Understanding Guitar Wiring, Part 7: Output Jacks
Output Jacks
The output jack is where it all comes together. The various pickups, pots, switches, and caps eventually direct the signal generated by the pickups to the output jack. Diagram #13 shows a typical mono jack and how it should be connected. Diagram #14 shows how to wire a stereo output jack to turn on an onboard power source (battery) when a 1/4" mono plug is inserted. This works by using the "ring" connector of the stereo jack to complete the ground side of the active onboard circuit when the plug is inserted.
More in This Series
Part One: How a magnetic pickup works
Part Two: What is a potentiometer and how does it work?
Part Three: How is a volume pot wired?
Part Four: What is a capacitor and how does it work?
Part Five: Selector Switches
Part Six: Mini toggle switch basics and push-pull pot basics
Part Seven: Output Jacks
Part Eight: Grounding and Shielding
Part Nine: Understanding impedance and impedance matching
Part Ten: Wiring Glossary
Part Eleven: Sample Diagrams