shielding tips?

[woodyng]

i am thinking of having some work done to my 4000,in an attempt to better shield the pickup/wiring,as it tends to be pretty noisy in certain environments. i welcome suggestions,experiences with,etc. either pro or con.....the guitar tech plans to use aluminum tape to line the pickguard and body cavity.

[cjj]

Copper tape would be a better choice as keeping a good connection between the various pieces of aluminum can be difficult. Even with copper, it works better if the seams are soldered...

[woodyng]

my tech guy mentioned he has a lot of experience using both copper and aluminum tape,he seems to be able to get similar results....thanks!

[cassius987]

The capacitance will cut the high end some no matter how you do it. I don't mind that one bit but some folks do.

Personally I think shielding the pots can be worthwhile but I've never gotten any good out of shielding pickups.

[woodyng]

this bass has so much high end,it wouldn't really hurt if i lost a little bit......

[ajish4]

I've had 3 RICS shielded Woody, all with copper foil. ALL worked out PERFECTLY.

My luthier did all the work, shielded the pickup cavities, electronics cavity and back of the pickguard.

A very marked improvment.

[antipodean]

Hi Woody,

Contrary opionion here: Would investing in a noise gate pedal make more sense? They come in from around $80 up, which seems to be around what you'd pay to have just one bass shielded...

As for me - I tend to live with the noise. It hides my sloppy mistakes...

[woodyng]

thanks all- i tend to like to plug directly into an amp - i don't really often use any efx. my other basses seem to be pretty quiet by comparison,even my single coil dano and jazz bass,so i think its would just be best to try to make this 1 bass better shielded.

[johnallg]

All I would add would to be thorough. The only "openings" are the pickup faces themselves. I would use copper, though I have my '04 shielded with aluminum tape and you have to be diligent that the seams are good. Copper is easier because it can and should be soldered. A well done shielding will quite things down nicely. I did not notice any loss of high end due to capacitance effects.

[woodyng]

thanks for the info,everyone. the old girl's getting an overhaul this week,shielding,new frets and a new nut made out of deer antler,along with a set-up for a set of nos 60's maxima flatwounds.....will keep ya posted!

[cjj]

Deer antler, huh? Probably a good material, is this what "bone" nuts are actually made of? Maybe I should try some of this for one of my basses, I've got piles of 'em (gotta pick 'em up out of the fields every spring so I don't wreck the tractor tires )...

[cassius987]

Deer antler! Wow good idea. I like it.

[rickenbrother]

Deer antler! Wow good idea. I like it.

A deer wouldn't think so!

[cjj]

Deer antler! Wow good idea. I like it.

A deer wouldn't think so!

Oh, I'm sure the deer wouldn't care at all. They shed them every year and grow new ones...

[woodyng]

my luthier's been using bone for nut material for a long time,last year someone gave him several deer antlers,and being the creative kind of guy he is,he tried making a few nuts out of it and really liked the results. when cut,the material kinda resembles a cream/tan marbled look-which should look nice with the creamy off white of the bass. the material is great-i have one on my jazz bass already.....i don't really think it makes a huge difference sound wise,but i could be wrong....

ps i am not sure from where bone nut material comes......c.j.--maybe i should have you ship my friend all of your antler "yard trash".....