seamoor
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 122
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Posted on May 17 2008 08:58 AM
I'm getting ready to replace the electronics in my JM, and I got a gold anodized pickguard. I like the way that they look, and I have been told that they provide natural shielding.
My question is two-fold; should I also attach a copper shield to the backside of the pickguard, or is the native aluminum sufficient? Also, I see some guys using copper sheets with spray adhesive on their pickguards, and other guys using copper tape. This is an area I have no experience in. I've rewired plenty of guitars, but never fooled around with shielding or pickguards before.
2nd part: I see that '58 JM's with the gold pickguards had a thin application of lacquer applied.
The pickguard I got from Allparts appears lacquer free. I get the sense that lacquer was there, originally, to protect against scratches. Is it a good idea to apply lacquer over it, or maybe shellac? The thing about shellac, which I have been mixing for decades, is that you can rub out scratches with a little alcohol on a soft cloth. Plus it's not toxic, and French polish is one of the wettest looking finishes available.
I know I'm not the first to go down this path. Any advice?
Thanks!
Seamoor Glas
The Iterators
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bomboraboy
Joined: May 26, 2007
Posts: 87
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Posted on May 17 2008 01:05 PM
when shielding your creating some sort of Faraday cage. This cage will shield better if the material has higher conductivity. Aluminium has 60% of the conductivity of copper, so copper will shield better.
I would test if there is annoying hum without copper and then make the next step.
for the second question. I don't know. But don't do scratches look good anyways on guitars, particularly if you did them yourself?
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seamoor
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 122
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Posted on May 17 2008 01:26 PM
bomboraboy
when shielding your creating some sort of Faraday cage. This cage will shield better if the material has higher conductivity. Aluminium has 60% of the conductivity of copper, so copper will shield better.
I would test if there is annoying hum without copper and then make the next step.
Hey, thanks man! Good point about the Faraday cage. I never thought about it that way. I'm just going to play it safe and install the copper.
Somebody sent me a youtube video of an electrician maintainance guy wearing a Faraday suit that was lowered down onto some high power transmission lines by a helicopter so he could scrape corrosion off the lines from tower to tower. One of the scariest videos I have ever seen. He said there were only two things he was afraid of, heights, and women, but he was married, anyway.
As for scratches, well yeah, they don't affect tone or playability,but, unfortunately, they do affect resale value. Also, I like that wet shiny look.
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planish
Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 473
Sackville, New Brunswick
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Posted on May 18 2008 01:35 AM
seamoor
Somebody sent me a youtube video of an electrician maintainance guy wearing a Faraday suit that was lowered down onto some high power transmission lines by a helicopter ..
Sorry to drag this off topic, but since you mentioned Faraday suits, check out the pix and videos of Doctor Megavolt
— I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.
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Klas
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2310
Stockholm, Sweden
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Posted on May 18 2008 05:32 AM
You can always try the Mickey Baker solution to protect the pickguard from scratches 
— T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S
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chad3006
Joined: Aug 21, 2006
Posts: 76
USA
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Posted on Sep 26 2008 09:11 AM
Don't add a copper shield to an aluminum pickgard. The two metals don't mix. A chemical reaction can occur which will erode and corrode the pickgard. The aluminum pickgard has plenty of shielding by itself.
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Sep 26 2008 04:36 PM
i use aluminum shielding, but not for my pickguard:
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4557
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Sep 26 2008 10:29 PM
chad3006
Don't add a copper shield to an aluminum pickgard. The two metals don't mix. A chemical reaction can occur which will erode and corrode the pickgard. The aluminum pickgard has plenty of shielding by itself.
+1 on this. Copper is a much more "noble" metal than aluminum and would literally eat the pickguard over time. If there are any sort of electrolyte introduced it could be pretty dramatic. As long as the aluminum pickguard has a path to ground you'll be fine.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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