Warwick $$ static shocks

[funkmangriff]

hey just wanted to ask, if anyone else has had problems with their pick-ups giving them static shocks.

Just wondering because if im in a sweaty gig i sometimes get quite a kick from my pick-ups.

it gave my guitar player a bit of a kick before aswell when we were on stage, and that was off the headstock!

i know its not coming from the mains because i have a surge protector, i originally thought it was coming from my amp, but i changed my amp 4 months ago.

im using a Warwick Corvette $$. i was just wondering if anyone with the same bass, or even anyone else who's had this problem, could advice me on what the problem is.

thanks for your time

[Rodger Bryan]

Be careful not to disable the ground on your power supply.
If your amp has a secure ground connection and your power supply is properly grounded, then ther may be something wrong with the wiring in the building. Is it happening everywhere you play?

It isn't a bass issue.

If it is happening only at one venue, I would recommend picking up or borrowing a ground fault detector. You plug it in and the 3 lights on the back will give you a basic indication of a grounding problem in the building.

If it is an old building, it could be any number of things- but this part is beyond my scope of knowledge. read this link for more info:
http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/...fety/index.php

[funkmangriff]

no, its happened in a couple of places.... i wish it was just in that one place, because id have a great explanation for what is happening!!!!

thats why i think it's a fault with the bass- because i've changed amp, ive been changing venues every week! the only thing i dont change is the bass im using.

i was hoping someone with a corvette $$ was having the same problem because then it isn't just me!

im starting to think that its something wrong with me!!! like the amount i sweat!!!! or the amount of iron in my blood!!!(Guinness drinker, but every time i gig!!)

thank you for your advice Rodger Bryan, its much appreciated

[joeyl]

where are you located? you must be an area with no humidity to get that amount of static shock, and if you sweat, then the energy would dissipate everywhere. strange case, man, better call Dr House...

[funkmangriff]

hehehehe

init!!!

thats what im starting to think!!!

i think if i called hugh laurie, he'd give me the look!!!!

but still, honestly im still kinda worried, i was just wondering if ANYONE else has the same problem with ANY bass!!!

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by funkmangriff

hehehehe

init!!!
ANYONE else has the same problem with ANY bass!!!

the worst I've had was just static you get from the pickguard and discharges as click sound

[adhus]

I'm having the same problem, and it's scared the hell out of my wife.
Anyway, yeah..same problem but different bass. My one is Am Dlx Jbass, your suspicion is same like mine. Coz, i tried it with my combo and my amp head. Still, i got that jolt.
Changed the AC power cable with 3prong, used the adapter..still.. I'm thinking it might be the bass, and damn!! i don't know anybody who expert on this in the country where i live in. I want to check it my self but i'm affraid i will do more damage to the bass, since i only have 1 bass. So until now i haven't done anything to the bass except keep on playing it (wearing a rubber sole slipper).
Is there any possibility that shock comes from the bass, coz of poor grounding in onboard preamp?

[Rick Auricchio]

Static electricity has no relation to electric shocks from the electric supply.

Static builds up from friction (often carpets) in low-humidity situations. If you are not constantly grounded, you get a spark when you touch something.

Are we talking about electric shock here? If so, it's very dangerous!

A surge protector will absolutely not prevent electric shock.

1. Be sure all amps have their three-prong plugs intact. An old amp without a 3-prong plug should be modified by a tech to have one and be safe.

2. Be sure all outlets are properly wired. An $8 outlet tester will tell you. If the outlet is not properly wired, never use it. You can be killed.

I carry a tester like this and test the outlets at every new venue I play. After getting a zap from a microphone, I found a badly-repaired power strip. Could've killed us.

Adhus, I don't know what the mains look like in Dubai, so grounding and that tester probably don't apply. I think you have 220v, so the tester is definitely out.

[adhus]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Static electricity has no relation to electric shocks from the electric supply.

Static builds up from friction (often carpets) in low-humidity situations. If you are not constantly grounded, you get a spark when you touch something.

Are we talking about electric shock here? If so, it's very dangerous!

A surge protector will absolutely not prevent electric shock.

1. Be sure all amps have their three-prong plugs intact. An old amp without a 3-prong plug should be modified by a tech to have one and be safe.

2. Be sure all outlets are properly wired. An $8 outlet tester will tell you. If the outlet is not properly wired, never use it. You can be killed.

I carry a tester like this and test the outlets at every new venue I play. After getting a zap from a microphone, I found a badly-repaired power strip. Could've killed us.

Adhus, I don't know what the mains look like in Dubai, so grounding and that tester probably don't apply. I think you have 220v, so the tester is definitely out.

Thanks,
Ok what I meant shock is, that tiny bite (spark) when you touch your string with the back of you arm (where your elbow is)...so yeah that static..is that common?
My bass is AmDlx Jbass active, my combo Line6 75watts with 2-prong plug and LM 250 with 2-prong as well...
I don't use carpet in my apt, Dubai is very humid..specially now. About grounding..i'm not sure..
And yes, Dubai it's 250V.

[Rick Auricchio]

OK, it sounds like static. There's little you can do if it's dry and chilly.

And a static spark would occur, then there would be no more for quite some time.