TLDR = Really small bar, loud band w/dense mix, nearly no space. Personal monitoring pretty much IS the house mix, so how do I get it done as small as possible?
If you've got time for a few chuckles:
I'm so embarrassed. Like many of you guys, I've been collecting gear for 20 years, and I'm quite proud of my hoarding. Need a 4x12? I've got like 5. 2x12? I've got 3 of them. 1000 watt power amps? sure! 100+ watt tube power amps? No problem! Ever since I got my AxeIII (and up until the moment it came out) I've been completely content in all my amp related gear.
Then came an invite to play a 800-1000 sq foot bar. LOL. The stage is so small that a clown car looks luxurious... The drummer has to set up on the floor, there are 3 other guitar players, a sax player, bassist, AND often someone playing a harmonica. The stage is open to guests, so occasionally a fiddle player steps up as well... I had a rough time playing with them... they had a powered wedge (with a cassette player built in, no joke) and I had to turn it up ALL the way just to fit my rhythm playing in the mix, ZERO headroom left for leads. I don't even think I can fit a foot switch on the stage, let alone a controller... I think I'm gonna have to ride the volume knob. What would you do if you're in my shoes?
Why do I subject myself to all this craziness? Because two of the guitar players are 70-80 and have been playing since they were 6, and they are absolute MONSTERS. Every gig is a 5 hour lesson, and they keep asking me to come back. Besides, everyone needs to get their butt kicked once in a while, it's great for the ego
If you've got time for a few chuckles:
I'm so embarrassed. Like many of you guys, I've been collecting gear for 20 years, and I'm quite proud of my hoarding. Need a 4x12? I've got like 5. 2x12? I've got 3 of them. 1000 watt power amps? sure! 100+ watt tube power amps? No problem! Ever since I got my AxeIII (and up until the moment it came out) I've been completely content in all my amp related gear.
Then came an invite to play a 800-1000 sq foot bar. LOL. The stage is so small that a clown car looks luxurious... The drummer has to set up on the floor, there are 3 other guitar players, a sax player, bassist, AND often someone playing a harmonica. The stage is open to guests, so occasionally a fiddle player steps up as well... I had a rough time playing with them... they had a powered wedge (with a cassette player built in, no joke) and I had to turn it up ALL the way just to fit my rhythm playing in the mix, ZERO headroom left for leads. I don't even think I can fit a foot switch on the stage, let alone a controller... I think I'm gonna have to ride the volume knob. What would you do if you're in my shoes?
Why do I subject myself to all this craziness? Because two of the guitar players are 70-80 and have been playing since they were 6, and they are absolute MONSTERS. Every gig is a 5 hour lesson, and they keep asking me to come back. Besides, everyone needs to get their butt kicked once in a while, it's great for the ego