Looking for direction on a new project

[erogenousjones17]

A friend (actually the singer from my last band) and I are putting together a new project, and I'm looking for some feedback.

It's going to be a duo--two guitars, two voices--and we'll be doing originals and covers in the pop-punk vein (Jawbreaker, Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms, some Foo Fighters, and maybe a little Neil Young for kicks).

Originally, the plan was to go all-acoustic, but that's rather trie, innit? :laughing7: So we're thinking of adding at least one electric guitar to the mix. But then why not go full-electric (obviously not with Pantera-level distortion)? In that case, we'd be using my green Strat and his Tele Deluxe. But I've also got an archtop that could be interesting...

Being more of an electric player, I'm personally drawn to the Strat/Tele format. That option also seems the least overdone. But I leave it up to, fellow forumites; our fate is in your hands!  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Cagey]

It's not up to us; we're not your market. If you expect to work much, that's what you have to look at.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Consider it market research. :laughing7:

 

[bagman67]

If it will just be the two of you onstage, you probably have enough room to have a couple electrics and a couple acoustics up there with you.  This would give you the option of starting acoustic 'n' mellow 'n' all "sensitive pony-tail guy," and then dropping the hammer on'em as the show progresses.  Give the show a little dramatic arc, so to speak.  Although you could probably come up with a pretty amusing (and even crowd-pleasing) "Master of Puppets" on a pair of acoustics.


But as Cagey suggested, we're not your audience.  Figure out who your audience is, and what they like (and what venues you're likely to play in), and work it out from there.  Some coffeehouses won't even allow amplified electric guitars, so your decision could be made by someone who's not actually thinking in terms of the music, but instead thinking about how to sell more coffee and snacks on a Wednesday night while still keeping their lease.  Bars are a whole 'nother ballgame, of course - they're selling liquor and trying to keep their lease.


Good luck, in any case.  Once you iron out the logistics, post video of a performance, and we'll be sure to cheer you on!


Bagman

 

[SixString]

I always seem to associate duo's with acoustic guitars (that's not a bad thing)...and I especially like when rock/punk/indie songs are stripped down and played acoustically.  Using a jazzbox or one electric could help change up the dynamic a bit.  You can always dirty up the acoustic signals to get it sounding a bit more raw.

Sounds fun regardless of what you decide.  Good luck!

 

[pabloman]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to build another guitar. Put a piezo bridge on it and do both.  :headbang1:

 

[greywolf]

I'd  say one acoustic and one hollow or semi hollow electric

 

[erogenousjones17]

So now I need to build an L5S with a piezo? Oh well. :icon_jokercolor:

 

[Jcurl02]

I'd probably go see an acoustic version first, but I like the idea that was pitched to ahve all the guitars on stage and go back and forth depending on the songs, the crowd and your mood.

 

[duosonic]

I'm currently doing gigs with my bass player on electric bass and me on acoustic.  We drop in a drum machine (more for percussion).  Been doing pretty well playing shows.  It's like acoustic but with a little more umph!

 

[erogenousjones17]

We did a few shows as a trio with a bass player, one acoustic and one electric guitar, but it never sounded right to me. Either there was something missing (to wit, a drummer) or something extra (to wit, the bass). I think part of the problem, if I can call it that, was our bass player's style, which was a little too exuberant for a quasi-acoustic set.