Playing bass in a thunderstorm?

[heywhatcanido]

Hey everyone. A few years ago I was at band practice with my friends during a bad thunderstorm and me and my guitarist ended up getting electrocuted. I was wondering if this is normal or if maybe it was just the wiring in his house or something. The only reason I'm asking is because there's a thunderstorm right now and I really wanna play my bass, but I really don't wanna get electrocuted. I'm using a Fender Rumble 15 practice amp if that matters at all. Anyone know anything about this?

[lemur821]

I'd play unplugged if I were you. I'd also turn off my computer if there was a storm going on.

[WarwickFan]

Sounds like a case for the Myth Busters.

[Sonic_Death]

I have a wierd story that somewhat relates.

It's still an event for which I have no clue what happened, and haven't tryed to replicate.. I think I should do it again sometime and find the problem. Anycrap...

I was playing an indoor gig in the auditorium of a building. It was raining very hard outside, plus good amounts of thunder and lightning occuring. Because I could not bring my half stack there, I was forced to bring my 80's Peavey KB300 combo amp. Then during sound check I plugged in everything, started playing on my 1968 Fender Telecaster bass, and as soon as I touched the strings I felt an electric jolt. I freaked out.

Turned off the amp, and then back on. Tried playing again, and realized that the strings were being electrified (only slightly mind you). Then, I tried toggling the 3 way grounding switch. Now I touched the bass again and got a major jolt this time. Very freaked out at this point, I turned everything off, and let it all sit for 15 minutes. Went back, and it was all suddenly fine.

So for all you mythbusters out there, was it:
-The very old bass
-The old junky amp
-The weather outside
-Shotty wiring in the building

[Trevorus]

I play with a wireless a lot. Electricity can't get you through radio waves.

[heywhatcanido]

Originally Posted by Sonic_Death

I have a wierd story that somewhat relates.

It's still an event for which I have no clue what happened, and haven't tryed to replicate.. I think I should do it again sometime and find the problem. Anycrap...

I was playing an indoor gig in the auditorium of a building. It was raining very hard outside, plus good amounts of thunder and lightning occuring. Because I could not bring my half stack there, I was forced to bring my 80's Peavey KB300 combo amp. Then during sound check I plugged in everything, started playing on my 1968 Fender Telecaster bass, and as soon as I touched the strings I felt an electric jolt. I freaked out.

Turned off the amp, and then back on. Tried playing again, and realized that the strings were being electrified (only slightly mind you). Then, I tried toggling the 3 way grounding switch. Now I touched the bass again and got a major jolt this time. Very freaked out at this point, I turned everything off, and let it all sit for 15 minutes. Went back, and it was all suddenly fine.

So for all you mythbusters out there, was it:
-The very old bass
-The old junky amp
-The weather outside
-Shotty wiring in the building

I'm going to go with a mix of choice 3 and 4.

[dave_p]

playing barefoot in basements with humid concrete floors has given me a tingle on a few occasions, especially the white 'chicken flesh' on the insides of my bicep.

ive seen singer/guitarists get zapped in the lips when the polarity on the mic doesnt match the amp.

[The Golden Boy]

Look up Keith Relf.

[canopener]

Originally Posted by WarwickFan

Sounds like a case for the Myth Busters.

Indeed.

[Wesley R]

Playing a Kingston Guitar throgh a Gibson Dual Hawk. Big bad thunder storm, lots of lighting. I decided to unplug after just a little more practice. Wrong desiscion.
Lightning struck the furnace chimney, burnt down the chimney and a hole in the furnace, made a 'ball" of lightning blaze across the floor and up the basement stairs, blew out the door and exploded on the grass.
In the meantime I took a heck of jolt from the guitar, and I saw sparks fly between the strings and pick up and a flash inside the amp causing sparks to fly out the inputs. We also had some melted wall outlets and switches.

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

[evan_phi]

Originally Posted by Wesley R

Playing a Kingston Guitar throgh a Gibson Dual Hawk. Big bad thunder storm, lots of lighting. I decided to unplug after just a little more practice. Wrong desiscion.
Lightning struck the furnace chimney, burnt down the chimney and a hole in the furnace, made a 'ball" of lightning blaze across the floor and up the basement stairs, blew out the door and exploded on the grass.
In the meantime I took a heck of jolt from the guitar, and I saw sparks fly between the strings and pick up and a flash inside the amp causing sparks to fly out the inputs. We also had some melted wall outlets and switches.

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

YOU SAW BALL LIGHTNING!?!?!?!?!


*bows to you*

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by Trevorus

I play with a wireless a lot. Electricity can't get you through radio waves.

it'll get you, dont you worry, it will find a way to get you....