These past few weeks, I’ve noticed that the fingers on my right hand will often feel this faint static shock sensation when touching the pickguard or pickups on my bass. Concerned that it was a sign of an underlying problem, I took my bass to a local technician to check it out. He found no issues with the electronics on my bass and said it was correctly grounded. As for any problems with the amp I use (a Fender Mustang Micro), he doesn’t believe it to be the source of the problem either. He thinks the material of the pickguard causes the static shock sensation and recommends I occasionally rub it down with dryer sheets. However, I was wondering if there was another solution to this problem. Any thoughts?
Have you tried a tinfoil hat?
Kidding aside that sucks man. Are you handy enough and would it work to take your pick guard off for a while to test?
Do you live under any high voltage power lines?
If he didn’t find the problem maybe get an outlet checker at the hardware store and make sure your outlet is grounded properly.
Also how much do you play? Do you have tight shoulders/back? I’m wondering if this isn’t static but a nerve issue in your hand. Maybe related to tight muscles or overplaying. I’m not a doc only a hypochondriac so this isn’t medical advice
I’m honestly not handy enough to disassemble any parts of my bass, haha. Also, the technician I visited said it most likely isn’t a grounding issue, primarily because I use a small Fender Micro headphone amp, which means that my bass isn’t actually “grounded” to anything. I honestly might just be overthinking this whole issue, but I just wanted to address it. I wouldn’t want to accidentally electrocute myself or something haha.
Of you are using a headphone amp nothing in that chain could be giving you a shock. That’s why I was asking about power lines but even that would be rare. I think it’s your hand. Can you reproduce it each time? If so try playing with the opposite hands and see if it happens.
Even with a headphone amp nothing is grounding out to complete the circuit. Really sounds to me like you are getting tinglies in your hand.
Maybe also try to change up strap length or alternate between sitting/standing.
How long do you practice in one session?
99.999% it’s a static charge just like what happens when you touch a door knob or anything metal when you cross a carpeted floor. It happens more often when the room is very dry and in the winter months.
Wipe the pickguard with a dryer sheet as Phil suggests and consider spraying the carpet or rug where you’re standing with an anti-static spray. Diluted liquid fabric softener will work. And no, you won’t get electrocuted from anything you’re touching.
Do you look like this? And when you make circular motions with your hands, you can open a portal to another dimension?
You might be Dr Strange