The following will be a major paradigm shift for anyone used to standing in front of an amp and cranking it up till it sounds good. And it sort of flies in the face of the rock and roll ethic that most of us are part of, so if you're into the "loud and proud" thing, read no further. But if your band has a sound tech, or you play in venues that have a P.A. and tech, there are a few things you can do that will ensure that the sound you hear is what the audience gets to hear, and that you are actually in the mix. I've been playing in clubs and on big stages since 1974, and have developed a "template" for my on-stage guitar set-up that guarantees that no matter what is going on around me, no matter how lousy the room sounds, the sound that I have worked so long and hard to perfect actually gets heard.
1) I place my amp in front of me, tilted like a vocal monitor so it is pointed right at me, and mic it. I hear exactly what I am putting out, it won't go into the vocal mix (because it is behind the mic), and the sound tech can actually place me in the mix. This isn't too easy or practical unless you are using a combo amp, but if you are serious about having the audience hear what you hear, it's the way to go. And you should have a back baffle of some kind, so the backwash doesn't bounce out there. A plywood panel leaned against the back of the amp will work just fine.
If you use a head and cabinet, you can re-fit a vocal monitor with a guitar speaker to use as your cabinet, and place it in front of you. Or, place a baffle in front of the cabinet behind you to keep your sound from blowing out past your knees and into the room. An effective baffle needs to be close enough to the cabinet that the sound doesn't just go around it. If you want it to be "invisible", Plexiglas is good if it's 1/8" thick or more, but it's very reflective, and should be quite close to the speakers. If you need more "me" in the mix, ask for a bit of your guitar mic signal in your vocal monitor. I realize this means you have to have a vocal monitor in the first place. Additionally, there have to be enough monitor mixes available so you can get the guitar in your monitor alone, because the rest of the band will probably not want your guitar in their vocal mix.
2) This is something I think every guitar player can benefit from:
Set your rig up at home, and take all the knobs off of your amp and pedals. Play facing your amp, and adjust everything to get the tones and basic volume you want. When you're done, put the knobs back on this way: pointer knobs pointing to 12:00 (straight up), and 1-10 knobs all with the same number at the top. I like to use 5. Now when you set up, you have a reference. No matter what the room sounds like, you can easily turn your knobs to the reference setting, and you know that it sounds like you want it to, no matter what you are hearing from the stage/room acoustics. If you have to change something, or knobs get moved around while moving, it's simple to get back to your desired sound.

Live performance is all about the interaction with your band members and your audience. Having a good, well balanced stage sound will not only make you look more professional, it will make the sound tech's you work with respect you (because you are "respecting the stage") and they will look forward to seeing you again.

_________________
"There's an arse for every chair"

5 guitars
7 amps
4 dogs

If and only if you'v got the cash, a good sound tech is worth his wt. in gold. Only thing was in my day wee were broke, and bareley makeing enough to buy strings and beer. That is why you rehurse, make good notes and stick to them all night. some times during break if you can find everyone, make what ever changes necessary to make things work and then STICK to them. The next day get togather and work things out. Try and never do it on stage. Some times an on stage corection is necessary. Be discreat and maby no one will notice Keep it funn and light harted

danny,

read my signature for a quote from one of the wisest folks on here.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Haha, nice, hadn't seen that before...

_________________
"Speak the truth, and speak it ever,
cost it what it will
for he who hides the wrong he did
did the wrong thing still."
-Miss Uel

I'm going to give it a shot...thanks for the suggestion.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Good Info. I've aimed my amp at me for yr's. Alot easier on the ears and anyone else in the house.

_________________
Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

I agree somewhat with 63supro,but I can tell a difference and that means I'm going to sound as good as I can.

yes i agree. my comment was just a joke.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."