Work needed to cavity??

[beefyburt]

Hey. So I'm about to fit some IronGear Steam Hammer pickups to my SG, and wondered if there would be any noticeable benefit to insuating the cavity, either with copper or black insulating paint? Would prefer not to so its any easy wiring job.

 

[Raiyn]

Hey. So I'm about to fit some IronGear Steam Hammer pickups to my SG, and wondered if there would be any noticeable benefit to insuating the cavity, either with copper or black insulating paint? Would prefer not to so its any easy wiring job.

If you're not planning on coil splits....you probably don't need it.

I shielded the living hell out of my G400, it's dead quiet. I also have a bunch of coil split and series / parallel stuff going on so I certainly benefit from the shield job I did.

It's not a hard job if you use the conductive adhesive copper shield tape, connect the cavities, and have a good ground connection. You should also use plastic tools to smooth the tape. I haven't had an issue but my buddy @Dave Johnson sliced his thumb but good on a sharp tape edge.

 

[Huntroll]

In the end result, be sure the pole pieces get grounded.
You'd be surprised what a difference it make when it comes to pickup squeal.
With an ohmmeter, carefully measure between a solid ground - like the output jack and each individual pole piece.
To prove it to yourself, check out a really quality guitar - like a Gibson, even though their wax potted, each adjustable pole piece is still solidly connected to ground!
Das rite !

 

[DCCable]

In the end result, be sure the pole pieces get grounded.
You'd be surprised what a difference it make when it comes to pickup squeal.

Interesting idea; I wonder if its the electrical grounding or the secure physical attachment to the bottom plate of the pole pieces and the keeper bar (which keeps them from vibrating.) It helps if the bottom plate has threaded holes for the pole pieces.

 

[syscokid]

In the end result, be sure the pole pieces get grounded.
You'd be surprised what a difference it make when it comes to pickup squeal.
With an ohmmeter, carefully measure between a solid ground - like the output jack and each individual pole piece.
To prove it to yourself, check out a really quality guitar - like a Gibson, even though their wax potted, each adjustable pole piece is still solidly connected to ground!
Das rite !

Interesting... . I must investigate this...

 

[Chubbles]

I shield all my guitars. I got cheap copper tape from Amazon. I have a lifetime supply, I might as well use it.