Started playing again, easing back into it. Played with a couple of older guys today, mostly 60’s. It went okay except for two things. A very smoky environment, not my ideal environment. And excessive volume. Note the peak dB reading on the left. That was taken in the middle of the room. Here’s the kicker, the guitar player said I could be a little louder as he was having trouble hearing me. Nice guys but I can’t do that.
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Dipping my toes back in the water
- Thread starter Rfan
- Start date
I was in a psycho-delic-proggy-jam band last decade that was incredibly loud. I brought my old Realistic sound level meter one rehearsal to fine the band averaging around 115-118 dB! Didn't stay long after I learned that. All the guys in the band were in the their late '50s to mid '60s at the time (2013 - 2014).
If you can not do it anymore, then it's time to quit, I suppose.
Kudos for starting to play again. But if it's both (a) smoky and (b) stupid loud, then that's not very good for your health. Do yourself a favour and find a different group.
But I think you already know that.
But I think you already know that.
D
For us in our 60's, rock is supposed to be loud..?!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Excessive volume is something I've never accepted. They probably are deaf from doing that for years. You don't want to join them, do you?
The thrill of playing loud is fleeting, the consequences are permanent. Been there, done that. Smoky environment? C’mon guys, it’s 2025 
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Did they hear your suggestions? I'd have reservations, if they responded with smoke signals.
(cue rim shot)
(cue rim shot)
Ive literally put foam earplugs in at absurdly loud concerts, and walked out of a couple that were just too extreme. There's no excuse for it, and you may be playing with guys who can't hear how loud it is.... because years of playing too loud has damaged their hearing. I stopped going to bars for years because of the clouds of cigarette smoke. Move Along.
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as mentioned above, good earplugs go a long way, and being able to crank up your rig is fun… but if gigging is in the plans, bellowing at extreme volume from stage is gonna be a game-ender.
Aside from the volume and the smoke, did you enjoy playing with these cats? The smoke is either a non-starter, or they’ll accommodate you. If they just wanna play at extreme volume (with no hearing protection?!?) then yeah, split. Gigging with them will be a nightmare. As a sound guy / production pro who worked everything from bars to large format concerts, those dudes might never be happy with a stage mix, and never hear 1/2 the freqs coming from monitors. If they wanna hear their half-stacks, they’ll eschew IEM’s so… yeah. Buh… Bye…
Aside from the volume and the smoke, did you enjoy playing with these cats? The smoke is either a non-starter, or they’ll accommodate you. If they just wanna play at extreme volume (with no hearing protection?!?) then yeah, split. Gigging with them will be a nightmare. As a sound guy / production pro who worked everything from bars to large format concerts, those dudes might never be happy with a stage mix, and never hear 1/2 the freqs coming from monitors. If they wanna hear their half-stacks, they’ll eschew IEM’s so… yeah. Buh… Bye…
I don't care how loud it is. I put in my earplugs and get on with it.
Not for me anymore. I can’t deal with the high Db and I haven’t smoked anything for over 40 years. I have tinnitus. I quit a band a few years ago because they wouldn’t turn down. I play music for enjoyment and relaxation. Excessive drinking, smoking and loudness isn’t relaxing to me anymore.
The smoke is a hard pass for me. I played plenty of smoky bars years ago and there’s a reason it isn’t that way anymore (thankfully). You could bring it up but chances are if they still smoke in 2025 they won’t be very receptive.
No reason for being so loud either. Sure we used to do it that way, but we used to smoke everywhere too. With the majority of people not being fans of either anymore, chances are you’ll be able to find other guys at some point.
No reason for being so loud either. Sure we used to do it that way, but we used to smoke everywhere too. With the majority of people not being fans of either anymore, chances are you’ll be able to find other guys at some point.
For me, earplugs are like seat belts. I put them in reflexively and try not to second guess it. They are a bit like condoms, if you’ll forgive the comparison, in that they pull a little bit off of the experience. But if I don’t wear earplugs I feel beaten up at the end of the gig. It’s worth it.
As for the smoke. Maybe would be a showstopper for me. Here in Colorado they outlawed smoking in restaurants and bars back in 2006 or so and it was a game changer. I used to have to take a shower at 3AM when I got home, before I could lay down in bed next to my wife. I couldn’t leave my gear in the car overnight (in the garage) because the whole car would reek for days if I did. If I were you I might have to move on from that issue.
As for the smoke. Maybe would be a showstopper for me. Here in Colorado they outlawed smoking in restaurants and bars back in 2006 or so and it was a game changer. I used to have to take a shower at 3AM when I got home, before I could lay down in bed next to my wife. I couldn’t leave my gear in the car overnight (in the garage) because the whole car would reek for days if I did. If I were you I might have to move on from that issue.
wrong guys. find some different musicians to play music with.
tinnitus sucks ~
tinnitus sucks ~
I think about some of the volume challenges I faced within the last decade and realize that today I would ditch those projects in a NY minute. And gigs where I left with my ears ringing. I’m so glad that none of my current projects have that issue. Been there, done that, not doing it again. If cats can’t play without deafening other people, it means they can’t play.
I use earplugs AND over the ear cans for hearing protection. My drummer and guitarist are loud and not intending to turn down so I usually read 90-105 peak db during rehearsal.
