Fully Shielded Tele Body?

[bigdaddy]

Another dumb question, do I need this on my Strummer Tele build? A vendor on eBay recently pieced out a Strummer Tele and as you can see in this pis, it has copper shielding in the body cavities. The one I bought didn;t have this, but I'm wondering if I should retrofit it with some before installing the electronics. Any help would again be appreciated. FWIW, I'm going with a KA pre-wired pickguard combo as far as pups and controls go. Thanks, BD

[hippiebob01]

If you are going to be playing around flourescent lights, fans, and other things that could be of nuisance, then it couldn't hurt.

And if you do apply it, make sure to leave a small piece under where the bridge plate connects to the body.

[bigdaddy]

Thanks Bob. Probably not an issue (really only play at home), but does this come in a tape form or something (i.e. with adhesive backing)?

[hippiebob01]

Sure does.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electron...pper_Tape.html

[Don]

I shielded a Tele completely like that once.

Luckily it was easy enough to remove.

It attenuated highs and made the guitar sound dull and lifeless.

My current Tele has no shielding whatsoever (aside from the neck pickup cover) and I have no problem with noise, though I only play at home, jam sessions, parties and barbecues at friend's houses.

Only shield you guitar like this if you absolutely have to.

[hippiebob01]

Yeah, like Don said, once you complete the build, it should sound fine. If there is massive amounts of hum or other noise, make sure all of your solder connections are good and the bridge has been grounded properly.

[bigdaddy]

Thanks again guys. I think I'll punt on the copper shielding....

[Kap'n]

Only shield you guitar like this if you absolutely have to.

Yep.

However, there are some venues I simply can not play a single coil guitar in, because their electrical systems are impossibly noisy. I can live with that. Thankfully there are only a couple of them around here.

[Don]

In that situation, I'd be more than happy to play my Les Paul all night.

If I felt that I needed a Tele sound in a place like that, I'd get a set of used Kinman Broadcasters before I'd go nuts with shielding a guitar.
I had a set in my USACG T-Style for a while (not to reduce hum, but they became available used and I wanted to hear every set of pickups that I could in this guitar) and not only did they sound good, but they were extremely effective at reducing the hum.

[rockntommy]

If you are going to be playing around flourescent lights, fans, and other things that could be of nuisance, then it couldn't hurt.

And if you do apply it, make sure to leave a small piece under where the bridge plate connects to the body.

I used the Conductive Shielding Paint Stu Mac sells.
Made a huge difference and did not notice any real tone differences.

[TommyJ]

I agree with Don also.
I have actually had shielded guitars that made line noise,
and they do seem to be more bright and seem to have a lower
output.IMO..