A fuller sound

[the-crust]

Our lead guitarist has left the band for ventures new in the deep south (Wakefield lol), with not a creative difference in sight...

Anyway, we are trying to keep going as a three piece so its back to praccy rooms to work through the songs, throw out the ones with two part guitar harmony and the like and pick some alternate tunes...

I cant help think though that we sound 'thinner' (and for good reason, one guitar not two, no rhythm being played behind solos, etc) but was wondering if there are any creative ideas to filling out the sound (other than song selection) e.g. I dont know, an octaver on the bass or something?

Hope that makes sense.

[smokingbeagle]

Maybe chorus on the bass, possibly only kicked in behind solos. I've started running into two amps on guitar as well, one with 'my' sound (crunchy - dirty as required) and another one (actually a bass amp, if that matters) pretty clean with any effects like chorus, tremolo etc. Seems to have thickened up my electric sound a treat.

[the-crust]

Maybe chorus on the bass, possibly only kicked in behind solos. I've started running into two amps on guitar as well, one with 'my' sound (crunchy - dirty as required) and another one (actually a bass amp, if that matters) pretty clean with any effects like chorus, tremolo etc. Seems to have thickened up my electric sound a treat.

Chorus on bass easy to do / test.

The second amp carrying cleaner signal with effects, what a cracking idea... that's worth playing around with.... could use my power crate into the extension cab I usually link up to my combo... hmmmm [rubs chin].

[smokingbeagle]

Maybe chorus on the bass, possibly only kicked in behind solos. I've started running into two amps on guitar as well, one with 'my' sound (crunchy - dirty as required) and another one (actually a bass amp, if that matters) pretty clean with any effects like chorus, tremolo etc. Seems to have thickened up my electric sound a treat.

Chorus on bass easy to do / test.

The second amp carrying cleaner signal with effects, what a cracking idea... that's worth playing around with.... could use my power crate into the extension cab I usually link up to my combo... hmmmm [rubs chin].

And put the two cabs on opposite sides of the stage! Soundmen may hate you, but you'll get a much bigger spread of sound (quite literally) - the Powerblocks have an effects loop on them too, right? Perfect :twisted:

[ChrisVinnicombe]

Get the bassist to kick in some overdrive behind your solos to fill the hole in the mids a bit. It's also worth making sure his/her regular bass sound has a bit of growl and plenty of midrange punch.

Also, I've found in the past that if you are used to using something to boost the level of your lead parts in a two guitar band, you don't need to in a three piece; if you do boost the signal then the extra prominence of a louder lead line will only accentuate the lack of a rhythm guitar part behind it and make things sound a bit hollow.

[Bowks]

Check out some King's X. Possibly the best 3 piece in the world that don't overdub like mad!

They may not be to your taste, but they should give you some ideas, a few of which are mentioned in Chris's post.

[the-crust]

thanks all, plenty to be getting on with... I appreciate it.

[SimonBradley]

Taurus bass pedals! Mmm...proggy!

[Vai n maiden]

Check out some King's X. Possibly the best 3 piece in the world that don't overdub like mad!

They may not be to your taste, but they should give you some ideas, a few of which are mentioned in Chris's post.

King's X are the nuts.

[fretmeister]

get yous bassist to buy something like this:




It rocks! 8)