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Shielding guitar pickup cavities
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 6:51 pm
by Christ Kacoyannakis
If I am making a guitar with a set neck with two humbucker pickups, does it make any sense to shield the pickup cavities and control cavity with copper tape? I have never seen similar guitars made by corporations shielded, but that doesn't mean it would be a bad idea. But, I don't know if it would be a good idea either. Is it going to make a difference, since the pickups are humbuckers and grounded? I have the tape, and I was planning on doing it, but now, I don't know if it is worth the time or the tape to do it. Thanks folks.
Re: Shielding guitar pickup cavities
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:13 pm
by Peter Wilcox
I would guess, if you're not going to split the coils, that it won't make any significant difference. I don't shield them.
Re: Shielding guitar pickup cavities
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:16 pm
by Gordon Bellerose
I shield every guitar I make.
I also wire the humbuckers for coil splitting, so it helps with the single coil hiss, hum, noise.
I have considered not shielding if I'm going to simply use 2 humbuckers, but if the owner would like to coil tap later, it's already done.
It takes less than an hour to do a guitar with 2 pickup cavities and a control cavity.
Re: Shielding guitar pickup cavities
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:51 pm
by Bob Gramann
I have used the black conductive shielding paint. It goes on pretty quickly and it is effective. Or, you could take it apart later and shield then if you have problems. Either way, if you don’t have shielded cable throughout in your wiring, make sure you twist your pairs all along their length.