Anyone else like to swap instruments during the set?

[squish]

Years ago in my Clash tribute band I'd throw the guitar on to sing Guns of Brixton. Mostly doing pic slides and percussion with it while my mate kept the deeeep riff pumping.
We might be finally getting back together to do a reunion/proper farewell show.

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[Michedelic]

I’ve done it just as a matter of course, between bass and guitar or bass and synth bass, and once to play just a basic chord sequence on keys(we were covering OMD’s “Enola Gay”, guitarist played bass, keyboardist played the top part). I don’t like it or dislike it, it’s for whatever the song(or the arrangement)needs.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Our guitarist only does it when necessary and I keep swaps to breaks. Just how it works for us and we don't change out instruments.

 

[Al Rivera]

Nope,and the audience is never impressed with the switch and it usually breaks up the flow.

 

[GrapeBass]

I typically refrain from swapping, especially mid set, but will do if absolutely needed (BG <> EUB). Ideally I'd swap during set breaks (P w/flats <> P w/rounds, as an example).

 

[DaveParker39]

I could see doing it for an acoustic set or for specific chunks of songs. Logistically it is a little complicated as we don’t tend to have tons of room for guitars or tons of patience to carry them.
There’s one gig we do that starts early where the first set is mostly motown/soul/blues that I could see myself using my sunburst P for and then switching over to a different bass (perhaps my incoming Spector NS-1) for the rockier stuff.
But as of right now I just use the sunburst P for everything.

 

[Jefenator]

I've swapped in mandolin a few times. Needless to say that won't work on just any gig - especially the way I play it!
Another local group used to swap instruments around all the time, then during the set break they'd have to untangle all the cables!

 

[ZedLepp]

The only times I switch instruments is:
1) Tuning change (ie E standard to Eb)
2) Something happens to the bass I'm playing and is no longer playable (ie sting breaks, it goes dead some reason)

 

[two fingers]

Usually I don't. But, recently, we added "Sledgehammer" to the set. We also do "Fancy" (which was played on a fretless too). So I will be swapping over to fretless for those two (just for fun). Yes, I know I COULD play both on fretted and not a single person in the audience will know, or care, about it. I don't want to play fretless all night. But I DO want to play my fretless live more. So that's why.

By the way, the same people who don't care if I don't switch won't care if I do.

 

[Killing Floor]

Just a few times.
I’m not saying I am any kind of good at guitar but I can play all 6 chords and neenoneeno leads and stuff. I’ve played at it enough and done some gigs as a guitarist that I wouldn’t be too flop sweaty. Back when long hair “unplugged” gigs were a thing I did it more often. Songwriter sessions we do it but that’s not the same thing.

It would be a real horror show if I sat at a drum kit.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

neenoneeno leads

Sums up much of my guitar playing attempts too.

 

[bbarras85]

I am in a band with my father (drums), brother (lead guitar), basically all family. There are a few songs that we play that he cannot keep up with anymore on drums (free bird being the main one) He is knocking on 65 years old and along with age comes aches and pains i guess. Being that drums were my first instrument, I usually play the last set of faster songs and he plays bass.

 

[primusfan1989]

Not on my bass gigs but ill swap between electric guitar and mandolin for one gig I have

 

[Bass-ball]

Normally no, but there were a few songs I did back in the day that I liked to play on a fretless, so I would switch to that between songs. Eventually got tired of carrying two cases and everyone waiting for me to plug in and all that, so I stopped and just did it all on one bass. Most audiences don't even notice the difference between fretted and fretless anyway, as far as I could tell. Only once did someone stop me to say something about it.

 

[TerribleTim68]

At first I thought this thread title was about switching to a different bass, not switching from bass to guitar or keyboard or whatever. I've never done that. I've only ever swapped to a different bass, for alternate tuning reasons. I can barely play bass, much less switch to a totally different instrument.

 

[Headless horse]

Somehow i don't like to swap my instrument, but i always like to play Jaco - America, before gig, when everybody slowly tunes and swap their instruments.

 

[bigjames]

I liked the idea of having both fretted and fretless basses at hand for a single set so I could play fretless on specific tunes. I bought a Radial Tonebone Bassbone with the two channels specifically so I could set levels for both instruments ahead of time to make the transition as seamless as possible. Go time: I loaded and set up two basses, two stands, radial bassbone and all accessories. Switched to fretless for the one song I wanted it on...then decided it was just not worth it for one song (or even two) depending on the length of the set. No one cared except me and adding another bass to my load out was a pain. Now I thoughtfully choose fretless or fretted based on the whole set and play one instrument throughout.

As for changing instruments, I used to swap between trombone and trumpet when I played those instruments in a band and I laid down some trumpet parts on a friend's project, but generally I stick to bass and vox.

 

[RGerhart]

I usually play 5- and 6-string, but I like to switch back to 4-string lately mid-set. Something about the simplicity of a 4-string that makes you think differently about what you're playing. Plus, it keeps me on my toes because I have to change positions or change the way I play some songs with the limited range.

 

[chazolson]

I double on electric and upright basses. In the band I'm putting together I suggested that I start using the upright on some tunes. The guitar player let me know in no uncertain terms that we were an electric band and that I could find another band to play acoustic stuff with. Okaaaay ...

I have done it before, and to be honest, if you stop the show in order to swap instruments, even just between your own, it slows things down.

 

[sawzalot]

I've never done that in my bands, but I've seen it done in some pretty big name bands around here. When it's planned out and done right, either people won't notice or they'll think it's pretty cool. When done badly, it's a distraction.