General question regarding bridge earthing

[topshed34a]

This is not about my 4003 as the bridge is earthed, however I bought my self a Squier Fretless bass nearly a year ago, I thought it was a great way to try fretless cheaply incase I was hopeless at it.(Im not brilliant but I get by and fool a lot of people)
Anyway I am about to fit Dimarzio DP123 pickups in it. According to the PDF file on the squier site the bridge is earthed. I pulled out the control panel, guess what? no earth to the bridge but appears to be a small hole in the cavity where an earth wire would run up to the bridge.
My dilema is I don't know if for some reason they decided not to earth the bridge or simply forgot to put it in.
Any suggestions, "To Earth or not to Earth, that is my Question"

Regards
Steve

[weemac]

You will find that with the DP123 pickups that the earth is vital.
Whilst humcanceling the DP123 pickups are poorly shielded in the wiring department (ie none) and they buzz fairly badly.
Even with the bridge earthed you will find that the DP123s get a fairly noisy "hands off" buzz.
If you have any shield paint, now is the time to use it.
It's a shame really as apart from the buzz the Dp123s are really good pickups..
Eden.

[topshed34a]

You will find that with the DP123 pickups that the earth is vital.
Whilst humcanceling the DP123 pickups are poorly shielded in the wiring department (ie none) and they buzz fairly badly.
Even with the bridge earthed you will find that the DP123s get a fairly noisy "hands off" buzz.
If you have any shield paint, now is the time to use it.
It's a shame really as apart from the buzz the Dp123s are really good pickups..
Eden.

I think the word that spring to mind is bugger. Ok next dumb question, what is shield paint, where do you get it and where do you paint. Bear in mind that ny fretless which appearss on my atatar does not have a pick gaurd. I have heard of people lining the cavity with copper foil but again I haven't seen it never done it an further more also don't knoe if it works
Steve (also in Strahylia.)

[weemac]

Shield paint is conductive paint that you can paint into the control routings etc and make sure that it comes in contact with the control plate (to complete the shield)
You should be able to get from Venue or some of the Paramatta road shops and could even try Smithy's
I actually use a water bassed paint that has graphite in it. It's hard to get it to stick, but once its on its on for good...

Contact glue and foil will work as well but I think that it is more fiddily. Self sticking copper foil can be purchased from some shops as well.

I have a Spira 8 string bass that had DP123s in it and the noise eventually drove me to fit EMGS which sure are quiet but sound somewhat like EMGS. (you either like them or you don't)

Eden.

[topshed34a]

Shield paint is conductive paint that you can paint into the control routings etc and make sure that it comes in contact with the control plate (to complete the shield)
You should be able to get from Venue or some of the Paramatta road shops and could even try Smithy's
I actually use a water bassed paint that has graphite in it. It's hard to get it to stick, but once its on its on for good...

Contact glue and foil will work as well but I think that it is more fiddily. Self sticking copper foil can be purchased from some shops as well.

I have a Spira 8 string bass that had DP123s in it and the noise eventually drove me to fit EMGS which sure are quiet but sound somewhat like EMGS. (you either like them or you don't)

Eden.

Thanks for some good info. I might even give Turramurra music a call to see if they sell it as I work at North Ryde
cheers

Steve

[weemac]

Turramurra music! there a very profesional bunch without the usual Sydney guitarshop nonsense... I forgot about them!
Eden.

[topshed34a]

Turramurra music! there a very profesional bunch without the usual Sydney guitarshop nonsense... I forgot about them!
Eden.

My personal view of Turramurra music is they are the best shop around in Sydney area and there prices are alwaygs brilliant. More to the point you don't have to fit the stereotype muso of sex drugs and rock and roll for them to help you. Having said that I realise that not all musos are stoned or drunk as skunks all the time.

Cheers Steve
Long live the Ric and the Fretless