You are 100% right. Each pair of coils should be connected separately. In this way, these coils are connected in series with each other. For you, this connection is made with a white wire, and for David - a black one.

The solution to the problem for David will be to combine the two groups of coils separately.

Fixed.
Here's the story...

First a shot that gives a different angle on the wires at the jack.


Making a very rough sketch of the wiring resulted in this (I used green lines for the white wires).


You may notice that along the way I've re-instated the original 'chickenhead' knobs (the PO had put the more modern knobs on. but retained those & included them in the package).

When I cut off the blue heat shrink I was delighted to find this


With a neat job like that I'd expected to find all 4 wires soldered together, but all they'd done was to 'join' the two soldered pairs by forcing together with heat shrink!

So all I had to do was insulate the pairs separately.


Then put it all back together again, plug in, and test.

Result: I now have a stereo Stick.

Thanks to you all for your input on this.

Another thing I'd been wondering about was how to keep #1642 safe but handy for use. It came with a flight case but I like to keep my instruments out for easy access. My guitars are either on a stand or hung on the wall. Those arrangements were not suitable for a Stick, but I had an idea...

One of the places I have a couple of guitar hangers also has a couple of 'double coat hooks' (I find them handy for cables, & now for a Stick belt too). I happened to have a length of chord, which I fashioned into a loop, then hooked over a spare hanger and a hook. I set the belt hook in the bottom of the loop, then put the headstock behind the top of the loop (the bit between hanger & hook).



It worked. Secure, but easy to access.

I can't imagine that I've 'invented' the idea, more likely just 'independently re-discovered' it?

Whoo, good news! That was a really weird way those two pairs had been put together in the shrink-wrap. If I'm not mistaken, that point is kind of the connection between the individual coils in the humbucker that each side of the pickup consists of. Really strange to essentially put a wire between the middle of two distinct humbucker pickups.

Now I can tell you about setting up the Stickup! Once you have the strings in the lowest possible action, bring the Stickup case as close to the strings (the 4 screws in the back) as possible without contact. Then, some of those pole pieces may be touching some strings. Back them down so they do not contact the string. Then, you'll have to adjust the pole pieces for "sound balance". These are going to be closer to the string than your standard humbucker or single coil. Good luck. It's easier to balance the Stickup than the other pickups because the other p.u.s are bars. But your Ralboard will come allready balanced courtesy of Grace!

Hi Marty,

Thanks for that very helpful detail.

Before I do any of that, the pickup block is already at the level of the tops of the frets. Do you mean raise it beyond that level?

Once you have the bridge height set, bring the housing up to where it just doesn't touch the string when you fret the string@ the 24th fret. (First & Tenth string) Then you have pole pieces adjustable up/down for sound eveness. hope that's clear. Anyone else chime in...

That makes perfect sense. Thank you.

Does anyone happen to know which 'ironwood' was being used in 1985 i.e. around the time #1642 was made?

Mine is I believe an '84 build - #1212 - and it's called "Ironwood" or Pau Ferro and it looks a lot like yours.