How are single string bridges grounded?

[Watchootognbout]

Since single string bridges are separate from each other,how are they attached to the bridge ground wire?
I'm not asking how TO.
I'm asking how a builder would do it

 

[line6man]

Ground one string, and use a metal nut or string retainer.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Ground one string, and use a metal nut or string retainer.

Aren't all seven pieces connected to the one with the ground connection?I would have though that there would be a wire running from one to the other.
Or even seven individual wires(Cripes!)running to the ground on the plug!

 

[line6man]

Aren't all seven pieces connected to the one with the ground connection?I would have though that there would be a wire running from one to the other.
Or even seven individual wires(Cripes!)running to the ground on the plug!

Typically, only one string is grounded, and there is either a brass nut, or a string retainer. That is the simplest method.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Typically, only one string is grounded, and there is either a brass nut, or a string retainer. That is the simplest method.

OH!!That makes sense!
When you said "metal nut"I though............."Huhhhh??".(Laughs)
What's a string retainer?
Can't visualize on on this kind of bridge.

 

[tedious1]

What's a string retainer?

Also known as a string tree, it sits between the nut and the tuners, you run the strings off the nut, under the retainer and then on to the machine head. The retainer serves to ensure a good break angle (and hence the proper witness point) for the string over the nut.

 

[line6man]

What's a string retainer?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Also known as a string tree, it sits between the nut and the tuners, you run the strings off the nut, under the retainer and then on to the machine head. The retainer serves to ensure a good break angle (and hence the proper witness point) for the string over the nut.

I think that would be a bit much for my bass.
It would get in the way of the truss rod access.
A brass nut it is.

 

[line6man]

I think that would be a bit much for my bass.
It would get in the way of the truss rod access.
A brass nut it is.
View attachment 691463

You asked how a luthier would do it, and I gave the most common answer.

If you are trying to do modifications or something, then the alternative is to lay a narrow strip of copper tape under the bridge area, so that all seven saddles sit on top of it. This method is rather unsightly, but it gets the job done.

 

[tedious1]

Won't hurt to go ahead with a brass nut, but I would expect whoever built the instrument to have grounded the strings correctly, but I suppose stranger things have happened... Have you looked at the ground wire from the bridge in the control cavity? Maybe it is seven individual wires all star grounded with everything else. It would be a tedious way to handle the issue though.

 

[Watchootognbout]

You asked how a luthier would do it, and I gave the most common answer.

If you are trying to do modifications or something, then the alternative is to lay a narrow strip of copper tape under the bridge area, so that all seven saddles sit on top of it. This method is rather unsightly, but it gets the job done.

Now I DID think of that earlier.
And It could be done to my bass.
I But didn't see it.

I,personally,am not doing the modification.
I was just wondering how is it done.

The tech at GC told me something about the ground wire.I didn't understand exactly what he was saying.
I think that HE was wondering the same thing.
But it got me thinking about the posted question.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Won't hurt to go ahead with a brass nut, but I would expect whoever built the instrument to have grounded the strings correctly, but I suppose stranger things have happened... Have you looked at the ground wire from the bridge in the control cavity? Maybe it is seven individual wires all star grounded with everything else. It would be a tedious way to handle the issue though.

It wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't connected at all!
I do have a bit of RF hum.
I was thinking of all the different ways to hide a ground wire on a bass like mine.

 

[tedious1]

I was thinking of all the different ways to hide a ground wire on a bass like mine.

Yeah I was looking at your other thread (with all the pictures) and I noticed the string thru ferrules, and I started wondering if they might have gone that route, but I just don't see how to do it without leaving an ugly mess.

Pretty bass in any case...

 

[silky smoove]

I have a Warmoth G4 that uses a Hipshot single string bridge. I had Mike Lull do the final pickup installation and as part of it he used a piece of copper shielding tape to span across the individual bridge pieces, and then did a typical ground wire to the G-string bridge. Works great and because of the color of the bass it's nearly invisible. You can see it if you look closely at this photo:

Photo was taken before doing a setup, so don't sweat the wacky saddle positions

 

[JustForSport]

What's a string retainer?

Also known as a string tree, it sits between the nut and the tuners, you run the strings off the nut, under the retainer and then on to the machine head. The retainer serves to ensure a good break angle (and hence the proper witness point) for the string over the nut.

A string retainer is typically a Fender-design thing (also needed on copies of them, due to the flat headstock design. Most everyone else uses an angled headstock that already gets a good break angle, w/o extra hardware.

 

[Camaro]

I would connect the tuners with adhesive copper tape behind the headstock.

With the copper tape placed under the tuners, of course.
Costs basically nothing and is invisible from the front.

You would need to remove the silks of the strings trough.

 

[line6man]

I would connect the tuners with adhesive copper tape behind the headstock.
View attachment 691604
With the copper tape placed under the tuners, of course.
Costs basically nothing and is invisible from the front.

You would need to remove the silks of the strings trough.

The OP has already posted a picture of his headstock, and it is not an inline Fender style.

 

[Camaro]

Well, then make connections on both sides and join them.

It's cheap, especially compared to a brass nut or to reducing the resell value with a string tree.

 

[MrMerrey]

The bridges on my combustion have a grounding wire running under each bridge. You have just about see it between them but only if you are looking for it.

 

[Doner Designs]

If I were scratch building a bass like that I would simply run a ground wire to each single string bridge.