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Using something other than bridge for the ground
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=36974		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  jimmysux [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Using something other than bridge for the ground
Any of you ever use something other than the bridge for the ground? If so what do you use?
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I've never seen, or used one,
but a grounding bracelet has been talked about.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
Tailpiece if you have one.
Author:  Lincoln Goertzen [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I used the aluminum saddle of the acoustic-style bridge I made once. I don't know if I would do it again, because the aluminum seems a little on the soft side. It sounds the way I wanted it to, though. idunno

I cannot think of any other way to ground all the strings at once. If you wanted to severely over-complicate the situation, why not ground each tuner, and run a channel for the grounding wire right beside your truss rod slot? laughing6-hehe
Author:  Stuart Gort [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I make a string-through body and make an aluminum block that fastens into the back of the guitar. I ground to that.
Author:  jimmysux [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I dont have a problem drilling the hole for the bridge ground on my hard tails, I was just wondering if anyone had a different method they use, I thought I saw someone on here using a block to ground.
Author:  John Coloccia [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I don't quite understand. The only reason you ground the bridge is so you when you touch the strings you are brought to ground potential too...because your body acts like a big, huge antenna, hence when you used to walk near those big old radios in your grandparent's house it got louder (or am I the only one who remembers doing that?). :) So you're not using the bridge for a ground. Ground comes from the amp. The bridge is being grounded.
Author:  Mike Dotson [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
I've used a string anchor on electrics with wood/bone bridges. Just a piece of 1/8" aluminum set into the back and drilled for the ball ends. Run a ground wire to it from inside and you're all done.

D'oh! I missed Zlurgh's post. So yeah, what he said. :mrgreen:
Author:  Chameleon [ Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using something other than bridge for the ground
Is the question just out of curiosity? The only reason I can come up with not to ground the bridge is if you're using vintage tube amps and are worried about electrical shock if there is a failure, as explained towards the bottom on this website: http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/shield3.php which also shows how to install a capacitor that will achieve a good level of protection while still grounding the bridge.

Note that if you were to leave the bridge un-grounded for this purpose, you would also want to make sure your knobs are not metal, because they will be grounded through the pots.

I always just ground the bridge anyway. The capacitor thing might not be a bad idea at some point, but it's really rare that you'll have an amp failure like that, and from what I understand it's usually only a problem on vintage tube amps.
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