Prosebass Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 This one should appeal to the technically minded amongst you. As an electrical engineer by trade I have a very definite view on this practice and I am interested in what other people think as to whether it should be done or not ? and if it is or isn't then the reasons why. I'll not throw my thrupence worth in yet ....just in case someone manages to change my mind . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 What ? You have a problem with potentially lethal voltages on the guitar strings ? I would refer you to this article... [url="http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/safety/index.php"]http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electr...afety/index.php[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 [quote name='BOD2' post='270565' date='Aug 26 2008, 09:07 PM']What ? You have a problem with potentially lethal voltages on the guitar strings ? I would refer you to this article... [url="http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/safety/index.php"]http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electr...afety/index.php[/url][/quote] No I agree entirely with the article , what I cannot understand is that basses are still being produced and sold with a ground wire going to the bridge. Not only is this a potential shock problem, (either DC or AC from the amp) but it also turns your strings into an aerial. Its a cheap way of keeping hum levels down rather than shielding the cavities properly. Unfortunately if you use metal knobs the shock problem can still exist and I personally won't put my life in the hands of a capacitor. With all the health and safety requirements these days I am surprised that guitars are not regulated more with regard to this problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escholl Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 not needed on some passive and nearly all active pickups. when it is required to reduce hum (such as on my bass, and many others) the appropriate capacitor should be in place to prevent....potential disaster. with the cap, you might still get a shock, but it won't kill you. i can only assume most people are against it when they see words like "high voltage" and "lethal" (understandably so!) but when properly designed it is perfectly safe. a direct wire to the bridge, as found in many basses, is NOT the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I don't know the exact implications as I'm not that technically minded, but the earth recently went on one of my humbucker equipped guitars and I was getting nasty shocks off the micprophone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='Prosebass' post='270676' date='Aug 27 2008, 12:12 AM']Not only is this a potential shock problem, (either DC or AC from the amp) but it also turns your strings into an aerial. Its a cheap way of keeping hum levels down rather than shielding the cavities properly.[/quote] So, good cavity shielding (both pup, control & back of scratchplate presumably) & bin the earth strap - is that the way I read it? (I can't get the guitar nut site to open). Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 If you want to be 100% safe the best advice is to go wireless and always use an RCD with your gear. The wireless transmitter makes it IMPOSSIBLE to get lethal voltages through your guitar. The RCD will protect you against faults on other equipment. There's a PDF file about shielding a Marcus Miller Jazz Bass on the guitarnuts website here [url="http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/bass.php"]http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/bass.php[/url] If you can't get that site to open them PM me with your email address and I'll forward the PDF to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 [quote name='BOD2' post='270825' date='Aug 27 2008, 10:36 AM']If you want to be 100% safe the best advice is to go wireless and always use an RCD with your gear. The wireless transmitter makes it IMPOSSIBLE to get lethal voltages through your guitar. The RCD will protect you against faults on other equipment. There's a PDF file about shielding a Marcus Miller Jazz Bass on the guitarnuts website here [url="http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/bass.php"]http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/bass.php[/url] If you can't get that site to open them PM me with your email address and I'll forward the PDF to you.[/quote] Ah, I'm in now and it's making sense, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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