How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well?

northernguitarguy · 02-26-2012, 01:14 PM

There's gotta be an effect out there that can do this. My thought is to run through an AB/Y box, one to my amp the other through some magical processor that can double my chord playing as a bass. Our lead player uses a Digitech board that does this rather well, but I want to be able to use my tube-amp.

Any gadget ideas for this type of set-up?

lunchbox · 02-26-2012, 01:17 PM

I don't know, but Jack White does it. Maybe a 7 string for you?

Thumpalumpacus · 02-26-2012, 01:20 PM

Well, an octave divider will add a note an octave below a single-line note, but you'll get mush, if not outright tracking problems, if you're playing chords through it.

Marshall & Moonshine · 02-26-2012, 01:25 PM

Use a good Fender amp, set the bass just below mud. It won't be the same as a bass groove, but the frequencies will be adequately covered to limp through the night. As far as super bands, Black Keys and White Stripes have done it. That's TWO out of how many??
I love my bass player, for his grooves and friendship. If he'd just be on time, every now and then....

northernguitarguy · 02-26-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall & Moonshine

Use a good Fender amp, set the bass just below mud. It won't be the same as a bass groove, but the frequencies will be adequately covered to limp through the night. As far as super bands, Black Keys and White Stripes have done it. That's TWO out of how many??
I love my bass player, for his grooves and friendship. If he'd just be on time, every now and then....

Fvckin' bass players....they're fantastic. Don't the WS and the BKs use a live bassist on the road?

Seriously though, this digitech device made Rob's ibanez sound like a pretty good bass when we rehearsed Let there Be Rock. Not the same, but it worked very well. If he was our rhythm player it wouldn't be a hassle, and if I became our lead player, we would suck hard.

bryvincent · 02-26-2012, 01:31 PM

Bass pedal synth

Bass pedals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i think John Paul Jones of LZ uses these.

5F6-A · 02-26-2012, 01:35 PM

Maybe the bassmaker pedal by John Rogers?

Thumpalumpacus · 02-26-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryvincent

Bass pedal synth

Bass pedals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i think John Paul Jones of LZ uses these.

Geddy used them.

st.bede · 02-26-2012, 08:40 PM

Charlie Hunter - "Lively Up Yourself" - YouTube

Charlie Hunter trio - Come as you are live - YouTube

saw him twice: righteous.

northernguitarguy · 02-26-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpalumpacus

Geddy used them.

Geddy is a goddamned alien!

Thanks! You guys seem to think that I have enough talent to pull this off!

I think perhaps for me that I should contact Digitech and see if there is a smaller version of what Rob uses. If it worked, I think it could be a cool way to get around the need for a bassist, at least until we find one. Though it's for vocals the TC Helicon is a pretty neat looking toy/tool. If it can be done for voices, why not an electric guitar??

Thumpalumpacus · 02-26-2012, 08:48 PM

rxbandit · 02-26-2012, 08:54 PM

Electro Harmonix Octave Multiplexer. I have one and it's awesome.

Zenzeypher · 02-26-2012, 09:13 PM

Telecaster neck position, tone rolled down

b3john · 02-26-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryvincent

Bass pedal synth

Bass pedals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i think John Paul Jones of LZ uses these.

That's what I used when I was still doing my best JPJ impersonation. It's a lot easier to pull off if you're already a keyboardist who plays bass.

northernguitarguy · 02-26-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3john

That's what I used when I was still doing my best JPJ impersonation. It's a lot easier to pull off if you're already a keyboardist who plays bass.

......and play rhythm guitar AND sing lead vocals?

st.bede · 02-26-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxbandit

Electro Harmonix Octave Multiplexer. I have one and it's awesome.

I have one and I certainly dig it. However there are some artifacts and sometimes I find it does not work super well when playing with others (not that I have not used it a number of times). I tend to like the HOG a bit more. The Octave Multiplexer has a much better tone but the HOG tracks better.

b3john · 02-27-2012, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northernguitarguy

......and play rhythm guitar AND sing lead vocals?

Unless you had already developed some proficiency, I'd say it would be pretty difficult.

guysmiley · 02-27-2012, 07:01 AM

I have seem a few guys do this well. But, they needed a separate pickup for their top two strings and a separate output jack. That then ran into a EHX POG into a bass amp. ( I think the POG is the best polyphonic octave tracker on the market. You could just get that and call it a day )

northernguitarguy · 02-27-2012, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guysmiley

I have seem a few guys do this well. But, they needed a separate pickup for their top two strings and a separate output jack. That then ran into a EHX POG into a bass amp. ( I think the POG is the best polyphonic octave tracker on the market. You could just get that and call it a day )

Actually, a POG is on my GAS list......

02-26-2012, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
northernguitarguy Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of Toronto Posts: 7,839 Thanks: 175 Thanked 260 Times in 86 Posts	How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? There's gotta be an effect out there that can do this. My thought is to run through an AB/Y box, one to my amp the other through some magical processor that can double my chord playing as a bass. Our lead player uses a Digitech board that does this rather well, but I want to be able to use my tube-amp. Any gadget ideas for this type of set-up? __________________ 2012 Gibson Les Paul Junior Special P90 * 2010 Epiphone '57 Les Paul Junior Reissue * 2008 Yamaha RBX374 * 1993 Yamaha FG 411 VS * 1989 Yamaha Pacifica w/TexMex * 1980 Kasuga 'Northern' Custom * 1979 Yamaha SG700 Amplifier: TraynorYCV50 Blue https://soundcloud.com/northernguitarguy/funky-mama-rhythm-section Free your mind, and your ass will follow-George Clinton

02-26-2012, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
lunchbox Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 3,036 Thanks: 140 Thanked 67 Times in 20 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? I don't know, but Jack White does it. Maybe a 7 string for you? northernguitarguy likes this. __________________

02-26-2012, 01:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Thumpalumpacus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ass-deep in alligators, tryin' to drain the swamp. Posts: 54,308 Thanks: 1,206 Thanked 687 Times in 79 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Well, an octave divider will add a note an octave below a single-line note, but you'll get mush, if not outright tracking problems, if you're playing chords through it. zontar, northernguitarguy and thinkgreen like this. __________________ _____________________________________________ My Soundcloud

02-26-2012, 01:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Marshall & Moonshine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sittin' on a surfboard, when I can be. Posts: 3,132 Thanks: 48 Thanked 38 Times in 12 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Use a good Fender amp, set the bass just below mud. It won't be the same as a bass groove, but the frequencies will be adequately covered to limp through the night. As far as super bands, Black Keys and White Stripes have done it. That's TWO out of how many?? I love my bass player, for his grooves and friendship. If he'd just be on time, every now and then.... northernguitarguy likes this. __________________ I don't think before I post. Ever. Plus, I'm not bright. I have the deepest respect for amp builders who understand what they are working with.

02-26-2012, 01:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
bryvincent Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada/USA/Philippines Posts: 777 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Bass pedal synth Bass pedals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia i think John Paul Jones of LZ uses these. northernguitarguy and Thumpalumpacus like this.

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02-26-2012, 01:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
5F6-A Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sir Titus Salt's Land Posts: 7,985 Thanks: 396 Thanked 504 Times in 119 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Maybe the bassmaker pedal by John Rogers? northernguitarguy likes this. __________________ “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” Sören Kierkegaard

02-26-2012, 08:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Thumpalumpacus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ass-deep in alligators, tryin' to drain the swamp. Posts: 54,308 Thanks: 1,206 Thanked 687 Times in 79 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? northernguitarguy likes this. __________________ _____________________________________________ My Soundcloud

02-26-2012, 08:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
rxbandit Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 9 Thanked 89 Times in 19 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Electro Harmonix Octave Multiplexer. I have one and it's awesome. northernguitarguy likes this. __________________ www.facebook.com/overtalk

02-26-2012, 09:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Zenzeypher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Blighty. Posts: 1,577 Thanks: 29 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? Telecaster neck position, tone rolled down northernguitarguy likes this. __________________ "If you get far enough away you'll be on your way back home." - Tom Waits

02-27-2012, 07:01 AM	#18 (permalink)
guysmiley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fukuoka Japan/PDX Posts: 476 Thanks: 4 Thanked 30 Times in 5 Posts	Re: How can a rhythm guitar player be the bass player as well? I have seem a few guys do this well. But, they needed a separate pickup for their top two strings and a separate output jack. That then ran into a EHX POG into a bass amp. ( I think the POG is the best polyphonic octave tracker on the market. You could just get that and call it a day ) northernguitarguy likes this.

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