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Bands with two guitarists - mixing the two guitars in a live situation

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  • ICBM said:
    EQ them differently. If you’re rhythm, scoop the mids more, and get him to boost his.
    This is pretty much what the 2 guitar bands I've been in do. 
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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16253
    timmypix said:
    Or you could do what Manic Street Preachers did and just turn the amp off on the boy who can't play
    Have actually had to do this in a uni band in years past...
    timmypix said:
    Or you could do what Manic Street Preachers did and just turn the amp off on the boy who can't play
    Have actually had to do this in a uni band in years past...
    I thought  I recognised your names from somewhere...hmmm...
    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • CirrusCirrus Frets: 8481
    There's not really any rule for setting up multiple guitar bands.

    Why?

    Because it depends on the arrangements.

    If you're both playing block chords, and you both want to be distinctly heard, yeah you'll need contrasting but complimentary tones.

    What if one of you does the bottom 3 strings and the other does the top 3? Maybe the exact same rig would work for both.

    What if you play different stuff, and not at the same time (ie, one of you is playing synchopated relative to the other)? Again, maybe the same tone works for both, because you can't really be clashing if you're not playing at the same moment.

    Arrangement is king. Do what it dictates.
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  • uncledickuncledick Frets: 403
    Apart from the tone discussions above I've found that knowing when to shut up is more important than knowing when to play.   And never - as in NEVER - play the same bits at the same time - it always decends into a mush. I know it's often on recordings but that will be one guitar double tracked.
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  • slackerslacker Frets: 2215
    I'm in a two guitar band and we've used various guitars into virtually the same amp and effect setup without getting in each others way.

    To summarise what a lot of people have posted-less gain and don't get in each others way.
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  • StevepageStevepage Frets: 3037
    Just turn the volume up to the point where you just over power him. Then when he says "you're louder" just say "you sure? We're sounding amazing tonight"
     

    Then just gloss over 

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  • CHrisP86CHrisP86 Frets: 360
    Had a rehearsal this evening.

    Used a lot less gain and much brighter tone.  Definitely heard myself better and think there was more balance to the sound.

    Will also work on avoiding playing the same parts.
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  • timmypixtimmypix Frets: 2304
    CHrisP86 said:
    Had a rehearsal this evening.

    Used a lot less gain and much brighter tone.  Definitely heard myself better and think there was more balance to the sound.

    Will also work on avoiding playing the same parts.

    Did the same at practice on Monday with this thread in mind. Two of us playing hard rock so there are lots of simultaneous power chords but also lots of space for different parts. I'm through a Victory Sheriff and he's through a Blackstar HT40, which is big on the low mids and bass. I cut my mids on my rhythm tone, both dialled the gain back - instant improvement!
    Tim
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  • less bass + gain, mid boosts for solos, get a quieter drummer  ;)
    https://www.gbmusic.co.uk/

    PA Hire and Event Management
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  • newi123newi123 Frets: 850
    ............ get a quieter drummer  ;)
    Are these readily available?????? 
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  • TJT1979TJT1979 Frets: 181
    Different eq. Back off the bass control!
    Lower gain.
    Play on different areas of fretboard/different notes.
    Change the way you play. Eg more palm muting etc.
    Definitely play fewer chords. Power chords using two or three strings remove lots of frequencies and keep things tighter.
    Most importantly, give each other space. React to what the other is playing. If he is playing a solo, back off your volume and play something thinner.

    There is nothing difficult here - communication is key!
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  • pmbombpmbomb Frets: 1169
    following. ;-)
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  • newi123 said:
    ............ get a quieter drummer  ;)
    Are these readily available?????? 
    I've heard they do exist - somewhere (probably a better gig)
    https://www.gbmusic.co.uk/

    PA Hire and Event Management
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  • pmbombpmbomb Frets: 1169
    edited January 2020
    for practice our drummer uses an electric kit, saves about 30 minutes set up/take down time and keeps volumes at sensible, tinnitus free, levels.
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  • I never really had any problems when I was in a 2 guitar band or when I’ve dep’d with other bands etc. Me and the other guy always had different amps, with different settings, different pedals, different style guitars, different gauge strings and different picks. Plus we both attack the guitar completely differently.

    I could play through anyone else’s setup and still sound like me, and vice versa if someone played through my rig. There are enough variables involved to ensure both guitars can be heard without any problems.
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  • JalapenoJalapeno Frets: 6378
    edited January 2020
    pmbomb said:
    for practice our drummer uses an electric kit, saves about 30 minutes set up/take down time and keeps volumes at sensible, tinnitus free, levels.
    As long as they can't fiddle with the mixer

    Imagine something sharp and witty here ......

    Feedback
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  • Have nearly always played in 2 guitar bands throughout my guitar playing career, and its dependent on what guitars you got, amps and pedals. Then how you EQ them up, and pedals, etc. 

    Usually I've been the rhythm player using a humbucker guitar paired with a lead player on a single coil or a P90. I've used 6505+/JCM2000 heads whereas the other has used Blackstar HT40 and Fender amps. Our EQ's are totally opposite, I take my mids out whereas the other whacks his up.

    As mentioned before what might sound good individually may not sound the best in a full band mix. As guitarists you're covering mid frequencies, as the filler in a bass/kick drum and cymbals/vocals sandwich.

    Altering voicings for chords is good so one plays lower ones and one plays higher ones, maybe with less strings.
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  • pmbombpmbomb Frets: 1169
    Jalapeno said:
    pmbomb said:
    for practice our drummer uses an electric kit, saves about 30 minutes set up/take down time and keeps volumes at sensible, tinnitus free, levels.
    As long as they can't fiddle with the mixer

    we wedge him in the corner so he can't get out.
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  • MattNovakMattNovak Frets: 907
    Play different guitars, amps and chords.

    My band:

    Him: Rickenbacker 330 into a Vox AC30
    Me: Firebird with 3 x P90s into a Marshall plexi

    Secondary guitars are Casino (him) and Esquire (me). I also use an LP style for a few 5 string open G songs. We make a point of working out different chord positions too.


    www.theflyingacesband.com
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  • CHrisP86CHrisP86 Frets: 360
    We had a gig at the weekend trying out the suggested changes to the eq.

    I could definitely hear myself better than usual and there was a better balance to the sound.  It's difficult avoiding the temptation of tweaking as the songs start getting heavier towards the end of the set!
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