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Guitarist cant hear themselves

AdamR

AdamR

Inactive
Sep 24, 2007
6,643
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Bethel CT
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#1
Im looking for suggestions. Every show I hear the same complaint from our guitarists. "I couldnt hear a thing" Im sure the reason is that they both used sealed 412 cabs on such a small stage that they are projecting right past their legs. Also because of the stage size 9 out of 10 times amps end up in front of the drums making timing timing an issue. I use an 810 at almost ever show and having speakers near ear level has helped me a ton. Im not really sure what to do for my guitar players. I did suggest they maybe place their cabs on something to get them a bit higher or maybe look into buying some old Mesa half back cabs but getting them to part with money is not easy.
 
#3
Amp height and aiming point is surely a factor as you point out; some elevation or mic/monitor may help. The guitarists' own hearing acuity may be an issue too. Getting them to go for an audiogram is probably near impossible, nevertheless, every gigging musician should have a formal hearing test regularly. (I need to go myself!) And we should all use something like Etymotic earplugs if stage volumes are high. Sometimes when you can't hear...it's because you can't hear.
 
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#9
A 412 on a tilt back ? If your doing a shared backline gig bringing your own floor monitors kinda kills the point. And its both guitarists so now thats 2 monitors, 2 mics, hooking it to the board and hoping whop ever is running sound (usually just a bar employee) can mix them some what right . The drummer also cant hear them but is usually ok if he hears me. Its sad that we rehearse with a better PA than most of these places have. And now bringing ours isnt an option.
 
#11
The PA is supplied and I cant mix and play at the same time. My PA consists of two 2 18" subs, Two 15" mains, Four 15" monitors. Two 2000 watt amps and a 12 channel board. If the bars said bring a PA I would find away to do it. But when they say shared back line they dont want me bringing my PA too. None of these shows are just us playing. Its usually 4 or 5 bands with 10 to 15 minutes between sets.
 
#13
AdamR said:
A 412 on a tilt back ? If your doing a shared backline gig bringing your own floor monitors kinda kills the point. And its both guitarists so now thats 2 monitors, 2 mics, hooking it to the board and hoping whop ever is running sound (usually just a bar employee) can mix them some what right . The drummer also cant hear them but is usually ok if he hears me. Its sad that we rehearse with a better PA than most of these places have. And now bringing ours isnt an option.
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It doesn't have to be that complicated. Just a small powered speaker and a mic running directly into it. Just so he can hear himself, not to add to the mix.
 
#15
AdamR said:
Im looking for suggestions. Every show I hear the same complaint from our guitarists. "I couldnt hear a thing" Im sure the reason is that they both used sealed 412 cabs on such a small stage that they are projecting right past their legs. Also because of the stage size 9 out of 10 times amps end up in front of the drums making timing timing an issue. I use an 810 at almost ever show and having speakers near ear level has helped me a ton. Im not really sure what to do for my guitar players. I did suggest they maybe place their cabs on something to get them a bit higher or maybe look into buying some old Mesa half back cabs but getting them to part with money is not easy.
Click to expand...

I can't help ya as far as persuading yer guitards to spend money wisely is concerned...but for starters, if they'd sell off those 4x12 monstrosities, they'd have more cash to play with right there. Though I hold no hope whatsoever of convincing your typical, average guitard of this, the fact is that none of them needs a 4x12 cab and a 100-watt Marshall or Mesa amp head for anything less than a high-volume outdoor gig. For ordinary club gigs, a 2x12 cab and a 50-watt tube amp is more than plenty - even without use of a sound system.

I second the use of a tilt-back amp stand. Not only does it point the speakers closer to the guitard's head, but it also brings it up higher as well.

Here's one excellent cab design, offering excellent dispersion and excellent audibility, that they really should consider - but will probably reject out of hand (because it doesn't look rock 'n' roll enough). It features drivers that are upturned 20 degrees, to assist in audibility for the guitard; and crossfired by 15 degrees, to assist greatly in dispersion:

XF.jpg


http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/XFCabs.html

MM
 
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#16
Mystic Michael said:
I can't help ya as far as persuading yer guitards to spend money wisely is concerned...but for starters, if they'd sell off those 4x12 monstrosities, they have more cash to play with right there. Though I hold no hope whatsoever of convincing your typical, average guitard of this, the fact is that none of them needs a 4x12 cab and a 100-watt Marshall or Mesa amp head for anything less than a high-volume outdoor gig. For ordinary club gigs, a 2x12 cab and a 50-watt tube amp is more than plenty - even without use of a sound system.

I second the use of a tilt-back amp stand. Not only does it point the speakers closer to the guitard's head, but it also brings it up higher as well.

Here's one excellent cab design, offering excellent dispersion and excellent audibility, that they really should consider - but will probably reject out of hand (because it doesn't look rock 'n' roll enough). It features drivers that are upturned 20 degrees, to assist in audibility for the guitard; and crossfired by 15 degrees, to assist greatly in dispersion:

XF.jpg


http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/XFCabs.html

MM
Click to expand...


That does look like a great design and its can be made as a 412. The cab I recommended to them is a Mesa Half back. Its a 412 slant cab with the top 2 speakers open in the back which I think would help greatly and they can be bought for around $400



buldog5151bass said:
Ah - got you. I know that the sound on stage is often not as good as we want. My attitude is as long as I can see or hear the bass drum, I can get through the gig.
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Thats how I am and the drummer seems ok as long as he can hear me. My lead guitarist seems to think our drummer is the devil and some how him not hearing himself is our drummers fault.
 

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