Ground on Les Paul Passive to Active Build

nbuckles

New member
Hey guys,

Got a Les Paul that I'm converting over to active pickups.

Do I need to connect the old ground from the guitar body to the new common ground with my active circuit?

elec-high-crop.jpg

Thanks!
 
Re: Ground on Les Paul Passive to Active Build

Seems like I remember removing the ground to the trem claw on my Jackson when I put EMG 81s in it.
 
Re: Ground on Les Paul Passive to Active Build

It depends on the actives. EMG's recommend you remove the ground wire. Most other actives have you keep it. I will tell you I have experimented with both ways with EMG's, and it works fine with the ground.
 
Re: Ground on Les Paul Passive to Active Build

I guess I should've stated what I'm using. I'm working with blackouts for both the neck and bridge.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/blackouts-neck

The blackouts state in the instructions to ground them. The only pickups that do not state to ground them are EMG's. Most active pickups are very quiet and well shielded. That said, properly grounded the bridge is going to shield them even more, so it will be incrementally quieter. EMG seems to be the only manufacturer that pushes for not grounding to the bridge, which sacrifices some noise for what they see as a benefit of being less likely to get a shock from bad wiring that is not up to code. That said, if the wiring is bad, you are still susceptible to shock if you touch something grounded like the output jack, which you are going to do. I would rather get the extra shielding by grounding to the bridge, and fix whatever is causing the shock issue (flip the ground on my amp, fix the electrical problem if it's mine to fix, etc.)
 
Ground on Les Paul Passive to Active Build

I would rather get the extra shielding by grounding to the bridge, and fix whatever is causing the shock issue (flip the ground on my amp, fix the electrical problem if it's mine to fix, etc.)

If it’s not too late to fix. A grounding issue and faulty wiring isn’t just a slight trembling, buzzy feeling. It’s dead serious business. Pun intended.


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