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Roddy, you've raised a good point saying it might be a ground loop, but then again, i never got shocked by that amp in the two months I have it and it's connected in the same configuration ever since I bought. I guess I was just lucky.

Perhaps it's static? It's really hot in Israel right now, the amps are in my basement which is probably a little bit humid, there's also a rug there..

Static electricity is usually generated in dry conditions, not humid (I get far more static shocks in winter than summer). But what you described in the first post sounded more like actual electrical current zapping you, not just a short spark of static. Was it a tingling sensation like current?

I can just connect a voltmeter and see if the voltage across the outlet is right. no?

Well, yes if you are very careful. Turn off the electricity to that outlet at the fuse/breaker panel, then hook up the meter, and then turn the power back on. Outlet testers (circuit testers) are a much better idea and less than $10. They won't tell you how much voltage is passing through the outlet, but will identify an open ground, reversed hot/cold, etc.

eliya wrote:Perhaps it's static? It's really hot in Israel right now, the amps are in my basement which is probably a little bit humid, there's also a rug there..

You got any cords running under that rug?

No cords are running under the rug.

I'll try looking for an outlet tester, running a google search for it in hebrew resulted with nothing.

Thanks for the replies, I'll also try to isolate the problem to one amp once I get home.

Were you playing barefoot? On concrete?

I have a garage with a really old fusebox (the circular kind) and I get shocked whenever I use my table saw while barefooted. Only about 3 volts worth but it's enough to sting a bit.

Funny thing is, when I've used a tester on the outlets they check out as grounded outlets. I'm not too sure what's going on out there so now I just make sure to wear shoes.

Pure L wrote:Were you playing barefoot? On concrete?

I have a garage with a really old fusebox (the circular kind) and I get shocked whenever I use my table saw while barefooted. Only about 3 volts worth but it's enough to sting a bit.

Funny thing is, when I've used a tester on the outlets they check out as grounded outlets. I'm not too sure what's going on out there so now I just make sure to wear shoes.

You should wear shoes when using power tools of any kind, anywhere. Probably a good rule of thumb.

C'mon admit it. You were 4am naked carpentering again weren't you?

Crazy man.

Pure L wrote:I get shocked whenever I use my table saw while barefooted.

Oh, how sig worthy this is.

it sounds like your two amps might be plugged in opposite of one another if the plugs can be flipped upside down in their sockets... or the YBA has a polarity switch...


it doesn't matter if you have platform shoes on, cords under the rug,.. if you are touching EARTH/COMMON (like the ground on your guitar strings) and you touch HOT with any part of your body, you'll get shocked.

so if the polarity of your two amps is reversed, and you are holding your guitar.. strings are grounded to the output jack .. patch cable connects ground to case ground on one amp, that is connected to COMMON on your AC wall plug... your other amp is polarity flipped, so HOT is the case ground.,, which is connected your your speaker ground... touch the strings on the guitar with one hand and the speaker jack ground with the other hand... shock.

if you were in the US I'd suggest wiring your old amps with NEMA 5-15's. I don't know what the answer is in Israel.