Death Switch

From Dr.Distortio–(at)–bs.mhv.net Thu Jun 8 17:33:11 CDT 1995
From: Dr.Distortio–(at)–bs.mhv.net (Dr Distortion)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar.amps
Subject: Re: Death switch.
Date: 8 Jun 1995 17:46:23 GMT

Mark Garvin (mgarvi–(at)–anix.com) wrote:

: 2. Break the shielding from the guitar cable going to amp #2.

Assuming both amps have grounded AC outlets, that’s the best and easiest way.
I would never try to float the ground at the outlet.

: 3. Make sure both amps’ ground switches (death switches) are
: disabled.
: In any event, the ground (death) switch is just one incredible
: invention. How many toasty guitarists result?

I hate that stupid fuckin’ switch, and I remove it from all my amps. I
also remove any fixed (unswitched) “grounding” caps that may be present
>from the AC line to the chassis. I got bit by my share of hot chassis in
my pre-technical gigging days, when I didn’t know about that cap going to
the chassis. If I do end up using an amp equipped with the “death” cap
(like if I’m using someone else’s amp), I check between the chassis and
earth ground with a multimeter set to AC volts. I adjust the switch or
the plug orientation for the lowest voltage (usually 1-2 volts if the cap
is going to the neutral line).