Well it finally happened...

seanm · #1 11-17-2005, 09:13 PM

the day I have been dreading. The guitar player in my rock band bought a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Standard. Beautiful guitar, flame maple top. Great sound.

And very very loud

I cut the bass, boosted the high mids, and played up the octave when I could, but I sometimes could not hear myself. And, yes, the bass sounded like sh*t.

It didn't help that I was beside the amp since I tried to back up as far as I could away from the guitar amp.

So, it looks like I am going to have to bring my second cab to practice and, what I have been dreading, wear earplugs (resigned shrug smilie).

My ears aren't ringing but are borderline. I am going to have to crank the bass to get enough volume and this *will* put it over the top.

I hate earplugs. I hate having to wear them at concerts. But my ears are very important to me.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Kelly Coyle · #2 11-17-2005, 09:21 PM

The guitar itself isn't loud. He's just playing it that way. Time for a relationship conversation, I'd say. Make him get a Little Lanilei amp so he can "push" it at reasonable volumes and still get a sound he likes. Limit him to 35 watts (at the most!). Change his tubes when he isn't looking. Get him a power brake. (He can buy mine if I can find it.) Make him put his amp in the hall.

I'm just full of suggestions. Mostly: be firm!

JimmyM · #3 11-17-2005, 10:53 PM

Eh, don't try to compete. Just give the guy a couple weeks of crank and put in some earplugs until he's over it. He just got a new guitar. You know how that is.

Marcus · #4 11-17-2005, 11:01 PM

...

"Hey, could you turn down a bit, I can't seem to hear myself even think. Thanks."

Problem solved.

gottawalk · #5 11-18-2005, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Eh, don't try to compete. Just give the guy a couple weeks of crank and put in some earplugs until he's over it. He just got a new guitar. You know how that is.

Yeah. Give it a little time. In the meantime, keep your volume down some from his; just enough to make it hard to be heard by the rest of the group, until they compain to you to turn up. Then you can explain to them that you're cranked "louder than normal, and maybe it's time to bring the practice volume back down to a better level." In the meantime;

Earplugs.

jackmurray · #6 11-18-2005, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottawalk

Yeah. Give it a little time. In the meantime, keep your volume down some from his; just enough to make it hard to be heard by the rest of the group, until they compain to you to turn up. Then you can explain to them that you're cranked "louder than normal, and maybe it's time to bring the practice volume back down to a better level." In the meantime;

Earplugs.

That's exactly what I do. When everyone gets too loud I turn down. Then when someone complains I complain.

pkr2 · #7 11-18-2005, 05:54 AM

Get together with the other band members and work out a signal for everyone to just stop playing right in the middle of the song and leave the guitar playing by himself. When he wants to know what's going on just tell him that if you can't hear yourself, you can't play the song. Do it in a good natured way and after a couple of stops, if he doesn't get the message, it's time to start looking for another guitarist.

You also might want to get a rubber chicken and each time the band has to stop, pop him up side the head with said chicken.

When you chastise him be sure to use short words and talk slowly. He is,after all, a guitar player.

seanm · #8 11-18-2005, 10:47 AM

I realize that he just got a new guitar, in fact it was his first time playing it, so I have to cut him some slack.

The band is a trio, and they could hear me. I think if I wore earplugs I could stand in a better position to hear myself. I probably would not have to boost the volume by much.

At least he can't play much louder, the vocal PA can't go much louder and he wouldn't be able to hear himself sing.

Another thing I might try is standing behind the guitar amp. There isn't a lot of room, but I have played there before. This should reduce the volume a lot and I might get away without the earplugs.

Microbass · #9 11-18-2005, 01:13 PM

i was always hesitant about earplugs. Mostly becuase I was always convinced the band wouldn't make it throuhg the year and I couldn't afford them. however. now that i always have my rig for the backline, I'm spending 3+ hours at a gig. its horrible afterwards since all PA's around are at least 6kW+! (the club we frequent is 14kW!).

I now honestly say I'll never feel the same gigging or going to a gig without my plugs! I keep them out for my band's soundcheck. Everything is slightly duller sounding, so I don't use them while setting my sound etc.