DIY Hum Reduction with Foil-It Works

[Williethump]

Thanks y'all, for the tips and warnings.

We get it: we are fools for using aluminum as a shield!
People, this is a simple faraday cage, not controls on an complex electronic device like an amp where the ground is critical. On a guitar, the controls have their own solid ground path. The shield attached to it to soak up some RF if it fails, you get a bit of hum.

yes, a soldered copper or shield paint is better. Aluminum will work just fine despite.

What 96tbird said.
The Behringer bass is a cheap student flea market ax that I would not spend much money on. And if the hums return from oxidation it'll be easy enough to use expensive materials for the 2nd attempt.
I wouldn't use random aluminum garage tape on my Precision bass or Godin. But for an educational and easily repeated learning experience on a cheap old student bass it seemed appropriate. And it worked, at least for now.
But I do appreciate the tips from all youse guys on how I can do the job right the next time.

Sigh..... Leave it to Stewmac to charge 4 times what something is worth and then hit you with a $10 shipping fee. It almost always pays to look at Stewmac as a source of last resort for all but the most specialized tools. I get copper foil in 8.5 x 11 sheets on eBay or Amazon.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/guitar-shi...4cecolongcolonehcaaoswp5jwyhwdredirect=mobile

[This invalid link has been removed]

Gilmourisgod-I got a 404 Not found on both links for cheaper foil.
I'm a frugal peep (tightwad) who spends the precious green simoleons only as a last resort. I like doing things myself and, unlike killedbydeath, I really don't mind doing the job twice if it is not onerous. And I always do things the hard way for some reason. Never time to do it right but always time to do it over.
It's a learning experience, and I always do a better job the 2nd time (or 3rd, or 4th, or...) around. I'm retired and these days seem to have plenty of time here at home.

Recommendation For a Fret File

Pbase74, I have some fret files but don't really know what to do with them-got a how-to link for me?
The Behringer now rings like a piano with the bright new D'Addario XL roundwounds but the sharp fret ends are a pain. Another plague project for me.
Thanks again, TBers.

 

[dwizum]

Copper Foil Tape - 2in x 82ft / 28yds / 25m - EMI Conductive Adhesive | eBay

28 yards of 2" copper tape (with conductive adhesive!) for $14.

 

[Williethump]

I can tell you when working on aluminum chassis equipment, often I need to scrape a spot on the chassis with the meter test lead to get a good ground connection for testing purposes. Two pieces of aluminum foil pressed together will not maintain a low resistance connection for any period of time.
Some may find this of interest:
The Three Most Popular EMI Shielding Metals and What You Should Know About Them - LeaderTech Inc. Blog

Good link byacey, the piece mentioned your points: "however, using this metal [aluminum] needs precise attention to its galvanic corrosion and oxidation properties. The material will form into an oxide over time and has poor solderability on its own."
Thanks dwizum, that link works.
And thanks for an eBay link instead of the other supplier, the one I never use featuring an unregulated bank.

Copper Foil Tape - 2in x 82ft / 28yds / 25m - EMI Conductive Adhesive | eBay
28 yards of 2" copper tape (with conductive adhesive!) for $14.

No hums and now with newish XL rounds it sounds as bright as it looks. But oh, those dangerous fret ends on that $48usd Chinese Kmise neck. The sand in the KY.

 

[byacey]

You could use brass shim stock too, it comes in a roll 6 inches wide, in various thicknesses. You would have to glue it down though, and tack solder the edges.