How Loud do you practice?

[Indigo_blues]

I'm running my tele copy through an OD-3 mostly into my 20w cheap korean bass amp.. at low amp output levels, i can't seem to get a nice sound out of the guitar and amp, sounds kind of thin/flat... however when i increase my amp volume knob half a notch the sound is raised to a 'loud' volume of about 95-98db to my estimation(quite loud!).. and the funny thing is the tone of the guitar sounds much nicer/rounder especially when i kick up the drive knob of the OD-3... however, i can't be practicing at these levels all day, think my neighbours will start complaining..

Do your amps sound flat at low levels too? Any workaround this problem? Otherwise it looks like i'll have very unhappy neighbours soon.. haha.

 

[detroit_red]

Use headphones or close your door and windows ...

 

[Phil]

Take the guitar out of the room and close the door, but mind the cable.

 

[Indigo_blues]

so you guys are saying that this is a normal phenomena? Pardon me but i've been playing keyboards for the longest time.. and the keyboard sounds just as good whether loud or soft. I play bass too and the bass tone is inherently the same loud or soft but for electric guitar its like sheeesh, why does it have to be so loud to be nice? :roll: Maybe its my fingers?

 

[guitarman78]

Small amps probably doesn't have the capacity to support certain frequencies and the diaphram is smaller .... probably that's why you need to turn it louder for certain frequencies to cut .... usually Bass and Mid.

Anyway, if it's just for home use, you dun need such good sounding amps. Otherwise you might wanna use a bigger amp ... I usually turn it up as loud as my hi fi, which is not very loud ... coz i like to jam with songs from CDs.

My answer to your question .... just make do or if yuo have $$, buy a bigger amp .. more stable ... more important is the content of your playing ...

 

[Indigo_blues]

Hi guitarman, thanks for the input. I wasn't really thinking of changing my amp. You mean bigger amps may sound nicer at lower levels? I'm pretty happy with the tone at loud levels.. so i guess i just have to close the doors and windows and turn on the aircon then. Just that i'll probably have to stick on earphones past 12mn.

 

[guitarman78]

well that will work ... i used to practice using headphones too ... have fun playing yeah?

 

[thor666]

bigger (more wattage) amps tend to sound BAD if you don't turn it past 2. that's being pretty generalized but it holds true for most amps - amps with high wattages are meant for louder amplification.

if you have a keyboard amp, try running your guitar through it. most guitar amps tend to have a spiked mid while the keyboard amps available tend to have a neutral EQ. see if that works for you.

 

[Indigo_blues]

k thanks for the input guys. Here's some pics of my gear so you guys have a better idea.

My bass guitar(yamaha BB604) and tele copy(Pacifica 311MS) with the el cheapo korean bass amp i bought for $40 second hand(it had a spoiled jack but it was a cinch to fix, now its great!). The pacifica i got it at $220 used as well. Fantastic deal. The action is superb. The BB604 was new at $680 from Plaza Singapura. On the floor is a zoom G2.1U, an OD-3 and a BD-2.

This is a shot of my comp and my p-200 digital piano. Do some recording stuff on it. At the right on the table is a small behringer 602A mixer. works well and cheap.

This is a close-up shot of the bass amp and a small yamaha keyboard monitor thats real small but real powerful!


cheers guys. :wink:

 

[guitarman78]

cool stuff .... i like your piano ..

 

[koolguy74sg]

your electric guitar look like mine leh...

 

[Indigo_blues]

As in looks like yours or was yours? haha.. nice guitar.

 

[Creeping_Deth]

Put it into a cupboard padded with egg-packing (the grey carboard ones u see at the wet market).

 

[alaineth]

Quite Duh, but try sitting closer to your amp when you play? I think the bass amp might make your guitar sound flat, cus it doesn't generate the high freqs of a guitar amp. -- Don't know, just guessing.

 

[Rollercoaster]

Usually jus loud enough to hear myself, I can't stand ppl hear me practicing!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[subversion]

loud enough:

*to propel picking dynamics
*to enhance distortion

 

[Rollercoaster]

Or jus a lousy battering acoustic guitar.

 

[FITCH]

Average volume on my ToneBlaster 100R is set around 10-11 o'clock. Doesn't bring out the dist if i go lower than that.

Considered loud since it is played in my store room, but i have the room carpeted to absorb some waves.

 

[dace_diath]

for me as long as i play an can be heard i will be happy,
mine's a 30 watts amplifier aniway,

quite good, but do play softly so to be
considerate to others.

 

[bengster]

I used headphones ... dun wanna disturb my parents and neighbours ...