[Harp-L] Re: Stupid volumes and egos (a small success)

[Paul Routledge <kingley@xxxxxxx>]

So since I posted the comments below I have had some small success.

All the band in question played a gig the following night and were at  
a reasonable volume and all agreed it was far better to play like  
that. This was instigated by the lead guitarist!!!! Who said that he  
was having hearing problems and thought they should all play quieter  
at their gigs.

Since then I have spoken to numerous guitarists. All of them have  
spoken to this particular guitarist in the last 2 weeks and all have  
been told by him that he has hearing problems and is going to buy a  
new smaller amp because he realises that his playing volume his to  
blame for a lot of his hearing problems, and that a 100 Watt Fender  
Twin on volume number 8 (yes 8!!) in a small pub (bar) is way too  
excessive.

KIngley
www.kingleyharp.co.uk


> I went to a rock blues gig last night in a medium sized pub (bar)  
> and the volume level was ridiculous.
>
> They had 2 guitarists one had a Fender Deville 4X10 the other had a  
> Fender Twin, the harp player had a Fender Super 4X10.
> the volume was that loud it actually hurt your ears. Everyone I  
> spoke to said that it hurt their ears also, and agreed that it was  
> a stupid volume to play at.
>
> So knowing the band I spoke to them in the break and expressed my  
> concerns and also told them that if the carry on like this they  
> will all be deaf in a few years and that then they be unable to  
> play music anymore.
> The reaction was "Yeah we know!" followed by laughter. They then  
> proceeded to play a second set which was louder than the first.
>
> Now what I fail to understand is, if you love doing something why  
> would you take actions that risk you having to stop doing what you  
> love?
> Why do musicians particularly  guitarists seem unable to maintain  
> the power of reason once and amplifier is switched on?
> Could it be that the circuits give out some kind of frequency that  
> inhibits that part of the brain?
> Or is it as I suspect the fact that it's an ego thing and somehow  
> replaces any inadequacies that they may feel?
>
> Is it just me or are so many so called musicians hell bent on  
> destroying their hearing?
> Is the penchant for using big amps in small - medium sized bars a  
> particularly British thing or is it the same the world over?
> I mean why a 60 - 100 Watt amp when a 5 -15 Watt amp will do the  
> job far, far better in that size venue?
>
> Answers on a postcard please to:
> The Ego Idiots
> Deaf Street
> Hard of Hearing Town
> Intellectually Challenged County
> The World of Guitarists