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I shielded my Squier P-Bass

ics1974

ics1974

Apr 13, 2012
1,754
3,605
#1
My Affinity Squier P-Bass would buzz pretty loud only if I took my hands off the strings. As many here know these basses have no shielding and that's why. So I did my first shielding job and it work great. No buzz at all now.
Only cost me around $6 shipped for 1 meter of copper shielding that had conductive adhesive.
Here is a pic.

photo-5.jpg
 
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Reactions: Nekomata, aus_bass, Squittolo and 3 others
#11
Spinal Tapper said:
Ah, gotcha! I have 2 vintage P's (a 75 and a 62) and neither have shielding, but they don't buzz. Must just be one of those weird things.
Click to expand...

They don't have to buzz. It all depends on how much buzz is in the air to pick up. The true test is usually a dive bar gig standing next to neon beer sign! :D

And they MAY be already shielded. If there is black paint in the cavities it MAY be conductive paint which is also used like copper foil for shielding. And even if there is no shielding the bass might be somewhat shielded. In that case shielded cable is used for the wiring and the metal backs of the pots cover most of the circuit in them so about the only thing left unshielded are the tabs that stick out on the pots. Generally it's the longer wires (like those to the pickups) that mostly pick up the hum. This is why some pickups come standard with shielded wire.
 
#12
Spinal Tapper said:
Ah, gotcha! I have 2 vintage P's (a 75 and a 62) and neither have shielding, but they don't buzz. Must just be one of those weird things.
Click to expand...

bassbenj said:
They don't have to buzz. It all depends on how much buzz is in the air to pick up. The true test is usually a dive bar gig standing next to neon beer sign! :D

And they MAY be already shielded. If there is black paint in the cavities it MAY be conductive paint which is also used like copper foil for shielding. And even if there is no shielding the bass might be somewhat shielded. In that case shielded cable is used for the wiring and the metal backs of the pots cover most of the circuit in them so about the only thing left unshielded are the tabs that stick out on the pots. Generally it's the longer wires (like those to the pickups) that mostly pick up the hum. This is why some pickups come standard with shielded wire.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those vintage P's probably just have better wiring. I never have a problem when I'm out on a gig or band practice but at my little home, my practice space has the amp shoehorned in between a computer, TV, cordless phone, etc... and I get bursts of static all the time. Need to pick up some shielding and see if it cuts it down.
 
#14
ics1974 said:
My Affinity Squier P-Bass would buzz pretty loud only if I took my hands off the strings. As many here know these basses have no shielding and that's why. So I did my first shielding job and it work great. No buzz at all now.
Only cost me around $6 shipped for 1 meter of copper shielding that had conductive adhesive.
Here is a pic.

View attachment 2027296
Click to expand...
Zombie thread. I get significant electrostatic buzz from my US LB-100s when the tone control is wide open. I find that the buzz is diminished when I touch strings, the bridge, or either knurled metal knob.

The buzzing worsens significantly when I touch pole pieces on the D-G side of the split coil.

My question: did you run a ground to the copper foil? Thanks.
 

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