ACS custom ear plug users

GazLion

I'm getting moulds done this week for some ACS Pro 17 earplugs. Looking at their website, you get the option for adding 'grips', so I was just wondering whether people chose this option who use them on here? Are they easy enough to get in and out of the ear without the additional grips option? 

not_the_dj

I don't have grips on mine. The first few times you put them in it can be a bit difficult, but you'll soon get the hang of it.

stickyfiddle

What he said. No need in my experience.

Catthan

Are these flat-enough to attenuate evenly across the spectrum?

I got the ACS Pacato ones which are allegedly the flattest in that price range but they do attenuate the highs and high mids a bit more; That's obviously not great as that's where the guitar sits..

If the pros are anything like this then I'm wondering how good they actually are for gtr and whether they're worth the investment.

Or is not 100% flat attenuation to be expected and it's mostly about protection level from tinnitus?

Cirrus

Third'd - grips not needed unless you're drunk and slippy.

GazLion

cheers guys 

vasselmeyer

@Catthan The ACS plugs are pretty flat and you soon adjust to them when you're playing. They're way better than non-attenuating foam or rubber plugs which cut all the high end out. They do cut out a little high end and some mids but if you want to save your hearing, they're the best options I've found so far.

not_the_dj

vasselmeyer said:

@Catthan The ACS plugs are pretty flat and you soon adjust to them when you're playing. They're way better than non-attenuating foam or rubber plugs which cut all the high end out. They do cut out a little high end and some mids but if you want to save your hearing, they're the best options I've found so far.

Big +1 I want to be able to enjoy the music I love when I'm old, and I really don't want my tinnitus getting worse. I've used the ACS Custom plugs for a few years now, I really wish I'd had them a long time ago. You really do get used to them, and hearing protection is so important.

FelineGuitars

I have a pair as well as some in ear monitors and find them ok to get in and out but everybody's ears are a different shape so some may need grips to remove.

What has proven to be worth their weight in gold are the sleep sound earplugs - protected me from noisy neighbours, snoring girlfriend, and great on planes etc

thomasross20

They're awesome though at low band volumes I wish I got 15s. They come out ok but I wouldn't mind grips and would be interested in seeing what those look like

not_the_dj

thomasross20 said:

They're awesome though at low band volumes I wish I got 15s. They come out ok but I wouldn't mind grips and would be interested in seeing what those look like

You can easily get the 15 filters and just swap them depending on the gig/rehearsal situation. Most of the cost is in the custom moulds.

thomasross20

Yep, I think I'm still in the time window where I can swap for 15s but will stick with them. How much for extra filters?

not_the_dj

Prices for just the filters are on the ACS site. A drummer I play with has three different filters and swaps them out for different situations (we rehearse quite quietly at a village hall, but do some loud gigs).

not_the_dj

Here's the "just filters" page. http://acscustom.com/uk/product/pro15-filter/

Roland

When I got my plugs moulded I chose to have both grips and string. We play reasonably quietly, so I don't need them at our own gigs. However I do use them for planes and trains, where I wouldn't like to lose one on the floor, and also when I'm using a chainsaw.

thomasross20

Thanks - £50 for filters, not too bad. Might get some 15s..

Jetfire

I have grips on mine and Im never drunk but they make a huge difference. However, Ive never seen them without the grips. 

I have the 17s and they are brillant, but I am tempted to get a set of 15's just to see if you can "hear" a little bit more

GazLion

Well I got the moulds done the other day and went for no grips for fingers crossed I can get them out! 

thomasw88

Has anyone used the 10's or 15's?  How do they compare to the 17s?      I find the 17's just make everything too quiet when I'm gigging, kinda lose the energy a bit.

gusman2x

thomasw88 said:

Has anyone used the 10's or 15's?  How do they compare to the 17s?      I find the 17's just make everything too quiet when I'm gigging, kinda lose the energy a bit.

Would like to know this too.

Think I'll get some 10s for gigging, and keep the 17s for practice (when we're too loud lol)

Moe_Zambeek

I have er15s and find they can take the fun out of gigging, so I often don't use them for gigs - I might put them in for second sets when ear fatigue sets in . I do use them all the time for rehearsal and also for attending gigs...last Motörhead show I went to even the 15s we're not enough, it was still ear-splitting. My mate had bits of toilet tissue stuffed in his ears to try to cope with it

FWIW, my audiologist advised against frequent filter changes, he believed it would wear out the moulds quickly.