Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
Relf didn't die onstage. He died in his basement. He WAS,however, electrocuted.
Relf didn't die onstage. He died in his basement. He WAS,however, electrocuted.
Do I really need to ground to bridge?
- Thread starter blakejcan
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
No, he doesn't have it backwards that they died. Sheesh. And it's terrible that it happened to them.
Yes, grounding the bridge (strings are really what are being grounded here) to avoid excessive noise, but with active electronics it is not necessary. AND, Dave is right, it's not the lack of the string ground in the guitar that caused the shock but the PA or their amp having an improper ground (open ground in the wiring). Been there myself, even recently in our rehearsal space. I tracked it down to a faulty outlet and plugged the PA in to one that is properly wired. The first time it happened it was because my amp was plugged in to a faulty power strip and there was an open ground. I have an outlet tester that I keep in my accessories bag and check the outlets everywhere we play before plugging in.
No, he doesn't have it backwards that they died. Sheesh. And it's terrible that it happened to them.
Yes, grounding the bridge (strings are really what are being grounded here) to avoid excessive noise, but with active electronics it is not necessary. AND, Dave is right, it's not the lack of the string ground in the guitar that caused the shock but the PA or their amp having an improper ground (open ground in the wiring). Been there myself, even recently in our rehearsal space. I tracked it down to a faulty outlet and plugged the PA in to one that is properly wired. The first time it happened it was because my amp was plugged in to a faulty power strip and there was an open ground. I have an outlet tester that I keep in my accessories bag and check the outlets everywhere we play before plugging in.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
No, he has it backwards that grounding the guitar prevents getting shocked. Grounding the bridge makes you a part of the circuit as soon as you touch the strings. Not grounding the bridge isolates you from the circuit.
Granted, not grounding your bridge allows a fair bit of noise into your signal, and you don't really need to worry about getting shocked by a bad amp unless your dealing with vintage gear, so the choice is yours.
No, he has it backwards that grounding the guitar prevents getting shocked. Grounding the bridge makes you a part of the circuit as soon as you touch the strings. Not grounding the bridge isolates you from the circuit.
Granted, not grounding your bridge allows a fair bit of noise into your signal, and you don't really need to worry about getting shocked by a bad amp unless your dealing with vintage gear, so the choice is yours.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
Yes, exactly.
Right. A couple of ways around it are 1. use active electronics as no string ground is necessary or 2. use a wireless with passive electronics and the strings grounded. In both scenarios you are disconnected from the circuit.
Yes, exactly.
Right. A couple of ways around it are 1. use active electronics as no string ground is necessary or 2. use a wireless with passive electronics and the strings grounded. In both scenarios you are disconnected from the circuit.
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
Are you in a Japanese retro proto-punk garage fuzz noise band? then no.
anyone else? yes.
Are you in a Japanese retro proto-punk garage fuzz noise band? then no.
anyone else? yes.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
NegativeEase
New member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
The Japanese are so in front and behind :lmao:
The Japanese are so in front and behind :lmao:
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
There is a trick I sort of remember from years ago of adding a cap (I think) inline with the string ground, makes it less lethal if you pass voltage through your body. Anyone remember this?. It used to be talked about a lot, especially with Strats.
Also, Keith Relf was playing barefoot in his house, as I recall. It was thought that he may have stepped in some water or something when it happened.
Al
There is a trick I sort of remember from years ago of adding a cap (I think) inline with the string ground, makes it less lethal if you pass voltage through your body. Anyone remember this?. It used to be talked about a lot, especially with Strats.
Also, Keith Relf was playing barefoot in his house, as I recall. It was thought that he may have stepped in some water or something when it happened.
Al
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
Yes, I remember the cap trick to add in. First time I saw it was in the guitarnuts.com forum. However, it won't really do anything. The current coming from the mains AC line will go right through it. I did see one other suggestion of adding an inline fuse link with a 5mA fuse. The fuse will blow before the current gets through. The best safety is an outlet tester to make sure outlets are properly grounded before even plugging in.
Yes, I remember the cap trick to add in. First time I saw it was in the guitarnuts.com forum. However, it won't really do anything. The current coming from the mains AC line will go right through it. I did see one other suggestion of adding an inline fuse link with a 5mA fuse. The fuse will blow before the current gets through. The best safety is an outlet tester to make sure outlets are properly grounded before even plugging in.
KNUCKLHEAD
New member
Re: Do I really need to ground to bridge?
Scratch down to the Copper plating underneath it somewhere + solder to 1 spot with ground wire ( Yes U NEED it and it will be easier over time to see how simple U can always find a Simple way to attach one ( If You can assemble a guitar correctly , You can Ground it Correctly .
Scratch down to the Copper plating underneath it somewhere + solder to 1 spot with ground wire ( Yes U NEED it and it will be easier over time to see how simple U can always find a Simple way to attach one ( If You can assemble a guitar correctly , You can Ground it Correctly .
