TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 471
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 01:41 PM
The Fintastics recently lost their drummer after 11 months. Along with that situation, we lost a guitarist. We found a replacement drummer, so that's good. However, there are two guitarists wanting to join and both are equally excited and talented enough to fit the bill. Here's my question.
How does a band with three lead guitarists perform surf covers when only two are in the original mix? Also...any issues (good or bad) using 3 leads? I would love to hear from surf members currently in that setup.
Keep in mind...I am strictly speaking of covers and not originals. (If that matters).
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2239
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 01:43 PM
Guess you should look at Iron Maiden as an example) They managed to do this pretty good as for me!)
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
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TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 471
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 01:49 PM
Samurai wrote:
Guess you should look at Iron Maiden as an example) They managed to do this pretty good as for me!)
Not the same thing, sir. You may as well include Lynard Skynard if you're just looking for numbers.
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
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Samurai
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2239
Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 01:54 PM
TheFintastics wrote:
Samurai wrote:
Guess you should look at Iron Maiden as an example) They managed to do this pretty good as for me!)
Not the same thing, sir. You may as well include Lynard Skynard if you're just looking for numbers.
I mean they now perfrom their classic tunes that were written for two guitars with three lead guitar players) so may a be a bit similar situation, but up you! Sure not the same style, but nevertheless) and a lot of Iron Maiden fans here as well)
— Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine
https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki
Lost Diver
https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin
Last edited: Oct 25, 2016 14:02:27
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 02:01 PM
You're going to have to take one of them and not the other. For those classic surf tunes, you really need one lead and one rhythm. In my personal opinion, three guitars (not including bass) is too much. Good luck!
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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remora1
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Posts: 1276
San Pedro, CA
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 02:08 PM
It worked for these guys -
— Bill S._______
HELLDIVER on Facebook
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19292
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 02:33 PM
Maybe Ted from Satan's Pilgrims can chime in. SP started out as a 3 guitar band. But they did record one album without Bobby Pilgrim. Now that he is back in the band, how do they approach playing songs from that album live?
Come to think of it, at least some of the songs on that album already have 3 guitar parts... or am I imagining things?
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 02:53 PM
The Mystery Men? have 3 guitars, which is something that I always envisioned for the band. I wanted a 3rd guitar to switch between guitar and keys (ala Laika & The Cosmonauts), but that's very organically evolved into just guitar. I appreciate the challenge of writing and arranging for 3 guitars, and I absolutely adore the result. As for how to handle covers (which we do... often), you have to get creative and understand that you are not going to be recreating those tunes... you'll truly be doing YOUR version of those tunes. Sometimes it's as simple as an octave change for the 3rd, sometimes the 3rd takes the keys section, but more often than not for us, Chad writes a 3rd part that complements the rest of the song. I say give it a shot and see what happens! I'd have it no other way.
—
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ScottyBravo
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 92
Chandler, AZ
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 03:24 PM
I'd say take them both.
While it may be a challenge, you're gaining one more potential song writer, as well as adding depth and nuance to your music.
Plus, if one of them decides to bail, no problem, you're now a four piece again!
— Scott
http://thesurfsideiv.com/
https://www.facebook.com/surfsideiv/
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spskins
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3776
tn
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 03:41 PM
Brian wrote:
Maybe Ted from Satan's Pilgrims can chime in. SP started out as a 3 guitar band. But they did record one album without Bobby Pilgrim. Now that he is back in the band, how do they approach playing songs from that album live?
Come to think of it, at least some of the songs on that album already have 3 guitar parts... or am I imagining things?
We treated that album as if Bobby was there. He was always there in our hearts and mindset. So, I would say we were always a three guitar band, but I would never call us a band of three lead players, meaning at least one is always playing rhythm. At our best, we try. To have the "main" lead, an interweaving semi-lead that compliments the main melody/and or plays in harmony or counterpoint and one rhythm, but the combinations are infinite. It also gives all three a chance to shine as the main lead,depending on the sing, giving more variety of lead tones, styles etc. For us, it is what we do. But if you're more of a "shredding" band. With one guitar way out front, then it may not work for you. You need to change your mindest/compositional style and become more egoless.
Also, see this thread
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/25633/
— http://www.satanspilgrims.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Satans-Pilgrims/8210228553
https://satanspilgrims.bandcamp.com/
http://www.surfyindustries.com
Last edited: Oct 25, 2016 15:42:42
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stevel
Joined: Oct 12, 2012
Posts: 219
Hampton Roads, Virginia
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 04:09 PM
Yeah, um, this is kind of silly. What do you do if you play a song that had only one guitar originally?
People simply double the parts. Put two guys on rhythm and one on lead.
One common solution is to have the two rhythm players play different voicings of the chords. But sometimes they can even play the exact same thing.
Many songs by the way have multiple guitars overdubbed though there are fewer actual players in the band necessary for those parts on record!
You could also have one play acoustic and one double the acoustic parts on electric in songs where that works.
It actually opens up more possibilities than it creates issues.
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 04:37 PM
If you were set on having three guitarist in your band, one way to do it is to have one play traditional lead, one play traditional rhythm, and the other play drippy single notes kind of like the guy from BFTB does in a lot of their songs. That might actually sound pretty good. 
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2683
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 04:52 PM
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Oct 25 2016 09:44 PM
We have three guitars, but we don't play lead at the same time other than maybe once or twice for a few seconds. Two at a time often play lead. Whenever two or more guitars are working in the same medium(rhythm or lead), it is really important to ensure that they compliment each other tonally and musically. We probably work our hardest when two guitars are playing rhythm at the same time. Bass, and those two guitars really have to get it right otherwise you will sound like mush.
For covers, make them your own. Adding an extra guitar might just make the track your own, to me that is the point of a cover to me. Pay homage, if I wanted to hear the original I'd put it on.
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plexi69
Joined: Oct 25, 2014
Posts: 66
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Posted on Nov 20 2016 05:42 PM
I say go for it! Nothing wrong with thinking outside of the box. It would really pay off when writing original music.
— HEY THERE, HI THERE, HO THERE !!!!
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Nov 20 2016 05:47 PM
With 3 guitarists you become able to play gigs that one guitarist (or the bassist) is not available for.
Maybe one or more of the 3 guitarists can also play keyboards or guitar synth (AKA MIDI guitar).
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Nov 20 2016 11:46 PM
Sure. You"ll be able to play real complicated stuff. I personally think that Wes Montgomery was in fact 3 people. Or at least one man with six hands. 
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kruelkats
Joined: Mar 26, 2012
Posts: 206
Bogor, West Java
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Posted on Nov 20 2016 11:58 PM
3 guitar players in one band is cool! IMO one of the proper and common way to use 3 guitar players in one surf band is separated them into 3 style of guitars: drip, rhythm, and lead or combine all things up.
— Umar
The Mentawais
The Rentones
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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 615
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Nov 21 2016 10:31 AM
I'd suggest giving it a go - the possibilities are inspiring. Nice problem to have.
Covering a keyboard part, palm-muted clean-toned '5' chord (i.e. power chord) chugging for the rhythm while another guitarist plays the fully strummed chords, doubling lines, letting a chord ring for the entire bar, or just remaining tacet while waiting for their guitar part to start...there are a lot of things to think about. Through a bit of communication and planning it should work. Just serve the song.
And if anyone of the 3 consistently overplays, is obstinate, or just doesn't seem to find his spot in the sonics, then they can be shown the way out (hopefully not the OP, LOL).
Anything from the Chantays' Pipeline to the Astronauts could benefit from a 3rd guitarist...but that is just the start. With some inventiveness. so many tunes could benefit from those additional possibilities. As long as none of the guitarists feel like they've been relegated to just playing the less essential parts.
Some of us have the position of rhythm guitarist but we like to step out and playing the signature lines on occasion to keep things interesting and fresh.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
Last edited: Nov 21, 2016 10:33:59
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skatexedge
Joined: Sep 06, 2011
Posts: 53
Maricopa, AZ
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Posted on Mar 14 2017 12:47 AM
As a bassist I can't stand 3 guitarists in a band! SONIC OVERKILL! Way too much sound. I prefer a trio for almost any kind of band but especiallt a surf band. I like to have space on stage and in the music. Of course YMMV. ;)
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