Quit and find another band, two guitars with that much amp is not worth the frustration, not only that you have your hearing to think about...
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Loud Guitarists, What are my Amp Options?
- Thread starter twc1313
- Start date
If it's only affecting stage volume and not how it sounds FOH, the only way you're not going to lose your F****** mind is by going IEM. If you simply get a "louder" cab, you'll ultimately make the guitars that much louder when they turn up to, once again, assert their dominance.
^^^ Mostly this tho.
Your gear should be adequate enough. IME you need to EQ your sound to tailor to them (they're probably not gonna adjust their EQs for you LOL). So they're into that sealed 412 scoop with heavy and boomy LFs, I'd say your best bet is to kick in with sweet lower + upper mids, do not fight the LFs, they'll only be creating mud.
That was my first thought too. Or two 2-12"s.
@twc1313 , I've been in the same situation, quite a few times over the years. Loud guitarist, and drummer and even though you know your bass amp is loud, you still can't hear yourself clearly in the mix.
I know the stock TB answer on this subject is to find another band. Sometimes being in a really good band with loud bandmates is more rewarding than being in a crappy band that doesn't play loud. I've been there, and I personally choose being in a great band.
My first advice is to wear earplugs. Obviously to protect your hearing, but I've also found they filter out some of the extreme high end, and I can hear myself a bit better on a noisy stage using earplugs. It does take a little bit to get used to wearing them, but IMO it's worth it.
I've also found cutting a bit of my low end and my high end, then slightly boosting my low mids helps. Also a bit of overdrive works wonders too.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
get them to switch to this kind of amp
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Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I fit a Mesa Powerhouse 6x10 into the backseat of an old Camry (the old ones are smaller than a modern day Corolla). Barely but it fits. And I've NEVER had a problem being heard with that cab!
Volume wars suck. It's not going to make you more ferocious than the next band, it's bad sound engineering. Too loud can result in the audience percieving lousy inconsistent tone. What's the point if you only sound good from the parking lot?
I'm in my early 60's, and I still get to play music. If you continue on the path you're on, when you're my age, you won't be playing music, you'll be deaf. Think about that.
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Dealing with this situation is a journey many of us have travelled. You just have to just keep trying stuff gear/communication-wise.
Get some HEAROS.
(Do these guys even want to hear bass? Borrow a guitar and rent a half-stack and just join in the mayhem!!)
(Kidding).
Get some HEAROS.
(Do these guys even want to hear bass? Borrow a guitar and rent a half-stack and just join in the mayhem!!)
(Kidding).
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I play in rock bands that are too loud. Here is what I did and it solved the problem.
800W GK amp. two 4 X 10 cabs. One works fine for rehearsal but when you know the gig is going to be loud bring both cabs.
Also, wear ear plugs.............
800W GK amp. two 4 X 10 cabs. One works fine for rehearsal but when you know the gig is going to be loud bring both cabs.
Also, wear ear plugs.............
As a guy with permanent tinitus, I feel entirely qualified to tell you no one wins volume wars.
Ever!
Ever!
