Tone issue with band

[kpinks]

Hello, I am fairly new to this forum. I was wondering if I could get a little advice from some of you guys. I play lead guitar in our group and I like to play loud. The problem is that in order to get my tone, my volume is too loud most of the time compared to the rest of the group. I tried turning my 4 x 12 cabinet around to face the wall, but then the tone sounds very "bassy" and solos do not cut through. I place my 4 x 12 cabinet on a couple of milk crates to get the cab off the floor a bit as I find these cabs are very directional. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We typically play in small to medium sized clubs.
Thanks in advance
Kev

[Epicus Furor]

Try cutting down on your treble and presence and boost your mids, that way you won't have to turn up so loud to be heard an you'll cut through the mix better.

[ScottB]

Are all of the instruments either miked or running direct in the house mains? Your band will achieve a better overall sound if properly mixed through the PA.

Wether you're in the PA or not, the problem is that your stage volume is too high. Run a separate 1x12 or 2x12 monitor cab from your head and position it pointing up at you, away from the crowd and away from the rest of the band. Turn your amp down until your 4x12 is at a comfortable level for the rest of the band. You'll still be able to hear yourself clearly through the monitor.

[Ant1981]

You sound like a rocker. I admire you. I also like to play loud.

Find a new band. Find people who are not scared to rock.

[brothersnowgone]

Originally Posted by Ant1981

You sound like a rocker. I admire you. I also like to play loud.

Find a new band. Find people who are not scared to rock.

^ LOL!

[rgr]

Congratulations, you're a rock guitarist...

You might try a Hot Plate or similar, or maybe a 2-12 cabinet so it doesn't move as much air. That way you can still turn your amp up but not be as overpowering.

What kind of amp are you using?

Playing loud is fun until your ears ring constantly.

[Ant1981]

I my last band I used a 4x12 cab, and I got away with it because the others played at hell raising volumes too.

We loved it.

[Chud]

Yep, nothing wrong with a bit of loudness!

Though i would suggest boosting mids and cutting down bass if you're scared to loose your hearing quickly

[Eggy]

Try an Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal. It'll add the extra crunch that high volume gives you without having to turn up all the way to 11.

Ben

[ChopTart]

Originally Posted by Ant1981

I my last band I used a 4x12 cab, and I got away with it because the others played at hell raising volumes too.

We loved it.

Problem here is that if everyone's just turning up to match the others, the sounds going to sound terrible unless they're playing an open-air stadium with a few feet of separation between them and the audience

Maybe not using a full 4x12 cabinet? Try a 2x12. Also try playing cranking the vol on your guitar and not the amp. Sometimes it responds the same (or better) tonally without using excess volume. +1 on the Tubescreamer by the way - so much tube-warm goodness

[Ant1981]

Either that or he needs to leave the 'jazz band' behind and go and find some proper rockers.

Personally, I think he's a fine super guitar man who's dream is to rock and rock properly. You don't piss out of your trousers with your dick half out do you, so why play guitar with the sound half as good as it could be?

[tobe]

Originally Posted by kpinks

The problem is that in order to get my tone, my volume is too loud most of the time compared to the rest of the group.
Kev

What kind of gear are you using? If you are using a tube amp and find that the only way to get the tone you desire is to turn up your amp, think about a power soak, or equivalent. Changing to a 2x12 would probably not give you the desired results as the tonal difference between a 4x121 and a 2x12 is noticable. However, things you can do vary on what gear you are using. Good luck, Tobe

[3rdeye]

Originally Posted by kpinks

Hello, I am fairly new to this forum. I was wondering if I could get a little advice from some of you guys. I play lead guitar in our group and I like to play loud. The problem is that in order to get my tone, my volume is too loud most of the time compared to the rest of the group. I tried turning my 4 x 12 cabinet around to face the wall, but then the tone sounds very "bassy" and solos do not cut through. I place my 4 x 12 cabinet on a couple of milk crates to get the cab off the floor a bit as I find these cabs are very directional. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We typically play in small to medium sized clubs.
Thanks in advance
Kev

I use a THD hotplate, it's not the same as not having anything between the amp and the speaker but the sound is fairly similar and the volume is very manageable.

[rgr]

Originally Posted by Ant1981

Either that or he needs to leave the 'jazz band' behind and go and find some proper rockers.

Personally, I think he's a fine super guitar man who's dream is to rock and rock properly. You don't piss out of your trousers with your dick half out do you, so why play guitar with the sound half as good as it could be?

It's good to see that Nigel has found the forum

[Jaden]

my solution to this was a 3 channel amp...
easy.