Are you struggling with understanding the wiring diagram for active guitar pickups? You’re not alone. With so many combinations and variations available, it can be a confusing process to figure out which wires go where, and what the different colors and symbols mean. In this article, we’ll guide you through the basics of active guitar pickup wiring diagrams, and show you how to create your own custom setups.
What are Active Guitar Pickups?
Before we dive into the wiring diagrams, let’s first clarify what active guitar pickups are. Unlike passive pickups, which use electromagnets to convert string vibrations into electrical signals, active pickups use a battery-powered preamp to boost the signal and provide a more powerful output. This allows for greater control over the tone and dynamics of the sound, and is favored by many metal and heavy rock guitarists.
Active pickups typically have two or three wires per pickup, which are color-coded to indicate their function. The most common color codes are red for the hot wire, white for the ground wire, and black for the battery/ground wire (if applicable).
The Basic Wiring Diagram
Now that we know what active pickups are, let’s take a look at the basic wiring diagram for a single-pickup guitar with one volume and one tone control:
| Wire Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Red | Hot output |
| White | Ground |
| Black (if applicable) | Battery/ground |
As you can see, the red wire carries the signal from the pickup to the volume control, where it is then sent to the tone control, and finally to the output jack. The white wire is connected to the back of the volume pot, which serves as the ground connection. The black wire, if present, is connected to the ground lug of the output jack, and to the negative terminal of the battery.
It’s important to note that the exact placement and orientation of the components may vary depending on the guitar model and manufacturer, so always refer to the specific wiring diagram for your instrument.
FAQ:
Q: What is the purpose of the tone control?
A: The tone control allows you to adjust the frequency response of the signal, making it brighter or darker as desired. This is achieved by shunting some of the high frequencies to ground, resulting in a smoother, warmer tone.
Q: Can I use an active pickup with a passive one?
A: Yes, but you will need a special wiring setup that allows for both types of pickups to work together. This is known as a “mixed” or “hybrid” setup, and requires a switch or potentiometer to switch between the two types of pickups.
Custom Wiring Diagrams
If you’re looking to get more creative with your active pickup wiring, there are a variety of options to explore. Here are a few examples:
2-Pickup Setup with Master Volume and Tone Controls
This diagram features two active pickups, each with their own volume control and tone control, connected to a master volume and tone knob:
| Wire Color | Function | Component |
|---|---|---|
| Red (P1) | Hot Output | Pickup 1 |
| Red (P2) | Hot Output | Pickup 2 |
| White (P1) | Ground | Pickup 1 |
| White (P2) | Ground | Pickup 2 |
| Black | Battery/ground | N/A |
| Green (P1) | Tone control | Pickup 1 |
| Green (P2) | Tone control | Pickup 2 |
| Yellow (P1) | Volume control | Pickup 1 |
| Yellow (P2) | Volume control | Pickup 2 |
| Orange | Master tone control | N/A |
| Red (MV) | Hot input | Master volume control |
| White (MV) | Ground | Master volume control |
| Red (OT) | Hot output | Output jack |
| White (OT) | Ground | Output jack |
In this setup, the red wires from each pickup are connected to their respective volume controls, and then to the master volume control. The white wires are connected to the back of their respective pots, and then to the master tone control. The black wire is not used in this configuration.
3-Pickup Setup with 5-Way Selector Switch
This diagram features three active pickups, each with their own volume control, connected to a 5-way selector switch for different pickup combinations:
| Wire Color | Function | Component |
|---|---|---|
| Red (P1) | Hot Output | Pickup 1 |
| Red (P2) | Hot Output | Pickup 2 |
| Red (P3) | Hot Output | Pickup 3 |
| White (P1) | Ground | Pickup 1 |
| White (P2) | Ground | Pickup 2 |
| White (P3) | Ground | Pickup 3 |
| Black | Battery/ground | N/A |
| Green (P1) | Volume control | Pickup 1 |
| Green (P2) | Volume control | Pickup 2 |
| Green (P3) | Volume control | Pickup 3 |
| Yellow (P1) | 5-way selector switch | Pickup 1 |
| Yellow (P2) | 5-way selector switch | Pickup 2 |
| Yellow (P3) | 5-way selector switch | Pickup 3 |
| Blue (B) | 5-way selector switch | Bridge pickup |
| Green (M) | 5-way selector switch | Middle pickup |
| Red (N) | 5-way selector switch | Neck pickup |
| Red (OT) | Hot output | Output jack |
| White (OT) | Ground | Output jack |
In this setup, the red wires from each pickup are connected to their respective volume controls, which are then connected to the 5-way switch. The white wires are connected to the back of their respective pots, and then to the output jack. The black wire is not used in this configuration.
FAQ:
Q: Can I use a push/pull pot to change between series and parallel wiring?
A: Yes, a push/pull pot can be used to activate a switch that changes between series (where the pickups are wired together in a row) and parallel (where they are wired separately). This allows for a wider range of tonal options, and is a popular modification for active pickup setups.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a better understanding of active guitar pickup wiring diagrams, and be able to create your own custom setups with ease. Remember to always refer to the specific diagram for your guitar model and manufacturer, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and configurations to find your ideal sound.
