Planning my build

[KenS]

I am just planning my first build a Violin Bass. Is it possible to shield he pickups and control cabinet on a violin bass and if so how?

Cheers!

[nitroburner1000]

Is it a Pitbull kit or scratch build?
Does it have cavities covered by a pickguard?
If so, yes, then the copper wont show. If it shows you can always use a special antistatic paint which is black, that shouldnt show.

Pics would help.

[KenS]

Hi Nitroburner 1000 I am having difficulty uploading a photo it must be too big I will try to resize it and send it soon. My build is a Pitbull kit. The Violin Bass has two mini humbuckers with pick guards and a pre wired control panel. The body is hollow and completely open the only internal obstruction is a wooden post under where the floating bridge will sit.

regards

Ken

[Rossco381]

Is that the hb4? I think u may struggle to shield them being a hollow body. I am only new to this but I had the same thought with a different hollow body kit (gr-1sf). It took me a couple goes at soldering but if u look at my build diary https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...t=11323&page=4 there is some great advice from a couple members on here regarding wiring. Mainly pages 3 and 4 from mcreed and dikkybee007.

[Rabbit]

I haven't noticed any issues with hum or other nasty interference... I'm not entirely sure it needs shielding.I must admit, I had the same thoughts about it when did my build but . I think you'll find Hoffner don't shield their violin basses either

[KenS]

Thanks Rossco381 and Rabbit the kit is a hb4s which is the same as the hb4 but with a thin veneer top. I will give it a go without shielding and see how it goes

[fender3x]

If the pups are wax potted and have a brass bottom they should not be too noisy. If they are noisy there are lots of mini HBs that should fit. Shielded wiring may also help. I have a set of HBs and with shielded cable between all the switches and pots, and it's as quiet as any other HB-equiped solid bodies that I have and all the solid bodies have good shielding.

[nitroburner1000]

Hi Nitroburner 1000 I am having difficulty uploading a photo it must be too big I will try to resize it and send it soon. My build is a Pitbull kit. The Violin Bass has two mini humbuckers with pick guards and a pre wired control panel. The body is hollow and completely open the only internal obstruction is a wooden post under where the floating bridge will sit.

regards

Ken

All pics have to be resized 1500 x 1500 or under

[Simon Barden]

The kit comes with mini-humbuckers, so electrical noise will be at a minimum. Whilst shielding can provide some benefits on humbucker-equipped guitars and bases in really electrically noisy environments, any hum in normal environments will be minimal. It is virtually impossible to shield a hollow or semi-hollow bodied guitar once it's assembled.

As has been said, you could upgrade to braided wiring for the longer cable runs, but most of the cable lengths are very short and screened cables would provide minimal hum pickup reduction.

[KenS]

Thanks for your help guys!