Anyone else like to swap instruments during the set?

[ctmullins]

Switching from one bass to another? All the time.

Switching from bass to some other instrument? Occasionally. I will switch from bass guitar to synth to do synth bass parts, but occasionally we switch it all up - guitarist plays drums, drummer plays bass, and I switch to keys. Obviously only if the song calls for it (in that case it was Feel It Still).

 

[Passinwind]

I used to switch from bass to guitar/guitar synth and back in my old weirdo duo routinely, sometimes just for a change of pace solo. The drummer took lots of solos to faciltate that since I generally preferred on the fly swaps to stopping.​

 

[kjp360]

I have seen this done to great effect by acts big and small. I've also done it myself as both a straight switch with another player and as a the only multi-instrumentalist in the group. A few caveats:

• Must minimize the number of switches
• Must minimize the time it takes to switch. As a multi-instrumentalist this means having all your required instruments set and ready to go, ideally with their own rig (a total PIA for load in and out, not gonna lie). In a swap, that means not fiddling with tone too much on the swapped instrument. Get it on, and get 'er done. I find it best not to inject a new guitar or bass into the swap equation. Use the guitar players guitar and rig and vv. This also keeps the change about the players vs the instruments themselves.
• A blackout is best during the swap on "big" stages. If a blackout is not possible, find a way to make that time interesting. You can feature a short solo or duo from within the band, tell that great story or joke, or find a way to make the switch/swap part of the show.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Nobody in my band wants to play bass except me. I used to play rubber chickens on “Whole Lotta Love” until we added a guitarist who could freak out even more than Page, so I stopped.

No, really!

 

[Bob_Ross]

My very first band, from my high school days in the 1970s, eventually discovered that we should split our performances into two sets: Set 1 I played bass and Joe played guitar, set 2 I played guitar and Joe played bass.

This discovery was prompted by the ridiculous and time-consuming logistics of trying to swap instruments mid-set. We learned it the hard way.

 

[jimmydean]

If I bring two basses to a gig , I will use my # 1 for the first set and #2 for the second . I will use the best sounding bass in the room for the third set .

 

[Ignatius]

I play bass, mando, and steel guitar in my current band. I design the set lists to either minimize swaps or make the swaps during an intro or outro where that particular instrument is not needed. All of my instruments are set up, plugged in and ready to go. I can usually swap faster than the keys player can change patches.

 

[squish]

I play bass, mando, and steel guitar in my current band. I design the set lists to either minimize swaps or make the swaps during an intro or outro where that particular instrument is not needed. All of my instruments are set up, plugged in and ready to go. I can usually swap faster than the keys player can change patches.

Same here with working on the set design. In my current gig, we will spent some rehearsals only working on the transition moments. We don’t swap instruments but it’s like who gets a sip of water while the other one talks or grabs a cape or a prop. Or introduce the band. Or takes a wireless mic in the crowd.
It is a bunch of extra, sure but we hate dead time in between songs and rather things flow.

 

[2thAche]

E to Eb tuned basses, yes. I try to be quick. Try to get bandmates to banter, we're still learning. I'm sure sometimes it's smooth, sometimes distracting

 

[Ignatius]

Same here with working on the set design. In my current gig, we will spent some rehearsals only working on the transition moments. We don’t swap instruments but it’s like who gets a sip of water while the other one talks or grabs a cape or a prop. Or introduce the band. Or takes a wireless mic in the crowd.
It is a bunch of extra, sure but we hate dead time in between songs and rather things flow.

I have most of that in our set lists, in parentheses. For example, intro to 2nd song 1st set is 'welcome rap' so I write that out in the set list. I also include when the BL should do the "thanks to Luis behind the bar and....." each set and any other announcements. I include 'tuning time' as well. All to keep things flowing w/o any dead time.

 

[Gustopher]

I wanted to in my band, but neither of the guitar players could handle bass duties for the songs I wanted to play guitar on. I am a decent guitar player and a few songs are easier to sing and play on guitar instead of bass, but they didn't want to swap lol.

 

[rutrho]

Yep, we have a few but its all swapping a Drop A instrument to Eb or to E standard so we try to structure the setlist to around those changes.

 

[Marko 1]

One project, a one guitar band, on a couple songs (Last Dance w/Mary Jane and I forget the other) the drummer would grab a second guitar, and keyboard player would jump on the drums.

I referred to it a “project” because, like a few others, that particular band never played out.

 

[Ostie]

I play bass, mandolin, guitar and percussion, so I swap frequently.