardsenior]

Very.. VERY good video. Clear, concise.. without any pretense.. full of ACTUAL information. Well done. The magnet polarity tester is a complete revelation to me.. thank you.

[marvinstorm]

Great thanks.
Inductance is a big factor in output, the magnet strength in Henries. Some MMs have resistance and inductance.

[PhillipBlanton]

This was the most technical guitar info about pickups packed into 8 minutes than I've ever seen.
I've always used a simple, liquid filled pocket compass to check my pickups polarity, but that little straw stick with the white/black magnet in it is pretty cool.

[CowPunk]

Bought some unmarked generic pickups about a week ago. Came to YouTube to find exactly this video, only to see it on the front page of my YouTube. Sometimes the stars just align.
I also appreciate the polarity tester. That's completely new to me. Picking that up today from StewMac, along with another irresistible gadget they put in the sidebar of the checkout screen.

[stevenstewart]

This is really good information!
I didn't assume that Phil was going to tell us what to buy, so I'm surprised that so many comments complain that he didn't tell them to "buy this" or "don't buy that".
I've studied guitars and amps for a long time and I think that the info Phil gave is great and very helpful.
Thanks Phil!

[devilsdoorbell]

Stuff like this is solid gold for a guy like me that doesn't know it. More of these types of videos, please.

[davidkastin]

I'm ordering the magnet polarity tool. I have 2 sets of humbuckers that don't have the adjustable screws on the pole pieces and I want to eliminate any guess work and do it right the first time. Thanks Phil for showing this tool

[jumpskirt]

I've been doing my own wiring/pickup replacement for years, and NOW I learn this! Man... SO helpful!

[jimmiguitarz]

Thanks Phil. And big thanks to the Patrons for funding these videos. I feel many times they get overlooked.

[slavesforging]

I noted the "wrong" wire position on a 59' i was putting in the neck of a les paul style charvel. but, i bought the pickup used as an impulse buy, and it didn't have enough wire to make it the right way (screw magnets towards the neck). so i tried it out backwards anyway. i actually really love the clean sound! very unique and warm when playing both pickups. the bridge is a Dimebucker. It's a bit noisy, but that has more to do with me crappily splicing the (also too short) dimebucker wire, i'm pretty sure.

[Yardbird]

LOVE this!!! I was meaning to ask on one of your fantastic podcast Phil, how you setup the multimeter to measure for the PU outputs, now I don't have to. The other great thing; the Harbor Freight multimeter you are using, is the EXACT one I have. Awesome, thank you Phil for helping me learn how to Sharpen My Axe, myself! I have learned so much in the short 9 months I have been watching 🙂