Les Paul with no ground wire

[Jason Lollar]

I had a Les Paul Pro come into my shop with a complaint it was buzzing all the time. Much to my suprise there was no ground wire to the strings and there was no evidence there ever was one- no hole anywhere.
Anyway I just had to pull one of the studs and drill a hole but I wonder how often that happens. Anyone ever seen that? If not be warned, it could save you alot of tail chasing.

 

[Garampingat]

i'm no norlin expert but AFAIK, some 70s LPs(the late 70s i think) have no ground wire to the bridge. i think those that have a metal plate cover on the control cavity are the ones with no ground wire.

 

[Rev.WillieVK]

Isn't the Pro a P-90 guitar? It wasn't grounded through the bridge pickup route?

 

[sonar]

Thanks for the head's up. My '08 Standard had the wire, but it was broken. The only reason I found out was when I replaced the electronics. Resetting the ground wasn't a big deal, but you'd think Gibson would check this on final inspection?

 

[Garampingat]

found these pics on the web. its also a LP Pro Deluxe(1977).

notice there's also no ground wire from the bridge.

 

[TwoTubMan]

Over the years I've seen two 70's LP's without a ground wire route, both were black Customs.

 

[BobV]

Thanks for sharing the info, Lollar, and thanks for the very informative videos on your site as well. Anyone who wants to understand how to replace pickups should check them out.

 

[Jason Lollar]

Indeed it looks like there is no bridge ground in thoise photos. the guitar i had come in was a pro- P-90's but there was no case around the electronics and no metal plate in the bottom of the control cavity SO maybe they figured it was shielded so well that they didnt need a ground wire.
I have never noticed Gibsons without string grounds before! I feel a bit stupid, I have worked on countless guitars- how did that slip by me?
Thanks for the heads up you guys, this is definately something i always have people check if they complain of noise- is the bridge grounded? but now I have reason to suspect this to be stock from the factory sometimes- know what I mean? Something to double check....

 

[closet58]

It is really wierd seeing this thread come up. Just this week I finally got disgusted enough with the my 78 Les Paul Pro to tear it apart and see if I could do something with this noise issue. I was figuring possibly lining the control and pickup cavities with copper foil to see if I could cut down on the noise. I have had this guitar for almost 15 years and thought that the noise was just apart of the P-90 thing. I would dig it out only occassionally to put it back just disgusted about the noise. Lots of other guitars to play with and just left it to its case.

Well just like you found out, upon opening the control cavity, I found the metal can in place and untouched since it was installed and once that was removed I couldn't see a ground wire to the tailpiece. I can't believe how smokin this axe is now that ground wire is in place. It just cranks!:headbange

What is really puzzling is this an indication of just a brief period of a lack of quality control and testing before a guitar is shipped or did someone really think it wasn't necessary. I can't believe it could have been sold by dealer without somebody playing and listening to that shit. The only reason I ended up with it is because I bought it without playing it first thru an amp. It was at an estate sale that the guy was selling all the guitars in one lot and you had to take everything. I think it was $550 paid for this and 11 other guitars so I really didn't haggle.

Again, Thanks for the Tip. I still can't believe how much of a difference it makes.:salude