This is making me feel stupid

[Randall]

I have an Emerson Custom pre-wired kit for a Gibson SG to install. It is a high quality kit. However, something has me stumped. The hot wire from the center lug of the pickup selector switch goes to the output jack. But it goes to both the hot and ground tabs. So in other words the output jack tabs are shorted together. How can this work? I don't think it is a mistake, because the paperwork that came with it shows it this way as well.

It should be noted that it all mounts to a nonconductive plastic pick guard, but I don't see how that makes a difference.

[g1]

Looks to me like that is shielded cable. Somehow they got it all coated with shrink so it doesn't look that way?

[Helmholtz]

Can't see it from the picture, but I guess it's a coaxial (i.e. 2-conductor shlelded) cable?
In this case the outer conductor would be connected to circuit ground and jack ground.
Anyway the jack needs a gound connection.

Edit: Was too slow.

To see if it works, connect to amp and lightly tap the selected PU with a screwdriver.

[Randall]

I connected it up, and it works. It is shielded, and the way everything is covered is deceiving.

[eschertron]

Good to know.
Someone once said the only stupid question is the one that is not asked. Continue to trust your gut and follow the evidence.

[J M Fahey]

Please post the schematic which accompanies the kit.

Pictures not always are enough ... specially here.

[Leo_Gnardo]

I connected it up, and it works. It is shielded, and the way everything is covered is deceiving.

I suspected we were looking at a cleverly dressed shielded cable. Glad it worked out to be nothing much.

[The Dude]

This is what ohm meters are for.

[Randall]

Photos and ohms meters? Really?

[Enzo]

I took a photo of my ohm meter... It didn't help.