Guitar changes during show

jrnyc

I noticed at the two shows I went to this year that the band changes guitars just about every song. I am not a musician, curious as to why they change so often. Dont recall seeing so many guitar changes at other bands shows I have attended.

given2fall

I'm no musician either but here's my take on it, based on what I saw at the shows.
I saw a ukelele, a mandolin, an electric, and 2 or 3 accoustics. He's usually switching between the different kinds of instruments, he doesn't often change from one accoustic to another. I've also noticed that the darker accoustic with the narrower neck seems to be a higher pitch than the regular, lighter coloured one. So, I think he mostly changes the guitar to change the sound, depending on the song.
Another possibility is that he's changing so frequently so that his techs can re-tune the guitar for the next song.

I could be way off base here, and if I am I'm sure someone will correct me. I initially wondered the same thing as you, then I figured this was probably the reason.

LukinFan

it's all about how the guitar is tuned for each particular song

jrnyc

With all the guys in the band with guitars and changes every song , it is like a jail break on-stage after every song !

Evacuation Rules

Listen to the DC "Evacuation" disaster. That's what happens when the guitar tech hands you the wrong guitar.

JaneNY

given2fall wrote:

Another possibility is that he's changing so frequently so that his techs can re-tune the guitar for the next song.

That's what I was thinking - he really wails on those guitars on some songs - maybe that gets them out of tune quickly? My daughter who plays viola said if there are new strings on an instrument, the instrument gets out of tune more quickly.

opsopcopolis

if you're talking about the Band, and not the solo tour, there are a few reasons.
1. The main reason is usually for tuning (especially with Mike, because he is so intense). They hand the guitar over it gets retuned and then sent back out.
2. Pickups. Different pickups have different sounds. Strats have single-coil pickups, which tend to give you a thinner sound. While Les Pauls and all other Gibsons have Humbuckers which have a much fatter warmer sound.
3. Tunings. Songs in different tunings require pre-tuned guitars. For Mike, Brain of J is one of those. For Stone, pretty much all of Ten, and also Daughter.
4. And of course, if a string breaks or something malfunctions, they will switch out right away. (ex. Eddie during Betterman at Camden 2 '08, he switched the song during the intro, leaving Mike and Jeff to fill in for him.)

Daisy_Buchanan

LukinFan wrote:

it's all about how the guitar is tuned for each particular song

I think Lukin's right...and the band does change guitars a lot, but not as much as when you go to see someone like Ani DiFranco, who uses lots and lots of alt tunings. She never uses the same guitar 2 songs in a row.

Uncle Neil

It has to do a little with tuning, but it's mostly sound. All guitars sound different. Even if they look the same (two Les Pauls, for instance), chances are they have been modified to give each one a uniqueness. Not to mention, they're badasses and have lots of guitars, so they might as well use them.

satansbedbugs

LukinFan wrote:

it's all about how the guitar is tuned for each particular song

Yes , youre right ....Plus different guitars have different sounds.....strats are toned different than telecasters, and older guitars are toned different than the newbs....Plus, when your mike mccready and have 50 different guitars, you can mix and match your favorite with any particular song , such as the double neck for inside job, and the glow in the dark for severed hand and so forth,,,,,,

sbb