Wiring and Internals Most pickups have 3 conductors: signal, return, and ground.
The "sc" (split-coil) pickups have 5 conductors: signal and return (for each coil) and a common ground.
The conductors are contained inside a thick black jacket, which leaves the rear of the pickup through the epoxy, and measures 7-9 inches in length. Where the individual wires (black, red, and bare) leave the jacket, there may be a black or blue "wrapper" about 1/2 inch in length, to prevent the jacket from splitting.
The pickups are electrically passive, and require no power or amplification.
The pickup coils span the full length of the pickup housing, save for a small gap (less than 1/8 inch) on each end.
The pickups are usable with any string spacing which fits inside the length of the coil.
The pickups are not limited to use for certain string layouts or string counts, as with some Bartolini pickups.
Donc le noir c'est le return