Best Way to install a bridge ground.

[dmraco]

I have done this many times but I am interested is what actually is the best/correct way to install a bridge ground.

I have a GOTOH stud mount bridge.  I noticed than on the bottom of the studs there are  tiny holes.  Does this serve a purpose? 

It is hole utilize with the ground? 

In the past I have simply run the ground wire along the side of the stud and pressed in.  Is this correct?  AM i supposed to use sodder in any fashion.

this must be my 8th build and I cannot beleive I am just asking this now.

 

[Cagey]

I've always done it the same way you describe - bare wire in the hole and press the stud in. No solder.

I don't know what the hole in the bottom might be for. Although, there are some studs that have a set screw inside of them that can be used to lock the height of the stud once it's adjusted in the bushing. The Gotoh 510 bridges Warmoth sells are like that...

Maybe what you're seeing are studs like those with the set screw either missing or backed up into the stud shaft.

 

[rapfohl09]

I have never heard of anyone NOT doing it the way you described. I do it the same way with fender style flat bridges as well. Fan the wire out a little bit so your not compressing a huge lump, then cinch the bridge down right on top of it.

 

[dmraco]

Thanks.  Guess I was right all along.

Cagey...the holes are on the sides of the studs...not the bottom.  Your guess is as good as mine.
look here..just like on the bottom of the stud...3 oclock position

 

[Cagey]

Interesting. What model bridge is that?

 

[nexrex]

Looks like a Wilkinson VS100

 

[dmraco]

That was not my exact bridge, but it has those holes.

Btw...paulXeren is right...wilkinson.

 

[Cagey]

You said earlier it was a Gotoh. I was looking for a model so I could look it up and see if they have any documentation that says what that hole is intended for. I've installed lotsa Wilkies and never saw that hole before.

 

[Surtur]

The best way for me is to strip the wire for 1 - 1,5 inches then make a some sort of hook, just to let it get stuck in the hole. Once it hooked it won't go anythere.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Those studs are standard on the Gotoh Wilkinson VS100N model and others like VG300, VS401, VS401V etc.:

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=1721be48c8410eae&id=1721BE48C8410EAE%21134

I too strip some wire and press the studs onto that.

 

[The Hun]

My first post!

I'm putting my first Warmoth together, with a TOM bridge and tailstop.  I soldered a wire to the bottom of the bolt before installing the stud.  My concern was that the black finish on the stud would prevent good contact between the wire and stud, and I have no idea how I'd ever get the stud back out to fix the probelm without damaging the guitar body.

I strongly suspect a lot of "buzz" on guitars is a result of poor bridge grounding.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I think the hole is there as part of the manufacturing process, it really has no practical function otherwise.

 

[dmraco]

I ended up stripping the wire about 1.5 inches and bending to a loop, installing to the loop and pressing in the stud.  Looks good.

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

So, how would you do it if you had warmoth install the studs?

 

[dmraco]

So, how would you do it if you had warmoth install the studs?

they do it for you!!! :rock-on: