how many guitars do you take to the gig?

[Patrick Ginnaty]

For me, it used to be two... my #1 and a backup. Now, it's become three... the LP in standard tuning, the Epi Olympic in open G, and the SG tuned to Eb.

[tiktok]

I used to always take two in case I broke a string. Then I stopped breaking strings, and only took one. Recently I started bringing a spare again, but it's been a dozen years since I needed it. There was a period where I also brought a twelve-string for a few songs, but that was too much hassle.

[Sweetfinger]

Used to be 5 but now my band has gotten away from bar gigs and most of our gigs are fairly short- either outdoor festival type things or events. I used to play a lot of slide. The full complement would have been:
1 guitar in standard
1 guitar a whole step down, which I use for two or three songs and also doubles as my backup for the first guitar.
1 guitar in open "D" almost always a Kay archtop with added electronics.
1 guitar in Open "E" Always a no-name bolt-on Les Paul Special copy.
1 guitar in open "B" or "C", always a bolt-on Explorer copy strung 14- 58

Way back in the day, I might have also lugged along a cheep-o Teisco-ish guitar in open "G".

Now I try to keep it down to three or four guitars. I'm playing a lot more standard non-slide guitar with the current band.

[Toogy]

Two, so far I've never needed the second one... I'm sure the first time I don't bring two something stupid is going to happen!

[Don A]

One guitar unless I'm going to play slide, then I bring my '63 Silvertone 1420 tuned to open G.

[Neer]

One. I'm too old and seasoned for that shit.

[mannish]

Three - one in open E for slide, my main strat and a backup

[Guitarman19853]

Was hoping to get away with 3, but looks like I'll be needing 4. 2 - Stardard tuning 6 strings (I always have a backup, plus I need a tele sound on some songs), a 7 string, and an acoustic.

[germs]

this weekend will be three (unfortunately)

1. CGCFAD
2. Standard
3. open G

[Kooshball]

2. both tuned to Eb

Our first full show I only brought 1 and ended up breaking 2 strings that night. what a nightmare. I learned quick it's nice to have a backup.

[Kepi]

Depending on the set list, I usually bring 3 - my acoustic/electric, my strat, and my Godin LG - those usually cover all the sonic ground at a typical gig for me and I have a backup should I break a string or have some other guitar malfunction...

[GCDEF]

I'll take threads that are thinly disguised excuses to show off your guitars for $400 Alex.

[zestystrat]

Always two.

Most of the time I never need the second, but when you do, it's totally worth bringing it to every single gig.

I played with a lefty bassist, he never brought a back up.

We were at a gig, did a sound check everything was fine. He gets up to play and the bass is DOA - shorted out or something.

He couldn't figure it out and couldn't get to a store or a shop to fix or even to a Wal-mart to buy a cheap first act and flip it. We were in the middle of nowhere Ga. and we couldn't call a friend to help us out. Even if we did there aren't a ton of lefty bassists out there that we know.

We were about to start our set and we were screwed...luckily we had a KB player with us that night and played thru.

Usually you never need the back up, but you play enough times and something is bound to happen.

IMO the hassle of bringing a backup does not out weigh looking professional when Murphy rears his head.

[Neer]

Originally Posted by zestystrat

Always two.

Most of the time I never need the second, but when you do, it's totally worth bringing it to every single gig.

I played with a lefty bassist, he never brought a back up.

We were at a gig, did a sound check everything was fine. He gets up to play and the bass is DOA - shorted out or something.

He couldn't figure it out and couldn't get to a store or a shop to fix or even to a Wal-mart to buy a cheap first act and flip it. We were in the middle of nowhere Ga. and we couldn't call a friend to help us out. Even if we did there aren't a ton of lefty bassists out there that we know.

We were about to start our set and we were screwed...luckily we had a KB player with us that night and played thru.

Usually you never need the back up, but you play enough times and something is bound to happen.

IMO the hassle of bringing a backup does not out weigh looking professional when Murphy rears his head.

In that case, it good to have some tools in your bag, which I do.

[clemduolian]

Two. Happily, these days I'm not doubling on electric mandolin (it used to be 3).