Shielding question

[phred]

I'm building a Tele and will be mounting the single coil neck pup to the body. How do you guys shield that? There will be no pickguard and I really dont want to shell out $$ for shielding paint for one cavity. Can you use copper tape then paint it? This is the body it is going in btw.

Thanks

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Shielding question

Copper tape works better than shielding paint in my experience. Make sure that you ground all cavities together with a spare wire. I'd paint it and then put the copper tape down though, then the pickup over the copper tape.

 

[phred]

Re: Shielding question

I was thinking the tape will be visible since I'm not using a pickguard.

 

[dominus]

Re: Shielding question

You can get one of those single coil telecaster rings to hide it.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Shielding question

I was thinking the tape will be visible since I'm not using a pickguard.

The tele pickup is going to cover most of the cavity . . . you would only see a small amount on the sides. I guess it would be possible to paint over the tape if this is really a concern.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Shielding question

Considering a normal Telecaster pickup has a shielded cover, is shielding the cavity really of any help? I mean, unless you're not using a normal covered Tele pickup.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Shielding question

Copper tape works better than shielding paint in my experience. Make sure that you ground all cavities together with a spare wire. I'd paint it and then put the copper tape down though, then the pickup over the copper tape.

I used to be a shielding paint guy. The first guitar I shielded with the stuff is great and is still going strong now. However, after letting that same can of shielding paint sit for about 5 years I decided to use it anyway on another guitar. Needless to say, I do not know if the paint expires over time or what but it does not work so well in that guitar. It's grounded, all shielded cavities are connecting, etc. Should have gone with copper tape. I am now trying to locate some of this copper tape that has a conductive adhesive for my next guitar.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Shielding question

I use the aluminum tape
That the HVAC dudes use
They have in in small rolls at the auto parts store
You just have to look round for it

Muffler tape or some such

Once.you get it in
Black sharpie

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[dominus]

Re: Shielding question

I used to be a shielding paint guy. The first guitar I shielded with the stuff is great and is still going strong now. However, after letting that same can of shielding paint sit for about 5 years I decided to use it anyway on another guitar. Needless to say, I do not know if the paint expires over time or what but it does not work so well in that guitar. It's grounded, all shielded cavities are connecting, etc. Should have gone with copper tape. I am now trying to locate some of this copper tape that has a conductive adhesive for my next guitar.

I bought a roll of it from China for about $25 shipped. It was enough to do about a dozen guitars.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Shielding question

I bought a roll of it from China for about $25 shipped. It was enough to do about a dozen guitars.

I have been looking on ebay trying to find some that have conductive adhesive. The English is a bit shaky on a lot of the posts and so I started reading feedback. I have not found a seller who advertised conductive adhesive or double sided conductive copper tape, etc that hasn't had negative feedback saying the adhesive wasn't conductive. Did you order yours from ebay?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Shielding question

I have been looking on ebay trying to find some that have conductive adhesive. The English is a bit shaky on a lot of the posts and so I started reading feedback. I have not found a seller who advertised conductive adhesive or double sided conductive copper tape, etc that hasn't had negative feedback saying the adhesive wasn't conductive. Did you order yours from ebay?

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Shielding/Conductive_Copper_Tape.html

^ Works great.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Shielding question

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Shielding/Conductive_Copper_Tape.html

^ Works great.

Awesome, I trust the StewMac.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Shielding question

Awesome, I trust the StewMac.

They're a bit expensive for some stuff, but their stuff is usually pretty good.

That reminds me, I need to get a set of bridge route templates...