OT: What gauge wire for wiring a guitar?

[pi22seven]

I'm rewiring an old Fender Lead II and was wondering if the 22ga I use for pedals is okay to use inside of a guitar.

The stuff that's in there now seems to be about 12ga!

[GibsonGM]

I wouldn't worry too much about the gauge, Pi.  There's no current to speak of generated by pickups...the fine wire in there is more for flexibility, I think.  Frequency is too low for skin effect, and you won't use enough for resistance to be an issue.  It would take miles of it to increase inductance, and the capacitance is going to be very very very small.  Only issue would be: collectibility of the instrument (should you keep it 'vintage' etc), and will it be messy with solid core loops all over the place.   I prefer a smaller stranded wire myself but have done it with 22 ga, also.   

[Mark Hammer]

The requirements for guitar wiring seem to have more to do with neatness and tradition than anything else.  Certainly there are no current levels in there which would require anything more substantial than maybe #32 gauge, and even that is a stretch.  Moreover, the distances are so short that the linear resistance of different gauged wire is moot.

Nope, people like a sturdy enough gauge that will stand up to servicing, something thin enough to pass through whatever body holes or under-pickguard channels it needs to without being lumpy, and something stiff enough to be placed somewhere between control components and stay where you left it.  After that, it's all mojo.

[pi22seven]

Thanks guys!