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Electric shocks Help me solve this ASAP! Thanks so much!!

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Rea, Dec 18, 2014.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Dec 18, 2014 #1
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Hi-

    I am having a problem that im sure many of you encountered:

    At home, when holding the bass or touching the amp with one hand, if i touch with my other hand another device in my studio i get an electric shock.

    Looks like everything, incl. my amp has 3 prongs and connected to the wall with 3 prongs.

    Any thoughts? Its really scary...

    Thanks!
     
  2. Dec 18, 2014 #2
    darrenmt

    darrenmt

    Dec 15, 2004
    Australia
    Simple, your touch is electric!
     
    RichSnyder and PortlandBass77 like this.
  3. Dec 18, 2014 #3
    B-string

    B-string

    Nov 21, 2008
    Lake Havasu City, Az USA
    sonicnuance, Clark Dark and figuredbass like this.
  4. Dec 18, 2014 #4
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    On a conceptual level: what am i looking for? what causes this?

    I dont have this type of relationship between any 2 devices in my studio. Just between the Bass/amp and any other device.
     
  5. Dec 18, 2014 #5
    RoadRanger

    RoadRanger Supporting Member

    Feb 18, 2004
    NE CT
    Have the grounding in the bass amp checked by someone who knows how.
     
  6. Dec 18, 2014 #6
    B-string

    B-string

    Nov 21, 2008
    Lake Havasu City, Az USA
    A) The outlet your amp is plugged into has the hot and neutral reversed.
    B) The hot and neutral are miss wired in your amp and/or possibly a floating ground.
     
    GregT likes this.
  7. Dec 18, 2014 #7
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Should i reverse the Hot and neutral? If i upload a pic would that help?
     
  8. Dec 18, 2014 #8
    B-string

    B-string

    Nov 21, 2008
    Lake Havasu City, Az USA
    No. You need to find out first if the outlets are wired to code. Then you'll have a clue to look towards the amp.
     
    bassinflorida, Big Hoss and JFOC like this.
  9. Dec 18, 2014 #9
    pebo

    pebo

    Dec 28, 2011
    Brisbane, Australia 4171
    Don't reverse anything to do with the mains power until you are sure what is causing it. More likely it is due to the dc return through the cases of electronic equipment and the bass. Path of least resistance.
     
  10. Dec 18, 2014 #10
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Just looked in the box- It looks untouched by anyone post factory assembly. So i believe its correct (AMPEG PF500). Its probably one of the ther devices i have connected in the studio?

    Thing is i get the shock touching ANY device, not a particular one...
     
  11. Dec 18, 2014 #11
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn

    What would be the way to follow it?
     
  12. Dec 18, 2014 #12
    254 stringer

    254 stringer

    Apr 15, 2010
    Waco Texas
    Are you using any pedals? If so how are you powering them? I had a one spot go bad that would give me a slight shock.
     
  13. Dec 18, 2014 #13
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    No Pedals- bass straight into amp. Also- The bass(any bass) Buzzes when im not touching any metal part or strings. When i do touch it, there is a tiny spiky sound and the buzz stops. thats another symptom
     
  14. Dec 18, 2014 #14
    B-string

    B-string

    Nov 21, 2008
    Lake Havasu City, Az USA
    pACE3-18493452enh-z7.jpg
     
    Rodger Bryan, GregT, BrBss and 5 others like this.
  15. Dec 18, 2014 #15
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Thanks!
     
  16. Dec 18, 2014 #16
    pebo

    pebo

    Dec 28, 2011
    Brisbane, Australia 4171
    If its doing it with all your guitars it points to problems in the amp, might need to get that checked. Have you tried another guitar lead?
     
  17. Dec 18, 2014 #17
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Yep- Same with all cables
     
  18. Dec 18, 2014 #18
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    Thing is, the amp looks untouched and in super shape. I bought it used so i do not know real history, but looks untouched inside.
     
  19. Dec 18, 2014 #19
    B-string

    B-string

    Nov 21, 2008
    Lake Havasu City, Az USA
    BTW the outlet tester I linked and posted a pic of is listed for $6.49. A trip to the ER is minimum $2000 before ambulance ride.
     
    Jake72, BrBss, Clark Dark and 1 other person like this.
  20. Dec 18, 2014 #20
    Rea

    Rea

    Dec 10, 2014
    Brooklyn
    for sure bro...
     
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