Virgin builder (translation: dummy!) Strat wiring question on grounding

[kestrou]

Yes, I did some searching, but didn't find (or understand) what I found, so here goes...

Finishing first build - smartly using a "loaded" pickguard my first time around the block - so my questions are in grounding...

I've shielded the bottom of the pickguard with tape, and painted the three pickup and control cavity (but not the input jack cavity or bridge/tremolo cavity) with Stew-Mac shielding paint.  Yes, went "over the top edge" so that when the pickguard is installed they should make contact.

Now... how do I ground all this stuff together?!

I have a long ground wire coming off the control - and often see that run to the tremolo spring claw and soldered on there - right?

Believe I also need to sink a screw into my shielding-cavity-paint and run a wire from there to... soldered to the back of the volume pot? I think that's the most common suggestion anyways.

Appreciate the help for the noob here guys - have an INTERESTING build I'll unveil when it's done!

kestrou

 

[AutoBat]

Grounding your shielding is optional, the screw + wire will work fine.
Absolutely make sure you have a bridge ground. If this is a fresh build you'll want to solder on onto the trem claw (unless using active EMGs, then you don't need this)
Assuming this is the traditional 3 single coil setup your wiring should look something similar to this:
http://cdn.seymourduncan.com/images/support/schematics/3s_1v_2t_5w.jpg
Being that you said you have a loaded pickguard means you probably just need to solder the hot output, and the 2 grounds (3 if you want to include the shielding)

Hopefully this answers a question or two for you.  There isn't one clear cut way to wire it because it seems everyone has an opinion as to which of the plethora of wiring schemes is 'the one.'

 

[kestrou]

Thanks, buddy - that's a bee-yoo-tee-full diagram and answers lots of questions!

kestrou

 

[AutoBat]

If you haven't installed the claw screws & plate yet, you can solder the wire to the hidden side for a cleaner look.
Otherwise you can service it while it's already on as well:

Also if everything looks right and you're having volume issues & odd hum there is an excellent chance that you've wired the tip & sleeve backwards on the output jack.

 

[kestrou]

Thanks for the tip on using the underside of the claw - am actually recreating a guitar and I have a good picture of it and the wire is soldered on the usual/top spot though...

Gotcha on the tip/ring reversal - with a preloaded pickguard, hopefully that's the only mistake I can make?!

kestrou