Changing guitars at gigs

[richard parker]

Leaving aside considerations of changing guitars for different tunings, slide etc how many of us change guitars for different sounds. Do you use say Gibsons and Fenders for different songs ? I carry a spare guitar but only in case I break a string. I'm too lazy to change and I assume the audience won't know the difference anyway.

What do you guys do ?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

It'll depend on how we have the sets arranged. Sometimes we'll have a song on there where I just have to be playing one guitar over the other but not always. I usually just tweak the volume on the guitar and where/how hard I'm picking to get the sound I want.

 

[tonello]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I use the same setup for all my guitars (2 volume 1 tone and Duncan Distortions in Gibson mahogany slabs), so the only thing I change for is tunings. I don't like to have a difference in sounds. I want to change guitars, but not let people hear that I'm changing guitars.

 

[Brow]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

When I was doing original material in bands I had specific sounds inmind for the songs, so I'd find myself using different guitars then.

Now I'm doing cover bands, 1 is tuned to Eb so only 1 guitar used, and the other is 70s Punky stuff I don't bother

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I have been known to break a string mid song and swap guitars within 15 - 20 seconds without much disruption to the band or track and this is where I prefer my back up for the night to be similar to my main guitar. I really should take 3 guitars but we already take too much gear as a band.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

The past year and a half I've been gigging with 4 or 5 guitars every gig. Why?

2 of them are in open tunings for slide work but the others are for tonal variety...the same sound gets old after 3+ hours of playing. Even if the audience doesn't care I do!

I also like to make sure I have enough stuff available to me if something happens...strings break and pots stop working and sometimes a guitar just has a bad night.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I do have a few guitars that have special tricks up their sleeves, and when that effect is what a song calls for I´ll switch that guitar in for that track and then just stick with it until the next tuning or string change (unless the set calls for another "special move" in the next song). My Rhoads with the out of phase middle position is a good example from many years ago.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

nope. unless there is a song requiring special tuning for slide.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I always bring two guitars to gigs; never know what could go wrong (something shorts out, guitar gets knocked over, etc). I'll switch them between sets, if not sooner. Some guys bring two of the same guitars; I always like to bring two different kinds for variety.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I just use the same guitar for the set, then might or might not change it at the break.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

^^ one thing of note: it also kind of depends on the setting you´re in. For example blueman and guitfiddle have breaks or "between sets".... Most rock musicians do not have that luxury (or curse, depending on perspective and gig), but rather generally play their set from front to back and are then gone.

 

[Bludave]

Changing guitars at gigs

I always try to have 2 sometimes 3 ( the third one would be for slide). Generally I have something with humbucker and something with singles. My main gigging guitars are my 335, Les Paul, Guild bluesbird for my bicker guitars and either a Tele or. A Strat depending on the tunes

 

[Wattage]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

Rarely do I change guitars anymore, unless there's something wrong with it. Our sets are generally under an hour so it's not much of an issue. Next gig though I am busting out the electric 12 string for a couple of tunes so I guess I'll be changing.

Dave let me know when you're playing out

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I bring 2 and switch for my own entertainment. I realized the audience doesn't care when I saw joe perry play 15 different guitars and sound crappy on all of them.

 

[sixstringsamurai333]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I usually bring a backup, and sometimes think about switching for certain songs, but 99% of the time I end up using just one guitar through the night. I'm more of a "use what you've got" type of player rather than obsessing about having single coil tones for this song, or humbuckers for that one.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

Back when I was doing all original stuff, I'd bring two guitars to a gig, but really one was just a back up. I wouldn't change unless needed.

These days with my Rolling Stones tribute, I require 4 guitars for a gig (5 if we plan to do some acoustic songs). Two in standard and two in open G. Several songs use capos so I swap guitars on the capoed to uncapoed songs. It's easier than trying to retune after adding or removing the capo.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

For example blueman and guitfiddle have breaks or "between sets".... Most rock musicians do not have that luxury (or course, depending on perspective and gig), but rather generally play their set from front to back and are then gone.

When I gig and see local bands, blues or classic rock, it's an 'all night' gig, usually around 9:00PM to 1:00AM with two or three 15 minute breaks. That's the norm for live music down here. Between sets you get a drink, have something to eat, walk around and talk to people. You're on stage for 3+ hours and it's nice to change guitars.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I only switch if I break a string. I suppose if I played in several tunings throughout a set, then I'd just swap to avoid the more complicated re-tunings. But for tonal reasons, there is very little reason to switch, as most guitars can do the job fine. As much a a stink as we all make about tonal differences, I think it is all pretty much splitting hairs. Most guitars can do most things if you know how to play them and adjust your settings.

 

[hydro]

Changing guitars at gigs

My doubleneck epi can use a funky tuning on the 12 and that saves me a switch on some sets. But I'll always bring another guitar as a backup, I'm with others who note that the audience doesn't find tuning or restringing to be nearly as entertaining as we might think they are.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Changing guitars at gigs

I'm with others who note that the audience doesn't find tuning or restringing to be nearly as entertaining as we might think they are.

Well said. The audience wants to listen to music, dance, and party. They didn't come for Guitar Shop 101.