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Does your guitarist bring backups?

#61
MultiScaleMale said:
Seems to be a lot of bassists on here that bring backups of almost everything. I don’t think I’ve seen guitarists ever bring backups other than a set of strings. If they bring two guitars, it’s for two different sounds like a tele and a Les Paul.
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Actually, no, that's not the case. Most gigging players have a spare for if their main one fails.
Lei gear.jpg

Myself, being a regular gigging guitarist, having a spare guitar saved my butt several times over the years. Here's my gear on stage, I could play the whole gig on either of these two guitars.

And what kind of sense does it make if that second guitar you bring along can't be used to replace your main one, because it's in a different tuning?

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ray Martinez showcasing how changing a guitar because of a string breaking can work like a well oiled operation.

Of course, having roadies around to help out isn't a guaranty to avoid disaster, because there's always a possibility that the spare guitar also goes bad.

Note that our guy nods to his crew pretty much from the Get-go, there is something bothering him about his guitar, then throughout the second verse, his signal goes out as his crew fumble to hand him his Spare. (I've seen photos of this band's stage set up, and the spare guitar was actually at the far back of the stage, rather than close by.) But as he's about to play the solo, the spare also goes bad, leaving the sax player to come in and save his butt.
 
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#66
Yes. The two in my band always bring backup guitars and we each have backups to our Helix units.

My brother (also a guitarist) used to play in a band with another guitarist who had a gear problem and always brought too much gear to every gig. One time, they told him to only bring the essentials to a particular pub gig because of specific logistic issues. He turned up to the gig and said "I've managed to get it down to 5 guitars this week!"
 
#72
mrcbass said:
Actually, not really. LG/BL in my primary band doesn't even own a second electric guitar. We used to have a second LG and he brought 4 or 5 - all set up for different tunings or tones. Sure, if poopie happened he could make it work, but none of them were there in case of "stuff happens".

In my sub band, the LG brings 3 guitars - again, all setup for specific tones.

I seem to be the only one who brings backup anything - I have backup of everything short of a spare cab with me at all gigs. I blame that on TB .... :thumbsup:
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As a guitarist, I can tell that they may be different tones but they are absolutely also backups by definition just by being there. why on earth would they need to bring "backup" instruments when they already have multiple instruments there?
 
#73
Ours has multiple guitars for different purposes so technically he has backup guitars. What makes me nervous is his pedalboard is immense with so much wiring and alot of home-made stuff. I'm amazed that it hasn't gone out at a gig. He's had to troubleshoot it at soundcheck more than once but at some point there's gonna be a failure with that many components.
 
#74
I've been tempted to bring a backup guitar for a certain guitarist in my life [who plays like he sold his soul to the devil, but can barely tie his own shoes].
Actually, even that guy sometimes brings two. And when his amp starts cutting out [like it's been doing for weeks but he hasn't taken it in for repair yet] he'll plug into the PA.
I haven't gotten around to stocking a set of guitar strings in my spares/backup kit, but it wouldn't be the worst idea.
I do keep a set of drum sticks in my car and they did save the day once.
 
#75
MultiScaleMale said:
Seems to be a lot of bassists on here that bring backups of almost everything. I don’t think I’ve seen guitarists ever bring backups other than a set of strings. If they bring two guitars, it’s for two different sounds like a tele and a Les Paul.
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Yes.

They also carry a very small, SS, Fender guitar combo that lives in our equipment trailer.
It's been called upon more than several times over the years when one of their backline, tube amps is having fits for some reason.

We gig alot, so we're constantly moving the equipment.
Bangs, bumps, and wear and tear happens even with road cases.

Equipment failures happen, and usually at the worst and most unexpected moment.

Being prepared is being a pro in my book.
 
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#76
Our guitarist has only brought a second guitar on one gig in the last five years . I only do it when it's not a hassle to do so , depends on venue , ease of load in/out , and that rare feeling of just wanting to hear how my P and J sound in different rooms .
 
#78
Yes and No.
Depends on the guy and depends on their main gtr.

Fender guys are more likely one only.
Others bring z second flavour.

I bring 2 basses as I'm always road testing them.
 

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