Shielding on electric guitars.

[kiwigeo]

I've heard of aluminium foil being used for shielding and also copper paint. Haven't heard of brass (foil?) being used.

I imagine aluminium foil would be the cheapest option but probably doesn't look too professional. Stewmac and others market a conductive copper based paint specifically for shielding use.

[nnickusa]

Both are highly conductive, but copper tape is cheap on eBay. Like $5-10 a guitar, and easier to work--softer and less brittle that is.

[kiwigeo]

Here's what Stewmac have.....http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics ... lding.html

[needsmorecowbel]

I used the Stew Mac Shielding Paint on Monday to shield a crappy Chinese strat I picked up from a pawn shop. It's good stuff but then so is the Copper tape you can get from Stew Mac...Much of a muchness really. Have never used aluminium tape but between those three options you can't really go wrong.

Stu

[Steve.Toscano]

I use copper tape. This stuff - http://luthierssupplies.com.au/product_ ... cts_id=725
Have used it on 60+ electrics now, and am nearly finished my second roll.

[P Bill]

The adhesive on copper tape is conductive, the adhesive on aluminium is not. I use a small strip of copper to bridge any joins.

[Matt Bach]

The tape shields really well but I've found that the adhesive can fail after a few heat cycles (at least with my "left me guitar in me car again" customers) so I go with the paint option. It's also easier to get in the nooks and crannies and you can even dribble it down holes, easy clean up, next to no waste.

[needsmorecowbel]

left me guitar in me car again"

It seems like every guitar tech has a "left me guitar in me car again" story. At what point do you tell a customer that is a repeat offender to politely piss off? Is it the three strikes rule?

Stu

[demonx]

I have copper shielding tape but don't use it

What I have found makes my guitar silent is a copper plate, cut to fill the elec cavity. All pots and switches are mounted hard against it (pre drilled holes) and this earths them out, then simply wire the bridge earth wire to it, the output jack earth and the pickup earths.

Essentially it becomes the one earth for everything and has eliminated the hum issue I once had that even the shielding tape could not prevent

I can post pics if you need to see

[P Bill]

Steve , I'd like to have a look thanks.

[demonx]

If you pause this clip at the 1:15 mark it'll show what I was trying to explain:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDuSebNSiD4

Cheers, Allan.

[GourmetSaint]

I'm using copper conductive paint from Caswell Australia. It's used as a precursor to electroplating non-conductive materials such as acrylic, wood etc. Much more conductive than the carbon/graphite based paints (like from Stewmac).

[simso]

Shielding is a very interesting topic.

Its extremely interesting to hear from those that say its made a difference for them.

Ive built a guitar or two repaired one or two as well ,but not once have I ever shielded one or had a need to shield one.

[P Bill]

Steve, some do, some don't. There are many discussions about this out there. No shielding on my archtops , other than the wire. My eubs, piezos and onboard pre, benefit from shielding.