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Jazz Shielding Pictorial (Big Images Warning)

#782
Blue,
Would I get the same protection from noise using shielded cable rather than the copper tube?
I, to, am OCD & will probably do both. I found that if you wrap the copper tape around a small diameter drinking straw it will make things a little easier and cure pattern baldness!
Well maybe I got a little carried away there, but you get the picture...
I am shielding a fretless Jazz bass and a P/J that I'm installing a stack knob for master volume/blend and a Stellartone. The body is a precision body with only two spaces in the control compartment plus the jack.
Thank you for your ideas and concise, clear information in this forum.
 
#783
Hey, my hair is thinning out, what a coincidence!

My copper tubing approach is WAAAAAYYY overkill. You can certainly use tape around a straw to accomplish the task, just be sure to have it long enough to extend out a bit on both ends of the wire hole, that way you can solder it or at least bend it back to the sidewalls.

Could you use shielded wire rather than a copper tube or copper tape? Yes, and it will almost certainly do the job. I just do what I do to avoid "almost". You could ground the shielding on the wire and it would be protected, but the wire channel would be open on the ends. That might allow the tiniest of chances that some RF/EM energy might find its way in. Using cut-to-length copper tubing, or copper tape on a straw, seals off the interior of the control cavity entirely.

I do this so I won't ever run into any issues with noise. But if I DO run into an issue with noise, I won't ever have to wonder if a lack of shielding there might be contributing to the problem, which means I won't have to troubleshoot it, which would be a royal PITA.
 
#784
Hey peeps,

Decided to do the shielding job at the same time as a series/ parallel switch :)

IMG_20140227_021631_hdr_zps3953523d.jpg


Somebody earlier in this thread warned about copper shielding cutting you up- I learned the hard way! :o


IMG_20140225_005054_hdr_zps2a1c7c1a.jpg
 
#785
BlueTalon said:
Hey, my hair is thinning out, what a coincidence!

My copper tubing approach is WAAAAAYYY overkill. You can certainly use tape around a straw to accomplish the task, just be sure to have it long enough to extend out a bit on both ends of the wire hole, that way you can solder it or at least bend it back to the sidewalls.

Could you use shielded wire rather than a copper tube or copper tape? Yes, and it will almost certainly do the job. I just do what I do to avoid "almost". You could ground the shielding on the wire and it would be protected, but the wire channel would be open on the ends. That might allow the tiniest of chances that some RF/EM energy might find its way in. Using cut-to-length copper tubing, or copper tape on a straw, seals off the interior of the control cavity entirely.

I do this so I won't ever run into any issues with noise. But if I DO run into an issue with noise, I won't ever have to wonder if a lack of shielding there might be contributing to the problem, which means I won't have to troubleshoot it, which would be a royal PITA.
Click to expand...

RF shielding is usually braided because that has been proven to be effective. That's the first line of defense in coaxial cabling (less expensive cable was wire-wrapped shield, but it's not braided), followed by foil. You could have used copper tape with copper mesh attached to it- I used that when I did car audio. If you have a gap at the end of the copper tubing, it's still going to allow RF in. "Won't ever"? Think again. Bending it back and relying simply on contact to do the job is wasting the effort to do the rest of this job- Copper oxidizes, so soldering it is mandatory. Shielding requires bonding.
 
#787
1958Bassman said:
RF shielding is usually braided because that has been proven to be effective. That's the first line of defense in coaxial cabling (less expensive cable was wire-wrapped shield, but it's not braided), followed by foil. You could have used copper tape with copper mesh attached to it- I used that when I did car audio. If you have a gap at the end of the copper tubing, it's still going to allow RF in. "Won't ever"? Think again. Bending it back and relying simply on contact to do the job is wasting the effort to do the rest of this job- Copper oxidizes, so soldering it is mandatory. Shielding requires bonding.
Click to expand...

Context good sir, context. Context is everything. Nowhere have I ever recommended not soldering. If you read my post again, you will notice that the first thing I mentioned was soldering. However in the context of this particular discussion, the material being used is self-adhesive copper tape with conductive adhesive. Bending that back is not "relying simply on contact to do the job". It isn't the same level of bonding that soldering is, but it also isn't the haphazard negligent approach you paint it to be.

About "won't ever" -- what I actually wrote was this:
"I do this so I won't ever run into any issues with noise."
The GOAL of doing what I do is that I won't ever run into any issues with noise. That is my intent. I didn't say I won't ever have any issues with noise. As a matter of fact, I couldn't possibly have meant that, because I immediately followed it with this:
"But if I DO run into an issue with noise, I won't ever have to wonder if a lack of shielding [in the wire channel] might be contributing to the problem..."
Am I factually incorrect here? If so, please explain how you think I am wrong.

Your car audio experience I'm sure gives you some valuable knowledge that can translate elsewhere. But I have NEVER seen pickup wires that were coaxial with braided mesh copper shielding. Not from the factory, anyway.

Now, if you are suggesting that coaxial pickup wires with copper mesh shielding is a great way to help shield your bass, then by all means, post about it, recommend it, and tell what steps you use to make it happen. This thread is about shielding, and such a post would be a welcome addition.
 
#788
selowitch said:
I think it would be great if we could develop a supply list with links for this project so people can buy the correct type of RF cable, grounding lugs, copper foil, etc.
Click to expand...

I get my copper shielding from ebay. Do a search on "copper shielding conductive adhesive" and you find stuff like this.
 
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#790
I just solder my ground leads right to the shielding in the cavity, so I don't use a lug per se.

I use wire from Radio Shack, but I plead ignorance here. I'm sure there are better options, and I'm certainly open to them myself, if someone with more knowledge is willing to chime in.
 
#793
Need more about this build?
Is this radical enough?
There are two existing,
just completed an set-up this last weekend.
Dunc bassman pups and lace Aluma-p
Wood neck and moses graphite
8#7oz and 8# 14.7oz
Ready to abuse and thrash.
I am seeking bassist in San Diego areas to test with.
Is it proper to start a new thread rather than hijack?
New to this need advice(s) got plenty if vices.
 

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