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I'm 52:do I need a fistfight over loud guitard?

#102
drpsychdee said:
Good for you, I play in two bands and the guitar players are always way loud. I get along with them but they can seem to find the volume to turn down. I just wear earplugs and turn up myself. On stage I wear an in ear monitor so I can hear myself. The other guys leak through just fine. The sound guy can worry about the mix I just need to hear what I play so it's right. Guitards are out their, that ego thing is just that. Vote with your feet is the best way when they tantrum. Good for you!
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Stop doing that, you're going deaf in the monitor ear. The brain dulls both ears and so you turn up the monitor a lot louder than it should be to hear it. For a proper explanation use google.
 
#103
I had one incident like that, a while back. Was playing with these guys, at the guitarists house, and I don't remember what set him off (something that shouldn't have set anyone off) but he went completely ballistic out of his mind screaming in my face that he was going kick the living s--- out of me, I'm nothing but a bass player, bla, bla, bla...., and then he stormed out of the room. Came back and apologized. I left the rehearsal and they never heard from me again. We had 2 gigs coming up also. It's the one and only time I ever walked like that on anyone. It felt great.
 
#104
I saw a band member inflict a vicious beating on a guy in street fight one night that could have easily turned into a manslaughter conviction. He beat the guy to a pulp like a machine before we could even pull him off because of some display of aggression by the loser that was met head-on by my friend. I don't ever run my mouth, and I never accept an invitation to fight by someone who already has a game plan.
 
#105
The reason many guitarists (and drummers) play so loud is because loudness does cover up sloppy playing a bit, and it can make otherwise bland notes sound a little more interesting. In other words, it's a crutch.
 
#108
BawanaRik said:
You can get plenty of tone out of a Marshall at low volumes. If you don't like the MV get an 18 watter. Or a brake.

Watch the vid with Eric Clapton demoing his woman tone at conversational volumes with a Marshall Stack.

Some of the best Plexi on meltdown tones I got were from a Champ and a V Twin.

And yes I can get great tone out a Marshall at low volumes.
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It's called an attenuator... :D
 
#109
I have no time for fist fights at all and will talk/ignore my way out of it at every turn.

If however anyone ever attacks me for no reason, they want to hope there is nothing that can be weaponized within my reach. I would just as soon hobble someone with a brick than return a punch, not going to damage my hands for anything!
 
#110
To walk is the only thing that will probably work. Before you do however, record a few songs and let the band listen. This will sway the fence=sitters to your side. Or, go from fission-level [atomic bomb] to fusion=level [hydrogen bomb]. If he uses a 412/ you should have at least a SVT , or bigger! That will teach him.
 
#111
Im in my 40s now and as long as there is an "out" in a circumstance like this...talk him down, leave, etc, I wouldnt get into a physical confrontation. I always think of the consequences first but thats me.

I have done MMA (Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, etc) since 97 and traditional martial arts for over 20 years, and I know I can handle myself. But I still wouldnt get into a physical confrontation unless there was no other option. There was another option for the OP here so he did good.
 
#112
clbolt said:
I have to applaud you for your decision not to get into a fight with the idiot. I'm 47, and back in August I punched my former brother-in-law in the face. One time. I almost knocked him out cold, I broke one of his teeth, and he broke a rib hitting a desk on his way to the floor. He's 33, and 6 inches taller than me (I'm 6' tall). He was also one of my best friends, and I hit him out a perceived disrespect.

I did get arrested and booked, but didn't go to jail. I never tried to deny what happened, so I managed to avoid having to hire an attorney. I'm still working on my community service, and I have fines and restitution that have to be paid. On top of all that, I may never be allowed to see my 5 year old niece again, and she's been the light of my life since the first time I saw her.

Would I do that again under the same circumstances? Not in my lifetime. Would I defend myself if it was truly called for? Yes. however, in an argument with an idiot over his volume in his house, I'd be walking. It just wouldn't be worth it to me.

BTW, for any guitards out there who still think they have to subject their bandmates to punishing volume levels to get that sweet Marshall tone, Tom Scholz cured that problem over 30 years ago. It's called the Power Soak.
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Sorry to hear about your experience. This is a good story for all to remember that when we become adults even a simple fight or punch can change our lives in a direction we could never dream it could go. Best to walk away..always.
 
#114
Stumbo said:
It seems to me that playing loud fulfills some kind of psychological/physical need for some guitarists.

With volume so loud it's like a physical attack on everyone around them. It's also a way to show dominance over everyone in the room.

When you told him to turn down, it was like asking a soldier on the front line to put down his weapon.

That's why he became verbally abusive and asked you to leave. Nobody controls him. He's the alpha male.
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Exactly - and we all know the type. I have enough hearing difficulties, and if it were just a question of putting in musician's earplugs - but it doesn't seem that way. Walk away!
 
#115
Life is too short to worry about douches like that.
The sooner the breakdown occurs with a goof like that, the better.

There are guitar players who know how to use their gear and play in a band with others properly, you just have to find them.

+1 on scooping up the singer if he's any good (though you probably couldn't hear him at the time).
 
#118
resinboy said:
ben in a new band for 3 months playing mostly 80's hard rock and metal. Added a new guitarist about a month ago. He plays too ******** loud at practice (marshall half stack). I have asked him several times to turn down: I get told I am the old guy and cant handle the volume any more.
Auditioned a vocalist sunday. The PA would not cut over the loud guitard, so I asked him to turn down so the guy don"t blow his throat out. He went ballistic: told me I'm not his father and to pack my **** up and get the **** out of his house before he kicks the **** out of me.
Rather than start a stupid fight, I left. Haven't had an altercation like this since I was 15 LOL. ***? And he wasn't the band leader: the other 2 guys sat frozen: shocked that this assclown went nuts.
This is my first band in 20 years, and unfortunately it reminded me of why I got out.

Dave
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You do not ever want to be in a band with anybody like that. Excessive volume is a hallmark of immature, unprofessional, selfish musicians.
 

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