-> oh, I understand the difference, but does that mean that a guitar amp -> 
needs to be at full volume (or a little more) to get the desired -> sound? 
when I tell people in a band to turn their amps down and let -> me take care 
of the volume am I doing them a disservice?
-> Depends; if you are a fan of Spinal Tap, then "11" is the only way to -> 
go! :-) In reality, no, tell them to turn it down. Having been on
 BG>   Interesting conversation! Looking at it from the guitarist's
 BG> standpoint, their amplifier needs to be loud enough to satisfy them
 BG> "locally" as far as comfort level, loud enough to get the necessary
 BG> sound, and no louder. Then the sound system takes over with "sound
 BG> reinforcement" in the literal term. Hopefully, the guitarists are able
Having read this much of your message, I started thinking of not just small 
but moderate size clubs, and a guitar player you've probably heard (since he 
toured since with James Montgomery, Ricki Lee Jones, and more recently was 
the less known of the two musicians who won a Grammy for Walking in Memphis, 
though I remember Jeff P. from practices in a friend's basement, and head 
down as sneakered foot went up in unison).  There was one and only one volume 
that produced the sound he usually wanted from those mid sized Marshall amps, 
and it took a really large hall to not have it overpower a PA at an otherwise 
more than adequate volume.  
 BG> A band's monitor mix is critical. If the band can't hear each other in a
 BG> loud bands needing mostly vocal reinforcement.. the drummers were being
 BG> too macho and demanding on going through at least three bass drum pedals
 BG> each gig.. then it was mostly attempting to get above a stack of
 BG> Marshall amplifiers with a little vocal or horn sections. Then as bass
Interesting that your message headed in this direction.  ;-/  
Terry
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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