Metal Pickguard

[Kmay]

I'm working on modding a passive bass by adding a 9V preamp.

I have routed the cavity larger so all the components will fit.

The bass does NOT have a pick guard around the knobs originally but I am going to add one. Instead of the plastic ones I was thinking of adding a metal one.

Is this going to cause grounding issues with the pickups?

Also, can the battery be in the same compartment as the preamp and pots without and shielding to isolate it or should I create a barricade for it?

Thanks

 

[line6man]

Is this going to cause grounding issues with the pickups?

Why would it? Electrically, there is no difference between a metal pickguard and a standard, properly shielded plastic one.

Also, can the battery be in the same compartment as the preamp and pots without and shielding to isolate it or should I create a barricade for it?

A battery is a nearly perfect DC power source. Unlike power supplies that rectify alternating current, you get your DC from a chemical reaction. There is absolutely no reason to shield or do anything fancy with a battery, because it does not give off any electrical field noise, magnetic field noise, ripple, etc.

 

[Electricblue]

L6M has got it. A lot of pickguards are fitted with a metal foil backing anyway. If you've removed your bridge, make sure you run a wire from the bridge to your cavity, then ground it. While you have your bass apart, I would shield the cavities with foil/tape/paint.

 

[Kmay]

Thanks guys.

 

[bholder]

Why would it? Electrically, there is no difference between a metal pickguard and a standard, properly shielded plastic one.



A battery is a nearly perfect DC power source. Unlike power supplies that rectify alternating current, you get your DC from a chemical reaction. There is absolutely no reason to shield or do anything fancy with a battery, because it does not give off any electrical field noise, magnetic field noise, ripple, etc.

Well, except depending on the price range you're talking about, "standard" and "properly shielded plastic" don't always go together.

 

[tangentmusic]

I have a MIM Fender P/J that came stock with an anodized gold metal pg.
No problems.

I personally didn't care for the feel of the metal, so it was swapped out and given away.

 

[Kmay]

I just went to home depot. Got some 22 gauge sheet metal and cut it to fit. Filled the edges down and drilled my holes. About to solder the pups in and give it a go.

 

[jastacey]

Make sure you use star ( inner & outer serrations ) lock washers between the pots/jacks and metal pick-guard, for good grounding and also kinda rough up the underside of the metal pick-guard in the area where the pots & jacks are to be attached to, helps with grounding