Touring/Gigging with one guitar...

[SadFuzz]

We all see touring bands live swapping guitars all the time, having a backup in-case of string break etc...
But if you don't want the extra hassle of carrying a spare, how can you set up your guitar for touring to minimise problems?

[HNB]

I feel like you need at least two for string issues. If a string breaks it sucks to make people wait while you put a new string on. You can change tuneings and stuff between songs and such, but it takes a little bit more to change strings.

[Fiddy]

If a string breaks, and you cant finish off your set without it. then maybe you shouldn't be playing...

[HNB]

Makes me think of that Reverb article on Jack White and how he liked picking cheap guitars that were hard to play so he could fight when them to make music....... but now is enjoying playing nicer instruments that are easier to play. LOL

[Jaguar018]

If a string breaks, and you cant finish off your set without it. then maybe you shouldn't be playing...

Okay, Alex Lifeson.

[Fiddy]

If a string breaks, and you cant finish off your set without it. then maybe you shouldn't be playing...

Okay, Alex Lifeson.

Busted.

[zhivago]

I only had one guitar when I was in a band for three years...we rehearsed 2-3 times a week, and played live all the time.

Heavy strings made sure I only broke a high E once, just before we started playing, during the final tune up...I just changed the string and we went on as normal.

I played live tons of times and never needed a backup guitar, personally. Of course, we were an originals band, and played for no more than 40 mins per show. I know lots of the cover band guys in the US do 4 hour gigs. In that situation I'd probably bring a spare, just in case.


Mind you, the Nashville guys I watched play this last January, all had just one guitar with them (usually a Tele), and they totally killed it onstage for hours on end.

[SSHound]

Preventive string changes. Make sure saddles are totally deburred. Get fast at changing and stretching strings. IMO using Fender Super Bullets can help prevent issues with any non-locking vibrato. I won't use anything else on my Kahler-equipped guitars, and I am nearly as attached to them on Strats, and even rear loading Teles/Esquires.