Bridge ground when using a bart active set?

tjclem · #1 12-11-2006, 05:57 PM

I am using bart soapbars and a bart electronic package do you run a ground to the bridge with this type of setup?

JSPguitars · #2 12-12-2006, 08:30 PM

I got's the same question....

Angus · #3 12-12-2006, 08:41 PM

Yes. Besides, having an extra ground never hurts- I even ground EMGs just to play it safe.

tjclem · #4 12-13-2006, 03:44 AM

I never do with active EMG's. I would like to avoid connecting my customers to electricity. I know with the old school passive systems you have no choice though.

Angus · #5 12-13-2006, 08:38 AM

Sure, but you're supplying the ground to touch the bridge, not a voltage source! You don't get electrocuted when you touch the hood of your car, do you? It's usually grounded at least once to the electrical system, same with the body (usually tens of times), doors, etc.

wilser · #6 12-13-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

Sure, but you're supplying the ground to touch the bridge, not a voltage source! You don't get electrocuted when you touch the hood of your car, do you? It's usually grounded at least once to the electrical system, same with the body (usually tens of times), doors, etc.

correct, but if your amp shorts you could be in big trouble. There was this guitar or bass player, I think he was from Eric Clapton's old band or something, he got electrocuted in his basement when his amp shorted while he was noodling around with the guitar.

I never ground the bridge without being explicitly asked for it. Even then I tell this story and they usually say, ok, don't do it.

I think it was Rodent who says he drills and puts the ground cable to the bridge, but leaves it unsoldered to ground. That way, if the customer decides, he can just do it himself. Great idea.

tjclem · #7 12-13-2006, 08:49 AM

Correct I believe on the MIMF forum they advise against it...t

Dirk Diggler · #8 12-13-2006, 08:57 AM

I Never ground the bridge on an active system, EMG or Barts. No need to at all, no noise issue, that's another reason why I like actives.
Dirk

tjclem · #9 12-13-2006, 12:03 PM

Well I just got off the phone with Tom at bart. He stated they suggest grounding the bridge.

wilser · #10 12-13-2006, 01:17 PM

"everybody else is doing it ...why shouldn't we?"

erikbojerik · #11 12-13-2006, 10:13 PM

I ground.

faiakeima · #12 12-14-2006, 04:51 PM

so what is the loss if you do not ground it? i've heard you just get a little static. and if you gon't ground it does that mean the risk of shock is decreased alot or is it about the same?

bryanjnkns · #13 12-14-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faiakeima

so what is the loss if you do not ground it? i've heard you just get a little static. and if you gon't ground it does that mean the risk of shock is decreased alot or is it about the same?

i dont know the answer to your question, but when i install the audere pre in my jazz i noticed the bridge was grounded. So the first attempt was to install without grounding it......i got mad noise. Then i tried a second time with the ground.....no noise, dead quiet. Was i doing something wrong the first time? Could i ground to anything else besides the bridge? Does it really matter?

Trevorus · #14 12-14-2006, 05:21 PM

There is a current absorbing little circuit that can be put on your ground that keeps the string ground in the circuit that will allow the noise reduction that bridge grounding allows, while absorbing any deadly voltages in case of electrical mishaps. I plan on installing this in all my instruments, just have to get a roundtuit.

wilser · #15 12-14-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanjnkns

i dont know the answer to your question, but when i install the audere pre in my jazz i noticed the bridge was grounded. So the first attempt was to install without grounding it......i got mad noise. Then i tried a second time with the ground.....no noise, dead quite. Was i doing something wrong the first time? Could i ground to anything else besides the bridge? Does it really matter?

so after you installed the bridge ground, you got no noise even when not touching the strings?

bryanjnkns · #16 12-14-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

so after you installed the bridge ground, you got no noise even when not touching the strings?

Depends on what i plug it into. When i play through headphones i get alittle noise when im not touching the stings, but when i plug into my amp its quiet either way.

Trevorus · #17 12-14-2006, 05:29 PM

Here's a link with that current absorbing circuit. http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/...fety/index.php

bryanjnkns · #18 12-14-2006, 05:38 PM

Something to keep in mind about that circut.

Finally, note that the 0.33uf capacitor I use to isolate the shield ground from the signal ground in the "Quiet the Beast" modification on the wiring pages should not be relied upon to protect you from the AC shock of scenarios two and three! I specified this capacitor solely to protect against the much rarer but less easy to detect DC shock of scenario one (scenarios two and three can be easily detected by any musician who cares to protect him or her self). Even with the capacitor, a high DC potential failure will give you a nasty "bite" while the capacitor charges – but the capacitor serves to limit the duration and severity of the shock.

In shock scenarios two and three the 0.33uf capacitor may reduce the severity of a shock to below lethal levels for most people but don't stake your life on it! You could replace this capacitor with a much smaller one (about .02uf) which would protect against both the AC and DC shock but you can expect the result to be noticeably noisier – and other parts such as the jack plate will still be at a lethal potential. The bottom line is that you should protect yourself by ensuring that the mains wiring at every venue you play is correct. It's incredibly simple to check the mains and, at least in the US, local government agencies will happily force venues to comply with wiring codes. There is simply no reason to risk your life unnecessarily by relying on marginally effective secondary protective devices.

You might be better off going completely wireless like he states.
(but great information non the less, thanks for the link)