Blending guitar tones in a band

[greyscales]

Pedals really do have a major impact on how guitars sound. As soon as one of the guys in my band cranks up the reverb, the two guitars separate immediately. Same as when dirt is added to the mix.

It's definitely possible to get variety out of one pickup.

[goroth]

Using pedals and varying my attack is all I need in terms of dynamics.

Just want to clarify, I don't mean that in the TGP sense of "You only need a guitar and an amp, tone is in the fingers and every other opinion is bullshit" - I mean, that's my way of approaching dynamics.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I really freaking hate it that most guitarists (that I've played with) EQ their guitars so that they completely take up the entire lower part of the spectrum, and crowd the bass out of the mix. I wish more guitarists took the mix/blend of tones into account.

I think the problem is that most people find a tone they like when playing by themselves and then think that is the sound to use in the band use in a band also.

Yeah, definitely! The tones I use in bands tend to sound weak and too bright isolated, but that works within the whole mix. Got to set things very differently to how I do playing by myself.

[GAS KING]

Definitely.
In our band, we both normally use gibson style guitars with humbuckers....though I sometimes use my Jazzmaster.

I'm more of the rhythm player. I typically have the brighter mid focused crunchier tone. More of a modded Marshally type gain tone.
The lead player has more of a fat semi-scooped fuzzy tone. AOR 100 pushed with line selector for clean/dirty boost. supa-fat sustain.

Works out pretty good I think. We don't have any hang ups with volume either. never a war, but just trying to sound balanced and at the appropriate volume overall.

[theavondon]

That feel when you and two guitar players are all EQ'd perfectly and play that unison/harmony riff and it sounds like a little slice of heaven. Or Hell, depending on what you're going for.

I'm going to side track this thread for one second just around the power of unison. For my birthday this year I just wanted all the musicians I knew to come over. First time I played with two drummers. Everyone on this forum should have the experience of playing bass standing between two drummers…fucking hammer of the god level of thunder…so good.

I need to repeat that and solidify it into an actual band. Two drummers. A bass, a Baritone guitar and a regular guitar. Open to two bassists…

Back to regularly thread...

Obligatory agreement photo:

[BoatRich]

That feel when you and two guitar players are all EQ'd perfectly and play that unison/harmony riff and it sounds like a little slice of heaven. Or Hell, depending on what you're going for.

I'm going to side track this thread for one second just around the power of unison. For my birthday this year I just wanted all the musicians I knew to come over. First time I played with two drummers. Everyone on this forum should have the experience of playing bass standing between two drummers…fucking hammer of the god level of thunder…so good.

I need to repeat that and solidify it into an actual band. Two drummers. A bass, a Baritone guitar and a regular guitar. Open to two bassists…

Back to regularly thread...

If you're anywhere near VA/MD/DC or if you're down to do this online, I'll gladly play bass VI or 4 string in this.

[Hyphen Nation]

If you're anywhere near VA/MD/DC or if you're down to do this online, I'll gladly play bass VI or 4 string in this.

Opposite coast!

Obligatory agreement photo:

Yusssssssssss!!!!!!

[WeHuntKings]

Definitely.
In our band, we both normally use gibson style guitars with humbuckers....though I sometimes use my Jazzmaster.

I'm more of the rhythm player. I typically have the brighter mid focused crunchier tone. More of a modded Marshally type gain tone.
The lead player has more of a fat semi-scooped fuzzy tone. AOR 100 pushed with line selector for clean/dirty boost. supa-fat sustain.

Works out pretty good I think. We don't have any hang ups with volume either. never a war, but just trying to sound balanced and at the appropriate volume overall.

I think Fu Manchu is a band that really masters this. One really scooped out super fuzz guitar in one ear, and a more marshallly RAT style guitar the other.

By themselves they sound great but both sounds together gets that nasty sludgy punishing assault.

[theavondon]

It's actually Fuzz Face Vs. Super Fuzz, both into Marshalls

[dase]

in one of the two bands I'm playing guitar in right now my guitar would sound like absolute garbage on it's own. EGC neck jazzmaster into a beta lead with a treble boost, super bright and punishing.

But then our bassist always has at least one russian big muff on and the other guitarist is running a dan armstrong into a beta lead with a much thicker sound, and together it sounds awesome. I hope.

[aen]

It's all about THE SPECTRUM. I had a really good run with my last band, and I think part of it was because the guy who ended up on guitar (brought on as bassist, go figure) had a pretty strict "no bass, all knife sounds" guitar policy. Quickly I compensated with an 8x10 and flatwounds on my bass, or just a dark baritone. This way we filled the spectrum, and never really interfered with each others "audio space." having a good mix on stage also allows you to play louder overall, as the power will feel good on the audience.

Until the treble-deaf soundguy cuts all bass from the vocal mic and roasts the poor audience with borderline hypersonic treble, and harsh 80's digital spring reverb.

[kbit]

in one of the two bands I'm playing guitar in right now my guitar would sound like absolute garbage on it's own. EGC neck jazzmaster into a beta lead with a treble boost, super bright and punishing.

But then our bassist always has at least one russian big muff on and the other guitarist is running a dan armstrong into a beta lead with a much thicker sound, and together it sounds awesome. I hope.

AT LEAST ONE MUFF ON AT ALL TIMES

I want to hear your band.

[dase]

I'll post something when we actually record. But yes, AT LEAST ONE.