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Guitar Pickup Voltage

How do you measure a guitar's pickup voltage & current?

I am looking into building a very simple amp for the guitar, problem is right now that I'm trying to get and idea of what voltage and current the pickup produces. Since I'm trying to avoid de-stringing the guitar to get to the pickup's leads, I'm just using a guitar cable and clipping some alligator clips at the end to measure current. When i do this, i get nothing. If i then take the alligator clips, hook them in series with a pot. and try to measure voltage, i still get nothing. Any clue whats up? (I also got an oscilloscope but my voltmeter should pick up something at least...right?) Thanks for the responses in advanced.
I think the cord had a short in it actually since when i took apart the jack on the guitar and tested the leads there, it worked.

Make sure your voltmeter is set to detect AC voltage, rather than DC.

An oscilloscope should definitely pick up the signal.

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