Guild superstar zapping

[Default]

Thanks for the replies. I have already put a grounded power cord on it, and I ran a wire between the upper and lower chassis as well.

I don't have a power switch on my lower chassis though so I'm a bit confused by references towards the lower chassis power switch.

Thanks,

Rich

It's probable that there is/was/might be another one lurking down there. Since I do this for fun(?), I try to learn from other's experiences. The other cj got a pretty bad shock from a two piece Danelectro one time and every time a double decker amp comes up in conversation, he mentions the two death caps. If by some chance the umbilical wires to the upper chassis were disconnected, there would be a cap down there for safety's sake, 60's style.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Rich: Is your amp like this Thunderstar on eBay?

 

[mxaniac]

My upper chassis has two switches, one which appears to be the polarity / main switch in the schematic on page 1. It really is a lower chassis switch though because the wires from the umbilical cord run up to it and then back down to the lower chassis. I was unable to locate a cap from it to the chassis. The other switch in the upper chassis is the standby switch which has the 1 cap I did find.

The wire I ran from the upper and lower chassis was a ground wire an the outside. They did have a path from the neutrals going through the umbilical cord but I thought an external wire would be an extra cautionary measure.

The amp does look nearly identical to the Thunderstar shown on Ebay.

I should also mention my amp isn't zapping me now, I suspect it would play quite nice if someone who actually knew how to play the guitar were using it. I'm just trying to head any problems off at the pass. I have an 11 and a 16 year old that like to play on this amp. The death of Keith Relf should be forewarning enough not to let something like that happen again!

Thanks again for the replies.

Rich

 

[capnjuan]

My upper chassis has two switches; one which appears to be the polarity / main switch .... the other switch in the upper chassis is the standby switch which has the 1 cap I did find.

Hi Rich; schematic sent; Edit: Okay, the schematic says the primary power switch is on the upper chassis; the eBay pics show the switches on the same chassis separated by the indicator lights, and you say your amp matches the eBay amp. So, whatever 'death caps' you had are/were either adjacent to the switches or maybe somebody already removed the other one.

The wire I ran from the upper and lower chassis was a ground wire an the outside. They did have a path from the neutrals going through the umbilical cord but I thought an external wire would be an extra cautionary measure.

Okay; but in the future, if you ever have 'hum' issues, one of the first things you'll want to do is lift one end of the ground to see if it makes a difference. Belts and suspenders; if you have a competent ground, the job is done. Adding another sets up some risk of 'ground loops', a potential source of hum ... as if there weren't enough already.

... my amp isn't zapping me now, I suspect it would play quite nice if someone who actually knew how to play the guitar were using it...

Yeah, there's alot of that going around, you're in good company!

.. The death of Keith Relf should be forewarning enough not to let something like that happen again!

Yes, gotta watch for the jr Rock Stars .... RIP Keith :wink: Good luck with your amp! CJ