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Guitarist plays too loud

T

Twobass

Aug 12, 2009
292
76
#1
I'm in a cover band that plays your standard cover music, some 80's rock 90's till now. One thing that really bothers me is the guitar player and he's very good, he plays way too loud. So loud that it's really hard to hear the singer, I feel bad for the singer because every time he sings it must be difficult to try to sing over the guitar player. Also a lot of times he's out of tune because he can't hear himself.

Now I've suggested that we all should turn down to hear the vocals and the guitar player has his standard reply ready "I have to play with high gain". Now I don't know why the guitar player doesn't want to turn down and we have all mentioned this to him. So what would be a good way to get him to turn down?
 
#2
Put a chart in front of him.

Alright, I'll be serious. Here's what I've done in the past. Make sure he honestly knows that the rest of the band doesn't like it. Ask him to turn down at the moment he's too loud so he understands what "too loud" sounds like. If he claims that "his tone" requires that his amp is too loud, tell him that his approach doesn't fit the band. Find another guitar player, then politely and respectfully part ways with him.
 
#5
derridiandrift said:
Put a chart in front of him.

Alright, I'll be serious. Here's what I've done in the past. Make sure he honestly knows that the rest of the band doesn't like it. Ask him to turn down at the moment he's too loud so he understands what "too loud" sounds like. If he claims that "his tone" requires that his amp is too loud, tell him that his approach doesn't fit the band. Find another guitar player, then politely and respectfully part ways with him.
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That would be tough since we practice at his place, now he's a good guy and all. Yes he does say that he has to play loud for his amp to get the right tone.
 
#6
ok youve asked him and hes said no right

talk it over with the rest of your band and come in to practace and NOT plug into the amps or even just use the clean sound only. plus tell him if you add too much gain to high volumes it just sounds like poo.

if he still feels he needs to play loud over all that just tell him that your not going to play with him untill he turns down
 
#7
What you have to do is to record the rehearsal and all of you sit down and listen to the recording. Compare it with the original and have him (the guitar guy) be the guy responsible for the sound in the rehearsal, so that all listen to each other and get a decent sound as a band. If the next recording shows the same, then fight fire with fire (next paragraph), or the rest of the band shound dump him

In one occasion (several months in fact) that I was playing with such a guitar player and a drummer of the same mentality, I brought my iAmp800 with a 4x10"&tweeter plus a 15" sub. I overpowered the rest of the band really bad. When the guitar player and the drummer complained about my volume I used their exact words "This is how I get my tone (just like you do); so we either turn down (all of us), or we play as we are now. Your choice". Th\He had to back off and they did
 
#8
I have been recording the last few practices and everyone else in the band can tell he's too loud, now I don't know if he's deaf or what. I hate being the guy to bring it up all the time and I usually am.
 
#11
I find this all too common with guitar players.

My band has been through two of them and they both didn't understand EQ and they both didn't understand setting proper volume. Yes, I play in a metal band and things are going to be loud, but when the damn guitar is so loud you can't even hear the cymbals then there's certainly a problem.

I've told both guitar players and they complain they 'can't hear themselves' if they turn down to anything past '11'. It's a damn shame, but I don't think many people realize then when playing in a band setting, if you can hear yourself super clearly, then there is something definitely wrong with your EQ and Volume.

I'd talk to the guy and if you can't get him to cooperate, start looking elsewhere. My band is at those exact crossroads (other issues aside) at the moment too.
 
#17
Twobass said:
He mikes his amp to the PA also his tone is the same on every song lol.
Click to expand...

At practice? This is wrong on so many levels.

Tilt his amp back so that it's pointed at his head, get rid of the mic, and everyone else should wear ear plugs.

Another thing to try is have everyone else turn way down, have the drummer barely play and have the singer barely sing. If the guitar player doesn't get the point, find another gig.
 
#18
I've gotten various friends from bands to come out and see us and comment on the sound mix and without me saying anything they all say the guitar is WAY too loud and drowning out everyone. It can be a problem.
 
#19
I've been in the same situation and feel your pain! We started with subtle hints, then not so subtle hints but slowly the situation improved somewhat. It helped to have another guitar player in the band to help explain things.
It's really hard to convince some of them that a 100w Marshall half-stack is overkill!!! :rollno:
 
#20
PLaying super loud and not blending your sound with everyone else in the band is the first sign this guy is a rank amateur. I don't agree with your assessment that he is "really good", because if he was, he would already know this.

Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. I have found that if volume wars happen more them once, there is something else at play, and you are going to have a hard time convincing him to turn down. really, this is why I hate most rock bands.
 
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