Shielding/grounding methods

V

VTM Mike

New member
I've done a search here and got some good info, but I have some questions. I have completed shielding my Iceman project and am getting ready to start wiring. (I used copper shielding tape)

1. Should I do "star grounding" as outlined on the Guitar nuts site, also eliminating ground loops? This would mean running a separate wire from the 3 way cavity, wires from both pickup cavities, and joining them with the bridge ground to a common point in the main control cavity. Also, any lug soldered to a pot should go to this common point as well. Is this correct?

2. The green and plain p/u wires would go where? To the pot or to the common point?

3. Is it necessary to solder all of the seams on the copper tape, or are a few tacks along the seam sufficient. (is this only to help hold the tape in place, or does seam sealing aid in shielding?) The tape is adhesive, so keeping it in place is not a problem.

Thanks guys.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

if you decide to do the star ground, then *everything* that needs to be grounded is run with its own wire. Yes, if you have 2 vols, 2 tones, switch and pickups with 4 wires you have a neat lump of 7 wires soldered to the star ground.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

VTM Mike said:
.....

3. Is it necessary to solder all of the seams on the copper tape, or are a few tacks along the seam sufficient. (is this only to help hold the tape in place, or does seam sealing aid in shielding?) The tape is adhesive, so keeping it in place is not a problem.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Double-check the site. Not 100% sure but I think if adhesive is conducting variety you don't have to worry about the seams. Only if the adhesive is non-conducting would you need to do that.

Just checked - "NOTE: Some copper foil tape has a non-conductive adhesive which means you need to tack-solder the pieces together (or fold over the edges and stick them down with tape or thumbtacks) to electrically connect the various pieces."

Do you have a multimeter to see if you have conductive adhesive on your copper tape?
 
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Re: Shielding/grounding methods

tsplano said:
Double-check the site. Not 100% sure but I think if adhesive is conducting variety you don't have to worry about the seams. Only if the adhesive is non-conducting would you need to do that.

Just checked - "NOTE: Some copper foil tape has a non-conductive adhesive which means you need to tack-solder the pieces together (or fold over the edges and stick them down with tape or thumbtacks) to electrically connect the various pieces."

Do you have a multimeter to see if you have conductive adhesive on your copper tape?
Click to expand...

You don't necessarily have to solder each and every seam along it's entirety, but you do have to point solder every seam so that there is continuity between the different pieces of foil tape applied.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

Done. Ok, what about the star ground deal? So ALL grounds/anything going to the side of a pot would go to the common point, including the green and plain p/u wires? Just want to clarify before I make a mess of things.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

VTM Mike said:
Done. Ok, what about the star ground deal? So ALL grounds/anything going to the side of a pot would go to the common point, including the green and plain p/u wires? Just want to clarify before I make a mess of things.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's correct.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

If the tape is from Stewart McDonald, the adhesive is conducive and does not need soldering.

I've done the star grounding and taken it off of the same guitar. It makes no difference ... doesn't hurt anything ... but doesn't help either. There's not a real chance of a ground loop inside a guitar. I've become convinced of that after much research ... some may still believe it. On or off ... star grounding made no difference.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

doveman said:
If the tape is from Stewart McDonald, the adhesive is conducive and does not need soldering.

I've done the star grounding and taken it off of the same guitar. It makes no difference ... doesn't hurt anything ... but doesn't help either. There's not a real chance of a ground loop inside a guitar. I've become convinced of that after much research ... some may still believe it. On or off ... star grounding made no difference.
Click to expand...

I was contemplating that. I did my other Iceman as per the SD wiring diagram, and all is quiet. I wanted to give this one special attention, but I don't want to go through all of the extra work for no return.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

I did and it was a bit of trouble ... no real advantage ... I put it all back. The guitarnuts site had me convinced but that whole star grounding thing is really related to equipment (amps, etc.). That's where true ground loops can occur.

But it sounds convincing ... but in all fairness the shielding done as advertised works pretty well. It won't be noiseless but it will be better.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

Yeah, that's a lot of wire to stuff in there. I have it all pulled, too. Looks like a house wiring job.:lol: I'm taking it out. I'll have it done tomorrow. Thanks guys.
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

Nice Tor! I went through the whole post. Yeah, I almost bit on the star grounding deal, but I am back on track. I'll shoot some pics of my work. I have started to wire things up, just taking my time, using Hermetico's diagram for series/parallel/oop . Should be interesting!
 
Re: Shielding/grounding methods

Good good. :) I messed a lot with this, but I was very pleased when I was done, and I don't regret one bit. Good luck!
 
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