Lead Guitarists, is 3 Guitars for 1 Gig Too Much

[telequacktastic]

I recently got a text from a friend who plays lead guitar in a band with 2 lead singers and they are needing a sub for a couple of months while he's out for hand surgery. The thing is he brings 3 teles to do the gig. 1 in E standard, 1 in Eb standard, and 1 in D standard to cover guitar licks as recorded. I looked at the tunes and he is correct that he would in fact need 3 guitars to do the show. No, the parts can't be re-fingered to cover the guitar signature licks properly, they are just out of register. I asked him if the singers could try and adjust some keys to where there would be less guitars required, they're uninterested in the request and stuck on the idea of doing everything in the studio album recorded keys.

My main gig is on hiatus right now so in theory I could cover the dates. That said my main gig is a 1 guitar show. I've got an extra tele laying around but I'm almost inclined to pass on it due to all the extra guitars as I think the notion of bringing guitars is something I'm not used to.

What say you? Am I being unreasonable? Is this normal?

 

[timbgtr]

Tune in D and bring a capo?

I usually have a 2nd guitar for emergency backup anyhow.

 

[Ron R]

I recently got a text from a friend who plays lead guitar in a band with 2 lead singers and they are needing a sub for a couple of months while he's out for hand surgery. The thing is he brings 3 teles to do the gig. 1 in E standard, 1 in Eb standard, and 1 in D standard to cover guitar licks as recorded. I looked at the tunes and he is correct that he would in fact need 3 guitars to do the show. No, the parts can't be re-fingered to cover the guitar signature licks properly, they are just out of register. I asked him if the singers could try and adjust some keys to where there would be less guitars required, they're uninterested in the request and stuck on the idea of doing everything in the studio album recorded keys.

My main gig is on hiatus right now so in theory I could cover the dates. That said my main gig is a 1 guitar show. I've got an extra tele laying around but I'm almost inclined to pass on it due to all the extra guitars as I think the notion of bringing guitars is something I'm not used to.

What say you? Am I being unreasonable? Is this normal?

An ElectroHarmonix PitchFork will do the trick.

 

[KeithDavies 100]

Frequently used 3. Standard, open G for Stones covers, and one tuned a tone down for some stuff that, for the singer's key, was easier/better to play downtuned.

I bought a Variax, because it will do all of those at the touch of a button - and other things - and it was a bit of a Godsend. Currently, though, its clever electronic shenanigans aren't working so last gig was three guitars again.

Add in Open D, and an acoustic, and you're easily up to 5. I always loved the variety of that, but you could obviously choose - as a band - t keep things simpler.

 

[Guitarteach]

Tune in D and bring a capo?

I usually have a 2nd guitar for emergency backup anyhow.

Yep.. I’d be looking at capo options

 

[telequacktastic]

Yep.. I’d be looking at capo options

Never had a string get stuck to the side underneath the capo after releasing a bent note?

 

[Guitarteach]

Never had a string get stuck to the side underneath the capo after releasing a bent note?

Can’t say it has ever been a problem for me. We do a couple of tunes I capo.. never noticed anything like that.

 

[Tmcqtele65]

Let me preface by saying I have never been a gigging guitarist. As a bass player, I carried one bass, one amp head, one speaker cabinet, and the necessary cords to connect everything.

Lately, I have been watching a good bit of live stream video from a specific Lower Broadway bar, and really appreciating the efficiency and versatility of the bands. The typical guitarist carries two guitars, but you never see the second come out of a case leaning against the wall (I suppose unless they broke a string). Everything is done in the same tuning (standard, I assume), and all tone adjustments are done with the pedalboard (which are also rather spartan). Most even use the establishment's generic amp.

 

[brookdalebill]

I bring 2, but usually only play one.
I do believe in having a spare.
I actually needed it a few months ago.
I’ve been known to bring more, but rarely play them.

 

[SRHmusic]

And he (edit: or you) can't retune between songs? Or they can't group the songs by key somewhat?

A pitch shift pedal like this mentioned above or in some Helix units would do this, too.

Or bring two guitars and have a friend retune the other for the next song?

The other guitarist in my band often brings three guitars: one set up and tuned for slide, a main guitar for most songs, and a backup.

I bring two, one as a backup for a quick swap if I break a string or something fails. (Which only happened once in 100 gigs, so, two might be overkill?)

I retune for open G and back between songs while the lead singer chats with the audience or we put them at the start of a set so just one retune in the middle of a set.

 

[telequacktastic]

Can’t say it has ever been a problem for me. We do a couple of tunes I capo.. never noticed anything like that.

It happens the most when I'm doing full step bends closer to the capo, like 2nd and 3 fret from capo.

 

[chris m.]

The EHX Pitchfork could be a real slick solution as long as it doesn't sound too digitally processed.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Just 1 guitar for me at gigs now.
( lead and rhythm in acoustic or electric trios)
And which guitar I bring doesn't matter anymore- they all play and sound very good.
So it's fun for me to play all kinds of music, with different ( but just the 1) guitars at a gig.

 

[telequacktastic]

"And he can't retune between songs?" Like retune every string? Sounds like a recipe for dead air stage time to me

"Or they can't group the songs by key somewhat?" - I'd hate to try and trust them to remember this caveat since I'm a sub

 

[KeithDavies 100]

On grouping all, for example, Open G tunes together - well, yes, you could, but if you're a cover band this means that you perhaps play three Stones songs in a row, rather than spreading them through the set.

Yes, it's easier, but in terms of running order of the set it's a compromise.

In days gone by, I didn't mind. There was enough room at the side of the stage for a 3-guitar rack, and had a big enough vehicle to lug it all. To be fair, as I'm getting older, I'd rather cut down. (I used to take two 2x12s as well - both valve, so one as a spare.)

But I did really like the variety. I love playing the different sounds of standard, Open G, Open D. If I could, there'd be an acoustic in there, and a 12-string. Throw a resonator in there somewhere.

Really, I need a stadium, two trucks, a team of roadies...

 

[chris m.]

On grouping all, for example, Open G tunes together - well, yes, you could, but if you're a cover band this means that you perhaps play three Stones songs in a row, rather than spreading them through the set.

Yes, it's easier, but in terms of running order of the set it's a compromise.

In days gone by, I didn't mind. There was enough room at the side of the stage for a 3-guitar rack, and had a big enough vehicle to lug it all. To be fair, as I'm getting older, I'd rather cut down. (I used to take two 2x12s as well - both valve, so one as a spare.)

But I did really like the variety. I love playing the different sounds of standard, Open G, Open D. If I could, there'd be an acoustic in there, and a 12-string. Throw a resonator in there somewhere.

Really, I need a stadium, two trucks, a team of roadies...

The stage size can be an issue, too. I play in a six-piece and we need every square inch of real estate in some venues. One guitar and a spare in its gig bag behind the amp in case of a broken string is often all there's room for.

 

[SRHmusic]

"And he can't retune between songs?" Like retune every string? Sounds like a recipe for dead air stage time to me

"Or they can't group the songs by key somewhat?" - I'd hate to try and trust them to remember this caveat since I'm a sub

Yeah, it helps if you have some control over the set list. The grouping is to minimize the dead stage time, but still the lead singer needs to needs to have some good banter.

Well, so far the options are capo, pitch shifter, two guitars and a friend, or three guitars... or decline.

 

[charlie chitlin]

I already take 3.
A spare and open-tuned for slide.
I avoid takin FOUR by putting my G slide tunes in one set and E in another.
Hey...it's the golden age of cheap guitars.
You can pick up a giggable guitar for $200 and maybe spend another 75 replacing a dodgy switch or jack and getting a set-up.

 

[KeithDavies 100]

The stage size can be an issue, too. I play in a six-piece and we need every square inch of real estate in some venues. One guitar and a spare in its gig bag behind the amp in case of a broken string is often all there's room for.

Absolutely. Last gig, I considered leaving the spare in the car!

 

[Ron R]

I bring two, one as a backup for a quick swap if I break a string or something fails. (Which only happened once in 100 gigs, so, two might be overkill?)

Once in 100 is enough for me to always have two. And to feel less guilty about it, they swap roles (main/backup) for a set.