Does my band need a second guitarist (or just a mimiq pedal LOL)?

[phillybhatesme]

I have been working with a drummer for the past few months and we've completed two songs and are working on our third. I really want to add a bassist and posted in a Chicago musicians FB group. The responses have been positive toward the music, but there have been suggestions to add a second guitar. I'm egotistical and vain and could definitely write a second guitar part to every song (or let someone come up with their own part), but I've never thought the songs really needed them. What say you, RT?

Edit - to clarify, I'm not asking how to make these recordings sound better. I know they're shit. I'm asking if you think the songs would benefit from a second guitar part.

 

[RaceU4her]

the mimiq pedal has made any thoughts of needing a second guitar player obsolete for me

 

[phillybhatesme]

Drink every time @RaceU4her posts about the Mimiq.

 

[RaceU4her]

Drink every time @RaceU4her posts about the Mimiq.

you'll be wanting to buy me drinks after trying one

 

[311boogieman]

the mimiq pedal has made any thoughts of needing a second guitar player obsolete for me

I love the Mimiq too but that's not going to help him.

A quick listen tells me you need something

 

[phillybhatesme]

I want a bassist more than anything.

 

[RaceU4her]

I love the Mimiq too but that's not going to help him.

A quick listen tells me you need something

Why would it not help?? Those single notes would sound great doubled up

 

[phillybhatesme]

Why would it not help?? Those single notes would sound great doubled up

I could use a Mimiq. I can use a Deco. I can run stereo. All will improve the sound of the single guitar, sure.
I don't think that's really the same as asking if another guitar part would liven things up though. I'm really leaning toward no, but I think that's my ego more than anything else.

 

[311boogieman]

Bass guitar would certainly help. I'm not a mixer or producer so I'll back out but...

Why would it not help?? Those single notes would sound great doubled up

No doubt about that but my opinion is he needs more chords/rhythms to sit behind the single notes because there are a lot of single notes in both songs - granted I skipped around. Obviously, he could do that on a recording but not live. I assume that's more what you are asking about @phillybhatesme ? Live?

 

[shar-vell Dan]

Every band needs 2 guitar players especially since most bands don't have any GP's.

 

[phillybhatesme]

Bass guitar would certainly help. I'm not a mixer or producer so I'll back out but...



No doubt about that but my opinion is he needs more chords/rhythms to sit behind the single notes because there are a lot of single notes in both songs - granted I skipped around. Obviously, he could do that on a recording but not live. I assume that's more what you are asking about @phillybhatesme ? Live?

Yeah, live.
Why do I feel like the bass is gonna be enough to round out the sound when the guitar is doing single notes? It's not like the single notes are guitar solos, but they are lead lines, I guess.

 

[311boogieman]

Yeah, live.
Why do I feel like the bass is gonna be enough to round out the sound when the guitar is doing single notes? It's not like the single notes are guitar solos, but they are lead lines, I guess.

I hear ya. I mean, I'd add bass guitar before a second electric guitar for sure. Motorhead and KSE come to mind when I think about bass guitar being used more for rhythm vs standard bass lines. Maybe Motorhead is not the best example but you get what I'm saying.

 

[RaceU4her]

I could use a Mimiq. I can use a Deco. I can run stereo. All will improve the sound of the single guitar, sure.
I don't think that's really the same as asking if another guitar part would liven things up though. I'm really leaning toward no, but I think that's my ego more than anything else.

i was looking at it in general just to have two guitar thickness more than adding harmonies or whatever, but either way i can tell you as a egotistical asshole prick myself not looking to deal with another guitar player at this point, the mimiq is a godsend, assuming you got a rig to put on each side. youre most definitely gonna be doing a left and right take when recording, if you want that live its the way to go

 

[BeZo]

Yeah, bass could fix that, assuming you get a bassist that can play that. "Ride the root note" bass licks won't cover enough, but a good bassist could fill that out.

Also, aside from the Mimiq (which I also use and recommend), I would suggest a pitch/harmony pedal on one side. That would be the only reasons to get a second guitarist completely solved by pedals. Yay, pedals!

 

[phillybhatesme]

Yeah, bass could fix that, assuming you get a bassist that can play that. "Ride the root note" bass licks won't cover enough, but a good bassist could fill that out.

Also, aside from the Mimiq (which I also use and recommend), I would suggest a pitch/harmony pedal on one side. That would be the only reasons to get a second guitarist completely solved by pedals. Yay, pedals!

Yeah, in my head the bassist is doing a hell of a lot more than just root notes. I've attached the ad I posted at the rehearsal space. What I posted on FB omitted the "root note" line but kept most of the other shit.

 

[stratjacket]

I don't think you need a 2nd guitarist. You can record as many guitar parts as you want, then figure out what parts to play live. Definitely need a bassist. Now if you have a buddy or something that can play rhythm and fill in for live to have a fuller sound, then that's good.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

the mimiq pedal has made any thoughts of needing a second guitar player obsolete for me

Yeah. You don't necessarily need another person on stage or a secondary guitar part written, but the texture of two guitars panned wide as your rhythm section will wipe the floor with the texture of any one single guitar line playing rhythm, no matter how good the single guitar's tone might be. That you absolutely do need.

The sound of a single lone guitar track as the primary rhythm section for a whole song has always sounded weird to me.

 

[phillybhatesme]

Yeah. You don't necessarily need another person on stage or a secondary guitar written, but the texture of two guitars panned wide is pretty much always going to wipe the floor with any single guitar line, no matter how good the single guitar's tone might be.

The sound of a single lone guitar track as the primary rhythm section for a whole song has always sounded weird to me.

Fine guys. I'll fucking run stereo and use my Deco the next time I *checks notes* record our fucking rehearsal with an iPhone lol.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Fine guys. I'll fucking run stereo and use my Deco the next time I *checks notes* record our fucking rehearsal with an iPhone lol.

I mean if your official release is going to be recorded by just farting out whatever into an iphone on record from half way across the hardwood room, then sure don't bother, nothing is going to help.

But if what you're actually doing is just using the iphone to make a small clip to give us the general vibe of the music you want to put effort towards in the future, then most of us can listen to it and hear that the sound of the real recording will be improved by doubling the guitars.

Also, I'll add another vote to the "get a Mimiq" pile. I have a Deco as well, and while it's an awesome pedal that can do stereo widening pretty well, nothing touches the Mimiq for simulating two guitar players.

 

[phillybhatesme]

I'm not arguing that and I don't mean to be annoying or defensive.