Guitar & Bass Control Shielding

Solder fumes must be getting to my head, despite the respirator and working outside. This probably falls into the "way over the top" (unnecessary) category. But I just can't help myself.

It may seem subtle, but the feel of switches and controls is really important.

Doesn't matter if it's a car, camera, watch or guitar — tactile interactions seem to set the mood for our experience with that tool. Smooth, positive, precise and repeatable movements are a strong indicator of intelligent engineering and quality workmanship.

If you've ever used a Manley Voxbox or Avalon Design Vt-737sp you'll have an idea what I mean. Ahh.

Conversely, I am horrified — public confession moment — by the proliferation of plastic guitar knobs on split knurled shafts. The wobble. The pop off. The hollow velveeta "ting" at full stop. I just can't take it anymore...

(sob)

So in an all out assault on landfills, I'm launching an initiative to create the perfect guitar control feel. This is a personal offensive. Join me if you dare, or just watch from the safety of the trenches. Don Quixote rides again!

You already know about my obsession with shielding control cavities. Today's objective is to carry it another step forward.

Using copper plumbing pipe sections purchased from Gene at Frenchtown Hardware, I silver-soldered 1/8" thick end caps, forming precise assemblies similar to those described in my battered (1984) spiral-bound black and white copy of Donald Brosnac's Guitar Electronics for Musicians. Apparently, you can learn new tricks from an old dog.

These will add ounces of weight to the instrument. But the feel of the pots is magnificent...and the shielding. Blissful sigh.

LEARN MORE: Simplicity

Comments

[Alex]

Now that's proper shielding! Looks really good. Letting the copper disk be visible could be interesting design-wise.

Will you be running the wires through copper tubes to shield them as well? If so, having the tubes run on top of the guitar rather than inside it might look good. Plus, it would make the cabling obvious to the user. Switching and turning knobs would not be a black-box thing, since you'd be able to see which pickups are connected to which pots and switches.

/Alex

[Rick Toone]

Thanks, Alex.

Most of the wiring on Skele is visible, or at least the copper tubes that hold the wires. I agree with your opinion — it is a cool look to see the exposed "nerve cells" of an instrument.

This particular guitar (Simplicity) will likely have the electronics hidden. I'm not fully decided, but it would probably match the aesthetic better. But now you've got me thinking...

:)

One of the reasons for developing these (refined) shields are for future use in Uni-Neck construction. I love how Skele turned out and plan to build extensively using that technique.

Too many ideas and not enough time! Aaargh!

[martin gayola]

Great idea! Did you look at copper caps? Maybe you could save yourself all that soldering.
Check a plumbing catalog I'm sure you'll find something ;-)

[Rick Toone]

Martin — thanks for your suggestion. I've also been playing with the copper caps, but realized they don't have enough precision in terms of roundness and straightness. They are formed with a flare, and somewhat variable.

I'm finding (so far) that building shields from straight pipe yields the look and precision needed.

Give it a try and let me know what you discover.

[Alex]

Hi Rick

Re. our previous talk on "exposed nerve cells":

I've added phase and series/parallel switches to a guitar and had the added wires run on top of the body.

They're combined with brass discs for the switches plus a brass pickguard and a copper shield to cover some old holes in the body.

I've depicted and described it here: http://tbeamguitar.blogspot.com/2010/03/copper-shield-and-switch-added.html

I hope to do a future build where all the wiring run in exposed copper tubes.

This particular design (with its heap of metal) is just one among many approaches. Have a look - I hope it's inspiring.

/Alex

[Rick Toone]

Alex — very nice work routing the copper tubes. It is a challenge to bend with such precision. That will be a great technique to incorporate on future builds.

PS: Love the "snow proof" guitar.