[mellecaster]

Here are my thoughts on the Issue, and why I have always run a separate ground to the Bridge plate....While Fender considers the (3) screws and metal baseplate on the pickup to be able to get the job done (and it can, on a New clean guitar)...that area on the Guitar usually attracts the most dirt, grime, sweat and "Body Pus" of any sector....thus over the years of neglect on guitars that aren't taken apart every 2 or 3 weeks, the optional ground wire is 25 cents of Cheap Insurance IMO