I realize that I’m becoming one of those grouchy old men, but you can never accuse me of being an oldster. Though I look fondly back to the old days of rock and roll, and though I really don’t dig the new pop music, I don’t sit there pining away for a return to the old.
But I have to admit that I’ve become increasingly annoyed at some obvious things that I observe on a regular basis. Actually, let me rephrase that. My annoyance hasn’t increased at all. But I’ve definitely become more direct about my feedback. I think it happens to all older people. We’ve been around the block several times and we lose our patience when people just don’t get it.
I admit that I do my best to try to check myself. After all, you attract more bees with honey, but there are just some things, some things that I just won’t hesitate to snap at.
One of those things comes from several guitarists I’ve played with over the years who complain they can’t hear their amps, even in a quiet setting, so they crank up their volume and step all over the rest the band. My usual retort is the title of this post: “Then get a freakin’ amp stand,” or “Lean the amp back so the speaker’s pointing at you.”
Sheesh! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone complain they can’t hear themselves. Sometimes yes, it is due to having their volume being low. But most of the time, it’s just due to bad positioning. What… you set up next to the drums? Then move your damn amp! You brought your vintage Fender Champ with the 6″ speaker to the gig? Well, there’s not much I can do for you there… But you could put it on a music stand and we’ll mic it up so you can be heard in the house.
Even with a small amp, there are always solutions. So I guess I’m ranting about the complainers and I’ll say what I say to my teams at work: Work the problem, people! There’s always a solution.
Guitar Gear 
Well put, Dawg.
That’s on par with the fact that most local rock guitarists I’ve ever met subscribe to the theory that louder is better. I say local because practically every national act I’ve ever seen knows it’s about low stage volume, letting the FOH do the heavy lifting.
Some of the guys I’ve known for decades now have hearing problems, so they feel the need to turn up even more.
I’ve used amp stands and hearing protection all my career. I won’t even go hear a band when it’s so loud you can’t hear yourself think.
An amp stand is a good thing, but a change in philosophy goes hand in hand with it.
Absolutely. But with respect to the local guys, what they probably lack is an experienced and strong-willed – and vocal – sound tech who will make them turn down. In my previous church band, we had a couple of great techs who had no problem telling us when we were too loud. Especially in the early days of the band, we all learned quite a bit about stage volume that has carried over to every band that I’ve played with since.
I was recently at a reggae concert where almost all the musicians use a Fender Twin (seems to be THE amp for reggae). The techs had the amps pointed to the side of the stage and for the headliners, their amps, of course, were completely backline and offstage (ah, to have the budget for in-ear monitors).