Changing guitars at gigs
- Thread starter richard parker
- Start date
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I agree 100% in that setting. But again, metal bands don´t usually play for more than 2 hours absolute tops, and that´s a metallica set on a headlining tour. Filling the rest of the time between opening and Headliner is what support acts are for.. And in the scene you`ll often see things like 4 bands booked into a room that´s insignificantly larger than most practice rooms or garages, but somehow manages to get 500 customers in there.
I agree 100% in that setting. But again, metal bands don´t usually play for more than 2 hours absolute tops, and that´s a metallica set on a headlining tour. Filling the rest of the time between opening and Headliner is what support acts are for.. And in the scene you`ll often see things like 4 bands booked into a room that´s insignificantly larger than most practice rooms or garages, but somehow manages to get 500 customers in there.
Bludave
New member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
Starting over now. This band is done. Got a few things in the fire. Lost our singer & other guitar but have a few things lined up. May take a few weeks to get it going but I should have something going soon. Sucks, but thats the nature of this stuff.
Starting over now. This band is done. Got a few things in the fire. Lost our singer & other guitar but have a few things lined up. May take a few weeks to get it going but I should have something going soon. Sucks, but thats the nature of this stuff.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
On the four to five hour casual gigs we do I will often take as many as five and sometimes as many as seven instruments.
G&L Legacy, my number one,
A 2HB: Les Paul, 335, Ibanez Artstar AS-120 or GR-520 Ghostrider,
G&L Legacy Special to back up both the Legacy and the 2HB,
Acoustic, usually a Taylor 710CE or Martin DC Aura,
Ibanez 5-string banjo,
DanElectro Innuendo electric 12-string,
Takamine EF385SC acoustic-electric 12-string
Every gig is different. I love the way people react to the 12-strings and the banjo.
Bill
On the four to five hour casual gigs we do I will often take as many as five and sometimes as many as seven instruments.
G&L Legacy, my number one,
A 2HB: Les Paul, 335, Ibanez Artstar AS-120 or GR-520 Ghostrider,
G&L Legacy Special to back up both the Legacy and the 2HB,
Acoustic, usually a Taylor 710CE or Martin DC Aura,
Ibanez 5-string banjo,
DanElectro Innuendo electric 12-string,
Takamine EF385SC acoustic-electric 12-string
Every gig is different. I love the way people react to the 12-strings and the banjo.
Bill
wahwah
GumbyLoveologist
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
The longest set we do is 75 mins, including encore, and most of the time we will be flying into a city and then doing a few shows around it, so one guitar does everything. Different gain stages, pickup selection, modulation effects and playing approach yield a broad enough palette to easily cover the whole show. People are there to see the artist I work for, so as long as he is ably supported, my job is done. Fortunately, I'm playing a guitar that I love and have worked with for over three decades. No complaints on any front.
Cheers......................................... wahwah
The longest set we do is 75 mins, including encore, and most of the time we will be flying into a city and then doing a few shows around it, so one guitar does everything. Different gain stages, pickup selection, modulation effects and playing approach yield a broad enough palette to easily cover the whole show. People are there to see the artist I work for, so as long as he is ably supported, my job is done. Fortunately, I'm playing a guitar that I love and have worked with for over three decades. No complaints on any front.
Cheers......................................... wahwah
Evil_Pun
New member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I just use my work horse tele, no backups or anything. With the hot rail in the bridge with coil split it gets me through any kind of song. I used to have access to some other guitars that I would bring out for specific songs but not really for tonal reasons, mainly because I thought it looked better in that songs setting.
I just use my work horse tele, no backups or anything. With the hot rail in the bridge with coil split it gets me through any kind of song. I used to have access to some other guitars that I would bring out for specific songs but not really for tonal reasons, mainly because I thought it looked better in that songs setting.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I've always changed guitars at gigs ever since i was a teenager. Back then it was two guitars in regular tuning and one for slide. Over the years there was often two for slide tunings and an electric 12. Sometimes an acoustic, and a mandolin at one period. In recent times it's been a balance between what I'd like to have on hand and what's practical. If it's possible and practical to have a variety of sonic colours, I will. If not, that's okay too.
I've always changed guitars at gigs ever since i was a teenager. Back then it was two guitars in regular tuning and one for slide. Over the years there was often two for slide tunings and an electric 12. Sometimes an acoustic, and a mandolin at one period. In recent times it's been a balance between what I'd like to have on hand and what's practical. If it's possible and practical to have a variety of sonic colours, I will. If not, that's okay too.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
Depends on the gig. Doing a classic rock cover band something that I can play all songs in Eb then no Ill play the same guitar all night unless something breaks. When I was doing metal I used to swap guitars for tunings more as some songs were on dropped tunings and some not. Ideally I dont mind swapping guitars I just hate hauling them all to the show.
Depends on the gig. Doing a classic rock cover band something that I can play all songs in Eb then no Ill play the same guitar all night unless something breaks. When I was doing metal I used to swap guitars for tunings more as some songs were on dropped tunings and some not. Ideally I dont mind swapping guitars I just hate hauling them all to the show.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I've been a guitar tech for a few shows, and they use us roadies to swap guitars.
It was from a Les Paul to a Strat. The guitar player really liked classic iconic guitars, and he was amazed at how much me stretching the strings helped him stay in tune :lol:.
I've been a guitar tech for a few shows, and they use us roadies to swap guitars.
It was from a Les Paul to a Strat. The guitar player really liked classic iconic guitars, and he was amazed at how much me stretching the strings helped him stay in tune :lol:.
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Matt42
New member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
Right now I take 3 guitars to every gig:
Acoustic - Epi Masterbilt AJ-500R
2x Electric - My Strat and my Gretsch 5120
I need the acoustic because we have several songs where I play acoustic, and I like to have both electrics to broaden my tonal pallette. Depending on the gig, I'm fairly religious about which one gets played on which song. We have a lot of tonal variety in our music and sometimes I need the single coil sound, and sometimes the 'buckers are required. There are a few venues where I don't switch, usually on tiny stages where I don't want to take up room with an extraneous guitar. For those, I'll stick to the Gretsch most of the time. If I ever get around to getting my 3rd electric, I'll probably bring all 4.
I'm with TGWIF, the people listening may not care about the differences in the guitar sounds, but I sure as hell do.
Right now I take 3 guitars to every gig:
Acoustic - Epi Masterbilt AJ-500R
2x Electric - My Strat and my Gretsch 5120
I need the acoustic because we have several songs where I play acoustic, and I like to have both electrics to broaden my tonal pallette. Depending on the gig, I'm fairly religious about which one gets played on which song. We have a lot of tonal variety in our music and sometimes I need the single coil sound, and sometimes the 'buckers are required. There are a few venues where I don't switch, usually on tiny stages where I don't want to take up room with an extraneous guitar. For those, I'll stick to the Gretsch most of the time. If I ever get around to getting my 3rd electric, I'll probably bring all 4.
I'm with TGWIF, the people listening may not care about the differences in the guitar sounds, but I sure as hell do.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
First 2 bands I overcomplicated things A LOT. In high school I used alternate tunings as my inspiration for songwriting and I wrote stuff in weird tunings just because I could. I probably have 35 demos or so of random musings, so the last 2 projects I was in I stuck with a standard E tuned guitar (just one) and called it a day. Setup was quicker and less headaches of running on and off stage to change guitars in between songs live. Of course, my role in those groups was a lot easier... I played lead guitar and all I needed was a PRS McCarty and my Bogner Shiva halfstack and I was set.
First 2 bands I overcomplicated things A LOT. In high school I used alternate tunings as my inspiration for songwriting and I wrote stuff in weird tunings just because I could. I probably have 35 demos or so of random musings, so the last 2 projects I was in I stuck with a standard E tuned guitar (just one) and called it a day. Setup was quicker and less headaches of running on and off stage to change guitars in between songs live. Of course, my role in those groups was a lot easier... I played lead guitar and all I needed was a PRS McCarty and my Bogner Shiva halfstack and I was set.
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
This is me, whether I'm playing a single set or a 9pm-1am gig.
I do understand other situations, such as Powdered Toast Man's Stones tribute gig, but I'm pretty much like the Young brothers.
This is me, whether I'm playing a single set or a 9pm-1am gig.
I do understand other situations, such as Powdered Toast Man's Stones tribute gig, but I'm pretty much like the Young brothers.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I just have a spare one onstage for if a string breaks. I recently started hauling my 7 string along as well...after we wrote a couple of songs with it.
I just have a spare one onstage for if a string breaks. I recently started hauling my 7 string along as well...after we wrote a couple of songs with it.
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
That happened to me when I wrote a couple of open key slide tunes. Mix it up a bit, and all of a sudden things are complicated!
That happened to me when I wrote a couple of open key slide tunes. Mix it up a bit, and all of a sudden things are complicated!
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
I have to agree with all that have said that the audience doesn't care and can't even tell the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul. But face it...we are all in this (making music) to please ourselves. I don't think any of us entered into music consciously/realistically thinking that this would be a great profession for making lots of money. Some of us, in our naivety, may have hoped for fame and fortune, but if you're honest with yourselves, you have to admit that we do this to please ourselves. We have fun playing, we enjoy seeing the crowds react (in a positive way) to our music, and making money is just frosting on the cake.
With that said, I usually take 3 guitars...a Les Paul (or LP type), a Strat, and a backup. Sometimes a 4th in open G if we do several Stones songs. I, and I emphasize, I enjoy the different sounds I can make. It keeps me excited about what I do. We plan our sets with my guitar needs in mind so I can change during a break. Rarely during a set.
I have to agree with all that have said that the audience doesn't care and can't even tell the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul. But face it...we are all in this (making music) to please ourselves. I don't think any of us entered into music consciously/realistically thinking that this would be a great profession for making lots of money. Some of us, in our naivety, may have hoped for fame and fortune, but if you're honest with yourselves, you have to admit that we do this to please ourselves. We have fun playing, we enjoy seeing the crowds react (in a positive way) to our music, and making money is just frosting on the cake.
With that said, I usually take 3 guitars...a Les Paul (or LP type), a Strat, and a backup. Sometimes a 4th in open G if we do several Stones songs. I, and I emphasize, I enjoy the different sounds I can make. It keeps me excited about what I do. We plan our sets with my guitar needs in mind so I can change during a break. Rarely during a set.
Re: Changing guitars at gigs
You said it well GuitarDoc. I play for the love of it, and I can have alot more fun getting a strat sound out of a strat. Then switch to a PRS for heavier crunch. I take 3 guitars to all gigs. My third is a Variax for DADGAD and Drop D. The crowd may not notice the difference, but I surely do!
You said it well GuitarDoc. I play for the love of it, and I can have alot more fun getting a strat sound out of a strat. Then switch to a PRS for heavier crunch. I take 3 guitars to all gigs. My third is a Variax for DADGAD and Drop D. The crowd may not notice the difference, but I surely do!
