Hello:- Speak&Spell 'Body contact' advise

[cane creek]

Hello ,

I'm a total amateur and I'm about to perform my first circuit bend on a Speak & Spell so forgive me if this sounds a silly question, I have a diagram (Ghazala/cantor) on it shows the Pitch dial/Potentiometer is wired to a body contact.

What is the Body contact for ?
Do I need a body contact ?
If needed where can I buy one from on the net (any links) ?

Thank you in advance , as i await eagerly with solder iron in hand  

PS this might help

[Circuitbenders]

this is an occasion where the search function is your friend. There have been a fair few threads discussing this.

[cane creek]

Sorry about that im so impatient when ive got something to do.

So reading through the threads it would seem any type of conducting metal stud will do the trick.

I'm off to B&Q to see what they have 

[cane creek]

Got back from B&Q spent about 40 minutes walking around shop looking for something i could use as a body contact ended up buying packet of 4 mirror screws for £5.29 thinking i could use the shiny caps but the shafts are way too short !!!

wasted journey wasted fiver  lol

[Circuitbenders]

big bolts are always good

[cane creek]

big bolts are always good

Cool ,However i just wanted something more cosmetically pleasing lol
Just been to the local hardware shop and described to the guy what i wanted , he looked at me as if im stupid and said i've got nothing like that lol.

[cane creek]

Im looking at these 5mX20 carriage bolts , they are stainless steel with they do the job ? as ive been reading stainless steel doesn't conduct as good as other metals.

[Circuitbenders]

they're be fine, but surely you can get them from any hardware store

[Bogus Noise]

I've always used mirror screws, I think they look great on the surface of a bent instrument!

A fiver is well steep though. You can get 4 for £1.29 from Wilkinsons, and it's possible to solder a wire onto those ones. Also, if you've still got the B & Q receipt, you should be able to get a refund.

Actually, are you trying to solder onto the screw or the cap itself? If the latter, make a bigger hole and solder onto the screw instead.

[Ciderfeks]

Another good one for body contacts are the studs used for decorating leather jackets - some are just like over sized drawing pins which provide a smart looking domed disc or you could get all crazed cyber punk and go mad with spikes... Also, when buying expensive mirror screws at B&Q, be sure not to get the ones with chrome effect plastic caps...