OT: How do you tame a loud guitar player?

[GassieBall]

Our guitar player is a great guy and very talented, but he keeps on playing volume wars. Even though my rig can blow him away but that's not the point. Everyone in the band feels the same, so...

We're gonna bring it up with him at the next practice. I'm sure I'm not the first (search was not fruitful) in this situation.

Any pointers or stories to help me tackle this one?

 

[Bungo]

Pardon?

 

[GassieBall]

Are you winking at me?

 

[edensdad]

He may not be able to hear himself well based on amp/speaker positioning - get him a monitor and crank it up for him or (cheaper version) move him closer to his amp. Whenever I turn myself up it's because I can't hear myself clearly so I figure noone else can (which may not be the case)

Another idea - if he's using a combo amp - lean it against a wall or buy a stand to angle it up so the speakers are pointing at his head instead of his feet.

I always split my cabs so one was on each side of the stage when I wasn't in a band or a club with a good sound board to give a fuller sound with less volume.

>^..^<

 

[jongitarz]

A guitar player can never be too loud. Deal.











OK...Wonderdog might be too loud.

 

[Bungo]

Are you winking at me?

Eh? Sorry, all I can hear is this continuous high pitched ringing noise in my head.....

 

[edensdad]

My problem was always loud drummers

 

[AnthonyD]

OK...Wonderdog might be too loud.

Ain't that the truth!


I have the same problem with my guy - but I dig the volume too... It's the other two guitarists that can't deal.

edensdad makes good sense... We usually stick our guy right in front of his amp to ensure he has the "illusion" of being VERY loud.

 

[Colin]

just put sheet music in front of him....

 

[candid_x]

I've always found that an amp doesn't bloom until several feet away from the amp. Standing directly in front, unless it's a full stack, blows right by. Maybe a loud monitor, earphones?

If he hears himself well and it's just an ego thing, I'd just tell him straight up to turn it down. People forget that their part is a piece of the whole landscape: sometimes foreground, sometimes background. If that fails, find him a Gestalt therapist.

 

[Big Poppa]

Ok Loud guitarists.........First rule; There is not a guitarist alive who thinks he plays loud just like there are no slow golfers. I have never heard of someone saying, "Im a real slow golfer" They always think that they are fast. Ditto guitarists. The worst are when they are loud and are playing with other musicians and fill up every nook and cranny and fill and 1.5 times louder than the rest. That same guitarist plays five verse solos always at least two times when sitting in.....

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

What?



Good thing I'm not a guitarist.

 

[GassieBall]

So, um, BP, tell me what you really think about guitarists

It's funny cause I posted this thread over at TB (few guitar players) to see what they'd say and I knee-jerk posted it here, but I forgot there are a heck of a lot of guitarists on this board (oh silly me). I'm ready to get flamed.

 

[Bungo]

People forget that their part is a piece of the whole landscape: sometimes foreground, sometimes backgroud.

No, no, no, remember we're talking lead guitar here....surely the point is to totally dominate proceedings, be much louder than anyone else and hog the middle of the stage/limelight at every opportunity?

After all, that's why we took it up in the first place isn't it?

 

[GassieBall]

Yup. Dominate. Good word choice.

 

[candid_x]

No, no, no, remember we're talking lead guitar here....surely the point is to totally dominate proceedings, be much louder than anyone else and hog the middle of the stage/limelight at every opportunity?

After all, that's why we took it up in the first place isn't it?

True. Well then, perhaps pitch in and buy him a t-shirt which says "This is all about ME!" erm, just to remind everyone else.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Maybe he is just deaf?

 

[kbaim]

If he's not playing a 1/2 or full stack, have him try putting his amp on a chair.

 

[SteveB]

My experience with those types is that they will NEVER learn to turn down. Even if you get 'em to turn down for a bit, they'll tweak it right back up little by little.

I'd say you're going to have to deal with it or have the hatchet-man visit the axe-man.

Big Poppa, I'm a slow golfer. Actually, it's not even dignified (for the sport) to call me a golfer. I also can't stand folks who play too loud. In my band it's the drummer, and we all give him hell for it. Of course, it doesn't do any good.

 

[Bungo]

Actually to be serious here for a second, I think the problem is many of us lead guitar types (me included) do have a need to hear ourselves rather louder than is good for the overall mix.

I have that particular guitaristy thing to 'need' it to be a certain volume for my sound to work for me. I do appreciate that this level is sometimes too loud for the good of the overall band sound.

In big gig situations where each person can have their own monitor mix separate from the out front mix this shouldn't be a problem, but for most of us playing in much smaller situations, this luxury doesn't exist.

I do think it's right though, that many times the guitarist is standing close to and above his/her speakers thinking that they can't hear themself, while people the other side of the room in the line of fire of the amp are going rapidy deaf.

Making sure that the guitarist is the one 'in the line of fire' is possibly a good first step if individual monitoring is not available.

Also if the guy 'needs' to have his rig at a certain level for the sound to 'work' for him, then a power sink or a lower power amp may help. I think many of us are lured into buying sexy, high power amps like our stadium playing heroes, when a much lower power alternative would be more appropriate for our much smaller playing situations.

Failing all that, just nut him!