Noisy Neighbor Behind Brick Wall
I have a next door neighbor that likes to play guitar jazz really loudly at all hours of the day and night. We are not in the same building and are separated by a brick wall, which you might think keeps the sound out but it really doesn’t do much good. And since the wall…
I have a next door neighbor that likes to play guitar jazz really loudly at all hours of the day and night. We are not in the same building and are separated by a brick wall, which you might think keeps the sound out but it really doesn’t do much good. And since the wall is brick I can’t really bang on it, and since he is not in my building I can’t just try to talk to him in the hallway. I left a note and it got better for a little while, I have tried calling 311 and the local precinct, but they show up and don’t hear anything outside so they leave. I think the apartment is a rental, would it be possible to find out who the landlord is and speak to them directly, or does anyone have any other advice?
You know, I have this same problem. The guys who live below me play loud amplified electric guitar whenever the hell they want. They play at 7AM; they play at 3AM’ they play at 11PM. Whenever they feel the need to release some artistic energy, they play their guitar — really REALLY loud. It’s so loud that it vibrates the floor that we share (their ceiling). My body shakes as I sit on the couch in pain and anger, trying to figure out how to get back at them.
We have spoken to them several times about it and they choose to not respect our wishes. We have called 311 and the local police department to notify them. The police can only stop the noise for 10 minutes and when they leave, the guys amp up again.
It’s so frustrating. Please come by and annoy them: 86 7th Avenue, apartment 2. Maybe just ring their doorbell over and over at unusual hours.
3:13 is right, people should be using headphones to practice guitar. People just have no sense at all.
Call 311 and the DOB, tell them the noise is well above ambient level and it plays late at night. (Both illegal — we DO have a noise code in NYC). They will send somebody to measure it and tell the dude to shut up.
As a former source of this kind of noise, I can tell you this guy probably has no idea how much of a disturbance he is causing. As several other posters have also pointed out, if you can figure out a way to talk to him, you should be able to solve the problem. once I found out what a problem my amp was for my neighbors, I was happy to use headphones to practice late at night. Maybe you want to not only track this guy down, but give him some nice headphones as a housewarming gift. 🙂
return the favor and blast music against their wall tonight at 4:00am. repeat every night for a week, hopefully they will get the picture. they may not realize how loud they are or how the sound is traveling.
The piece that’s missing here is that you can’t communicate with them. Who knows, if they knew they were bothering you they might listen with headphones or something. Try placing a notice in the next building, on their door, that you are a neighbor and there’s a noise problem. Also, I agree with the comment above to contact the landlord or coop, that might help.
i have the same issue with my neighbor – not day or night but teenage band practice, amplifiers and all, several times a week. my whole house vibrates.
i keep hoping that the owners will have an epiphany and realize that they could do something proactive – maybe the neoprene mats or something or some other kind of insulation (they play in the sub-basement). my libertarianism and our previous history prevents me from bringing it up with them.
in attached houses you would think people would realize that they are connected to their neighbors and be a little considerate. sadly, i think my optimism is misplaced.
Yep.
That’s exactly why the ancients framed and plastered it all up.
$#@!!)
Structurally-born noise can’t be addressed with sound absorbent material because the entire structure is, in effect, a passive speaker. The ceiling and floor joists are resting on that brick so they’re gonna vibrate along with it.
You need to fix structurally-born noise at the source. Get him to mechanically isolate his speakers for starters. Even putting them on a pillow would help. A vibration isolating neoprene mat would be better.
if its brick on your side you could try banging on it with a hammer or something…maybe in the middle of the night when he’s just stopped playing.