Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What Instruments (other than Piano) would you guys suggest to give a new perspective on songwriting? I've experimented with Mandolins which helped steer me in a more "open" sounding direction, but what else could help?

Not really a different instrument, but classical guitar comes to mind. Or an open-tuned lap steel. Or a wind instrument. Or drums. I am currently trying to learn drums and it is a lot of fun. It is also making me more appreciative of people who play drums.

Piano is my main writing instrument followed by guitar. I've found that both mandolin and banjo can be great tools for swampy folk/bluegrass type parts, which I do lean towards at times. But they can't do it all. They work as a good alternative to the norm.

I use an acoustic guitar to get the vibe then on occasion I switch to keyboards to assist me to sort out the arrangement. Invariably I also use a drum machine to assist with timing, otherwise it has been my experience you can get some surprises on some of the phrasing, especially when you start to arrange the song.

I would say that 60% of my songs are composed on the acoustic (my Tacoma Chief most often), 35% on electric guitar, and another 5% come from the piano, Irish bouzouki, or something else.

More often than not, if the Zeitgeist and Muses aren't being summoned, I switch instruments. Grab a twelve string, a Danelectro, or Tele maybe.

Sometimes I just need to switch pickups on my Ric.

My main songwriting instrument is a Jerry Jones Longhorn BassVI, you can work out chords and a bass part all on one instrument. Plus it's short-scale and semi-hollow, so it's great for picking up while watching TV. Most of my tunes have a BassVI part anyway, either the Jones or my Gretsch BassVI.

I've written nearly all of my songs on my Comstock, although before I got the Commie I wrote a couple on my very first Ric (my now-Purpleburst 330), and on my 1967 365.... Rickenbackers are just naturally inspiring instruments! I've discovered, with the help of my friend Billy D., that keyboards really add a lot of depth to the songs I've written.

Commie? Is that in Pinko-glo? ha ha ha ha Just kiddin, Melibee.

My main songwriting instrument is my head! Sometimes I can write all the parts, lyrics & production, all before I play a note. A dictaphone is invaluable.

Well said, Tony! 100 % agree.

I have an acoustic that was given to me as a gift by Earl Klugh. That's my songwriting guitar, and I'll never get rid of it, it still has a lot of songs in it.
Although sometimes I wish I could plug a cord into my head and send it to a recorder, because they come into my head like they are on the radio, and I try and catch up before it goes away.

An "Irish bouzouki"???

I thought that was one of those hunting dogs with the little curly tail...

It's an A-style flatback 'zouki (unlike the roundback Greek bouzouki). I keep mine in Irish tuning usually: GG DD AA dd

Presently it's in need of some intonation adjustment. Cursed free-floating bridge.

I have the same problem with the bridge on my violin. The poor intonation makes my play like Jack Benny. At least that's my excuse and I am sticking with it.

I write everything on a Gibson SG plugged into a Marshall cranked to 11. However, I can never hear the lyrics.

Just kidding - I write on acoustic, but drum beats are always in my head. If you want to compose powerful pop or rock tunes, and you aren't in a band, I suggest you tune into the drums more. That's where it's at !!