so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

[Jeff Seal]

....I'm amazed at how often this comes up, mostly because I think there is a large misunderstanding of what everyone's idea of loud is. Since I own a Marshall Stack(or 2.............ok, 3 JCM800 2210's), somehow, somewhere..there is a preconceived notion that I/it has to absolutely be cranked for life to continue...

I gig on a regular basis, but I don't play anywhere near the volume most think I do...(honestly, I'm just loud enough to keep up with drums...) and the few times I actually get to practice with my 100w, it is at that same volume just to get the "real world" aspects of the amps response. (feedback, max "impact" from passage to passage..for when we gig!)

Actually, my "practicing guitar" is done with either no amp or (you ain't gonna believe this, given my recent thread..) a Korg Toneworks "Pandora's Box"...... please tell me you all don't really think those of us who have them, only practice through a 100w amp at max levels!.....at last report, Kurt Busch (Nascar driver, and my favorite one!) doesn't drive his race car to get groceries, nor would you think it's his only car!

For as much of a tone geek that I am, my Marshall is quite capable of achieveing great tones at levels comparable to a Fender Champ. Yes, it has a very sweet spot when cranked, but unless I'm in a situation that allows it...it still works just fine.

So, anybody want to define "bedroom" levels....

JS

edit.... I do understand that many older tube amps have to be cranked to get the desired tones, but most MV amps do quite well for simple "practicing"....

just because I could drive my bike 140mph to and from work, doesn't mean I have to...and it works quite well at 35mph....(much less fun though!)

 

[greendy123]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

For me the bedroom volume is around 2 on the master volume normally, and a little less for night time with my 2x12 cab. Its just really hard to find the right volume because it changes so quickly from 1-2 on master volume.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

I would call bedroom level's about the same voulme as your average T.V. (I'm not talking about surround sound) just loud enuff to talk over. My idea of loud would be a Ampeg V4 or the 77' 135 watt Twin I use to have. I played a gig with that amp in a small club once with the master dimed and the vol. on 8:smack: It's no wonder we were never invited back.

 

[fuzzyratfarts]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

When I am playing, I consider 'bedroom level' to be much higher in volume than a conversation...Maybe I play louder than most...I have a 40 watt Fender HRD and I turn it to about 2, and once you start hitting pedals and stuff, it's getting pretty loud.....

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

I have always favored +/- 50 watt amps because it's a very rare situation where I need anything more than that. Usually, when I've needed more than that, the things are going to be mic'ed, anyway, making it unnecessary to really crank them.

As for practicing, it's usually the Mark II, at 60 watts, in the lead channel with the gain on 7.5, with the lead master turned all of the way down if anyone's home. If no-one else is here, it may creep up to 3.5 to 4, with the gain backed off to 6.5 to 7. They need to have a decent amount of volume to sound good, but not enough to make your ears bleed. Nowhere even close to that much volume.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

BTW, great question and point, JS.

 

[Stevo]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Bedroom volume sucks. I like it when the speakers are getting some stress.
I am with you Jeff. I don't like to play that loud on stage, but I like the sound of my 4x12

 

[WhoFan]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Among some of my fellow Who fans that get together and Jam i'm known as the volume nut... But i use a combo for most jamming and bands these days.. A Classic 30 and a few pedals... I have the massive rig with a 5150 head and a Classic 50 head and the 4x12 cabs put away... I will never get rid of that rig as it has the sound i want! 4 channels of fun... The 5150 can be extremely loud! I also have a JCM 800 head that is loud!!! 99% of my at home playing these days is thru my Fender solid state practice amp... a mid 90's one before that awful DSP series.... Jamming is with the 30 watt Classic 30 combo....

I really do enjoy loud music, loud guitars... I was reading about hearing loss and the dangers i have placed myself in many many many times. In the article it had a few interesting points about loud music volumes... Some people have a chemical released in the brain when listening to loud music and they enjoy this feeling.... The more they want that feeling the more they listen to loud music. Also there is a few cases of peoples hearing getting better by loud music.... that was hard to believe but that is what the article said... But most people lose their hearing over time from loud music... I have slight hearing lose on the high range. Nothing major yet. But i have changed my ways. I wear ear plugs to shows, and i try to not blast myamp like i used to. But i am still trying to break the habit of my car stereo being on full..... i'm going to blow my stereo oneday!

WhoFan

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

I know the appeal of stuff being ungodly loud, but I have to be like your dad and say this, so forgive me. As much as you love it, imagine if you could never hear it that way again. That's what you're risking. I think that it may be one of those things that you aren't able to realize until after it's too late, but I have to try to warn you. Your hearing is precious, especially if you've been given the gift of hearing and knowing melody and harmony. Protect it.

 

[B2D]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Bedroom Levels = equal to or just a little greater than normal conversation talking volume. Talking loudly is all i should need to do to be hear over the amp.

Too Loud = when feedback becomes uncontrollable, if the normal proximity noise or hum from the amp (varies with the amp) is louder than the unmiked drums.

 

[wixedmords]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

I play around 2-4 most of the time, usually 2-3.

Gotta save those ears for when I am old folk, you know.

Some would say that is now.

 

[pac112]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

bedroom level : loud enough to make the guitar but not the neighbours scream.

 

[joelap]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

For bedroom practice I use my Peavey solid state 15 watt amp. If it's not too late I'll go downstairs, close the door, and put my sound city up to maybe 2 or 3 on the volume, but thats pushing it with people here.

As for on stage, the last gig I had my sound city was dimed, but I still wasnt as loud as my bassist (bassist runs a Fender bassman 300 (300 watt head) and two 215 cabinets). I have to turn up louder than I would like to, otherwise there's just too much bass. I've got one more show with that band a week from today and then I'm quitting and moving on to a different project

 

[mr breaker]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Too Loud = when feedback becomes uncontrollable, if the normal proximity noise or hum from the amp (varies with the amp) is louder than the unmiked drums.

That's not too loud, that's too much gain. When I play gigs, sometimes I have my amp CRANKED and I never have uncontrollable feedback or amp noise.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Since normal conversation is about 70-75 decibels, loud for guitar practicing would 80-85 decibels.

 

[ErikH]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Too loud for me is anything that makes my wife yell "TURN IT DOWN!!!", my daughter unplug me from my amp, or the cops knock on the door.

When I'm jamming with my bro-in-law, the amp's MV is set to 3-4. Perfectly loud enough. Now, I have played a 5150 on 10 for several hours before in a house for a Halloween party and the cops never showed so I guess it wasn't loud enough.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

Stage volume for most clubs on the 50 watters is 2 or a little North thereof. In the basement is 2 or a little shy thereof.

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

This is a bit off topic but do any clubs have a decimeter and monitor volume of the bands in the club. Would it may be worthwhile for a band to have one one to keep the volume thing from being so subjective? It may be good to keep practice volumes at reasonable levels and keep from annoying a neighbor. The more you play and are around loud playing the less sensitive we get to loud volumes. Perceived loud/normal listen volume to me is not the same as my wife's idea of normal listening volume.

You can get sound level meters starting at $60.
Sound Level Meters

I don't profit form the sale of purchase of sound level meters. This is informational only.

 

[motorboy29]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

The whole friggin point of an electric geetar is to be Really Loud Okay :cussing: so, uh yur. If you have a Marshall stack be loud or give your amp to me and play on your rediculous 100w.:firedevil

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: so what exactly is your idea of "loud"....

The whole friggin point of an electric geetar is to be Really Loud Okay :cussing: so, uh yur. If you have a Marshall stack be loud or give your amp to me and play on your rediculous 100w.:firedevil

Oh so your the guy who's playing across the street from me at 11pm every night.