When these other bands are there doing there judging thing and your up there with no bass guess what they will be thinkin.

Yup. I am soooooooooo torn here its unbelievable.

Everyone has made valid points for each side of the argument.

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

You know maybe talk to the rythm player. Let him know it's just for that gig and see if he will play Bass. I know it might be like a punch in the gut. But just for one night. Then work out the bass player issue. Hope this helps and good luck.

I'm with Nik on this one. I have sat in on bass and turned formerly two guitar arrangements into one guitar arrangements in similar circumstances.

IMO: Rhythm is vital to your sound/groove/whatever you want to call it.
unless your band is playing complex harmonies, and polyinstrumental chords, ie stacked thirds a la the Allman Bros or even Def Lepard you can usually pare down your arrangements to one guitar without losing the overall sound.
but in my experience proper bass is too vital in marrying the harmonic elements of the band to the rhythms of the drums.

I would much rather lose a guitar solo, or even it's backing rhythms during(if you still want to solo,) than to drop the bass part. bass can easily carry the progression for someone to solo over.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I did the two guitars and drums once many many years ago. I would never do it again. It sucked big tiime. It will sound like two guitars and drums.

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers
The White Stripes
The Black Keys
The Screamin' Armadillos (version 1.0)
most pre-50s blues bands
Jon Spenser Blues Explosion
many, many jazz bands

...these groups had no bass player, and all did fine. I prefer to have one, but if you've done it before, this gig should have as few distractions/potential problems as possible.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Don't forget the Doors

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Do you have time to do a couple of rehearsals with James? Tell him what you told us and, if he's any good, it should be fine. Also if he's any good, HE will be the first to say if it's working or not.

And don't worry too much...you'll be great either way!!

Gridlok

In my opinion (as an ex bass player :p ) bass is one of those things where often you don't know what you got till it's gone!

The bass really carries the song in my opinion.

Depends what music you're playing. If the music calls for a bass, you should have a bass.

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I'm a newb, but I'm pretty sure Jack White uses an octave pedal for most of his stuff. I think Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) does as well.

aamm, welcome to the Forum!

CC, maybe string one of the stage guitars as a baritone (14s) that should help with the low end crunch, either way you will keep the crowd happy with your playing. Have a great gig, break bones Bro!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

A good bass is not only doing the bottom, it's also working with the drummer supporting the beat. GOOD LUCK JIM.

I think the bass tone in white stripes' songs is too good to be an octave pedal.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Well we did the show with NO bass and what can I say. It went brilliantly. We double miced the bass drum and the floor tom and put the rhythm guitar on bass overload.

It's not something we're going to keep doing cos we need a fulltime bass player but it went great and we had a good reception. The crowd was even chanting 'one more song' after we'd already did one more song.

I think the power in the way we play and what we play had a lot to do with it too.

Thanks for all the tips and the advice but in the end 'the show must go on' folks.

Cheers!

CC

_________________
Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5