Guitar shocks .

[fastbob]

My electric guitar set up consists of a cheap Strat copy plugged into Behringer V Amp which is in turn plugged into my ordinary stereo amp and speakers . All well and good apart from the small but irritating electric shocks that I'm getting every time my wrist brushes the guitar bridge. This doesn't happen when I use my practice amp so I don't think it's the guitar. Any suggestions ?

[rob m]

Firstly, stop playing it

You're right, it's not the guitar - it never is. If you're getting a shock it's coming from whatever it's plugged into. If it doesn't do it when plugged into the practice amp then it's the V-Amp or ordinary stereo. Check them out, or the socket they're plugged into, is earthed properly. Get the practice amp checked out too while you're at it - just in case.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

B’jeesus. Please tell me you use a circuit breaker? If not get one, they’re penny’s. If you don’t think it’s necessary look it up, you’ll find lists of musicians electrocuted on stage, let alone the normal folk who zapped themselves practicing- not all survive!

[Guest]

Remember a band practice of many moons ago when our guitarist suddenly launched his guitar across the room, much to our surprise and amusement. He had got a nasty electric shock from the amp iirc.

[Tango]

Sounds like there's no ground wire to the bridge..........

[Via]

Learn to play in these, rated up to 1kV so you'll be fine

[fastbob]

Thanks for the replies, perhaps I should have mentioned that these are only tiny tingles and not full on electric shocks . I've also noticed that I get the same sensation directly from the amp casing if I brush against it . My old stereo amp did exactly the same thing , what's going on here ?

[mikestrivens]

Sounds like you need to get your equipment and wiring PAT tested.

[TimR]

you will find its more likely due to your stereo is double insulated ( only two wires in the mains lead blue and brown ( negative and Live))

Whilst most amps will carry three leads live ,neg and earth .

look on back of stereo there may be a grounding screw with an earth symbol that you could attach a wire to and take it to earth .