Trying to get along in my band...

ChrisB2 · #1 11-26-2011, 03:05 PM

Hello, I play bass in a classic rock/country cover band and I'm having personal problems with the stage volume of the guitarist who stands beside me. I say personal problems because it seems that I'm the only one who perceives a problem with how loud he is. No one else in the band, nor our audiences, seem to think he's too loud. I know he is

but haven't had any luck convincing others.

I've come to an impasse with him over his volume. Last night, even though he was playing at an ear-splitting level, he said to me, "I'm on 'one.' The only setting below that is 'off.' Do you want me to turn off? There's nothing I can do." Since I've brought this volume issue up at almost every show, and since the other guitarist who runs our sound basically sided with him, and since he took such a non-negotiable stance, and I'm not normally confrontational, and don't want to look like a whiny prima donna, I conceded and that's how it stayed.

Back-story: I'm the "new" guy, been with them about a year. He played with them in years past, then left (taking their then-bassist with him) to do his own band. Other members came and went, then at the time of my audition is when he rejoined. I think he expected that he would be bringing back the old bassist (a buddy of the band), but the other members decided they wanted me instead. So it has crossed my mind that he might just as well see me go so the old bassist (who never found another band) could rejoin (?), and if his volume helps me make that decision, fine. He does seem somewhat manipulative. (Yeah, I'm a little paranoid and conspiritorial.)

This guitarist is pretty much the star of the show. He's that good. So he's not going anywhere, nor should he. And I want to stay in this band. There are very few bands in my area this good with steady work, none as close as this one. So I've been trying to come up with a solution to the problem. Since everyone else seems to think the stage volume is fine, I'm thinking about going the route of putting a monitor send and my bass into a small personal mixer, then running that to some high quality in-ear monitors. (I use a high powered amp and 810 cabinet, so the bass is usually not in the PA.) That should take care of my problem, but it will cost me a few hundred bucks in gear I wouldn't need if he would just turn down.

Oh, and moving stuff around isn't an option. I would love to just move away from him, but due to the configuration of the band, he and I stand side-by-side and that's not going to change.

So, what do you think? Would you do something this drastic to try and get along in a band you really wanted to stay in? Has anyone set up a rig like this? Do you think the in-ear setup will solve my problem? What are your thoughts in general to the situation?

Thanks!

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 11-26-2011, 03:10 PM

He might not be lying. My guitarist's Fender Deluxe literally has 3 volumes - off, loud, and holy crap a cargo plane is landing on top of my house! If it's that bad then move to the other side of the drummer for gigs.

Floyd Eye · #3 11-26-2011, 03:12 PM

If your problem with his stage volume is that you cannot hear yourself, IEM are the way to go. It may cost you a couple hundred bucks, but once you make the switch, from what I have heard, you will never want to go back to floor monitors again. I think in ear monitors is your solution.

cableguy · #4 11-26-2011, 03:20 PM

Does the band use house PA's or do you have your own. I guess I'm wondering why the bass doesn't use FOH. You could use a VT Deluxe and monitor send into some IEMs and leave your amp at home. No since lugging it around if you need IEMs to hear. Then the band could figure out the expense of new sub woofer for the PA so it can carry the house. If that's too costly maybe then they would at least let you switch sides of the stage.

Johnny Crab · #5 11-26-2011, 03:21 PM

Having a similar issue but only if we play small venues where I can't "escape" to the other side of the stage(wireless, Line 6 G50) or next to the drummer. Our guitarist/keyboardist, set up to my right, has hearing issues which seem to cause him to be louder than most of the band at times.

For those small venues, I do have the first step to "musician's earplugs"( Etymotic Research, Inc. - ETY-Plugs ER20 High Fidelity Earplugs ) and use one in my right ear(guitarist/keyboardist location). It has helped GREATLY and I'm in the process of deciding between custom earplugs( Etymotic Research, Inc. - Musicians Earplugs High-Fidelity Hearing Protection ) with multiple dB filters ad IEM's. If I do IEM's, I'll need to provide my own mix as we each use BOSE systems for smaller places(no FOH).

Leaning towards earplugs. I'll repost when a final decision is made.

PS: My left ear has some slight losses as I've had drummers to my left since the 1960's(snare drums, cymbals). I will not sacrifice my right ear but will protect it.

Thrust Meatnozl · #6 11-26-2011, 03:54 PM

The trouble with bands is that they're made up of musicians.

briand · #7 11-26-2011, 04:44 PM

It's quite common for there to be at least one a&&hat in the band; your goal should be to make sure it's not you !!

awakefie · #8 11-26-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briand

It's quite common for there to be at least one a&&hat in the band; your goal should be to make sure it's not you !!

Sigworthy is this!

bluewine · #9 11-26-2011, 06:42 PM

This is big promblem with guitar players and it pisses sound guys off.

Low stage volume and do what you want with the house is what I like.

jive1 · #10 11-26-2011, 07:08 PM

Just get some earplugs. You'll still be able to hear your bass, while keeping the guitar from hurting your ears.

IEMs are great, but you need a good set of earbuds if you really want to be able to hear your bass.

mellowinman · #11 11-26-2011, 07:51 PM

This guy is ruining your hearing.

RUN!

TBrett · #12 11-26-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

My guitarist's Fender Deluxe literally has 3 volumes - off, loud, and holy crap a cargo plane is landing on top of my house!

Still laughing ten minutes after reading this!

jlr · #13 11-26-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

Just get some earplugs. You'll still be able to hear your bass, while keeping the guitar from hurting your ears.

IEMs are great, but you need a good set of earbuds if you really want to be able to hear your bass.

jive1 has it right. Earplugs are the best way to go IMO. I use them all the time, but usually only on the side the offender is on. IEM's would probably cost you more than $200 to get good ones, maybe up to $500.

Get some Hearos earplugs, about $20 with shipping. They block about 12 db and are easy to get in and out. If you go the cheap route you can get foam plugs for $5, but they block out 30 db of noise so you need to cut them in half lengthwise to get to 15 db.

It's unfortunate that the guy can't try to accommodate you but I haven't seen very many guit players or drummers that WILL quiet down.

Cirk · #14 11-26-2011, 09:47 PM

I'm betting this guitar player is full of it (and himself). That amp doesn't need to be that loud. If it's that difficult to control, then use a power soak. He has no excuses then.

ubersku · #15 11-26-2011, 10:01 PM

Curious, ever play a venue where someone else runs sound, like an outdoor festival? Wonder what they would say about him? Getting an objective viewpoint may prove something, but he still may not want to change.

JimmyM · #16 11-27-2011, 12:29 AM

OK, let's break this down, using the OP's initial post...

Guitarist: star of show

You: new guy

Possible solutions:

1. Swap sides of the stage with someone else (EDIT: Missed the part about that being out of the the question...so never mind)

2. Deal with it

3. Quit

Sorry, but if I'm the star of the show and you're the new guy trying to tell me what volume I should be at, I ain't changin'.

**jmattbassplaya** · #17 11-27-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBrett

Still laughing ten minutes after reading this!

I'm guessing you own a Fender Deluxe, too

pocketgroove · #18 11-27-2011, 01:00 AM

I'm assuming his amp is tube; buy him an attenuator!

Munjibunga · #19 11-27-2011, 01:15 AM

I always keep earplugs in my gigbag. On some stages, I have to put a plug in my left ear. I put it in only part way so I can still hear the guitar, but enough to make the volume bearable.

soulman969 · #20 11-27-2011, 02:21 AM

A lead guitarist playinb too loud????!!!!!! Why I've never heard of such a thing before.

I'd say your problem is experienced by 50% of us or more. Well, he's not gonna turn down and his response to you tells me you shouldn't push it any further.

Like some of the other guys are saying. Run your rig through the PA and get a pair of ear phone monitors to hear yourself and the other. Doesn't need to be in the mains if you don't want. Just your monitor mix.

The crowd always loves the hotdog lead player. I once had one that would incite the crowd to ask him to turn up all night long. Fortunately that pissed the drummer off more than me since I was on the opposite side of the drum kit.

If you're stuck standing next to him (I'd change that too if I were you) then do what you need to do to solve your problem. Don't make it his issue of the bands. That won't get it solved.