The sound can short out on single coil pickups if the lead wires from a pickup are reversed. I've seen this happen to Fender Mustang guitar that use the phase switch on each pickup. This happens when the covers are removed or replaced with pickups with exposed pole pieces. The coil windings can short out with the inside of the coil that is in contact with the rod pole pieces. If the phasing is reversed the pole piece becomes hot or positive. If a string that is grounded touches the exposed pole, the signal can be shorted out and no signal travels to the amplifier. Be careful when reversing lead wires on pickups and make sure the pole pieces are insulated and away from any contact with the grounded strings.
WRITTEN ON JUNE 12, 2015, BY