Probably a simple question to answer about my Jbass and wiring.

[Cela420]

I've been trying to get better at working on/repairing my basses. I noticed my mim jbass has these little metal tabs in the pickup cavities and I'm not 100% sure why. I don't see anything like it in wiring diagrams I've seen. I've been assuming they're for grounding so I've been solding the ground wire from the pickup to the tabs then I run a second ground wire from the metal tab to the pots. Is that the correct way to do things? Is there any reason why I can't just run a ground straight from the pickup to the pot and remove the metal tabs from my bass?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

The black paint in the cavities is probably shielding paint which in order to, well, shield needs to be connected to ground. If you remove the ground connection it could potentially increase the noise. As far as the pickups any convenient ground point will work. The shielding tab or running the wire back to a potentiometer or the output jack.

 

[Cela420]

The black paint in the cavities is probably shielding paint which in order to, well, shield needs to be connected to ground. If you remove the ground connection it could potentially increase the noise. As far as the pickups any convenient ground point will work. The shielding tab or running the wire back to a potentiometer or the output jack.

Ohh, ok. That black stuff is actually electric tape to cover some shielding tape I put in a few weeks back. If the electric tape is blocking the metal tab from touching the copper shielding tape will that mess up my ground?

 

[Bassamatic]

Yes - the tabs should be touching the foil ground. The electrical tape is really not necessary as nothing conductive should be able touch the foil except at the tabs.

 

[Cela420]

Ahhh, ok. Probably were the hum I'm trying to fix is coming from. Was about to replace the pots and jack. Probably still will but good to know that might've been the problem. Thanks! This thread has been more helpful than I thought it would be!