Tech: earthing wires on electrified Archtop ?

Subject: Tech: earthing wires on electrified Archtop ?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 01 Apr 06 - 11:16 AM

i'm not very experienced at wiring up electric guitar circuits..

[failed physics at school probably cuz i was in a punkrock band
and bunking off too many lessons.. oops!]



..so, i've now got all the components needed to convert a cheap new archtop:

1)Humbucker pickup that screws into sides of fingerboard,

[earlier version of this:

GFS Fat Jazz Alnico Neck Mount Pickup Chrome H80 Item number: 7401566354

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7401566354&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ff



2)Pre-assembled wiring loom with slim wooden tone & vol controls
and standard jack socket:

[Archtop Jazz Guitar Pickup electronics- luthier project Item number: 7402635389

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Archtop-Jazz-Guitar-Pickup-electronics-luthier-project_W0QQitemZ7402635389QQcategoryZ22966QQssPageNameZWDV ]



3)Pickguard [and mounting bracket]to securely attach tone & vol to,
and hide wiring entering lower f-hole.


i know i'll need to drill hole in lower side of body for jack socket,

but should i also consider drilling an extra hole at the end of the body
so i can also solder an earthing wire from the main circuit
to the underside of the metal string tailpiece ?

if so, wheres best point to take the earth from ?


Do you think this is earth is actually neccesary
and would make any noticable practical difference to minimising hum levels to amp ?

what would you guys do ?

advice will be well apreciated..

thanks.

Subject: RE: Tech: earthing wires on electrified Archtop ?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Apr 06 - 11:55 AM

The components you install should include earthing/ground connections when installed as intended.

Adding another earth/ground lead may actually increase the likelihood of hum in your system, since it can produce "ground loops" due to the difference in voltage drop on competing earthing leads, which causes current flow from one "ground" to another "ground."

Exsmine your final wiring and be sure that good, well connected leads, provide a single path from each component part to the circuit ground on your amp/pickup, and you should have a properly configured installation.

John