no output after swapping parts SOLVED

[mixmkr 2023]

On my Squire Classic Vibe 60 Tele, I replaced the control plate to a clear plastic plate. I also replaced the bridge with the Fender 3 saddle "pat pending" vintage bridge. I made sure the ground wire was still intact when installing the new bridge. I also replaced the jack with a chrome Electrosocket jackplate with the pure tone full contact output jack. I'm basically 100% positive I wired that with the correct polarity. However the guitar is now totally silent at the output jack. Did the metal plate carry a ground between the pots and switch...and then to the neck pu cover and bridge...that is needed?
Or..did I disturb the wiring somehow when swapping things out. Just wondering before I pull it apart and look or stick a meter on it.

I'm intermediate in guitar wiring, know how to solder, etc...but this my first Tele wired guitar.

​

​

​

 

[vanr]

Perhaps the metal control plate was supplying a ground which the new plastic control plate will not do. Such as between pots.

 

[mixmkr 2023]

Perhaps the metal control plate was supplying a ground which the new plastic control plate will not do. Such as between pots.

yeah....that's my question. Would the Squire rely on that? The fix would be easy then to just jump the pot cases with a wire, etc... But I'll have to look. Just wondering if that IS the case and potentially the problem

 

[AAT65]

I believe all Telecasters use the control plate as a common ground, not just Squier!

 

[mixmkr 2023]

Yeah...totally silent...so I suspect a short or a break in the "wiring" somewhere. Nothing intermittent or change in sound.

 

[mixmkr 2023]

A bit off topic...IF the control plate is meant to carry the ground to the two pots (and switch?), is there typically an "insurance" wire on certain models for the ground, in addition to relying soley on the plate?

Goggling...I'm showing diagrams both with and without. The switch just carries the hot, basically.... like a typical on/off switch.

And...these questions surely showing my "newbie-ness" to guitar wiring and its' related components.

 

[mixmkr 2023]

Sloppy soldering on my part and the hot was touching the ground on my new input jack.

As an aside...there IS a jumper wire for the ground between the pots and over to the switch chassis. Metal plate isn't needed in the wiring equation.
The bidge, neck pup cover...all pots, etc ...all share the ground.

 

[Boreas]

Depends on your pots, but try touching one end of a wire to a pot screw and the other to the bridge or metal pickup piece. If the pot is not grounded, using an alternate path should open the electron gates.

Whoops - I guess I was too late!