Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

I was talking to one guy who said to get an electrical tester. It was real small and it had 2 leads and a light. Then he said to touch one end to the guitar and one to the microphone and if it lights up you have a problem. Its a real quick way to check.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

I know a guy that was blown backwards through a doorway when this happened at band practice. He's fine now, but it sure can shock you, as others have pointed out.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

before you go rearranging your your rehersal space and checking all the wiring in the building, doulbe check all the wiring between your amp and the wall. are you using an extension cord for your amp? make sure it has the ground terminal on it.

this past weekend i was getting a little shock off the mic at our practice space, and i discovered that on the end of our extension cord that plugs into the wall, the ground terminal was just completely absent. but like everyone else has said, either your guitar or the PA isn't grounded properly.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

itbepopples said:
What amp are you using?

Completely irrelevant unless it was repaired or otherwise worked on by someone that shouldn´t have had their hands anywhere near it.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

Zerberus said:
Completely irrelevant unless it was repaired or otherwise worked on by someone that shouldn´t have had their hands anywhere near it.
I was only wondering if it has a three prong cord so I could make a little more sense of the situation. :reporter:
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

In my life I've played everywhere from dive bars to arenas. I ALWAYS get shocked from a SM 58, so predictably that I refuse to use a 58. If I see a 58 in front of me, I always ask the soundman for a SM57. I never get shocked by a 57. I also use an EV ndym and also never get shocked. I'm sure someone out there can sort out the problem with the 58, but it's my teeth and Ive learned from experience never use a 58!
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

Iny life I've played everywhere from dive bars to arenas. I ALWAYS get shocked from a SM 58, so predictably that I refuse to use a 58. If I see a 58 in front of me, I always ask the soundman for a SM57. I never get shocked by a 57. I also use an EV ndym and also never get shocked. I'm sure someone out there can sort out the problem with the 58, but it's my teeth and Ive learned from experience never use a 58!
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

I always keep a wind screen in my gig bag. $2 fix

ry104424.jpg
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

The usual reason is because your using a Shure SM58LC mic. Most common overrated mic in the world. Most people dont know that the SM58 is mass-produced in mexico now and doesn't have the ground wired to the XLR. Therefor the ground is the body of the mic itself. If you are a guitar player then you become the ground and "ouch". Do yourself a favor purchase a AUDIX OM2 for the same price as a SM58 and you'll sound better, get less feedback, and not get shocked anymore.

Matt Edgar @ Guitar Center Chicago
773.248.2808
feel free to call

Iny life I've played everywhere from dive bars to arenas. I ALWAYS get shocked from a SM 58, so predictably that I refuse to use a 58. If I see a 58 in front of me, I always ask the soundman for a SM57. I never get shocked by a 57. I also use an EV ndym and also never get shocked. I'm sure someone out there can sort out the problem with the 58, but it's my teeth and Ive learned from experience never use a 58!

What a complete and utter load of crap!
 
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Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

In my life I've played everywhere from dive bars to arenas. I ALWAYS get shocked from a SM 58, so predictably that I refuse to use a 58. If I see a 58 in front of me, I always ask the soundman for a SM57. I never get shocked by a 57. I also use an EV ndym and also never get shocked. I'm sure someone out there can sort out the problem with the 58, but it's my teeth and Ive learned from experience never use a 58!

You joined and bumped a 10 year old thread to post this?
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

Didn't even realize this was an old thread...but there is ALOT of bad and overkill information here. Won't get into it as its so old, but anyone having the same issue please start a new thread with some more starting information. I would start at guitar/mic/cable before calling my electrician for a re-wire. If the wiring was ****ed up you'd have more/bigger problems already apparent. And of course...brand of mic doesn't make a difference. notta.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

Look at the guitarnuts website. He has good instructions for rewiring your guitar so that you will not get shocked.

This is serious $#|+. If you touch the mike with one hand and the strings with another, that current can go right through your heart, and it'll be time to call the priest.

Dr. Joe (no kidding)

If you touch the mic with one hand and play guitar with your foot you may become the guitarnuts website.
There definitely is some good info on that website.
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

The usual reason is because your using a Shure SM58LC mic. Most common overrated mic in the world. Most people dont know that the SM58 is mass-produced in mexico now and doesn't have the ground wired to the XLR. Therefor the ground is the body of the mic itself. If you are a guitar player then you become the ground and "ouch". Do yourself a favor purchase a AUDIX OM2 for the same price as a SM58 and you'll sound better, get less feedback, and not get shocked.

I'm also calling bs on this rant on Shure mics. 99 times out of a 100, it's not the mic, but the guitar amp.

And I've used Shure mics for 45 years without a single problem. The SM-58 IS the sound of rock...EVERY vocalist should have one in his kit.

Bill
 
Re: Why do I get Shocked from my mic?

You guys do realize this thread was posted 10 years ago? The Original poster was probably killed from electrical shock a decade ago.
 
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