GROUNDING - assistance on how NOT to shock yourself

I’d discourage you from using your gear as a ground path. You may have several pieces of gear that are already grounded, and when you walk across the rug you build up a charge. The problem is that the discharge can induce a pop or surge inside your components.

If you want a painless solution I’d suggest adding humidity to your listening room. 

Otherwise, get yourself  a grounding station by using  a 3 prong plug and wire only the center ground pin.  Of course, before doing even that I'd always suggest using a 3 prong outlet tester to ensure the outlet is wired correctly. :)

OP:

I just thought of something. Maybe a static discharge mat like these would work for you?

They offer a high impedance path to ground, so it may take a few seconds to dissipate a static charge you build up. Not honestly sure how well they’d work in your situation, but certainly would prevent the pain.

Another alternative is a metal key. The large surface area of the key means you don’t discharge from 1 point, making it less painful.

@tjjunk I live in WI also and feel your pain (literally) from shocks during the winter. It seems when the temperatures are mild and in the 30's the air can hold more moisture and the risk of static shock is low. When we have extended days with temperatures in the teens and single digits the air is drier and the risk of static shock is a lot higher. That's when I break out the humidifier. It really helps cut down on the static shocks.  I also run one in the bedroom at night so my throat doesn't dry out and seems to help prevent colds.  I have procrastinated adding a humidifier to the furnace due to the expense but that's another option. I have also thought about a static discharge mat as suggested by @erik_squires but never tried it.

Well, you can add some humidity in a variety of ways, by putting a pan of water on a hot surface.  Not your amps, of course, but if you have radiant heat or something like that. 

The mats DO work, just not sure what the discharge rate is.  They are designed for technicians who are sitting at the mats while they work.  Not really meant for quick zap fixes. :D

I purchased an inexpensive cool mist humidifier a few weeks ago as it’s been getting dry from Noon to Late Afternoon (21% right now).

You would probably want a larger one to run all the time (I get a marine layer in most evenings).

Works fine with filtered tap water (clean and let it air dry every other day which only take a few minutes).

I've used evaporative pans/basins in the past, but they were not doing enough this Winter.

https://www.amazon.com/LEVOIT-Humidifiers-Bedroom-Diffuser-Humidification/dp/B09W21XFS5/ref=sr_1_8?crid=200EZZ6MWLQ4X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AgjrY2_DVoQuyGXVBm-I7lIciqeidiTTPpkzbhziVTMoejTM5t7Wfl6QOgquCfaSXpMW0U-utbVbofVMwRqMZBsVSiaODKzI3UitUSCGT1VbgUWq0HGVuOyN1y1MbHZw4tll91kX4WD4id_627KsVjwQQY0M_3yylcfVpw9SevkQbFKbuEad2CcFJK2VpLgyepqwxOtlugkoHXahbVLHHguZ5OgI_nPfxCSp491a6B-DaAihlt_DQIsozRKher__7NH1nqIKbJtdQeZ_Psfb2hrTaDf5IPQLZL_lXe89Ao45-9vBi2odUAqwzMfkpPYWDi_v8r0A_ythPCld6qmkis1iPfqGSAqyQK2-RaWfS4I.KtDxuYAS5gvlktEQ4y5kITR_tAY8u9ffWfgRfROqCZo&dib_tag=se&keywords=humidifier&qid=1734545945&refinements=p_n_feature_six_browse-bin%3A7031381011&rnid=7031380011&s=home-garden&sprefix=humidifie%2Caps%2C263&sr=1-8&th=1

DeKay