maybe going from a 4 to a 3 piece band

0175westwood29 · #1 09-02-2009, 11:43 AM

our rhythum/lead guitarist has just left due to work commitments, we aren't sure if we gonna look for a 4th member as our practices with just the 3 of us when the guitarist missed practice were good.

the problem i had was that the drop in volume when theres a solo is huge! i use a distortion on one part of our songs but im looking into getting a big muff, i dnt truely understand the sansamp? as isn't it a preamp?

i want something that will thincken out my sound to fill the space that the guitar left? i know it won't sound the same but something close, im in the process of getting the oc-3 boss super octave pedal im hoping that will work a bit, but what do some of you guys use?

andy

TrevorOfDoom · #2 09-02-2009, 11:47 AM

chorus
a good overdrive that doesn't drop the low end
delay (a little)
or just play around more, do octave skips, arpeggiate, whatever.

RickenBoogie · #3 09-02-2009, 12:38 PM

Pedals are cool, but not absolutely neccesary. Picking up the slack a 2nd guitar left behind is a big whole to fill sometimes, but you could just get into the old 8th note frenzy, and let it slide. Oh, and +1 for a chorus, or phaser, to add depth.

SteveMcB · #4 09-02-2009, 12:44 PM

12 string bass

Actually I do own one and use it a lot to fill in the space a guitarist would. But actually I use/have used a lot of different techniques alone and in combination:
- 12 string bass
- Distortion
- Octave down (like OC3) and play an octave up (=faux 8-string)
- Biamping
- "Uniboss" method (using a stereo output pedal like a Boss chorus to feed a guitar rig with your bass as well as your bass rig)
- Getting the drummer to use more cymbals
- Chording on bass
- Playing busier lines

Other people use octave up +/- distortion

Experiment and buy more pedals - you'll get there.
Steve

0175westwood29 · #5 09-02-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMcB

12 string bass

Actually I do own one and use it a lot to fill in the space a guitarist would. But actually I use/have used a lot of different techniques alone and in combination:
- 12 string bass
- Distortion
- Octave down (like OC3) and play an octave up (=faux 8-string)
- Biamping
- "Uniboss" method (using a stereo output pedal like a Boss chorus to feed a guitar rig with your bass as well as your bass rig)
- Getting the drummer to use more cymbals
- Chording on bass
- Playing busier lines

Other people use octave up +/- distortion

Experiment and buy more pedals - you'll get there.
Steve

ooo i never even thought of playing the octave up!

that may work with the oc-3 as i can add drive/distortion to the octaves

nortonrider · #6 09-02-2009, 01:06 PM

Like Trevor said:
Chorus and a little Delay.

insomniac2295 · #7 09-02-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Like Trevor said:
Chorus and a little Delay.

Could you give some examples of 3 pieces where the bass uses chorus and/or delay?

0175westwood29 · #8 09-02-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Like Trevor said:
Chorus and a little Delay.

but the guitar hole im trying to fill was a heavily distorted one? need something gritty to fill the hole.

andy

southernrocker · #9 09-02-2009, 01:26 PM

I don't use any effects, I just knock the hellouta the bass. You just really have to play out. It also helps if you have an ass kicking drummer.

0175westwood29 · #10 09-02-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

I don't use any effects, I just knock the hellouta the bass. You just really have to play out. It also helps if you have an ass kicking drummer.

our drummer hits like hell! trust me no worries with him making alot of noise if needed!

andy

pig · #11 09-02-2009, 01:41 PM

I'm in a 3 piece that is jsut bass drums and guitar. The onus to fill up the space shouldnt just fall on you. The other guitarist needs to pick up slack as well, look at filling up his/her sound as well. I have an OC-3 and it does fill up the sound like crazy but its not something I would recomend using on every song. But like I said Your guitar player needs a huge overdriven sound.

insomniac2295 · #12 09-02-2009, 01:43 PM

perhaps the guitarist could get a loop pedal?

AttitudeCastle · #13 09-02-2009, 01:43 PM

I'm in a three piece band, bass, Yamaha Attitude with two BA115T amps Guitarist uses a dave Murray strat

drummer has a double kick pedal

and the guitarist and i share vocals, we usually sing together but we take it in turn for lead

we have been complimented about our full, big sound =D

0175westwood29 · #14 09-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pig

I'm in a 3 piece that is jsut bass drums and guitar. The onus to fill up the space shouldnt just fall on you. The other guitarist needs to pick up slack as well, look at filling up his/her sound as well. I have an OC-3 and it does fill up the sound like crazy but its not something I would recomend using on every song. But like I said Your guitar player needs a huge overdriven sound.

i know i shouldn't be for me but the gaps in the sound are really only during his solos, not really much he can do there?

that is mainly when i'd hit the oc-3 in, on the solos, how well does it add distortion/drive to the octaves?

andy

Bob C · #15 09-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Everything stated so far makes sense. Octave + Fuzz, both blended with your dry sound is a popular recipe on this forum.

But I agree that ALL members may have to change their parts to "fill it up". Drummers have a lot of "thickening" power - if you have the right drummer.

If you're doing cover tunes, you have to decide how much you want/need to change (some of them) them to make them work.

There are a lot of great 3 peice bands that have a monster sound on their own material due to their compositions and arrangements: Rush, Mr Big, ZZ Top, King's X, The Police ... You get the idea.