Do I really need to ground to bridge?

[blakejcan]

Finishing up a PG explorer kit and don’t see a hole for it.

What else can I do?

[ErikH]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Finishing up a PG explorer kit and don’t see a hole for it.

What else can I do?

If it's like my SG Jr, the channel for the pickup wires runs through the lower bridge post hole in to the control cavity. Feed the bridge ground through there from the cavity.

Also make sure the pickup leads run along the side of the hole so the bridge post doesn't come down and crimp them. There's a groove in mine just for that from when the pickup lead channel was drilled out. Didn't see it right away and had to do a little repair work on the pickup lead.

[blakejcan]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

I don’t see any holes in the bridge post area

[ErikH]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

What about the tailpiece holes? There has to be something that the bridge ground can go to.

[jimilee]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

^^^^ and yes, you do need to ground it, otherwise you will have a horrendous buzz.


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[ErikH]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Unless you're putting in active electronics, yes, a bridge ground is necessary.

[The_Junior]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Sounds like you need to drill for your ground lead to go.

I get a long thin bit for this (Thin enough for whatever Gage lead you're going to use). Come into the top angled inside the bridge stud toward the control cavity. Kind of tricky, but not impossible. Maybe set down some masking tape (or something) to avoid marring the top of your guitar.

[ICTGoober]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

yes, you do need to ground it, otherwise you will have a horrendous buzz.

Or you could die. Is that enough incentive for you?

[GuitarStv]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Or you could die. Is that enough incentive for you?

What exactly is going to kill you with an ungrounded bridge?

[ICTGoober]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

What exactly is going to kill you with an ungrounded bridge?

An electrical short. Keith Relf of the Yardbirds died onstage from electrocution. So did the bassist of the The Shadows, and a guy from Stone the Crows.

Lots of guys have been badly shocked - Keith Richards rather famously flew across the stage engulfed in a blue halo of sparks, George Harrison kept getting shocked on camera during the filming of Let it Be, etc.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Does that happen very often anymore? I figured that once everyone started using ground plugs on all electrical equipment it largely stopped being a problem.

[kramersteen]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Yeah i thought that was something to do with older amplifiers but the problem has been rectified .

[Blille]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

An Lots of guys have been badly shocked - Keith Richards rather famously flew across the stage engulfed in a blue halo of sparks,

Origin story of his immortality superpower.

[ICTGoober]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Does that happen very often anymore? I figured that once everyone started using ground plugs on all electrical equipment it largely stopped being a problem.

Anytime there are multiple circuits or old wiring schemes in buildings its possible. Outdoor events are even more problematic. Then there are performers who like to touch lighting trusses, or perform barefoot. A French singer died just last year, having stepped on a cable while touching her mic stand. NOTHING is foolproof.

[MGW]

Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?

Do I really have to put my car in park and shut off the engine while I go inside for a few minutes?
I ought to be able to leave my car unattended, right?
I mean it's only a minute or two.
It's just so darned inconvenient having to start it every time I get in.
I have it nudged up against a jersey barrier and it's in Drive so it shouldn't be able to go anywhere.
What could go wrong?