Acoustic volume

[stratoliner66]

I've been plating with a local country band and during live performances I'm having trouble being heard over the rest of the group when playing a lead solo.
I play through an Acoustic A 40 so I know it's not the loudest amp out there but, on our last booking we did try patching through the PA.

[B. Adams]

One string is naturally quieter than 6 strings, so many times an acoustic player will need a boost pedal or similar to be heard during solos. Same for electric guitar, actually, but it's a lot easier to change volume on an electric, and many electric players get used to doing it all the time for dynamic and tonal reasons.

There can be more to it, of course, and if you can balance your and the band's dynamics that will help. If the whole band is playing at 11 all the time it's hard to make room for solos.

What's the rest of your equipment?

[Methos1979]

Instead of playing through an acoustic amp get a Red Eye Fire Eye DI and go straight into the PA. The Fire Eye has a boost footswitch. Dial in your stage volume and EQ on the PA and when soloing just hit the red button to boost your signal.

[stratoliner66]

Originally Posted by B. Adams

One string is naturally quieter than 6 strings, so many times an acoustic player will need a boost pedal or similar to be heard during solos. Same for electric guitar, actually, but it's a lot easier to change volume on an electric, and many electric players get used to doing it all the time for dynamic and tonal reasons.

There can be more to it, of course, and if you can balance your and the band's dynamics that will help. If the whole band is playing at 11 all the time it's hard to make room for solos.

What's the rest of your equipment?

I have a Gretsch "Rancher" with Fishman electronics. I have tried using an Ernie Ball volume peddle but haven't had much luck getting the right setting.

[stratoliner66]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Instead of playing through an acoustic amp get a Red Eye Fire Eye DI and go straight into the PA. The Fire Eye has a boost footswitch. Dial in your stage volume and EQ on the PA and when soloing just hit the red button to boost your signal.

The last time we performed I ran a balanced line out to the PA. That way I could use the amp as a stage monitor. If I use the Fire Eye would it have to be patched between the amp and the PA?

[roylor4]

Yes, you need a preamp with a boost switch. There are many out there.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by stratoliner66

The last time we performed I ran a balanced line out to the PA. That way I could use the amp as a stage monitor. If I use the Fire Eye would it have to be patched between the amp and the PA?

If you want to hear the boost in your monitor (amp) then run in before the amp. If you just want the boost FOH then run it between the amp and the PA.

[diego]

Compressor pedal is good for this, it will add a little bit of both volume and sustain, so your solos can have more "presence". Touch of reverb and/or delay is welcomed, too.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by diego

Compressor pedal is good for this, it will add a little bit of both volume and sustain, so your solos can have more "presence". Touch of reverb and/or delay is welcomed, too.

Compression is a spot on suggestion because in sound engineer parlance, (correctly used ) compression will tend to bring the signal forward in the sound stage.
But we also should note sound domain FX's (reverb delay etc.) sans any boost in level, tend to push the signal back in the sound stage.

[mr. beaumont]

No suggestions to talk to the rest of the group and get the mix right?

OP, what other instruments are you playing with here?

[Melt in the Sun]

rather than a new preamp, wouldn't a cheap clean boost pedal work?

[Brent Hahn]

My two suggestions would be, in this order: A. Make the band turn down during your solos; B. Get a good magnetic soundhole pickup. Plan B would be redundant and cost money and not sound as "acoustic" as the Fishman and make you deal with a dangly cable, but it'd get the job done. If the band can't or won't turn down, they can kick in to pay for the pickup.

[MikeBmusic]

Radial Tonebone Pre - has DI output to send to the PA and 1/4" output to send to the amp, with a boost switch (plus lots of other features, of course)

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

My two suggestions would be, in this order: A. Make the band turn down during your solos; B. Get a good magnetic soundhole pickup. Plan B would be redundant and cost money and not sound as "acoustic" as the Fishman and make you deal with a dangly cable, but it'd get the job done. If the band can't or won't turn down, they can kick in to pay for the pickup.

A boost with comp may be easier. Bringing it
Forward in the mix is not necessarily louder.
The rest of the group may not have the musical
Maturity to "lay back" during the OP leads.
The OP also didn't mention if he's the only acoustic in the band. Competing with strats and teles is always a losing battle. The mag pup is
A good suggestion . I am assuming he has the rancher falcon. Acoustic.
And not the G5034TFT with the mag pup.

[stratoliner66]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

My two suggestions would be, in this order: A. Make the band turn down during your solos; B. Get a good magnetic soundhole pickup. Plan B would be redundant and cost money and not sound as "acoustic" as the Fishman and make you deal with a dangly cable, but it'd get the job done. If the band can't or won't turn down, they can kick in to pay for the pickup.

You're spot on with your suggestion. The real problem here is that the bass
player is WAY too loud and refuses to turn down so, everybody else (drummer & lead guitar) have to play louder to keep up. I have since given up on this
group and instead I'm working on a solo act.