How Many Guitars Do You Take On A Gig?

[drumbob]

How many guitars do you take on a gig? I asked this question on the Gretsch forum and it turned into a very lively discussion. I figured I'd try it here.

Lately, I've been taking five. I can't believe I lug FIVE axes, but I do; a single cut Gibson Les Paul Junior, double cut Dillion Les Paul Junior (a great little guitar, by the way), an Eastwood Airline Map, a Gretsch Anniversary, and last but not least, my 330-12. Next gig, I'm leaving the Airline home and taking my 5-string Strat a la Keith Richards, tuned to open G

I like the different sounds of all of them, and when I was a kid, I reemember being blown away by Leslie West, who had a wall of guitars onstage behind him at the Fillmore East. It left an impression you might say, so I see having a nice lineup of guitars as part of the show.

[qwezirider]

I know this is the guitar forum, but the concept applies to basses as well. I take three: 1) my 4004 or my Heartfield, whichever strikes my mood that night; 2) a fretless acoustic bass; 3) a 12 string bass.

[sloop_john_b]

Unless i'm gigging with an active bass (rare) or a new bass that i'm not very familiar with, it's always one. Been playing 8 years and haven't broken a string yet.

A guitar gig will always be at least two, sometimes as many as four for long nights.

[blueflamerick]

I usually bring 2 basses, but lately I've been lazy and bringing only 1.

[deaconblues]

I always bring two, for simplicity's sake...so its usually my 325 (too much fun to play to leave at home!) and a full-scale solidbody.

[paologregorio]

I always bring two. Usually it's the 381/6 and the Gretsch Silverjet.

Other combos are:

381/6 and AZ Blue 360 WB (both have the "hot" toasters)
Silverjet and Duo Jet (both have the same `55-`57 pickup and control layout)

Things go a bit more smoothly if I have to switch guitars in mid song due to a broken string and have guitars with the same output-no volume adjustment required.

[JakeK]

I try and find songs that would work best with the guitar I'm playing. Since June of 2007, I've always taken my 660/12 and tried (as well as suceeded!) to find songs that would sound good on a 12.

[wmthor]

Generally two; a Ric with either a Strat, Tele, or an acoustic.

[phlemmy]

typically 2.

[dean712]

1 bass - currently my Mapleglo '00 4003.

My guitarist takes 2 guitars - two USA Telecasters (just different colors), in case he breaks a string (happens about a quarter of our gigs, I'd guess).

For the last 10 years, I've made a habit of keeping a set of bass strings and a set of electric guitar strings in my gig bag. Never had to use the bass strings. The electric guitar strings saved a guitarist's hind end on a gig a long time ago. Our current guitarist keeps lots of backup strings in his gigbag, but I like having an insurance plan, too.

[beatlefreak]

Two - an electric and an acoustic.

[grazioso]

450/12 x2, esquire x2, any short scale bass that i am using that week(mostly yamaha pink monster from 80's) and sometimes some beater like old applause that normally lives in my kitchen and always and always 2 volume pedals and 2 jangle boxes + amp according to the venue size and spare small solid state backup (fender sidekick). if it's acoustic gig it is washburn nv300 x2 + hofner beatle bass and bigger solid state amp ( + same backup) + direct box x2

[captsandwich]

I always bring 2 and have for years.
Before I got the 12 string, I only played the second if I broke a string or went way, way out of tune (I don't have a light right hand on stage ) See the R tailpiece and the Strat beside the amp.

Now I switch between guitars depending on the song. I am gradually moving towards playing the 12 string all the time, even big, distorted, feedbacky solos.

[iamthebassman]

If OUCH! is opening for The Eggmen I bring:

OUCH!:
Brice "Beatle" bass(black)-LH
'80 Ric 4003 FG-LH

Eggmen 1st set:
Hofner Beatle-LH

Eggmen 2nd set:
'82 Ric 4001S MMT-LH
SX Jazz sunburst -LH
Jerry Jones electric sitar

Eggmen 3rd set:
Davison Hollowbody bass -LH
Gibson EB-2
One or both of these is often replaced by something from this list:
Epiphone Rivoli
Ibanez Artcore hollowbody
SX P/J sunburst
Jerry Jones Longhorn bass

[shamustwin]

Typically 3, the Strat, the 660/12 or 360/12 and a 1997, 650 or Casino.