Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

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gunslinger_burrito
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Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

So I have a parts guitar that's been laying around for a year or more. I messed it up by gorilla glueing the bridge in before placing the ground wire like a dumbass. It's a tune o matic style bridge if that matters. I tried to ground to the tremolo (jazz master term) but apparently I don't have the right kind of solder. Can I ground to a screw, bolt, or other random piece of metal somewhere in/on the body? I don't care about looks, I just want it to work. I'm finally inspired to work on this thing again after a handful of fuck-ups.

Thx dewds
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by weed_killer »

Try grounding to the vibrato like this:

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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by Decibill »

Ideally you want that ground wire to be in contact with the biggest hunk o metal that it can. Solder wont stick to a chrome finish so grind down a small area to bare metal and it should solder fine.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

Thanks guys! I somehow hadnt thought of grinding down past the finish. :facepalm:

Maybe I'll have time to mess with it tonight.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by Decibill »

Sweet man. Good luck...!!
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

aaaaand.....looking for a way to grind down that chrome.... :facepalm:
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by imJonWain »

sandpaper or a file in a small part might do it, I doubt it's a heavy chrome finish if it's even actual chrome. You might be able to marr it up enough to get solder to stick, maybe buy some flux for soldering stainless? Never tried that before though.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by Decibill »

Any sort or grinding or sanding bit on a Dremel will do it. You can even use a drill bit to remove the chrome and dig a very shallow dimple the plate.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

thanks.
Turns out I could just sandwich it between the tremolo plates. :thumb:

I haven't had time to finish stringing and setting it up, but the electronics seem to work.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by UglyCasanova »

That looks great! :joy:

I want/need a P90 guitar. :mope:
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

It worked great for a few days, but yesterday the bridge pickup went out on me. I'm pretty sure that it's just a loose connection but what a pain. At least it's an easy fix.
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by KaosCill8r »

UglyCasanova wrote:That looks great! :joy:

I want/need a P90 guitar. :mope:

Yes everyone needs a P90 equipped guitar :thumb:
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by Derelict78 »

No shit, I use liber null to rest my neck on as well!
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Re: Can I ground to a screw or something on a guitar body?

Post by gunslinger_burrito »

Derelict78 wrote:No shit, I use liber null to rest my neck on as well!


:thumb:
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