Playing live with two guitars, one amp....

[Kuntry09]

I was wondering what you guys do when playing live with two guitars that are different tone wise.
For example, I have two strats, one American SSS and a Mexican HH. I play the American most of the time because when trying to switch between the two is too much of a tone change. The SSS is brighter than the HH of course so when I use the SSS then try to use the HH it's too dark. I haven't had a chance to experiment much but what would be the best way to accommodate for the change? My thought is to set the amp for my HH then use the tone knob on my SSS to level it back out?

 

[GCDEF]

Isn't the point of having guitars configured differently to enjoy the different sounds they produce? I would just use each guitar wherever its sound was more appropriate and not try to make them sound similar.

 

[Kuntry09]

Isn't the point of having guitars configured differently to enjoy the different sounds they produce? I would just use each guitar wherever its sound was more appropriate and not try to make them sound similar.

I'm not trying to make them sound similar. That's why I want to use both of them, because they both sound different and have different strengths. The problem is that when I try to switch between the two, the HH comes out sounding "muddy" because the amp is set up for the SSS.

 

[BrunoGF]

I usually use the guitar with stronger pickups to play heavier songs, and the one with weaker pickups to play softer songs/ballads.

If you want your guitars to sound the same then you'll have to do something like Billy Gibbons.

 

[EtaCarinae]

I change my amp settings when I change guitars. I take make a little drawing (have also taken a picture) of the amp settings I use for the two guitars and then I tape it to my amp head. When I switch guitars, I make the changes then. I do not do this to try and make the guitars sound the same, I do this because I feel that the different amp settings bring out the best in the two guitars.

 

[danonbass]

Use an eq pedal or RC booster somewhere in your chain. You can adjust for volume and tone. I used to have the same problem. Sometimes strats and pauls just don't play nice with the EQs and settings on pedals and amps.

It's not like you need to make your Les Paul sound like a strat, just clean out some of the mud. I feel you man.

 

[27sauce]

I play a Tele, Les Paul, and Les Paul Junior.
For the Tele, I almost always have my EP Booster on. For the Les Paul, I turn the Treble on my amp up a tad. Depending on my mood, I may turn it up a little more with the Junior. Everything else I keep the same. BF Bassman, volume on 4/5, Treble on 6/7, Bass on 4.5.

 

[SackvilleDan]

I use different dirt pedals for different types of guitars. Some are set for humbuckers and some for single coils.

How about using an EQ pedal for one of the guitar types? Maybe set the amp so the singles sound good, then use an EQ to boost the treble when you switch to the humbuckers? I have one of these, works great:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/mxr-m-109-6-band-graphic-eq

Can't beat it, especially for the price!

 

[Fuzz_Mountain]

EQ Pedal

 

[speedemon]

OP,

Yes. 1. Tone knob, 2. EQ pedal will work also. My rig is dialed to work all guitars on full, amp knobs on noon, and I can twist to suit my mood. I keep a Boss GE-7 around all the time, is great for a lead boost or on those rare occasions I have to play a Mesa or Mesa style amp.

Good luck!

 

[rummy]

My main two are a Strat and an LP. I don't change my amp settings at all when I go back and forth. To me, the amp sounds fine with either with the same EQ settings... Right, I'm not super picky either.

 

[johnmfer]

You've got the right idea. Standing in front of your amp with your back to the crowd twisting knobs until they're just so - that's no way to put on a show.

I have a #1 guitar, and I try to make my other guitars all have around the same output and brightness as that one. They sound different because of variances in the midrange and bass and whatnot. 3 guitars with humbuckers and one with P-90s.

 

[boldaslove1977]

Use an eq pedal or RC booster somewhere in your chain. You can adjust for volume and tone. I used to have the same problem. Sometimes strats and pauls just don't play nice with the EQs and settings on pedals and amps.

It's not like you need to make your Les Paul sound like a strat, just clean out some of the mud. I feel you man.

this.

i primarily play a tele. and i have an RC booster as an "always on" pedal. i usually will bring a gibson of some sort as guitar #2... and i kick off the RC when i use the gibson... kind of levels things off.

 

[Kuntry09]

Thanks for the input guys. I was just wondering what other people may do in this situation. I'm going to give using the tone knob first before I try a EQ pedal, just to try and keep as much as possible out of my chain.