Switching Guitars

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Dec 2003 8:46 am

My wife and I attended the Diamond Rio Show at Gold Strike Casino last night (her request), and I noticed that the lead singer/guitar player had a new guitar brought to him after each song (a flat-top Martin?). Does anyone know why? Loose strings to tight? Did he beat it out of tune or to death? HJ

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Dec 2003 9:03 am

I actually asked a guitar player/vocalist that I worked with why he carried 3 or 4 guitars around and switched them between songs and he said, it's "showmanship"! It's done to "impress" the audience with the performers versatility of being talented enough to play all of those different guitars!

www.genejones.com
[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 13 December 2003 at 09:28 AM.]

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Dec 2003 9:33 am

I saw Emmylou Harris a couple of years ago with the Nash Ramblers and was really impressed by the lineup of app. 30 guitars, mandolins and fiddles in the back of the stage. One of the stagehands spent the entire show running from one instrument to the next and retune it. What a way to spend an evening!

Walter

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Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 13 Dec 2003 9:47 am

Could be for show or most likely different tunings...

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 13 Dec 2003 10:01 am

If Chet Atkins wanted a different tuning, he took a micro second to twist one of his tuning pegs, this way or that.
When Jerry Byrd wanted a different tuning, he did as Chet did.
In todays music arena....there tends to be far more symbolism than real substance. Call it showmanship or fakery? At least everyone looks busy under those situations.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Dec 2003 10:04 am

If showmanship is measured by the number of guitars you use and how often you change them, let's buy a couple of guitars and start a new career!!!

Walter

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Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Dec 2003 10:29 am

...that guitar player also said that: "Changing guitars between songs is like a steel player changing his effects settings between songs....no one knows the difference but him"....!
www.genejones.com

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Dec 2003 10:54 am

This is rather interesting..I wonder Dr.Jeffreys if you could tell us if Jimmy Olander changed Tele's after every song ?

But I'm thinking I already know that answer..

I suppose Marty just needed to do something with all the acoustics he is carrying around in that road case to justify why they are there in the first place.

Great band though regardless of how many guitar changs they make..

t

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 13 Dec 2003 11:52 am

I carry two to a gig and usually leave the backup in the case. If I need it, its there and if I don't, it hasn't been that much trouble to make sure I'm covered if something happens. I don't use the expensive ones on club gigs either. When I pick in a Skull Orhard, its usually the Peavey T-60, I only have $150 in it and its the easiest playing guitar with the best neck.

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Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 13 Dec 2003 11:53 am

As musicians, we love to own more than one guitar as others catch our eyes and we just have to have it. For tax purposes, you have to "use it" in your line of work to qualify for the deduction and when the IRS wants proof, you show them pictures of you performing with all of your pretties.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Dec 2003 12:20 pm

Unfortunately we Steel PLayers can't do that! Wouldn't it be great to play a shuffle on the Emmons, switch over to the Sho-Bud for a ballad, and then do some Jazz on the Sierra...but probably nobody in the audience would notice the difference!

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HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 13 Dec 2003 1:04 pm

There was a thread awhile back in No Peddlers about a non pedal player who jumped around from neck to neck on his quad.

When asked what tunings he used, the reply was, "They're all tuned the same. It's just for show."[This message was edited by HowardR on 13 December 2003 at 01:05 PM.]

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Dec 2003 1:34 pm

He probably tore down the house by doing that!!!

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John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 13 Dec 2003 5:43 pm

We played a show with them recently. The guitar tech had a half dozen guitars for Jimmy and probably a dozen for the front guy. Different tunings, different styles, but mostly for tuning. Put a 100K of lights on a flattop and the tuning gets pretty unstable.

Nice option if you can afford it...

By the way, a nice bunch of guys.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 13 Dec 2003 6:30 pm

I saw a Tom Petty concert on TV ("Soundstage"), and I swear the lead guitarist switched guitars for every song. They were all really cool guitars, too - vintage classics. I understood the reason for it (each had its own sound), but it seemed like a bit much to me.

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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 13 Dec 2003 6:30 pm

At the risk of great embarrasment, I've never heard of Jimmy Olander. HJ

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 13 Dec 2003 8:21 pm

There was a thread awhile back in No Peddlers about a non pedal player who jumped around from neck to neck on his quad.
When asked what tunings he used, the reply was, "They're all tuned the same. It's just for show."

That is the exception and NOT the rule, necks
three and four (Custom & Quad) are tuned differently and I use all of them.

Boggs was the master of jumping necks. I myself learned from Noel, and I couldnt play
without the use of all the various voicings that are available on each of my necks.

That is the wierdest thing I have ever heard.

He must have not have had both oars in the water.

Thats like a policeman shooting blanks at a gunman who is armed...

I wonder which neck he sounded best on ?

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 13 December 2003 at 09:34 PM.]

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 13 Dec 2003 8:24 pm

Early on I thought I'd try the multiple guitar routine. Our poor band couldn't afford roadies so I tried to enlist the help of my wife.

The first time I called for her to hand me a guitar, she gave me the finger. I've been a one gig, one guitar player ever since.

By the way, I fired her on the spot. We're 4 days away from 37 years so something went right.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 14 Dec 2003 4:21 am

Since most pros change strings before shows, the guitars might have been changed for tuning purposes. Heat from stage lights has a way of messing with the tunings. Therefore the switch.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 Dec 2003 4:51 am

There's nothing much worse than listening to a performer tune their instrument over and over, between every song, not to change tunings, but because it's not quite in tune. Put the show on "hold", etc. I appreciate if they've got a guitar tech to tune the "extra" guitar when the other one is being played and vice versa. But as for 5, 6, 7 or 12 guitars, ... well that is rather overkill, isn't it?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 Dec 2003 9:03 am

(This about sums it up.)

Overheard from a fan after the show...

"Did you see that? Clapton had eight guitars...and he played every one of them!!!"

I think he was impressed.

I was not.[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 14 December 2003 at 09:03 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 14 Dec 2003 10:05 am

For most practical purposes, having a Tele a Les Paul or equivalent and an acoustic will cover most bases soundwise.
Maybe a strat too.
After that it's just for show.
But there might be a need for a 2nd version of your main axe under those hot lights, if you actually have a guitar tech to keep'm tuned.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 14 Dec 2003 10:53 am

"Clapton had eight guitars...and he played every one of them!!!"

...and his fingers never once left his hands!...

www.genejones.com

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 14 Dec 2003 11:38 am

Walter, some steel players can do that to a point. How many times have we seen Tommy on the Opry playing a different one from week to week. It may not be quite the same in principle, but close.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 14 Dec 2003 12:04 pm

Gary,

I thought about doing it at the same show, what a sweet dream (and the nightmare is to carry all those Steel Guitars!!!)

Walter

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