Shielding a stratocaster

[dent6]

I just recently did the hum reducing wiring as well as shielding with copper tape. The results were amazing to say the least. Now my friend want me to do his strat also. While I am redoing it he wants me to install a chrome metal Pick guard. My question is will that act as my front shielding or do I still need to put a layer of copper on the back of the new pick guard.

Thanks Brian

[sumgai]

Brian,

You can safely rely on the metallic pickguard to act as a shield, no need to adhere a layer of copper (or aluminum) foil.

The rub comes in about 10 or 20 years, when the two dissimilar materials start oxidizing or anodizing (my chemistry is rusty these days, sorry), and the electrical contact between them becomes something on the order of hundreds or thousands of Ωs, instead of 0 or 1 or 2 Ωs.

But until that time, all is well - go for it!


HTH



sumgai

[gumbo]

Can always counter that by bolting a 4-inch lump of alum to the guitar as a sacrificial anode, then immersing the whole thing in salt water....

...hmm..maybe this heatwave is getting to me..

[ChrisK]

Hmmm, a guitar sink.

I'd worry more if'n the scratch plate was brass...................

[sumgai]

Chris,

That plate might well be brass, for all we know....... it's a sure bet that the thing isn't made out of solid chrome, that would cost hundreds of dollars, each. The base material could be almost anything, but you're correct in that if the chrome finish ever rubs through to this underlying foundation, then the chances for electrolization are as great or even greater.


dent,

Don't worry, with all the variables to be considered, and the fact that the current flowing between the two materials (in a guitar setting) is extremely small-scale, any problems likely won't be cropping up for 10 to 15 years, at a minimum. 20 to 25 years would be just as realistic an expectation, there's just no way to quantify all the little "gotcha" details. (Well, there is some experience in the field, some observers have reported the effects over time, so we're not completely in the dark.)

Bottom line - go for it! ;D

HTH



sumgai