Electric Shocks

lalee17

Ok I have a question. I have a Fender jazz bass plus an Ampeg BA115, & lately I've noticed the strings shocking me quite a bit.

I started to think about it and did some research and came to the conclusion that the problem is I only have two prongs in my plug, and I had been using a 2 prong to 3 prong converter.

The bass amp wasn't grounded then (I think?) as I've been playing out in my garage..

If this is the case, how would I fix this problem? It isn't faulty wiring in the bass or anything, I've tried it with a few different basses.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

shizz

Does the 2 prong plug have a metal bit at the top of it that touches the ground part on the adapter? If there is it should be earthed. Its possible that the live and neutral wires have been crossed in the socket.

lalee17

If you'll hold on I'll post pics in a minute.

RedDragonJack

You think ground current could leak into the strings?

lalee17

EDIT: Could it have something to do with my garage? It was only installed with electricity recently but there's plenty of electrical things in it like freezers etc.. =/

lalee17

RedDragonJack wrote: »

You think ground current could leak into the strings?

I have no idea, that's why I'm asking.

RedDragonJack

So, were the electricians genuine? I'm no expert, but I don't like the look of that wall socket they did. If the current in ground isn't going to earth there is serious problem, i reckon.

Like when there is a problem in the kettle and the the body of the kettle is ground, so if there is no earth connect the current will go straight through anyone who tocuhes the kettle.

Fingers Mcginty

I wouldn't be happy at all with that adaptor thingy. If it were me I'd snip the cable (when it's unplugged obviously ) and put on a proper 3 prong mains plug. That would be my first port of call.

lalee17

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

I wouldn't be happy at all with that adaptor thingy. If it were me I'd snip the cable (when it's unplugged obviously ) and put on a proper 3 prong mains plug. That would be my first port of call.

Would it definitely be ok to do that, yeah?

RedDragonJack

Yeah, it's dead easy to do. they sell plugs in any diy store. Is your rated for european mains power?

lalee17

Erm I think so, I bought it brand new in a music shop in kildare. How do I know? Sorry for being such an electricity n00b

Fingers Mcginty

lalee17 wrote: »

Erm I think so, I bought it brand new in a music shop in kildare. How do I know? Sorry for being such an electricity n00b [/QUO

Can you confirm this amp is rated for our correct mains voltage ie 220V AC....my previous post is correct assuming it is 220v Rated, I was going to say if you imported from the US well then it would be a totally different story and snipping off the plug would be the wrong thing to do. It should say on the rear of the amp what the correct mains voltage should be and if you bought from a local shop well then it SHOULD be 220V and you can just change the plug.

RedDragonJack

Should be a sticker on the back, If it says "230v 50hz", it's fine.

brendansmith

Can I suggest perhaps holding back some of the intensity of your shredding to a level that dosnt encourage the lightning god to be channeled through your axe?

brendansmith

brendansmith wrote: »

Can I suggest perhaps holding back some of the intensity of your shredding to a level that dosnt encourage the lightning god to be channeled through your axe?

My personal post of the year

lalee17

The amp says 240V, the cable says 250V.

lalee17

brendansmith wrote: »

Can I suggest perhaps holding back some of the intensity of your shredding to a level that dosnt encourage the lightning god to be channeled through your axe?

Classic!

Gaspode

lalee17 wrote: »

Erm I think so, I bought it brand new in a music shop in kildare. How do I know? Sorry for being such an electricity n00b

(Afaik retailers are legally obliged to provide a proper 3-pin Irish plug with all electrical equipment so you shouldn't have that lead.)

If it's a removable lead (like a kettle cord) just replace it temporarily with a proper lead e.g from your computer monitor, and see if you are still having problems. If not, you're smiling and can just get a new lead, they're piss easy to find.
I'd be inclined to think it's a grounding issue alright, so hopefully that'll sort you.

ciaranmac

RedDragonJack wrote: »

You think ground current could leak into the strings?

AFAIK (not a sparky) the bridge is connected to the ground by design, to eliminate a source of buzz. If the ground line (the power lead to the amp) isn't properly earthed, the strings could have a voltage relative to true ground. This would give you a shock when you touch the strings.

Adyx

Gaspode wrote: »

(Afaik retailers are legally obliged to provide a proper 3-pin Irish plug with all electrical equipment so you shouldn't have that lead.)

If it's a removable lead (like a kettle cord) just replace it temporarily with a proper lead e.g from your computer monitor, and see if you are still having problems. If not, you're smiling and can just get a new lead, they're piss easy to find.
I'd be inclined to think it's a grounding issue alright, so hopefully that'll sort you.

That particular amp has a captive power lead I believe.

ciaranmac wrote: »

AFAIK (not a sparky) the bridge is connected to the ground by design, to eliminate a source of buzz. If the ground line (the power lead to the amp) isn't properly earthed, the strings could have a voltage relative to true ground. This would give you a shock when you touch the strings.

Some active pickups (EMGs in my experience) require disconnecting the bridge in order to prevent shock.

lalee17

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

Well I actually had to get a new instrument cable yesterday, so I used it instead of the old one; and now I dont get shocked at all!

If I do get another one though I'll replace the plug.

Paolo_M

Does that adapter have a specific orientation?

My suggestion is to have the amp wired properly.

Getting shocked from the strings isn't too bad compared to the blast you'll get if your lips touch a microphone or something else that's firmly grounded.
You're on a fairly high resistance path to ground by virtue of shoes, socks, carpet etc., but mikes, other amp chassis, PA chassis are firmly 0 ohms to ground and you'll get the sh*t shocked out of you.

Using adapters will always be dodgy and quite dangerous.
To my mind is an unacceptable, unnecessary risk to be taking.

It is illegal for a retail to sell equipment that does not comply with CE and specifically the relevant IEC directive. A capacitively grounded, two prong plug does not meet these standards and is potentially lethal.
Bring the amp back to where you bought it and demand that the work be carried out for free, you're entitled to it by law.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

Paolo_M wrote: »

Getting shocked from the strings isn't too bad compared to the blast you'll get if your lips touch a microphone or something else that's firmly grounded.

found that out the hard way at practice a year ago. my backing vocals went from a nice "aaaaggghhhhhhh" to an aggressive "AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

lalee17

I'm pretty sure the problem originated from the instrument cable I used originally, I know it mightn't make great sense..

But I haven't gotten a single shock from the strings using the new cable. I tested it yesterday with the old cable and got shocked.. The old cable's now in the bin.

Paolo_M

lalee17 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the problem originated from the instrument cable I used originally, I know it mightn't make great sense..

But I haven't gotten a single shock from the strings using the new cable. I tested it yesterday with the old cable and got shocked.. The old cable's now in the bin.

The amp should be in a state where no instrument cable, no matter what it's condition, should be able to shock you.

There is still something very wrong with your amp and you need to have it fixed before it hurts you or someone else badly. I cannot stress this enough as you you seem far to devil may care about it.

The instrument cable was not the problem, for whatever reason the new cable is masking the problem. The problem still exists and you'll be very foolish not to do something about it.
IMO opinion you are deliberately and unnecessarily endangering yourself and those around you until you get it sorted.