How many guitars do you take to a gig?

Dexter Inferno said:
Interesting that only 2 of us actually use guitars for alternate tunings on gigs.

This begs the question...do you guys actively avoid songs using those tunings, or do you insist on playing songs wrongly?
Fwiw I used to belong to camp #2, and then had a revelation when starting to play certain songs in their right tuning.

And I discovered more tunes that were tuned "off-standard" that I wasn't previously aware of.
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well 95% of the tunes I have played live were original tunes. The only alternate tuning I have ever used in my songs is drop D. Changing that tuning takes less time than swapping guitars.
 
wagdog said:
This is me as well.

I long ago realized that swapping guitars for the "proper" tone only mattered to me and was a waste of time. I bring a backup ax, tune it and set it aside in case I break a string.
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i've always been of the mindset that gear is only for the player. nobody out there cares what you're playing as long as it sounds good. so if you really want to bring that special tone guitar because you just can't get the right vibe on another instrument, then go for it.
 
Never less than two

Acoustic gigs: a 6-string and a 12-string.

Electric gigs: One tuned standard, one tune Open E, for slide.

If appropriate, I bring more.
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
you're gonna need a roadie soon.
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Tell me about it. For each gig I have to load, unload, and set up the pa, guitars, mic, amp, etc. If it is a multi-media show with Carol I need her mic, plus setting up the computer and projector for the Powerpoint. I told Carol I don't long for groupies, but I need a roadie. :grin:
 
I've always brought two, except for one band where I needed an acoustic for a couple numbers--then I brought three.
When my cover band starts gigging, I'll bring two: the Blacktop Strat for most songs, and the Charvel So Cal for the handful of tunes that call for whammy abuse.
At my original band reunion show in a couple weeks, I'll bring two Teles: the Standard HS for the main one and the Nashville Deluxe for a backup.
 
2. Always the Suhr, and then either the Variax or my Tele with Lollars. For the church gig it's usually just the Variax.
 
Another vote for the two guitar approach with the second generally being a spare in case of string breakage. Which two come out and which one gets played varies depending on how I feel on the day.
 
Moving forward, it looks like my standard will be a Superstrat and my Taylor T5 acoustic/electric. If anything happens to either one, I'd be able to finish the set with the other until I could change the string/battery/whatever. I'm liking the textural change in the set going between the acoustic/electric and then clean/slightly overdriven electric.
 
Always at least 2 electrics. Frequently 3 for Crash Pad, though they might not all be onstage if we're tight for space. In church it's usually 2 electrics, plus sometimes an A/E, and sometimes a mandolin. Once or twice a year I might play one song on banjo.
 
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