Ground Problem.

[veldt666]

Hi, I recently replaced the steel saddles on my CS356 for Tusq saddles, just to help eliminate slight tuning issue's, (Bigsby version, now cured), & I must admit I prefer the tone to the steel, on this guitar at least.

However, this means, as I'm sure all the experts here will know, that my strings are not grounded, so a slight hum is heard, when I'm not touching the bridge.

Short of lifting the Bigsby & drilling a small hole to feed a ground wire under the plate, does anyone have a simple remedy for this?
Perhaps it's something you have encountered previosly?

Any advice would be appreciated,

Thanks.

 

[GM Reszel]

This wouldn't be pretty but you could weave a bare wire through the strings going to the bigsby then attach to the side of the bridge post with common aluminum tape (or really any strong tape. I was just thinking aluminum to solidify the connection). Somewhat tedious that you'd have to reattach the setup everytime you restring but it would accomplish the ground function.

 

[veldt666]

I get what you mean, but, as you said, it wont be pretty, Eh?

It's looking like, I need to drill a small diameter hole, close to the strap button hole, but under the Bigsby hinged plate, & at a steep enough angle to open up somewhere in the control cavity.
Alowing a groundwire to connect between a pot & the Bigsby.

Anyone concur?

 

[GM Reszel]

I get what you mean, but, as you said, it wont be pretty, Eh?

It's looking like, I need to drill a small diameter hole, close to the strap button hole, but under the Bigsby hinged plate, & at a steep enough angle to open up somewhere in the control cavity.
Alowing a groundwire to connect between a pot & the Bigsby.

Anyone concur?

Yeah, that's how it's done on bigsby's and trapezes.

 

[Scott Whigham]

Jeez - the tone/tuning is that much better that you're willing to put a drill to your guitar? I have a 356 and, although I'm always wanting better tone, it would have to be in the 20%+ area before I'd be willing to even consider this.