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Grounding to the bridge?
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=45208		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  TVUnicycler [ Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Grounding to the bridge?
I'm new to this forum, so direct me if I'm wrong here, but I haven't had much like finding what I'm looking for. I'm building my own bass guitar in a Jbass style. I built the body, and bought the neck along with the pickups and wiring and everything. I have everything I need, and even a wiring diagram for the pickups, knows, and jack. The only thing I don't understand fully is how exactly to ground the bass and where to ground it to. The bridge I have is on the body, not through, and I do not have a battery backup. Is grounding even necessary? I've read some things about putting copper tape in the cavities, is that necessary? What's the purpose? Thanks for any help you can offer, I've been good up until this point.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grounding to the bridge?
The wire will be grounded on the back of one of the pots, and run to the bottom of the bridge. YES, it's necessary.
Author:  SJBikesaws [ Sun Feb 22, 2015 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grounding to the bridge?
Yes, you need it. The only pickup arrangement I have used that doesn't are EMG active pickups. Just drill an angled hole from under the bridge to the control cavity, run a ground wire through it, and strip it back so that it is sandwiched between the body and bridge, solder the other end to the back of a volume or tone pot.
Author:  TVUnicycler [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grounding to the bridge?
SJBikesaws wrote:
Yes, you need it. The only pickup arrangement I have used that doesn't are EMG active pickups. Just drill an angled hole from under the bridge to the control cavity, run a ground wire through it, and strip it back so that it is sandwiched between the body and bridge, solder the other end to the back of a volume or tone pot.

Do you have any suggestions on the easiest way to drill the angled hole?
Author:  Chris Pile [ Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grounding to the bridge?
I have a selection of one foot long drill bits. I usually use the 1/8" one.
Author:  mattharris75 [ Wed Feb 25, 2015 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grounding to the bridge?
TVUnicycler wrote:
SJBikesaws wrote:
Yes, you need it. The only pickup arrangement I have used that doesn't are EMG active pickups. Just drill an angled hole from under the bridge to the control cavity, run a ground wire through it, and strip it back so that it is sandwiched between the body and bridge, solder the other end to the back of a volume or tone pot.

Do you have any suggestions on the easiest way to drill the angled hole?


Personally I use a slightly larger bit to drill a hole directly under the bridge, near the corner closest to the control cavity, then use a long 1/8" bit canted at an angle (laying the bit on the outside edge of the hole) to drill into the control cavity.

I don't have a great close up picture illustrating this, but if you look at this one you can see the larger hole located under the bridge, and you can see the sort of 'ramp' area where I was laying the bit against the top to get the appropriate angle to drill into the cavity.

Image
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