Thunderblitz Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Bridge grouding looks so complicated... :'( I think I'm gonna die just thinking about it... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeAArthur Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 Grounding the strings has one and only one purpose - to use your body as part of the shielding of the guitar. Therefore, it is (only) unnecessary when your guitar electronics are 100 percent shielded through other means. You will be fried long before even the lowest wattage value of resistor opens. The use of a resistor and/or capacitor for string grounding will not protect you. There is no trick. Gounding the strings is not a bad thing in and of itself. However, ignoring the proper grounding of your equipment will cause you more harm than any grounding technique used (or not used) on your guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 You will be fried long before even the lowest wattage value of resistor opens.Yes, that's the problem - we haven't been able to design a fuse that blows faster than the human heart! Obviously, since almost all production guitars have had grounded strings since the 50s or earlier, and so many of us are still walking around, this isn't a common scenario, but it does happen. If you're concerned, a wireless will eliminate the risk completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert_the_damned Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 A technique I came up with for grounding a TOM type bridge was to wait until the body was finnished and the hardware installed (ok I forgot to put it in!) and then to screw a screw through the body until it came into contact with one of the bridge studs (use a screwdriver not an electric one and you'll feel when its in contact, though its best to check with a multi-meter if you have one), then soldered a lead to the screw (make sure its solderable to BEFORE you use it!). Works a treat and you don't have to worry about the wire falling off when you install the posts or anything like that, if it were ever to work loose you can just tighten it back up agian! I've used it on two guitars now and its worked perfectly. There's only a shock hazard if you've got equipment thats not got 3 pin plugs or those kind that only let you put them in one way round (donno what they're called 'cos we've only got 3 pin in the UK!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off He Goes Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Just a quick question about the idea of grounding to a coin. My guitar has all the wiring done on the pickguard, similar to a strat I guess. There is a coat of what appears to be a foil, covering the cavity. Should I still use a coin as a ground, or is that what the foil is there for. I'm really new with this stuff, and I don't want to mess anything up. Also, if I do use a coin, where does it go? Do I just place it in the body, or to I solder it also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/grounding-faq.txt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off He Goes Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Thanks Southpa, thats a very informative site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wigglez Posted March 13, 2006 Report Share Posted March 13, 2006 thanks southpa thats a really helpful article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 If I'm using a TOM bridge with tailpiece, can I run the ground to a tailpiece stud instead of a bridge stud? It seems it wouldn't matter since both tailpiece and bridge are in contact with the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 If I'm using a TOM bridge with tailpiece, can I run the ground to a tailpiece stud instead of a bridge stud? It seems it wouldn't matter since both tailpiece and bridge are in contact with the strings. Yep, fine. Either way works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted March 18, 2006 Report Share Posted March 18, 2006 Cool, especially since that is where I already drilled the hole from the electronics cavity. Thanks Mattia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack10series Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 question, would it work if say one would put all the ground wires into a wire nut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 question, would it work if say one would put all the ground wires into a wire nut? To a what now? You can ground whatever you want, as long as all 6 strings are connected to it, somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samba Pa Ti Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 question, would it work if say one would put all the ground wires into a wire nut? yep you can use anything a nut/penny/tremclaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikhailgtrski Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 To a what now? We use them all the time in the electrical construction trade. They're not really intended for electronics wiring. Yes, you could use a wirenut to connect all your ground wires together (Mr. Subliminal is screaming 'hack job' ). However, I'd recommend soldering them onto a washer or something similar - a much cleaner, more permanent, more professional method. www.guitarnuts.com has some good stuff on grounding and shielding. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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