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Wire size?
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Author:  crich [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Wire size?
I just completed my electric with what I thought was a heavy enough wire then a Strat came to me for repairs when I noticed that they used a slightly heavier wire. I also noticed that the pickups had a little heavier wire than what was on my GFS pickups. Will I notice any difference if I re-wire the guitar with a little heavier wire? It sounds fine now? Clinton
Author:  restorationad [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
I doubt it. For the effort you will put into it I think the return would be very minimal. Unless the wire used is inferior quality or extremely to small.

In extreme cases maybe but a gauge one way or the other won't make enough difference. I use 4 conductor 28awg wire for the Humbuckers I make and it is pretty much an industry standard. Quality of the wire matters...

<opinion>
Strats have heavier wire because that is the way they have always done it and they keep doing it that way. Same with the gibson wire...
</opinion>

Once again this is opening up a can of worms but I am trying to answer at a high level and no go into specifics.
Author:  crich [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
I'm assuming from your answer this subject has been brought up before. I'm a novice with the electronic side of guitars, not that I'm an expert with any other part, it's just the electronics is my weak part. I believe I used 28 gauge, and was told by the uy at the electronic store that it was tinned with copper and that it would work. It was after seeing the Strat I was concerned. Thank you for your response! Clinton
Author:  restorationad [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
crich wrote:
I'm assuming from your answer this subject has been brought up before. I'm a novice with the electronic side of guitars, not that I'm an expert with any other part, it's just the electronics is my weak part. I believe I used 28 gauge, and was told by the uy at the electronic store that it was tinned with copper and that it would work. It was after seeing the Strat I was concerned. Thank you for your response! Clinton



On other forums it has...but I am new to this forum but I think that everyone is calmer here.

Glad I could help. I use a lot of 24awg (input/vol/tone) for wiring up my guitars to give you an example.
Author:  Ti-Roux [ Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
The trick is also to use the less wire you can. More long wire you have, more signal you'll use, more exposed you have to hum.
Author:  spoke [ Sat Mar 13, 2010 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
First I am not sure what you mean by heaver wire. Wire has a sheathing and that also can be large or small. Remember you are sending a signal through a very small copper wire in the pickup covered with a micro thin coating. SO honestly changing the wire should have no effect unless the wire is incorrect (solid core) or broken.

There is of course a fine line between what is acceptable or the norm, As RestorationAD said 28awg is the norm but other wire will also work.

they guy at the store meant copper wire which is Pre tinned so when you look at it it is silver. Its not required just available and it should make soldering easier. But so does the right equipment.
Author:  Brett L Faust [ Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wire size?
I use a high quality 22 AWG, stranded silverplated copper conductor ,teflon jacket wire.
My reason is , a guitar is made for a lifetime and then some, so I put wire into it that can be unsoldered and re-done several times to assure repair ability in the field, as well as a mod friendly nature and long term corrosion protection.
My brand is Alpha.
It works for me [:Y:]
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