studs and ground wire

[dmraco]

I am in the processes of installing studs for a tom-stop bridge as well as the ground wire.  Any tips on installing the studs and attaching the ground.

Thanks

 

[Cagey]

Ideally, you would use an arbor press, but not everyone has one of those laying around looking for work. So, run a bare section of ground wire into one of the mounting post stud holes first. Install the mounting posts in the studs, and using some kind of cushion like a wooden shim to protect the post's finish, tap the stud in with a hammer. Watch that it goes in straight, and be aware that it will take progressively more force to insert as it goes in, so you'll have to hit it harder. You might even want to use a thinner piece of oak or maple as a cushion, because it's going to get tore up and pine will disintegrate quickly.

Speaking of damage, be sure there's nothing under the body before you start whacking on it, or you'll wreck your finish.

 

[erogenousjones17]

What Cagey said. His last point is especially valid -- the force it takes to drive the studs home is sufficient to force little bits of dust and detritus into a finish, so put something soft under the guitar before you start hammering!

 

[dmraco]

Any though installing them before of after the finish is applied?  I will be using dye so it will not effect the color.  However the clear would certainly coat them.  I hqve done finishes over them before on my other warmoth when the came pre-installed.

 

[mgaut051]

Screwdriver inserted shaft first into a drill press - the plastic knob on the handle works quite nicely.

 

[mayfly]

That's a pretty good idea actually...

 

[Cagey]

Any though installing them before of after the finish is applied?  I will be using dye so it will not effect the color.  However the clear would certainly coat them.  I hqve done finishes over them before on my other warmoth when the came pre-installed.

If you're concerned about the finish but want to install the studs now, you could get some set screws like these...

If you get the right length, you can run them in far enough that you'll still be able to sand the top without running into them, and they'll protect the threads in the studs from finish material and the other kukka that finishing produces.

You'll have to look up your bridge to find out what the thread size is.

 

[dmraco]

I have just used small corks ( home depot...50 cents) before.  Any thoughts on tacking the ground to the underside of the stud

 

[pabloman]

I like to ground the stop tail bushing in case you decide to use some sort of composite saddle or piezo setup. :headbang1:

 

[dmraco]

I like to ground the stop tail bushing in case you decide to use some sort of composite saddle or piezo setup. :headbang1:

I am using a piezo...should I ground both or only the stop tail?  I guess I need to read the piezo details.

 

[pabloman]

Just the stoptail. The strings won't touch anything conductive on the bridge.

 

[dmraco]

I am using a fishman...this is what it says:
POWERBRIGE PRODUCTS SHOULD BE SEPERATLY GROUNDED IN ADDITION TO THE SHIELD OF POWERBRIDGE SIGNAL WIRE USING A TRADITIONA STRING GROUND."