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"HELP".........I cant hear myself over the guitars

do you prefer playing in a band with one or two guitarists?

  • I prefer one guitarist

    Votes: 106 41.2%

  • I perfer two guitarists

    Votes: 47 18.3%

  • I dont have a preference

    Votes: 104 40.5%
  • Total voters
    257
#81
Move away from your (monitor) amp. Stay in a straight line facing away from it. But do put some distance.
The bass wave is elongated. The closer you are to the source, the more you'll hear the high frequency guitars and keyboards. The further away you are, and even through walls, the more you'll hear the bass.
 
#83
Though there are lots of good (and free) suggestions here, what about a bigger power amp?

Amps vary in terms of perceived-loudness-per-watt, but 300 watts is not much in a large space with a drummer and two guitars a blazing.
 
#84
Ear plugs can help in a practice setting. I typically don't have that problem because my guitarist and I aren't in a powerstuggle with the volume knobs when we are jamming. I usually have the exact opposite problem playing live because my sunn overpowers his vox amp no matter how low I turn down.
 
#85
I play in 2 bands, both with 2 guitars. One of them is symphonic power metal and the other is aggressive thrash-punk, so they ain't exactly lounge music. I must say I've never had this problem.

Having plenty of power on tap is obviously a bonus, but the key here is making sure the guitars aren't too bass-heavy. There's no point in instruments playing the same frequencies. I know people will whine and complain about 'their tone, man' but people also need to have pointed out to them that what works in a live band setting is different from what works when they're alone or on record and this applies just as much to bassists as guitarists. Volume-wise, I'm not sure why you need sound reinforcement in a practice space - what's the actual space like?

Angling the amps correctly also helps.

In any case, it's all about moderation.
 
#86
Raman said:
Move away from your (monitor) amp. Stay in a straight line facing away from it. But do put some distance.
The bass wave is elongated. The closer you are to the source, the more you'll hear the high frequency guitars and keyboards. The further away you are, and even through walls, the more you'll hear the bass.
Click to expand...
The wavelength of sound is mathematical, distance traveled over time is the same for all frequencies.
 
#91
No preference. In my last band I outgunned the two guitar players by many hundreds of watts so I could just turn up past 12:00 if they got rowdy.

But seriously, the key is in playing with grownups that understand that it's a band (ie a group effort that produces a single product) instead of a cast of extras for their ego trips. And good use of EQ (on both the guitars and bass)
 
#92
I have found myself in the same position as the OP and whilst most of the problems of hearing myself is due to the guitarists, both using high powered valve amps, being up far too loud, we are also set up in an alcove which i think has a lot of sound bouncing around. I too wear custom ear plugs and they work great in other setups but this one is still way too loud even with them in and I could hardly hear myself. A couple of weeks back I turned my cab round to face backwards at the wall behind me which made the sound much more even and i could hear myself better. However it's still unnecessarily loud. I plan to have a chat with the band leader sometime today as this is a deal breaker for me. if the volume can't be dropped I'm out!. I like being able to hear. :-)
 
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#94
Downunderwonder said:
that's how you and TheWho operate. The rest of the contributors here do not do it that way.
Click to expand...

I was being a little bit tongue in cheek (but I'll take the Who comparison as a compliment; The Ox and/or Pino are monster players ;)).

There is actually a third option.

On the highway (to continue my analogy), there is someone whose job it is to tell drivers to slow down: the police.

In music, that role is filled by the band leader, producer, and/or sound engineer.

So, if you are the person leading the band, writing the checks, and/or running the mixing board, then by all means dictate to the guitarists how they should set their EQ and volume controls.

On the other hand, if you and I are "hired guns" or we are in an unpaid hobby band of equals, then you control the knobs on your amp, I control the knobs on my amp, and let's make some noise, blow off steam, and have a good time. :)

Back to the OP's dilemma, the solution is probably as simple as: it's time to appoint a band leader in charge of the mix, and/or bring in an experienced engineer or producer to help shape the band's sound. A "mix cop" if you will.
 
#96
My best gig is playing with an original trio with a guitarist who ruined his ears years ago playing at "macho" volume levels. Now he finally knows exactly where his volume limit is and so does the drummer so we never need earplugs. My classic rock band is another story altogether. The main culprit there is the singer who has a PA system loud enough for four football stadiums and the two guitarists guage their volume based on him.

From my experience with these two bands I've come to the conclusion that two guitarists is simply too many. For me anyways even though I stay with the classic rock band since we gig more than the trio. In my experience, in this way loud volume is completely based upon perceived "machismo". And in that regard is completely unnecessary. :laugh:
 
#97
Our band has changed over the years. We used to have two guitarists, but now have one guitarist and one keyboardist. Drums are mic'ed, but not in monitors when we rehearse. I stand next to the drummer and always use protective ear plugs.

I think the keyboard actually tend to compete more with my bass frequencies than the guitarists.

What I find is that everyone have to adjust stage volume to the drums. I tend to not complain about the guitar being too loud. I find the singers usually do that job for me. I stand right in front of the bass rig, and I turn it up on occation if I can't hear/feel myself at all. But most of the time I can, and usually try to dial my volume down.

I think most musicians tend to want to be "in front", while they really should strive for a balanced soundscape. You shouldn't "cut through the mix". You should be in the mix, not through it.
 
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#99
swarfrat said:
If you can manage to do the speed limit at rush hour, you have an amazingly low stress commute for which you should be grateful.
Click to expand...

The grass is always greener.... I find it pretty stressful to be going 75 in a 55 zone and have some "Massh*le" driver riding my tail, weaving in and out of lanes, and flipping me the bird for going too slow. But I digress.

Back on topic, it never ceases to amaze me the number of threads on Talkbass along the lines of "Why don't the other members of the band obey me? P.S. I am not the bandleader." Rock and roll isn't about being told what to do.
 

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