Metal strip from pickups to bridge? Fender 62RI

collicsws6z28 · #1 08-18-2009, 07:57 PM

I know this question has probably been asked many times before. Did a search and came up with nothing, but what is the purpose of that little metal strip that runs from the bridge pickup to the bridge?

bigntasty · #2 08-18-2009, 07:59 PM

It's part of the grounding system.

PSPookie · #3 08-18-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigntasty

It's part of the grounding system.

/thread

yellofury · #4 08-18-2009, 08:53 PM

vintage style grounding strip

4Mal · #5 08-18-2009, 09:18 PM

yep. Works like a charm and it solves the bad bridge ground wire connection that P's & Js can experience

**line6man** · #6 08-18-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

it solves the bad bridge ground wire connection that P's & Js can experience

So does this...

Craig_S · #7 08-18-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

So does this...

...minus the fingerprints, that is.

Wipe that thing down!

**line6man** · #8 08-18-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

...minus the fingerprints, that is.

Wipe that thing down!

Ha!
I took the picture after i did all the shielding work on that body, so my fingers were all over the place twisting the body every which way to get the copper tape pressed in the cavities and soldered together.

I'm going to retake the picture pretty soon, after polishing up of course.

walterw · #9 08-19-2009, 12:06 AM

it does seem like that exposed ground strap was a half-assed build step, doesn't it? there's really no reason it couldn't have been routed underneath everything like line6man is showing.

sunbeast · #10 08-19-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

it does seem like that exposed ground strap was a half-assed build step, doesn't it? there's really no reason it couldn't have been routed underneath everything like line6man is showing.

There's a first time for everything- it wasn't as if there was an instruction manual sitting around at that time entitled "How to Wire an Electric Guitar." These were some of the people that wrote that manual! It was probably as simple as not having any other uses for the long skinny drill bit usually used to drill the connecting hole from the bridge to the control cavity...some instruments from that time had no such bridge grounding connection of any sort!

Karl

One Drop · #11 08-19-2009, 05:49 AM

It wasn't a good solution, probably why it was dropped in favour of a route around '62, only a few years after the debut of the instrument.

BTW, AFAIK the ones on the RIs are strictly cosmetic.

**line6man** · #12 08-19-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

it does seem like that exposed ground strap was a half-assed build step, doesn't it? there's really no reason it couldn't have been routed underneath everything like line6man is showing.

Exactly what i have always been saying!

I usually have to laugh when i see someone try to do a ground strip on say a Squier or a MiM bass.
Unless you are after a completely vintage-correct setup, the grounding strip is completely stupid, and there is no reason that you can't just run a wire from the control cavity to under the bridge in a way that isn't visible.