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Seeing others play barefoot scares me.

#161
In the late '70s, my buddies and I played an outdoor gig in the grass infield of the local horseracing track. We set up on a few pieces of plywood and had our amps running off a hodge podge of extension cords and power strips. I was playing through an SVT. I know the amp had a 3-prong plug, but I suspect the extension cord did not.

I was not barefoot, but the boat shoes I was wearing had soles that were separated all around the sides, so my toes were poking out. At one point,I stepped off the plywood and onto the wet grass.

You can guess what happened next...big jolt runs up my arm and down my leg, I jumped back about 5 feet and totally stopped playing...total trainwreck. I remember my buddies looking at me with this *** look on their faces. They had no idea what had happened! And neither did I, at the time.

Obviously, my bare toes had come in contact with the wet grass and the amp was not properly grounded....

Learned a very valuable lesson that day: 'lectricity ain't no joke!

I remain,
Your Obedient Servant,

The Terror.
 
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#162
One of my great role models has been playing barefoot for many decades now. Ladies and gents, the one and only Chandler Travis, seen here at the Beachcomber in Wellfleet (where else?) with the late lamented Incredible Casuals.

barefoot chandler.jpg
 
#165
Milo Spleen said:
Even though we get electricity from water, you can't mix electricity and water.
Click to expand...
YES:
How is coal fired in a power plant?
In a coal-fired steam station – much like a nuclear station – water is turned into steam, which in turn drives turbine generators to produce electricity. Here's how the process works.
Coal Energy - How Energy Works - Duke Energy
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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#166
On a similar note, years ago I was playing bass and harmonica with a holder while on stage. Everything was fine until my harmonica made contact with the mic that was on a stand. It lit me up. I could image what playing barefoot and step in a puddle of liquid would do.
 
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#167
I did that once in my youngful years while at band practice. I think it was maybe the 2nd or 3rd practice ever for my 1st band in Encinitas, CA. Felt it, but far from serious. I think we had our shoes off because we were our guitarist parent's house.
 
#173
I haven't read the entire thread, but from the looks of it, everyone is freaking out at the idea of being barefoot on a stage. Remember, you could get hit by a bus if you cross the street, so don't cross the street! You could also let in a cloud of deadly mold spores if you open a window, so never open any windows! To be safe, you need to live in a plastic bubble and never leave the house.

Perhaps there are risks to being barefoot on a stage, but a little common sense and situational awareness goes a long way. I think that it would be unprofessional to play barefoot, but we shouldn't fear for our lives.
 
#174
line6man said:
I haven't read the entire thread, but from the looks of it, everyone is freaking out at the idea of being barefoot on a stage. Remember, you could get hit by a bus if you cross the street, so don't cross the street! You could also let in a cloud of deadly mold spores if you open a window, so never open any windows! To be safe, you need to live in a plastic bubble and never leave the house.

Perhaps there are risks to being barefoot on a stage, but a little common sense and situational awareness goes a long way. I think that it would be unprofessional to play barefoot, but we shouldn't fear for our lives.
Click to expand...
Sure it's unprofessional in a professional environment. If it's not a professional gig, then I would say that doesn't apply. All about the audience.
 
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#176
I just noticed this thread is under humor. Imltho, this subject is serious.

I make a motion that we place warning stickers on our ebs and amps. "Warning using ths applance barefooted may light you up" any seconds?
I noticed that pics show some type of rug or plywood between the floor and the piggies.
Imo those that are willing to listen have, any lawyers out there, now is the time to be a commercial member.
I guess we have bunch of Missouri bassists out there.
By the way, somebody is likely to shocked at a home, or a temp location than in a commercial venue.
To quote Woodstock '67, no more rain.
 
#178
Even this guy hedges his bets...

etienneapr08-3.jpg


Wouldn't it be fun if he played barefoot? ;) Bet his bass consists of active pickups of the EMG kind, even coated strings to buck som earth shielding ... rubber boots and a rubber diving suit underneath suitable for shark attack with a steel cage pattern...better safe than sorry.
 

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