Playing with one guitar...

[Mannyinnewyork]

I’ve done it (guitar, bass and drums) many times but I really didn’t see it as the ideal situation. I like a solid rhythm section on top of which “anything” can happen. It’s a personal preference thing - power trios , even the best I’ve seen (Hendrix ,Cream etc.) , just leave me wishing that there was no compensating for a missing element. Like I said, just another opinion

 

[kmon]

One guitar is not a handicap. There might be space in the overall sound. "Play" the spaces (rests) as part of the music. This takes a while to get used to but very effective. Use your singing voices as an ensemble. Plaing with 1 guitar or better yet a pianist is my favorite setting.

Thanks, couldn't agree more on playing the rests...that's something I only really started doing in the past couple of years...one of those game changing ah-ha moments. Amazing how much better things can sound when you play less

Great point on using singing voices too.

 

[BBQV]

I’ve played with one guitar almost exclusively and I find it really nice. Everything I do is heard (not always a good thing...) and it’s easy to control the dynamics of the band.

Soundwise I use a thouch of compression, some overdrive and a slight low mid boost. An octave pedal and, occasionally, a bit of chorus are the only effects on my board.

I try to lock in with the drummer and stay out of the way of the lyrics, apart from that anything goes! I like my freedom in the trio format.

 

[bobdabilder]

I leave my volume pedal at about 60% for the sound guy to get comfy. When wanker goes to solo, i turn up so he can't be heard.

Looks like my new project is gonna be a 80s/90s+ rock/pop cover band with ONE guitar.

So what you say? I've never played with only one guitar. I've always had 2 guitars turned up too loud and stepping all over each other... the better to mask my screwups...

Anyway, this is a general question: there's going to be more sonic space here and I've been wondering about effects strategies to fill it a little more thoroughly...

Also interested in general observations or tips on this type of lineup...including the observation that maybe I'm overthinking it...

Further edit: while I've played around with effects I haven't really used them that much in band situations. A strong, basic bass tone did the job well. What I have is always-on: markbass compressore, darkglass vintage ultra pre and a broughton hi-lo pass filter. I'm thinking with a potentially larger role for the bass in this band there would be instances where dirt would genuinely add something, and where some modulation like a chorus could make things sound a little thicker.

 

[Johnny Mac]

As a guitarist who usually plays as the only guitar with a bassist, I have to say, fewer effects are best. I don't say that because I'm anti-effect. I say that because the most common effects, like chorus and dirt, can actually have a thinning effect instead of fattening the sound.

Keeping the low end clean, and having the effects on the top end only, is a huge help here. Dirt pedals with clean blends are common, but if you want to incorporate modulation/delay/reverb see if you can find one that allows you to cut the lows from the effected signal.

That said, I wouldn't look to those effects to fill in the space from a missing guitar, at least in a rock context. A decent overdrive with a blend or sufficient low end should get that job done, and depending on the musical context you may not even need that.

 

[devnulljp]

Grab an octaver and play up the neck when guitarist starts noodling.

 

[groove pump]

Looks like my new project is gonna be a 80s/90s+ rock/pop cover band with ONE guitar.

So what you say? I've never played with only one guitar. I've always had 2 guitars turned up too loud and stepping all over each other... the better to mask my screwups...

Anyway, this is a general question: there's going to be more sonic space here and I've been wondering about effects strategies to fill it a little more thoroughly...

Also interested in general observations or tips on this type of lineup...including the observation that maybe I'm overthinking it...

Further edit: while I've played around with effects I haven't really used them that much in band situations. A strong, basic bass tone did the job well. What I have is always-on: markbass compressore, darkglass vintage ultra pre and a broughton hi-lo pass filter. I'm thinking with a potentially larger role for the bass in this band there would be instances where dirt would genuinely add something, and where some modulation like a chorus could make things sound a little thicker.

Even though you don't have the rhythm guitar to chug along with out there, you still get to drive the bus. When I've switched from a two-guitars setting to just one, my fundamental seemed to become a lot more important. Even if you want to use some effects, you still need to hold down your end.

If you've never experimented with anything that will let you layer your sound, I'd say think about trying something like a Boss LS-2 or a preamp that will allow you to blend a second channel with your effect(s) on top of your straight sound. That way you won't lose your essential low end, etc. when you want to also maybe funkify things with an envelope filter or drop a little dirt in the sandbox.

Now more than ever, you want to stay locked in with your drummer's right foot and nail the "one". That's going to be a much higher priority than going for sparkly, flashy stuff.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

When the Guitar player takes off on a lead Kick on A T-Rex Quint machine with a lot of clean and up octave and a 5th it will sort of sound like a second guitar is following the bass

 

[lokikallas]

I can't stand playing with more than one guitar anymore. For bar band covers, IMO it's overkill. In my tributes we have two guitars, but that's a different animal. I never feel like a rhythm guitar is needed under a solo, and if the song has many layers of guitars that are hard to pull off live, we pick a different song.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Looks like my new project is gonna be a 80s/90s+ rock/pop cover band with ONE guitar.

So what you say? I've never played with only one guitar. I've always had 2 guitars turned up too loud and stepping all over each other... the better to mask my screwups...

Anyway, this is a general question: there's going to be more sonic space here and I've been wondering about effects strategies to fill it a little more thoroughly...

Also interested in general observations or tips on this type of lineup...including the observation that maybe I'm overthinking it...

Further edit: while I've played around with effects I haven't really used them that much in band situations. A strong, basic bass tone did the job well. What I have is always-on: markbass compressore, darkglass vintage ultra pre and a broughton hi-lo pass filter. I'm thinking with a potentially larger role for the bass in this band there would be instances where dirt would genuinely add something, and where some modulation like a chorus could make things sound a little thicker.

It's so nice have space for each instrument. 3 piece is the way to go, sound wise. Of course, having more members opens many new doors composition wise. But sound and playability, 3 piece all the way.

 

[el murdoque]

As a guitarist who usually plays as the only guitar with a bassist, I have to say, fewer effects are best. I don't say that because I'm anti-effect. I say that because the most common effects, like chorus and dirt, can actually have a thinning effect instead of fattening the sound.

So I keep it very simple on bass. I like a compressor because it keeps everything more even, especially with my unrefined technique. If I do use dirt, I want a pedal that either incorporates a clean blend or has extended bass response. I don't want something with a bass cut at all. And I keep the modulation to a minimum because I do feel it can have a thinning effect, which is counter to what I want.

Another thing I've been working with in my original work is defining the song by the bassline and drums and minimizing the guitar. I think playing strong lines instead of just filling in as a complementary rhythm instrument is probably the best thing you can do.

I have to mostly agree on that one. Except for the dirt. When I'm playing in a trio, that's where all the dirt pedals come out for me. I usually only use my Sansamp BDDI or the gain on the SVT emulation in my Headrush - to get that gritty sound of an amp maxed out.
In my experience, the more guitars you have using overdrive, the more the bass gets lost in the mix doing the same. When I play metal with two guitars I play 90% clean as a bell. There is only so much dirt you can squeeze into a song and in metal, the guitars take all of it and then some.
But in a trio - when the guitar does solo or play lead parts, you can suddenly make your glorious bedroom tones come to life.
The most important bit is to provide the carpet that fills the room. Something to follow when there's only a drumkit and a guitar solo. But with a bit of dirt you can actually do the bass and the rhythm guitar at the same time.

 

[Muttleybass]

A nice fat sound with some upper mid to it, as someone mentioned a more full range tone. Sometimes I'll play a bassline that cops some of what the rhythm guitar or keyboards are doing. The odd chord or octave in some thinner spots... It's more art than science. Also, I'm a bit louder in the mix than when I'm with the 5 piece.

 

[Engineer_Josh]

Probably a great situation to play more chord tones in your lines beyond just roots, 5ths, and octaves.

with no rhythm guitar the minor-ness or major-ness of the chord is more yours to define.

think of Adam Clayton’s line on New Years Day, lots of roots and minor thirds.

 

[Jared Lash]

I love effects and use them quite a bit in my own playing and projects. But for your situation I would go through the proposed setlist and only grab pedals where you'll need them to recreate those tones.

That said, a good compressor can help smooth out your tone and a light overdrive can actually give you more presence in the mix. Heavier dirt and fuzz clips your signal and often players don't crank the volume to compensate, but a bit of hair that is fairly noticeable at home sounds almost clean at the gig.

The biggest thing is just to listen and play what's needed. Without a second guitar the bass will be more present and if you have a good mix you'll be able to hear during rehearsals and gigs where the extra space sounds good and where you may need to play a bit more.

In general I've taken the approach that if the bass line is a bit sparse then during solos I play a bit more. Not to ever take away from what the guitarist is doing but just to keep things full and supportive.

Keep in mind that only one guitarist also opens up more room for the drummer as well. I have only played in a few bands with two guitarists but in those bands I tried harder to lock in with the drummer and especially their kick pattern. Obviously you still want to be locked in with the drummer with just one guitarist too, but now you can play off each other more working together to fill space in a different way.

Have fun and good luck!

 

[foolforthecity]

Please do not read this as anti-effects, because I'm not. But, I would suggest that you learn to embrace the space. Instead of a wall of sound, you'll have a chance to use dynamics. Also, this isn't all on the bass. If the bottom drops out during a solo, then the guitar player was probably playing too loud before the solo. So many people are afraid of space, but the truth is that music needs room to breathe.

IMHO, effects should be icing on the cake, but you need to make the cake first.

The Truth.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

that's the scenario^^...I'm used to rhythm guitar filling in a lot of the space underneath that solo...now it's just me

The job of the bass is to provide musical logic. Your part is to make the music flow so it makes sense to the listener. While you do have more sonic space, providing that sense of logic is still the main function of the bass.

You may want to check out Marc Anthony’s work with Van Halen for example.

 

[BarfanyShart]

With one guitar, don't be shy about playing higher, and using effects to fill up the space.

 

[corndog]

This is my current situation. Song selection is important, some basslines during solos can be thin, trying to fill in the holes with making the bassline busier doesn't work imo.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I have to mostly agree on that one. Except for the dirt. When I'm playing in a trio, that's where all the dirt pedals come out for me. I usually only use my Sansamp BDDI or the gain on the SVT emulation in my Headrush - to get that gritty sound of an amp maxed out.
In my experience, the more guitars you have using overdrive, the more the bass gets lost in the mix doing the same. When I play metal with two guitars I play 90% clean as a bell. There is only so much dirt you can squeeze into a song and in metal, the guitars take all of it and then some.
But in a trio - when the guitar does solo or play lead parts, you can suddenly make your glorious bedroom tones come to life.
The most important bit is to provide the carpet that fills the room. Something to follow when there's only a drumkit and a guitar solo. But with a bit of dirt you can actually do the bass and the rhythm guitar at the same time.

I’m not saying don’t use distortion. I’m saying don’t use a distortion that cuts the low end.

 

[Mudfuzz]

I've played with one guitarist/keyboardist in a trio for over 20 years.
Play things that make the song sound good. There is no simple "do this" unless all the songs you play have a very similar sound... Like Motorhead or Type-O, but if not you are just going to work at what works for your band. For my band I ended up with a pretty big board of effects because sometimes I needed to play guitary things under solos and on harder keyboard songs and sometimes I needed keyboard like sounds... Playing wise? octaves and chords and open note drones are your friend so is a bass that has a LOT of sustain.