Live Guitar EQ, Golden Ears

I feel Dumb for asking, but i think i just need to be reminded so it'll all come back to me.

In a live setup with a fairly loud band in a club, how should you be Eq'ing the guitar, I know in the studio that I would want to make it less muddy, but on stage where the volume is so loud does it matter or am i just trying to make guitar louder?? I have a feeling i'm gonna be called upon in the near future to do live sound, and i want my first impression to be a lasting one.

I feel up to par with my Miking techniques,drums, bass, monitors. But uncertain about room tuning, I have the golden ears cd's but as much as i practice, I don't seem to get better.

So basically what are my options for guitar EQ'ing, and how can I better my Golden Ears??

Extreme

:s:

 

As with anything EQ settings are a subjective thing. A lot of it depends on what you like. Personally I have a couple of chops for live, but it depends on the style of music, and what will compliment the tones of the other instruments.
For dirty rhythym guitar, I find most guitarists like a cut around 5-700hz, in a dead room sometimes a boost around 2-4khz is helpful to make things cut a little more. For clean and bright I find the same boost from 2-4k is handy.
If the system is straining to reproduce bass at all, as is the case in a lot of in house rigs, I will often throw an hpf from 40-80hz, whatever is available. The 8-9k plus is pretty much useless live, so I usually rool off the high a tad, to keep the gain as hot as possible on the mic. Just keep in mind that a shelving eq, such as most mid level boards have for the high, will also effect frequencies below it's stated freq. ie: a 10db cut at 12k will produce a signifigant roll off at 6k as well. This is handy when stuff starts feeding back.

 

Thanx steve that helps clear some things up for me, I was unaware of the obvious, reducing the high on the shelf EQ to reduce feedback. Is this method common in most live situations including shows like arena gigs?

Extreme

:s:

 

I have never had a serious issue with feedback in large spaces, or outdoors. I have had the majority of my live experience in venues between 600 and 3000 seats. In the smaller clubs feedback can become problematic on stage while trying to compete with semi-pro bands who think it's okay to crank a marshall stack on a 20ft stage with a ten foot roof, in a venue that seats 600 people. :d:
I mentioned this based on the assumption that you are not a seasoned vet at live sound, and would probably have to pay your dues mixing at crummy clubs with crummy stuuf as I have. This kind of tip is useful in that kind of situation.