Loudest Guitar?

MaximusVolumus

Hi,
I am currently trying to correct my technique. For around a year, I've played with extreme tension and am now starting to suffer from tendon pain in both arms.
After some work, I now play fairly relaxed...until I need more volume and end up straining and overplaying. Is there any way around this? Would a louder guitar help? Thanks -Max

wim

you should still be able to provide volume and power with a relaxed technique, if everything is in the right position.. it's about the 'broken wrist' angle, the torque you can put on the strings increases with the picks distance from the point of rotation (i.e. the wrist). and you can use gravity. i think stochelo is a good example of this relaxed yet powerful style

another thing, is the problem really that you're not loud enough - or is it that your rhythm section's too loud? if the latter, just ask your rhythm players to try and match your level better.

a good rhythm section will do this almost instinctively. but we all know some guys that don't know better, or worse just plain rude guys that want to be heard all the time even when comping, to the detriment of the music and the group as a unit. i used to comp too loud all the time, don't be that guy, it's a bad habit and must be remedied

just my 2c

Steveareno

I reckon GJ guitars are generally pretty darn loud (compared to my flat tops anyway), but I was jamming with a piano player on the weekend in a coffee shop and it was hard to hear myself. Used to play out years ago with a tele and a volume pedal. Real easy to keep the levels just right. Playing acoustic you've just gotta dig in and back off as needed, but like you guys say...keep it relaxed and you do have to listen to the overall balance. Some folks are so wrapped up in their own thing, they're not really listening. Just gets kinda frustrating when you can't hear yourself! I guess the thick picks and broken wrist technique help.
Swang on,