Bridge Grounding

[arc72]

Hi,
I purchased a Schaller Roller Bridge which I am very happy with, but a bit confused on whether or not I need to connect it to ground.  There doesn't seem to be any way to effectively attach a ground wire or solder wire to it, even after removing the finish.  Now I'm wondering if grounding it is necessary as I'd think Schaller would provide a place on the bridge to do so.  The wiring plan I'm using calls for a Gotoh Tremolo which is definitely grounded.  Since I'm using a different bridge than called for in the plan I'm a bit confused and haven't been able to find the answer in any online literature....

 

[line6man]

You definitely need to ground it, unless you want a noisy guitar.

I'm not aware of any bridges that can be soldered to. You usually fan out the strands of your ground wire, or lay down copper tape, then screw the bridge down over it. Can that not be done with your bridge?

 

[pabloman]

Which roller bridge is it? If its the TOM style it grounds on the stud bushing. Is this a new build or a retrofit?

 

[arc72]

hi again, sounds like good advice line6man.  I can definitely do that.  pabloman, its a new build and its not a TOM style.  Thanks so much for replying guys!  I was hung up on this, psyched to move forward.......

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I have never soldered directly to the bridge.  With a trem, you solder to the claw.  With a flat mount hardtail, you can fan out the wire before bolting the bridge down.  On a Tele, I use an eyelet crimp-on lug between pickup spring and plate.  On a T-O-M, the wire is installed before the stud is pushed in.  On a hardtail bass, I run copper tape from under a bridge and solder to the tape.

But, the manufacturer of the bridge has nothing to do with whether or not the electrical system needs a grounded bridge.  AFAIK, EMGs are the only pickup system that do not require a bridge ground. 

 

[line6man]

I have never soldered directly to the bridge.

Don't bother, solder does not stick to plated surfaces.

Concerning grounds, some people freak out over grounding bridges, because it puts their body at the ground potential, which may exist at a non-zero potential relative to other grounds, if there is a problem with the wiring in the building, or of the equipment they are in contact with. Some will go so far as to place a capacitor in series with the bridge ground. I've always thought this was very silly. If you have EMGs, or certain active systems, the bridge ground may not be necessary. I personally would prefer to have all metal parts follow a low impedance path to ground regardless.