Del Rei
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Yeah, I guess the wireless would help...That was difficult to watch.
For the first time ever, I'm actually considering using wireless ... even here at home!
Yeah, I guess the wireless would help...That was difficult to watch.
For the first time ever, I'm actually considering using wireless ... even here at home!
While on tour in Europe, I was nearly killed at a gig in Toulouse, France. I was using rented/borrowed amps on that tour to save shipping costs, using relatively modern Marshall (JCM900) or Hughes & Kettner amps. Not my 1st choice, but I pretty much sound like me regardless of amp. During the show, the singer leaned over to me for a "shared" backup vocal into the mic he was holding and then we both blew backwards form one another with a thick, deep blue spark several inches long between us.
Yea, this is one of the things folks don't always understand, There is a general perception that is you touch something 'live" you will be electrocuted. This is not necessarily so. If your body is connected to neither neutral nor ground , no current will flow. you can swing from a high voltage transmission line and not be electrocuted as long as you don't touch the pylon or anything else grounded. In the case the singer's mic was probably live , but he had rubber shoes on and a dry stage so no current flowed UNTIL you came along with one your hands on grounded guitar strings and bam!
While on tour in Europe, I was nearly killed at a gig in Toulouse, France. I was using rented/borrowed amps on that tour to save shipping costs, using relatively modern Marshall (JCM900) or Hughes & Kettner amps. Not my 1st choice, but I pretty much sound like me regardless of amp. During the show, the singer leaned over to me for a "shared" backup vocal into the mic he was holding and then we both blew backwards form one another with a thick, deep blue spark several inches long between us. It hurt tremendously, and it took me a few bars of the song to catch myself again. Wow,! Then it happened again later in the set and I shouted at the fucker not to touch me again the rest of the show. I am so thankful that I did not come home in a body bag. Rest in peace to the poor fellow in Brazil and condolences to his family/friends.
You can get one of these for between $4 and $9 at the local hardware/home center or on line. Its a simple "receptacle tester". I have one for my house, but I after some thought, I am going to pack one in my guitar case as well for gigs/jams/studio sessions. That guy in Brazil looks like he was using modern equipment, so this isn't just for old amps people. Eliminating the "death cap" isn't the only precaution unfortunately.
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Sounds like something really went wrong, like HT from the transformer getting onto his instrument. Mains in Brazil is 110v, but he also might also have gotten caught between two phases somehow . French mains voltage is 230v Ac , as is the UK. Having felt both UK 230v, and US 110v, the difference is substantial.. 230 really feels like it could kill you rapidly.
Techs have used these on their benches for years to reduce the likelihood of shocks, but guitarists seldom seem to use them. Quick note if you are using one : DO NOT allow the tech to plug a direct line into your amp unless it has a lifted ground on it . This may connect the ground from the board back to your strings , and undo the effect of the transformer.
GFI is called RCD (residual current device) over here in the UK. If you're using an electrician's screwdriver ( not recommended as you are part of the circuit btw) then make sure it's dry. Well, that's obvious, you say but the apocryphal tale over here is the story of the electrician's mate who dropped one in water and just wiped it off and put it back in the toolbox. When it was used next...
When on the road in the 80's playing clubs, I used isolation transformers I plugged the amps into . These were used by television repair men . It can only supply so much current . Like said here . You never know what type of AC wiring you are running intoWow...sounds a bit wild...- was the stage tech a 10 year old? Very sad.
A lot of venues can be more dangerous with the AC mains- especially if you have to bump up and use a higher AC supply.
You’ll never notice the difference live with a band.Sorry if I derail a bit here but are wireless systems worth it? I can’t help but think of how compressed music is when streamed, which is why I never stream music.
Will I notice a loss of anything, other than my cash?
Wow, that's pretty bad. Electrical security regulations are VERY strict for venues here in France (and in most Europe), the venue could easily get shut down... And yeah, differential 30mA breakers are mandatory, even for residential homes.While on tour in Europe, I was nearly killed at a gig in Toulouse, France. I was using rented/borrowed amps on that tour to save shipping costs, using relatively modern Marshall (JCM900) or Hughes & Kettner amps. Not my 1st choice, but I pretty much sound like me regardless of amp. During the show, the singer leaned over to me for a "shared" backup vocal into the mic he was holding and then we both blew backwards form one another with a thick, deep blue spark several inches long between us. It hurt tremendously, and it took me a few bars of the song to catch myself again. Wow,! Then it happened again later in the set and I shouted at the fucker not to touch me again the rest of the show. I am so thankful that I did not come home in a body bag. Rest in peace to the poor fellow in Brazil and condolences to his family/friends.
You can get one of these for between $4 and $9 at the local hardware/home center or on line. Its a simple "receptacle tester". I have one for my house, but I after some thought, I am going to pack one in my guitar case as well for gigs/jams/studio sessions. That guy in Brazil looks like he was using modern equipment, so this isn't just for old amps people. Eliminating the "death cap" isn't the only precaution unfortunately.
View attachment 102483
I concur. If anything, it's even better with digital wireless systems, as they don't require your signal going through a compander, which affects dynamic response (I can't stand analog wireless systems for that reason).You’ll never notice the difference live with a band.
There was no ground. That switch you talk about may have been called a ground switch but that is a misnomer. With only a line and neutral power cord the cap is between line and neutral if flipped to the line side. Neutral is chassis. Depending on which specific Fender layout the cap is bypassing the fuse."Fender put a Cap between Line (hot) and Neutral.."
Not so, the cap is connected between the ground switch and chassis. The switch connects the other end of the cap to either line (hot) or neutral.
If it was connected across line and neutral it would blow the fuse if it went short, also it wouldn't be connected to chassis in this instance.
See music.stackexchange for a couple of diagrams on death cap, I'm not allowed to post links yet.