thebrig

Our singer struggles with a couple of our songs in standard tuning, we don't really want drop the songs, and sometimes there isn't always room to take more than one bass, so my question is this, [b][i]is there a worthwhile de-tune pedal out there for bass[/i][/b] that I could use to quickly tune down a half/full step for these songs? I've done some research on google and YouTube etc.. and it would seem that most pedals struggle with bass. So has anyone used one, and are they okay for the odd song here and there?

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1449066712' post='2920517'] Hold your nerve. The band [i]will[/i] sound different and maybe even "wrong", but if you work through the acclimatisation period it will sound better in the end. Don't panic and try to plug the holes or make it sound like the old band. It isn't that band any more. Good luck. [/quote]Your right, it's so obvious, and yet, I never even thought of that. It IS a new band, new sound, new line-up, new way of thinking, even some new songs, I'm so looking forward to tonight's rehearsal.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1449063134' post='2920453'] Just going to add my voice to the "no need to do anything different" crowd, at least to start with. Once you've found your feet in the new format you can think about some the fine tuning stuff others have mentioned like playing a bit more legato behind solos or whatever. Only other thing I would mention is that it does up the ante a bit in terms of solidly knowing the song arrangements as you have one less person to provide those subconscious cues as to what happening next in the song (see colgraffs post). [/quote]As you might have guessed by his attitude, he was the biggest culprit when it came to songs arrangements and whats happening next etc.. The more I think about it, and read all the advice and encouragement here, the more I feel confident that we made the right decision in firing him.

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1449062433' post='2920437'] Good luck with the rehearsal tonight. When is your next gig? [/quote]9th January 2016, we already have an extensive set list, so we are confident there will more than enough we can do/modify without bringing too many new songs in, although another bonus is that the departed guitarist tended to dislike most suggestions by the rest of us, so now we can perhaps try a few of them.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1449059034' post='2920382'] Becoming the only lead instrument is a big change. I hope the "second" guitarist can step up enough to "front" the band. Good Luck. It sounds like you made the right decision anyway. [/quote]He is definitely good enough imo, on occasions when we have rehearsed without the main guitarist, he has really excelled, and he has taken on some of the lead/solo work when playing live, which has drawn great compliments on his playing, the other plus is that he is a really good rhythm guitarist who can really feel the song.

The reason we have become a one-guitar band is because we finally came to the end of our tether with the main lead player, unfortunately, he was your typical prima-donna guitarist who admittedly, was technically a brilliant guitarist who could probably pass any audition on the day, but he was far from being a team player. Unless he was playing a solo ([i]which he normally extended x3 at least[/i]), then he would just go through the motions with anything else, his rhythm playing was just a simple up and down strum and always way too loud which just muddied our sound, the rest of us would try to tell him about light & shade etc.. but all to no avail I'm afraid. He would ignore all emails and texts regarding band stuff, refused to help in getting gigs, and any gigs that were offered us, we often lost due to him taking too long to confirm his availability, to sum up, [b]he was totally uncooperative in every aspect[/b]. The final straw came a few days ago when he sent us an email stating that [u]we[/u] will have to bear with him if he turns up to rehearsals unprepared and having not learnt any songs, and not to expect him to help getting gigs as he has other thing to do that are more important. He also said that he had left his blues band and wanted to stay with us because we are more active on the circuit, although we do suspect that he was probably shown the door for the same reasons that we decided to get rid. We told him that his attitude was not what we wanted in the band, and believe it or not, because he was so far up his own backside, he was shocked and disappointed when we said we have decided to move on without him. Anyway, judging by all your comments and great advice, it would seem that just by getting shot of him, it will help us achieve a better sound, and allow us to apply all the things required to make us a tighter band. First rehearsal tonight with the new format and I'm really looking forward to it.

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1449011499' post='2920149'] Its all I have done for years now - Strange, but usually with lefty guitar players - much more fun than hiding behind or trying to play around a second guitar. When you think of it most of the great Bass lines are from single guitar lineups. [/quote]The remaining guitarist is a lefty, so yep, I guess i'm gonna have a lot more space now in more ways than one!

Thanks for all the advice so far, the more I read your tips, the more I'm looking forward to it, please keep it coming!

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1449000140' post='2920003'] Good advice from colgraff. I too play in a 1 guitar rock covers band. I use an octaver if the original song needs it and for the occasional flurry to the dusty end for some variety. I also have a chorus pedal that comes on for a few songs. You don't need to go too mad with pedals. Get a good level and a sound that can cut through and fill the space. Make sure you and the drummer are super tight. Have fun. I have always enjoyed a 1 guitar band and i'm sure you will too. [/quote]I'm looking forward to the challenge to be honest.

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1448993023' post='2919904'] I play in a one-guitar pub rock covers band and have played in two guitar ones. My advice is: 1- You should be at the same volume as the guitar (not for guitar solos, though) 2- Pedals are strictly optional so don't worry on that front. Set your amp so that your sound is very slightly overdriven. This will give it a fuller sound. For an example, listen to A Kind of Magic by Queen here: [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc2ZDSCftAI"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Dc2ZDSCftAI[/url] 3- If you don't want to do this, get an overdrive or fuzz pedal and set it to high OD/fuzz with a low effect level and turn it on for solos to beef up your sound. 4- If you haven't already, learn the bass lines note for note. A lot of one-band bass lines are surprisingly full and complex: make the most of this opportunity to show off your skills. [/quote]I tend to play most bass lines note for note, I know a lot of people frown upon doing this, but because we play rock covers, the venues we play are normally full of punters who expect the songs to sound as close to the originals as possible.

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1448959891' post='2919493'] That's odd - I've had about 20 emails so far saying people have used it. Maybe there was a time limit on it? [/quote]I sent them an email yesterday asking why, they never replied, but I thought I would go ahead and order some anyway, when I clicked on your link today, it said the offer is no longer valid, but I checked out anyway as the plugs were still my cart, and when it came to paying by PayPal, the discount was applied, so I guess they honored my original purchase and then ended the offer.

Our band is going from being a two-guitar band to a one-guitar band, I've [u]never ever[/u] played in a one guitar band before, so any advice would be most welcome. I normally play without using any pedals, so should I be looking at using a few to get a more full on sound, and if so, what would you recommend? We play mainly classic rock with a lot of the usual suspects in our set, and the venues are normally pubs and small clubs. Thanks in advance.

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1447876219' post='2911195'] After seeing a recommendation on the "How did your gig Go Last Night?" thread I bought a pair of the Ear Peace plugs. They've given me a 20% discount code for anyone to use- it's [url="http://earpeaceuk.refr.cc/S3LN649"]http://earpeaceuk.refr.cc/S3LN649[/url] [/quote]Tried buying some today, but the discount code wont work, it shows at checkout but when you try to pay it says "[color=#717171] [/color][color=#717171]Customer information does not meet the requirements for the 20OFF discount code" [/color]

PICS PICS PICS Please!!!