Do You Use a Volume Boost During the Guitarist's Solos?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 04-05-2007, 04:47 PM

I was talking with this guy at one of our gigs. He said if I used a volume boost during the guitarist's solos it would fill out the sound. We are a 3 piece so if the guitarist is soloing its just bass drums and twang, twang.

I think one thing for bassists is that our playing is continual which probably makes using a boost pedal more difficult. Where as a guitarist can stop for a pause to click on his vol boost pedal.

I guess this question would be more applicable to those in a 3 piece.

Thoughts?

Phalex · #2 04-05-2007, 05:54 PM

Absolutley not!!

We have bass, drum, guitar, and a vocalist, but only the three instruments. There is a lot to be said for dynamics in a small sonic setting. During guitar leads the music rises and falls, ebbs and flows, yadda yadda yadda.

The drummer doesn't change over to baseball sized sticks during a guitar solo, and he's the ying to your yang so to speak.

When the guitarist goes into a lead break, he should do it Han style. Solo that is. Otherwise it's called an all skate.

hartke20g · #3 04-05-2007, 06:12 PM

i don't use a 'boost' pedal, to be exact, but i do use russian big muff when my guitarist is on higher-pitched solos.

HomeBrewTJ · #4 04-05-2007, 09:23 PM

Matt Till · #5 04-05-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Absolutley not!!

We have bass, drum, guitar, and a vocalist, but only the three instruments. There is a lot to be said for dynamics in a small sonic setting. During guitar leads the music rises and falls, ebbs and flows, yadda yadda yadda.

The drummer doesn't change over to baseball sized sticks during a guitar solo, and he's the ying to your yang so to speak.

When the guitarist goes into a lead break, he should do it Han style. Solo that is. Otherwise it's called an all skate.

Though this confuses me at parts, I think I agree... I think. Boosting your volume might make everything sound... weird. My advice, be dynamic about it. Busy up your playing a bit maybe, you and the drummer can fill the sonic space without volume.

j-bass-kreep · #6 04-05-2007, 10:22 PM

no , but I use one when "I" solo .

**smperry** · #7 04-05-2007, 10:45 PM

I've played in a few heavy trios, and changed the way I play during guitar solos, but never used a boost pedal.

M

Munjibunga · #8 04-05-2007, 11:05 PM

Heck no! That only encourages 'em to play even louder.

dave64o · #9 04-06-2007, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Heck no! That only encourages 'em to play even louder.

Amen!

cowsgomoo · #10 04-07-2007, 12:58 AM

nope, but I often play a little bit harder to counteract the drop-out of rhythm guitar... depends on the song

Lazylion · #11 04-07-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Till

My advice, be dynamic about it. Busy up your playing a bit maybe, you and the drummer can fill the sonic space without volume.

+1 I use the Matt Till method.

KPJ · #12 04-07-2007, 07:46 AM

No. When an instrument is being highlighted in a section of a song, everyone should back off their volume. I've been in bands where this has been an issue, especially with the vocals. If a song has an instrumental intro, everyone drops back when the vocals kick in, or should. If it's an instrument's time to "solo", then that should be the prominent instument heard, hence the term "solo".

+1 to what Munji said.

It's better for the drummer and bassist to back off their volumes than increase them, that keeps the overall level in check by forcing the other players to listen more and keeps the song from de-evolving into sonic mush.

CrazyArcher · #13 04-07-2007, 12:51 PM

I just have my volume knob up so I can play without digging the strings, leaving me a lot of space to play around dynamics when I need including temporary power boosts. So, no need for a pedal at all.