EdSavoie
Well-Known Member
Hey folks, more of a discussion question, We recently had some talent come through that brought all their own tube based gear, in this case some "artisanal" stuff with "made specifically for X" (the artist using it) nameplates.
Unfortunately, a ground connection came loose at one of the plug connections between the amp and the main panel, which we figured out *after* the talent went to play a chord while their lips were on the SM58, and got a nice zap about 76VAC measured between the guitar string and mic body. The cable was promptly replaced, and then repaired. I was a bit too distracted to think about getting a current reading, but it must have at least been above 5mA, the talent was quite vocal about how unpleasant it was.
Here's the question, in the year 2024, why do we still tolerate equipment that doesn't have any meaningful isolation between mains and meaty bits? These amps were not ancient, these were relatively recently made units.
Personally, I'm half tempted to pull out a GFCI whenever someone shows up with tube gear like this from now on, though I'm curious on what everyone else thinks about this whole type of issue.
Am I overlooking something? Genuinely curious about what others think.
Unfortunately, a ground connection came loose at one of the plug connections between the amp and the main panel, which we figured out *after* the talent went to play a chord while their lips were on the SM58, and got a nice zap about 76VAC measured between the guitar string and mic body. The cable was promptly replaced, and then repaired. I was a bit too distracted to think about getting a current reading, but it must have at least been above 5mA, the talent was quite vocal about how unpleasant it was.
Here's the question, in the year 2024, why do we still tolerate equipment that doesn't have any meaningful isolation between mains and meaty bits? These amps were not ancient, these were relatively recently made units.
Personally, I'm half tempted to pull out a GFCI whenever someone shows up with tube gear like this from now on, though I'm curious on what everyone else thinks about this whole type of issue.
Am I overlooking something? Genuinely curious about what others think.