[Dishwasher]

Hi peeps!

I'll be in a band consist of 2 'guitarists' (It's actually 2 people that's just started on guitar... but...), a relatively good drummer plus a beginner keyboardist.

Now I understand that generally a bass player is needed in a band but none of us could accomodate that because:
1. We don't have the money for bass guitar and amp.
2. We still have to learning our respective instrument.

I'm planning to use my acoustic guitar, while my friend will be buying an electro-acoustic.

As said, we're inexperienced, unskilled but we should be quite dedicated so we'll be needing some input.

1. What style of music should we really looking to play with our 'band'?
2. Does electro-acoustics go well with effect-pedals and what kind of AMPS should we be looking to get?
3. Can a regular keyboard substitute the bass guitar? If so, are there any effective keyboard substitute for a bass guitar that's cheap and easily obtainable?

[allthumbs]

Look at The Doors. They didn't have a bass player. Some of their stuff is pretty easy to learn too.

[Lcjones]

Hey Dishwasher,

If you plan on playing out at coffee houses and such, many of them have in house equipment for you to use.

With two guitars, one player can lean a bit heavier on the lower octaves as rhythm and bass note riffs while the other player works the melody on the upper side.

Good luck with your band!

**

[krissovo]

Break the mould dude nothing wrong with that setup, to add look at the white stripes!


1. What style of music should we really looking to play with our 'band'? Anything, nothing is stopping you from any style!!!
2. Does electro-acoustics go well with effect-pedals and what kind of AMPS should we be looking to get? Start with a cheap PA with some basic effects, all your gear will plug into single PA (Keys, guitars, mic'ed drums)
3. Can a regular keyboard substitute the bass guitar? If so, are there any effective keyboard substitute for a bass guitar that's cheap and easily obtainable? Hell yes! They make a great substitute my latest music is all keyboard bass. What is wrong with just two guitars as well?.......Nothing!

Best of luck!

[Dishwasher]

Originally Posted by krissovo

Break the mould dude nothing wrong with that setup, to add look at the white stripes!


1. What style of music should we really looking to play with our 'band'? Anything, nothing is stopping you from any style!!!
2. Does electro-acoustics go well with effect-pedals and what kind of AMPS should we be looking to get? Start with a cheap PA with some basic effects, all your gear will plug into single PA (Keys, guitars, mic'ed drums)
3. Can a regular keyboard substitute the bass guitar? If so, are there any effective keyboard substitute for a bass guitar that's cheap and easily obtainable? Hell yes! They make a great substitute my latest music is all keyboard bass. What is wrong with just two guitars as well?.......Nothing!

Best of luck!

What is a PA and can you recommend one? Is it possible to use a computer speaker to replace an AMP? (We're on a tight budget..)

Will any Keyboard do and how will I get a decent bass sound out of it. (My friend's keyboard's bass mode sounds pretty fake and wimpy...)

If you plan on playing out at coffee houses and such, many of them have in house equipment for you to use.

I'm afraid we haven't got that far yet... I've only just learnt the basic barre chords and I still need to concentrate alot on the rhythm of things... We don't want random starbuck mugs hurled at us ...

[johnnydoxx]

PA is an abbreviation for Public Address (system) but in the context above it means where your vocal mikes would be plugged into, and your guitars, and whatever else needs to be amplified electronically.

You can get by without the low bass - the keyboard should be able to set the tonic notes of the chords to furnish that aspect, and maybe even emulate some bass runs on his left hand.
Or, Guitar Center may have some ideas on bass keyboards, there might even be just such an animal in stock.

The three of you should be able to fill any small venue with sound and rhythm, with just a small amp. A few weeks ago I saw a reference to something with a name like 'Street' amp that you might find at the Guitar Center too. Might be a Roland brand, can't say for sure.

Get out there and play, that's fun.

[jimmyzowens]

check into a digitech rp 250 it has a setting that basically , for all beginner purposes turns your guitar into a bass , i use it on reaper and it turns out great.

[Dishwasher]

Originally Posted by jimmyzowens

check into a digitech rp 250 it has a setting that basically , for all beginner purposes turns your guitar into a bass , i use it on reaper and it turns out great.

but I thought bass shouldn't be played on guitar amps because it's not designed for it and might destroy the amp?

[krissovo]

Originally Posted by Dishwasher

What is a PA and can you recommend one? Is it possible to use a computer speaker to replace an AMP? (We're on a tight budget..)

This is the PA my band uses BEHRINGER PMP 5000 - THE BOX PA 302 SET - Irish International Cyberstore

It a powered mixer actually but it does us and its powerful enough to fill a medium location. Has a ton of "ok" effects built in like reverb for the vocals. Through this unit we plug in 3 mics, keys, 2x guitars (one electric with line 6 pod).

Its ok and there are smaller models if the budget is tight.

[Ian McAllister]

Originally Posted by jimmyzowens

check into a digitech rp 250 it has a setting that basically , for all beginner purposes turns your guitar into a bass , i use it on reaper and it turns out great.

I do too, it's a really good bass sound.

Excellent advice from krissovo. The only limitations you have are your creativity and imagination. A lot of Led Zeppelin's songs relied on acoustic guitar for weight, as did The Who's. Conversely, many seemingly 'light' songs have power chords all over them.

Good luck with your music.
Ian

[jimmyzowens]

cheapest way is to run your 1/4 to 1/8 reducer into your input on your laptop or desktop , then record on reaper or audacity , or what ever u got , then from your 1/8 inch output on your computer to your home stereo where you get a 1/8 inch to rca input . sounds good and will handle all levels of sound .
I run my digitech rp250 to my computer thru usb and 1/4 to my amp , then 1/8 to my home stereo for play back . so i can record thru my effects pedal wich ads a little pre amp , i listen to the effects and sound , and levels thru my amp , and i play back thru my home stereo, wich consists of two polk audio towers and fosgate 15 in powered sub( so i can hear what it will sound like on the radio when i become famous hahahahahaha

[jimmyzowens]

Originally Posted by Dishwasher

but I thought bass shouldn't be played on guitar amps because it's not designed for it and might destroy the amp?

i dont think so the effect pedal probably has some sort of process to eliminate any damage , wouldnt think a multi million dollar company would not put an effect on a guitar effects pedal thet would ruin your amp , but like i say just run it thru your home stereo , it is made to handle bass

[Maddog54]

Originally Posted by Dishwasher

but I thought bass shouldn't be played on guitar amps because it's not designed for it and might destroy the amp?

dude, just think of the crowd reaction if that amp blew up and started throwing sparks and smoking like in that cheech & chong movie ROFL

[wjp01908]

Hi Dishwasher

Usually the r. hand parts on the keys fill out the bass end of a song pretty well. so I wouldn`t worry too much about your lack of a bass player at this stage. In addition any modern midi keyboard should be able to chuck out a reasonable bass guitar sound for the tunes that really need it.

Regarding your guitars, electro acoustics are the way to go - if your acoustic does not have any form of pick up, I would get one fitted.
It is so much easier than faffing around with a mic for the acoustic on stage and dealing with issues like feedback, positioning etc. The sound won`t be as perfect as a well mic`ed, high end instrument but it`s horses for courses. Save the fancy setup for the studio or when you`re famous enough to have your own guy to set it all up while you chill in the green room

As for the choice of music - basically play what you really like. This may call for a fair bit of negotiation within the band as well as a certain amount of give and take between members. Believe me though, playing stuff that you can`t stand gets stale very fast - especially given that you`ll have to rehearse it till you can do backwards before you even play out with it.

As mentioned above, a basic PA will probably serve you best - just run everything through it ( the drums will probably be loud enough !)
Make sure that whatever you get has enough inputs though - Mic inputs for vocals and line level inputs for the keys and guitars.

Electro acoustics do work with effects - watch out for effects that boost the gain such as distrortion or overdrive though - they can cause problems with feedback. Might be worth your friend getting an electric guitar rather than another acoustic - it will give you a bit of tonal variation and may be more versatile in terms of the sound you can coax from it.

Regards

Will

[Dishwasher]

Thanks for all the input!

I have a cheap strat copy (made by tanglewood I think)... Not sure if that'll cut it...

Do you think this budget PA is worth buying?
Peavey Audio Performer PA Pack - Nevada Music