It's hard. For me the best thing is to have an amp thats suited to the size of the venue. It's difficult as a guitarist when you have too much headroom and you are struggling to keep it under control all the time. Of course, then the probelm is the volume of the drums.

Ideally, the solution is that you have the smaller amps and the drummer has a quieter kit for small venues (piccolo snare/ small Bass Drum and maybe a little more damping) or he could play with those Hot Rods (I think that's what they are called) which are between brushes and sticks. That's what we do.

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.

I agree, I hate those gigs but they do come up and often pay better than average. For one thing I'd have a reserve repertoire of low impact songs for just such an occasion. Often at these gigs you're not being scrutinized so you can bring music stands for your cheat sheets if you need them. If anyone is good at improvising throw in some long surf jams. Good luck.

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF

NoisyDad
We've played a couple gigs where we had to play at a more "reasonable" volume. For those gigs, I bring my old 15w Ampeg Jet and our drummer uses his cocktail kit. The bass player simply doesn't turn up as much (we're a trio). After we get used to the relative levels, it's fine. One time we were actually complimented by the venue-owner for not blasting his customers. Then he invited us back for another gig.

good point...don't bring the Showman!

for quieter gigs, I use the 100 watt section of my bass amp (instead of the 300 watt + 100watt)...also I go down to 2x12" speaker cab instead of the 6x12" I normally play with...also, for quieter gigs, I tend to play bass with bare fingers instead of a pick...and I actually use the volume knob on the bass to turn down a bit...

relative volume levels is a key consideration.

Great picture Surfgitar...it almost looks like a Norman Rockwell.

The first few times I saw the Duo-Tones they really were unplugged acoustic guitars...no amps. Of course, The Duo-Tones+2 kick ass too.

We play a lot of gigs where lower volume is required. We use a small Gretsch cocktail kit (and a drummer with incredible finesse), for amps we use Deluxe, Tremolux, and small 2x10 or 1x12 cabs. Bass uses a small SWR with 2x10 or 1x15 cab. Not surprisingly, going easy on the beer helps keep the volume down too

A lot of these low volume gigs the band may just be background music anyway and people want to be able to talk, eat, and socialize. I always watch the people to see if the can still talk to each other (without having to shout in each other's ear) and I keep the other eye on the bartender and owner. If those people are happy then you're usually cool. Then, sometimes, no matter what you do, somebody is going to bitch about the volume.

Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of a Showman pounding through 2x15's. And, I like to rock as much as the next guy, but it's not all about the volume. The Volume=Energy formula. The last couple surf shows I went to, almost everybody in the room was wearing earplugs....I know, I know....if it's too loud...you're too old. I'm just sayin', the volume knob works in both directions.

Last edited: Aug 10, 2008 20:42:39

dp

DannySnyder
I agree, I hate those gigs but they do come up and often pay better than average. For one thing I'd have a reserve repertoire of low impact songs for just such an occasion. Often at these gigs you're not being scrutinized so you can bring music stands for your cheat sheets if you need them. If anyone is good at improvising throw in some long surf jams. Good luck.

i agree with danny...build your set around the lower volume...music stands and moody mood music works best...don't forget, people totally dig tunes like "Sleep Walk" and "Moon over Mankoora" and "Bali Hai"...you could even play "Miserlou", but you might want to slow it down a bit and add some care and emphasis...

you'd be surprised how expressive the slower quieter tunes can be...

that is a good tip...........No fuzz songs, slow tunes, and, and I believe this is great, we rehearse at low volumes, so we can do it slow and go better with full power

El Papu & los Fantasticos Reverberantes

JakeDobner
We rehearse louder...

Rip Thrillby: "Band don't 'rehearse'. Bands practice. Actors rehearse."

Ivan

Ivan
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costumes or not, it really depends on whether the gig would compromise the band's sound... and how much money is involved if the sound could be compromised, if only slightly.

Odds are, if you got the gig, its because people have heard you before -if you normally play fast and loud & someone wants you to do that, except quieter, you should evaluate the venue, crowd & organizer (i.e., whether you can get paid up front - so if they tell you to turn down or just stop, no hard feelings). If, say at a wedding, with some older audience members present, you really need to determine whether your music is appropriate & whether you can do the show at the expected volume/tempo without adversely affecting your identity.

Would there be any MILFs at the gig? Another factor to consider.

tfj

I enjoy the quiet gigs. you can really play with dynamics and have the guitars emphasize the melody with fewer notes and it sounds real big but not loud.

Not to bag on anyones drummer but if you use smaller sticks or even blas-sticks or hard plastic brushes you can play with intensity and speed.

for real quiet gigs I use a flat top ride and a sizzle cymbal with tiny sticks.

Stretch out and have fun! the quiet gigs usually pay better, imho.

Jeff Utterback

It is possible to do a "low volume" gig with your normal set up.
We did one this afternoon. Our formula is to have the drummer lay off the cymbals, guitar players mute their melody lines more often and really tuck your rhythm guitar volume in.
A more deliberate and slightly slower tempo and play less, not so busy on rhythm work or leads...play the rests.
Keep reminding each other to keep it under control. Its still fun and challenging.

One other thing...I practice at home and rehearse with the band. Both are a good time.

https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/

Yep, we had more than a few this summer. As you stated dynamics is the key and in the long run it helps to do a low-volume gig every now and then (I think).

I actually ended up purchasing a Roland Cube 80 for gigs like this. It has a "spring reverb" setting that is passable and that coupled with the Black Panel channel produces a decent overall Surf sound at low volume.

I think gigs like that are more tideous for drummers than anybody. If I remember right our drummer threw a towel over the snare.

METEOR IV on reverbnation

Last edited: Dec 19, 2012 09:36:24