Any copper wire for ground wire?

[JRo]

I know I'm "supposed" to use 22 awg pre-tinned solid copper wire for a ground attached to the tailpiece bushing.

I have some 20 awg copper wire in my shop from the craft store .. is this going to do the same thing? It seems to me that a ground is a ground is a ground and pre-tinned doesn't really matter. I could be wrong though.

Let me know before I pound these posts in!!

[mattvon]

I've used lots of different sizes/gauges/ types of copper wire for grounds...never seemed to matter at all. Honestly, I just use whatever is handy and of sufficient gauge.

And you can certainly tin the ends yourself with just a bit of solder.

Perhaps others have had different experiences, but it's just a ground wire. Most important is a good, solid connection on both ends.

[JRo]

That's my thinking too. I'll tin the end before I connect it to the electronics.

Anybody else have any advice? Should I put that sucker in?

[kfowler8]

'59s used 18 awg. Shouldn't matter as long as you get solid connections

[dickjonesify]

You could use a coat hanger! Seriously. In the signal path, quality counts. For grounding though, if it's touching, you win.

...but a coat hanger may not be the best choice...

[bruce bennett]

Originally Posted by JRo

I know I'm "supposed" to use 22 awg pre-tinned solid copper wire for a ground attached to the tailpiece bushing.

I have some 20 awg copper wire in my shop from the craft store .. is this going to do the same thing? It seems to me that a ground is a ground is a ground and pre-tinned doesn't really matter. I could be wrong though.

Let me know before I pound these posts in!!

the size is not hugely important electrically as long as it can handle all the amperage that you wish to be killed by.

20 ga is more than enough to do that job.

and pretinned is more about corrosion resistance... its not absolutey neccessary.. but unless you LIKE haveing to pull your inserts every decade and replace your ground wire... I'd recommend useing pre-tinned wire.

I use 22 ga teflon coated, stranded silver wire for my grounds... never had one go bad yet.

[bruce bennett]

Double post

[JRo]

Good advice, thanks Bruce.

[Ole'Lefty]

One of the benefits of stranded (and cloth pushback) is flexibility. If you are a tinkerer, then swapping controls is often in the works and you do not want that wire breaking from fatigue. For that reason, I use the 22ga. black push-back for the bridge ground and running between pots. Some photos of vintage show both solid core, tinned and/or cloth insulated wire being used for grounding.

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

One of the benefits of stranded (and cloth pushback) is flexibility. If you are a tinkerer, then swapping controls is often in the works and you do not want that wire breaking from fatigue. For that reason, I use the 22ga. black push-back for the bridge ground and running between pots. Some photos of vintage show both solid core, tinned and/or cloth insulated wire being used for grounding.

Quoted for truth.

I'm building a Strat for my personal use right now, and just for kicks, I decided to use solid wire for the bridge ground:



Stranded wire is much more sensible.

[Ole'Lefty]

How can I be kind here? What a clean installation. Mudfinger, isn't that claw going to move just a little bit everytime the trem is used? Last I looked at Fender set-up, the claw is not screwed tight to that front wall. I am probably being an old fuddy-duddy. Sorry.

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

How can I be kind here? What a clean installation. Mudfinger, isn't that claw going to move just a little bit everytime the trem is used? Last I looked at Fender set-up, the claw is not screwed tight to that front wall. I am probably being an old fuddy-duddy. Sorry.

No, you're spot-on.

Like I said, stranded wire is much more sensible. I'm documenting the build on another thread, and wanted something for a pic. I don't imagine the claw will be in that position after I string up the guitar, and this shows off the problem with solid wire pretty neatly, no?

[Ole'Lefty]

It is, indeed, a great example. And, the fact is that many, many LP's are doing quite well with solid wire and some argue that the bare wire is the only vintage correct grounding wire from bridge to pots and pot to pot.

I have used my safetywire pliers to twist up grounds from bare wire(kind of pretty) and having your pots and caps held together with semi-flexible wire keeps them aligned. For those who will never do more than look into the control cavity, I guess all of this is drivel.

I will be using a pre-wired Jonesy harness to put P-909from Sheptone) type pickups in my Epi CS Dot and I will enjoy handling a set done by a Master. For new, Acme does the twisted grounds.

[JRo]

Lefty, have you used the Sheptone P-90s before? How do you like them? I'm starting to figure out which pickups to get for a couple different builds and it's a bit of a mess out there!

[Ole'Lefty]

No-I was originally going to go with Harmonic Design Z-90's, but I do prefer purchasing from members and Jonesy suggested that alternative. I was glad to try them. I wanted the Dot to get "meaner."

[cooljuk]

If you use a 000 gauge steel rod hammered about 5 ft deep into the ground and saturate the earth around it with salt water, you'll have an excellent ground connection.

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

It is, indeed, a great example. And, the fact is that many, many LP's are doing quite well with solid wire and some argue that the bare wire is the only vintage correct grounding wire from bridge to pots and pot to pot.

I have used my safetywire pliers to twist up grounds from bare wire(kind of pretty) and having your pots and caps held together with semi-flexible wire keeps them aligned. For those who will never do more than look into the control cavity, I guess all of this is drivel.

I will be using a pre-wired Jonesy harness to put P-909from Sheptone) type pickups in my Epi CS Dot and I will enjoy handling a set done by a Master. For new, Acme does the twisted grounds.

I'm curious to see how long it will take, myself. The pickguard assembly in question is sure to see multiple revisions, as I have some other experiments to conduct, as well. All just part of the fun.

I like your talk of hand-twisted grounds, and pot trusses. I think that stuff is beautiful, actually. I love to see that kinda attention to detail in guitars and amps.

Jonesy is a good example of that, too, of someone who really marries art and function. Lotsa other guys, too; MLP is blessed in that regard.

[bruce bennett]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

It is, indeed, a great example. And, the fact is that many, many LP's are doing quite well with solid wire and some argue that the bare wire is the only vintage correct grounding wire from bridge to pots and pot to pot.

I have used my safetywire pliers to twist up grounds from bare wire(kind of pretty) and having your pots and caps held together with semi-flexible wire keeps them aligned. For those who will never do more than look into the control cavity, I guess all of this is drivel.

I will be using a pre-wired Jonesy harness to put P-909from Sheptone) type pickups in my Epi CS Dot and I will enjoy handling a set done by a Master. For new, Acme does the twisted grounds.

I like to use 1/16" dia. Bronze welding rod (very stiff, but still bendable) to link pots together so that in case of a pot nut ever loosening.. the pots themselves can't turn and twist up the wires.

[wizzbang]

Originally Posted by cooljuk

If you use a 000 gauge steel rod hammered about 5 ft deep into the ground and saturate the earth around it with salt water, you'll have an excellent ground connection.

Here in Aussie Land we all piss on the earth.(very funny when the building inspector touches the rod and then licks his fingers to check for the salt)!!!

[Ole'Lefty]

Originally Posted by wizzbang

Here in Aussie Land we all piss on the earth.(very funny when the building inspector touches the rod and then licks his fingers to check for the salt)!!!

Thus follows your sobriquet???

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by bruce bennett

I like to use 1/16" dia. Bronze welding rod (very stiff, but still bendable) to link pots together so that in case of a pot nut ever loosening.. the pots themselves can't turn and twist up the wires.

I'm going to remember to do just that when everything is finalized. Much obliged for the tip.

[wizzbang]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

Thus follows your sobriquet???

Oh very good I had to look up what 'sobriquet' ment.I'm thinking what does this have to do with guitar earths?


Wizzbang- to drive past a group of friends in ones rotary powered vehicle and allow excess fuel to explode in the rear muffler on over-run.
wizz- to pass by quickly
bang-to scare the pants off unsuspecting said friends.

Thanks for the French(?) lesson OL my teacher.

[Ole'Lefty]

Even closer--in the USA, when you take a wizz(whiz) you are urinating.

[wizzbang]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

Even closer--in the USA, when you take a wizz(whiz) you are urinating.

Oh your good, very good.

[Ole'Lefty]

Sorry about the "sobriquet." But, truly, it just leapt into my mind-all the while I was giggling.

One of the reasons I have this broad-based vocabulary is that in secondary school, I got grounded for a year-I read two sets of encyclopediae front to back--twice. I was permitted my music and any book I wanted-actually even magazines like "Mad Magazine" and some sneaky glances at "Playboy." If we had had "Penthouse" then , the "Forum" would have made the nights pass more easily!

I had not started on guitar yet. That could have brought some legitimacy to "playing by myself!!!"

[David Mccarroll]

Not to get off this er, rather interesting diversion, but I am reasonably sure that the ground wire in my '74 L5S (hey, I just happened to be looking on the weekend, okay?) is nothing less than a bit of plain guitar string! About .010 by feel!

[mudfinger]

Originally Posted by David Mccarroll

Not to get off this er, rather interesting diversion, but I am reasonably sure that the ground wire in my '74 L5S (hey, I just happened to be looking on the weekend, okay?) is nothing less than a bit of plain guitar string! About .010 by feel!

Never underestimate the power of used guitar strings. I used an Ernie Ball .046 as the throttle cable on a Jeep CJ-5 for years. The correct replacement part sat in my glovebox until I sold the Jeep; can't rightly say what happened after that.