Really Confused about Basics

[blatherskite]

Hey I need some quick help regarding a basic issue:

I'm trying to shield/rewire my strat having no knowledge or background in electronics. I have someone to help me do the soldering but I need clarification on the wire to use.

What exact type of "wire" do I need when the GuitarNuts instructions say "insulated 20 or 22 gauge wire." Radioshack didn't have what I needed and the electronics store nearby only sells 50ft spools. StewMac has a couple different choices and says to use other stuff (besides this) for shorter runs.)

What is the specific name for the wire that I need, cuz I had people asking me if I needed speaker wire/audio cable/all kinds of stuff...

I really want to do this before I leave in a few days. Sorry if the question is dumb but I've been reading about the differences between the naming conventions for what most people call wire and can't really figure out what it means to me.

The last thing I wanna do is open up my guitar, take everything apart and not have the right stuff to put it back together.

[sumgai]

blather,

Hey I need some quick help regarding a basic issue:

I'm trying to shield/rewire my strat having no knowledge or background in electronics. I have someone to help me do the soldering but I need clarification on the wire to use.

What exact type of "wire" do I need when the GuitarNuts instructions say "insulated 20 or 22 gauge wire." Radioshack didn't have what I needed and the electronics store nearby only sells 50ft spools. StewMac has a couple different choices and says to use other stuff (besides this) for shorter runs.)

What is the specific name for the wire that I need, cuz I had people asking me if I needed speaker wire/audio cable/all kinds of stuff...

I really want to do this before I leave in a few days. Sorry if the question is dumb but I've been reading about the differences between the naming conventions for what most people call wire and can't really figure out what it means to me.

The last thing I wanna do is open up my guitar, take everything apart and not have the right stuff to put it back together.

Hi, and to the forum!

Your last sentence was actually a good clue about solving your dilemma - merely unsolder one (and only one) hunk of wire, making sure that you can put it back when you're done. Mark points with small pieces of a sticky note, or take a close-up picture, whatever strums your strings. Then, take this example with you, and tell the nice man: "See, this is what I want, about 6 feet of it, please." Problem solved. ;D

Well, that gets you the proper wire, but you still haven't learned anything.

The highly technical name, which is a Temple Master's secret, is "hook up wire". Don't blab that around, or we'll have to......

It's unshielded - there's only the single conductor. 20 ga. or 22 ga. is very standard for this kind of job. 18 ga. is much bigger than necessary, and 24 starts getting hard to handle, it's pretty small. Some folks like solid wire, others like stranded. Stranded is easy to bend, but it sometimes "unbends" while you're trying to position it. Solid is harder to bend, but once bent, it stays that way.

You might consider going in partners with your soldering buddy, and buying a longer length (like a small spool) - he can have whatever's left over.

The rest of the story on wiring and cabling is a bit long in the telling. Let's leave off of that for now, eh? You'll catch on as we go along, we won't leave you behind.

HTH

Oh, one more thing. If you are in a hurry, and you want it real bad, that's what your gonna get! Take heed. Slow down, take your time, double check your work (your buddy is good for this), and then sleep on it. If it's more important that you play the upcoming gig with a working guitar, contemplate forebearing on this project until the gig is over. Nobody needs that kind of stress.

HTH too!


sumgai

[blatherskite]

Thank you very much for the prompt and helpful response. I plan to pick up the final material(s) and work on it Saturday.

I plan to shield with aluminum foil, and I have a couple minor questions. Does it matter which side faces down (shiny or dull)? I thought I saw something about it on the main site but skimming it now I can't find it.

Oh, and do I have to connect the pieces of aluminum foil together with black electrical tape even if they overlap?

[sumgai]

blather,

Thank you very much for the prompt and helpful response.

Yer welcome!

I plan to shield with aluminum foil, and I have a couple minor questions. Does it matter which side faces down (shiny or dull)? I thought I saw something about it on the main site but skimming it now I can't find it.

Nope, it doesn't matter in the least, both sides of the aluminium sheet will conduct just fine.

Oh, and do I have to connect the pieces of aluminum foil together with black electrical tape even if they overlap?

The tape is just to hold the foil in place while you're doing other work. You'll want to solder the pieces together to ensure conductivity from one piece to the next. The tape will eventually lose its adherence properties and peel back/up, that's why we don't rely on it to keep a tight connection.

HTH, and good luck.


sumgai