Your worship team guitarist(s) - aka Us!

Discussion in 'Worship Service Players' started by consumnfire1229, Feb 23, 2017.

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May 9, 2017 #41

Octorfunk
Octorfunk
Tele-Meister

286

Jan 20, 2014

Midwest

I always get gated at my church, even with the most minuscule white noise
or the slightest hum. I love our sound guy, but they soundcheck my guitar in
complete and total silence, and I'm not kidding the slightest noise results in
instant, dynamic-killing gating. I'm not even using noisy single-coils, so we're
talking about a tiny bit of white noise that you almost always get with digital
reverbs/delays.

I never really thought about it until a couple weeks ago when I was
watching a rig rundown of some famous touring musician, and the noise/hum when he
wasn't playing was absolutely horrendous! Buzzing, white noise, you name he had it.
And it was completely normal. Now obviously this guy is a rockstar, and so if tells
the sound guy the noise isn't a problem, then the noise isn't a problem haha.

It just struck me funny I guess, because this guy (and other famous bands)
can afford all the noise-reduction money can buy, but they still rock out with
noisy rigs. I, on the other hand, am a simple working guy who plays electric guitar
at my church a couple times a month on the very average gear that I can afford, but
I'm held to a standard of complete and total silence.

Oh well. That wasn't terribly relevant to the discussion.

As far as boutique gear goes, I can only speak from personal experience,
but the guys I've played with who had the most expensive/boutique gear were the
guys that used it the least. Both guys I know who have Timefactors on their boards
don't do anything but a simple quarter note delay. That's a lot of money to spend
for the most basic delay sound. Same thing with the Blue Sky: every guitarist I've
played with who has one never uses it for anything more than a simple hall setting.

The best and most creative guitarist I've ever had the pleasure of playing
with in a church setting had the following gear: Epihpone Les Paul, Boss RV-5, Boss
DD-7, some OD a friend made for him, all going into a Fender Hot Rod. That's it. He
was able to craft the most atmospheric, rhythmic, and delicious tones I have ever
heard, and with some of the most inexpensive and unpretentious gear available
(seriously, you know what kind of looks you get when you show up with a black Epi
LP and the other guys' board is filled with Strymon, JHS, & Eventide).
 I'm sure there are good tones to be had in the boutique stuff, I've just
never been impressed by the guys I've played with who use it.

Octorfunk, May 9, 2017

#41
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May 10, 2017 #42
PastorJay
PastorJay
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Apr 12, 2014

California

"Same thing with the Blue Sky: every guitarist I've played with who has one
never uses it for anything more than a simple hall setting."

I only use my Blue Sky for the shimmer. I should have bought a less
expensive shimmer pedal.

PastorJay, May 10, 2017

#42
May 10, 2017 #43
Dunnigan
Dunnigan
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Age:
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299

Apr 27, 2017

USA

As I was building my electric rig, I unfortunately spent more time learning

how to buy guitar than learning how to play guitar! It's time to play with what I
have now. I do aspire to increase in skill more than in gear.

Dunnigan, May 10, 2017

#43
May 10, 2017 #44
Octorfunk
Octorfunk
Tele-Meister

286

Jan 20, 2014

Midwest
 Dunnigan said: ↑

As I was building my electric rig, I unfortunately spent more time

learning how to buy guitar than learning how to play guitar! It's time to play with
what I have now. I do aspire to increase in skill more than in gear.

I think we've all fallen into that at some point. I was on staff at a
church for the better part of 9yrs, mainly in the youth department. I had access to
a music budget, and was able to buy most any gear I wanted within reason. So what
did I do? I watched TONS of gear video reviews, gassed constantly over
new/different/unique pedals, bought/sold/traded gear habitually, etc.

During that time my actual skill as a guitarist increased a very small

amount. I no longer work there, and am down to what I can afford on my own, a
Squier guitar, a headphone amp, and a single Zoom multi-effects pedal. But my skill
as a guitarist has grown considerably... Now that I'm away from the budget and the
possibility of being able to own new pedals/amps/guitars, I actually spend more
time playing guitar than watching videos of other guys playing guitar.

And now that it's my own money on the line, I'll take months to decide
whether or not to purchase a single pedal (which I haven't yet in almost 2yrs),
instead of buying/selling/trading a pedal a month.

To each his own, but my best advice for worship guitar players (and really
any guitar player) is to get a guitar & amp you like, and to add effects extremely
sparingly, if at all. I'm down to a single (borrowed) delay pedal and a multi-
effects pedal I sometimes use for reverb. Without the pedalboard, I actually
practice and learn songs, and I come up with my own parts to go along with them
instead of seeing how I can use all my sweet pedals.

Octorfunk, May 10, 2017

#44
May 11, 2017 #45
ce24
ce24
Friend of Leo's

4,889

Jan 26, 2008

Idahoastan

Played worship for many years...I got to where .....why haul a bunch of
gear for 5 songs..... Went to my BOSS ME50 direct to pa and never looked back.....
Don't play worship any more.... Moved to a different city... Different church with
a very insular worship crowd... Not my cup of tea.

ce24, May 11, 2017

#45
May 11, 2017 #46
SnowStorm
SnowStorm
Tele-Meister

205
 Sep 16, 2015

Buffalo, NY

Lots of good thoughts to process in this thread. I went back to the

original post after reading through to this point.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pre·ten·tious:
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture,
etc., than is actually possessed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The church musicians I have had the privilege to work with have not fallen
into that definition. I have been blessed by being around people who have a caring
heart for others. I don't think that they are pretentious. Most of the church
musicians I see don't feel like their skill level is high enough and that other
people who are better should be playing instead of them. One of the comments that
illustrates this point is "oh I just play at my church". I've even fallen into that
thought sometimes. I do play at my church and I enjoy using my talents there.

Buying and using good gear is not pretentious. I don't recall a test being
given before you could purchase a custom shop Tele or nice amp. As a church
musician, I should be doing the best job I can for my music to bring glory to God
and to uplift others in our churches. I should also be tithing and living the Word
that is preached on Sunday too. If you have a decent job and can afford nice gear -
go for it. Just don't be "that guy" who is the jack-hole that everybody dislikes
because he always clamors on and on about having the best this and the best that. I
have some nice gear and some stuff that is just mediocre/entry level. I do know
that I'm going to strive do the best I can with it and also try to be non-
pretentious.

- - - -

It will be a while, but I really want to get a Gretsch Sparkle Jet 6129 in
either Gold or Green. I guess that will definitely be the day I go "full
pretentious". :)

[IMG]

SnowStorm, May 11, 2017

#46
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May 14, 2017 #47
MarkSmith76
MarkSmith76
TDPRI Member

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Dec 20, 2016

Sa Puso Mo

Even those who can't afford boutique stuff can really be pretentious,
particularly those "hobbyists-turned-volunteer-worship-guitarists" who are "living
the dream".
 1. That worship guitarist who insisted playing electric just so he can use
his new multi-effects pedal, cranking up the volume with his nasty dirt tone, but
strums the guitar the way he cowboy-strums his acoustic anyway.

2. That worship guitarist who played pentatonic scales from the second
measure of the intro until the very last note of the outro. Don't you dare ask him
to play rhythm as he can't fret barre chords properly, can't keep up with the beat,
and can't stop playing even in the a-cappella parts.

3. That worship guitarist's effort to patronize the substitute bass player

(who happens to be me that time) and says, "Before I became better and worked my
way up to become the lead guitarist in this ministry, I was JUST a bass player
too." So yeah, poor me I JUST played 4-strings those times.

4. That worship guitarist who uses some sort of a metal blade lead tone
(never switched to cleans even in the verses) in a whole 3-song worship set.

5. That worship guitarist who never wanted to be plugged-in as his honest

admission on his limited skills. He knows that people listen with their eyes. Even
without sound, he is full of joy as long as people sees him with his worship axe,
with his oh so humble "it's not about me, it's about Him" stance.

This list can go on and on...

MarkSmith76, May 14, 2017

#47
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May 14, 2017 #48
Boltneck
Boltneck
Tele-Meister

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Nov 16, 2013

Poquoson Va.

Oh Radel.. Are you sure we have not played with the same musicians? I love
that Bass Player comment.Lol. The worst part is when the bass player believes it !
Lol cause after all Anybody can play the bass duh..No desire or skill needed. Any
guitarist who talks down to any musician is ignorant of music. As for the
pentatonic scales being used where not needed..that's kinda like a football player
doing jumping jacks in the middle of a huddle to prove he was at practice. How bout
the drummer who's inspiration was animal ( Muppets ) and adds a roll and crash
cymbal where not needed so he could be heard. We deal with all sorts don't we?

Boltneck, May 14, 2017

#48
May 14, 2017 #49
Dunnigan
Dunnigan
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Age:
47
 299

Apr 27, 2017

USA

It feels so good to be made much of, whether for our discriminating taste
in music and gear, our hours in the woodshed working on our craft, etc. It is so
the opposite of the goals of playing in a worship band! How do we fight it?

Dunnigan, May 14, 2017

#49
May 15, 2017 #50
Boltneck
Boltneck
Tele-Meister

111

Nov 16, 2013

Poquoson Va.

I fight it by by reminding myself that I came to Worship. Distractions of

all sorts are par for the course. You have praise team issues cause you deal with
people..You have to accept that and pray for one another.There will always be
someone to criticize about "who is pretentious". As of late the Accuser is still
busy at work tearing down worship teams, and the church, with willing help in the
pews. Both sides of the fence want to know what you believe..and how much you want
it.( Worship Band) On our best day we Worship and the congregation joins us. It's
fulfilling ,then it's worth all the woodshedding and rehearsals and attitudes. My 2
cents

Boltneck, May 15, 2017

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May 15, 2017 #51
MarkSmith76
MarkSmith76
TDPRI Member

40

Dec 20, 2016

Sa Puso Mo

Boltneck said: ↑

Oh Radel.. Are you sure we have not played with the same musicians? I
love that Bass Player comment.Lol. The worst part is when the bass player believes
it ! Lol cause after all Anybody can play the bass duh..No desire or skill needed.
Any guitarist who talks down to any musician is ignorant of music. As for the
pentatonic scales being used where not needed..that's kinda like a football player
doing jumping jacks in the middle of a huddle to prove he was at practice. How bout
the drummer who's inspiration was animal ( Muppets ) and adds a roll and crash
cymbal where not needed so he could be heard. We deal with all sorts don't we?

Haha yep we deal with all sorts. LOL on that drummer.

MarkSmith76, May 15, 2017

#51
May 15, 2017 #52
Octorfunk
Octorfunk
Tele-Meister

286

Jan 20, 2014

Midwest

I hope I haven't come off as calling everyone with boutique gear

"pretentious." That's not what I meant. I merely meant to say I've met a lot of
worship guitarists with boutique gear who do also happen to be pretentious
(seemingly due to that gear).

Octorfunk, May 15, 2017

#52
May 16, 2017 #53
Ascension
Ascension
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Age:
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Dec 3, 2012

Birmingham Alabama

What i think many here have missed is actually joining one of the Worship
boards thinking we would talk about I don't know Worshiping GOD?? What most of them
are are a bunch of arrogant snobbish premadonna's who are more concerned with who
is the newest pop worship "guitar hero" and what gear they are using than about the
worship.
This site is different never EVER seen that junk here EVER but boy do you
ever see it on some of the so called "worship" sites.
Nothing wrong with playing high end gear at all some thing badly wrong if
the gear is your GOD though!
Most times what is in the trunk of my car on the way to the gig would cost
more to replace than the car if something happened. Been playing over 40 years now
so have accumulated "stuff" over the years but if tomorrow all of it was gone would
make do with lesser stuff.

Ascension, May 16, 2017

#53
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May 16, 2017 #54
 Ascension
Ascension
Tele-Afflicted

Age:
60

1,097

Dec 3, 2012

Birmingham Alabama

Dunnigan said: ↑

It feels so good to be made much of, whether for our discriminating

taste in music and gear, our hours in the woodshed working on our craft, etc. It is
so the opposite of the goals of playing in a worship band! How do we fight it?

Why is it so the opposite of the goals of being in a worship band?? The ego
and back patting yes I can see being an issue if self serving but what about the
standard of excellence? If we were called to play for a big public figure at an
event ( Governor , president ect) what would our performance standard be? Should we
do less to play for the King Of Kings?? The word DOES say HE inhabits the Praises
of HIS people.
Think about it guys!!

Ascension, May 16, 2017

#54
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May 16, 2017 #55
MarkSmith76
MarkSmith76
TDPRI Member

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Dec 20, 2016

Sa Puso Mo

In my early years as a music minister, I felt great whenever I "show off"

my gears bought online. They are practically cheap but they cannot find them in the
local music stores. "Yeah, my gear is different than yours. My modded Chinese Tele
copy equipped with GFS Lil Punchers set-up for 11's is nastier than your high-
action Ibanez Gio. And I have a Zoom G2 too. You may have that newly-released Boss
ME-20 but I can buy the same in the local music store if I wanted to. You can't
find Zoom G2 there can you?":p

If that's being pretentious, then I was guilty hahaha. Honestly, I just

felt sick seeing them with same guitars, same pedals, same amps, (and same
"acousticized" strumming). Well, they don't have boutique but as I have implied in
my first post, they can be really pretentious in so many ways.

I've just encountered a brother who already has at least 7 stompboxes and
3-4 multi-fx pedals and still hunts for "The One" that will give him the tone he is
looking for. Well if he spends more time practicing than gassing, he may have found
that "elusive" tone long time ago without even using pedals. Something that can be
dialled easily in your average modelling amp if he just gets his chord shapes and
techniques figured out. I was too modest to tell him straight but I tried sending
the message across that his playing is the problem. How can someone nail an intro
originally played in octaves if he plays it by just picking on the G-string?

It is sad that many worship guitarists believe that acquiring gears can
mask their limited skills (and laziness in honing their craft). I could have fallen
on that pit during my beginner years but I was blessed to be poor.:rolleyes:

At present my electric rig is considerably humble - Squire Affinity Tele

and Boss GT-1 plugged into a Fender Mustang II v2 or direct depending on the PA.

I am in a place where boutique gear is non-existent (thank God) and can't

even look 'em up online as this single-father of six (plus a grandson) is too poor
for boutique. But if I can afford them then why not? God deserves the best of
everything we can afford. The extra motivation to get better and be worthy of using
boutique doesn't equate to worshipping the gear itself. No matter how much fortune
we spend on them, they are merely tools to be used in giving back glory to God who
never ceases to bless us.

MarkSmith76, May 16, 2017

#55
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May 16, 2017 #56
Dunnigan
Dunnigan
Tele-Meister

Age:
47

299

Apr 27, 2017

USA

Worship is enjoying making much of God. To the extent that we draw

attention to ourselves, we distract from our primary aim. Now, bad playing can be
distracting, so that's why we want to do what we do with excellence. But there's a
difference between excellence that makes people amazed at how good the player is,
and excellence that draws the gaze of the worshippers up to God and helps provide a
shared emotional language to express our joy and wonder in God. For an analogy,
consider a telescope...its job is to magnify. It takes things that are really huge
and glorious but appear small and insignificant, and makes them look more like they
really are. A good telescope like Hubble is really expensive and a technological
marvel. But its goal is to let us see the stars and distant galaxies more as they
really are. If everyone merely marveled at the telescope, and never looked through
it to be filled with wonder...how sad. So also, we have a job to make God look more
like he really is, all-satisfying, glorious, beautiful, our treasure. If the
worshippers are left impressed with us or our gear, an opportunity to be happy in
God has been missed. And I agree, if they are left wondering if we own a tuner,
same problem. :)

Dunnigan, May 16, 2017

#56
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 May 16, 2017 #57
GoldieLocks
GoldieLocks
Tele-Afflicted

1,536

Sep 25, 2005

Abbotsford B.C.

yes, OUR gear is just a tool. Bad tools are annoying. Like a poorly
functioning hammer or drill. You talk about your tools --- but only because you
know you are building a house.

Pretty sure NONE of our guitars or amps are coming with us to heaven.
(we'll have newer tools)

GoldieLocks, May 16, 2017

#57
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May 18, 2017 #58
JuneauMike
JuneauMike
Friend of Leo's

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May 5, 2015

Alaska

"pre·ten·tious:
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture,
etc., than is actually possessed."

Oh man, that's totally me. I don't do the boutique gear and the skinny
jeans, but I get irked sometimes in practice when someone heaps praise on the
singer or the drummer after we finish a song and they don't recognize my
contributions in not screwing up the composition. Sometimes I'm not even sure if my
humility is sincere. LOL. Hopefully GNC sells a pill for this.

JuneauMike, May 18, 2017

#58
May 22, 2017 #59
Wildwind
Wildwind
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Age:
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57

Jul 23, 2010

Lansing, Michigan
 New guy here. Long-time worship guitarist and gearhead (recovering).

Excellent thoughts! I've read this thread with great interest and
enjoyment!

At the risk of coming off as a fanboi...I've done the giant pedalboard

thing, boutique FX and guitars and coveted amps. Then we went silent stage and it
became modeler central and still is. Silent pickups in my Strats and Tele.

After years of being a "hater," I went over to the modeling dark side -
Fractal. Five years later it remains by far the best money I've ever spent. Within
a year I sold all my amps and pedals and pieces and came out $2K ahead and
experienced a total, noticeable tonal upgrade and decrease in noise. Plus Fractal
keeps reinventing itself and supports its products like no one else - and its Forum
is awesome - and further validates the switch.

Recently I added an AX8 to my Axe-Fx II. It's amazing. Each week I play my
boutique Strats (I do believe strongly in playing the best I can afford for God)
into many thousands of dollars of virtual amps, cabs, and studio-quality effects.
In near-total stealth! A small box and expression pedal you can barely see creates
amazing tones. I'm often told my guitars sounds 3D and it's like I'm sitting right
next to them, not toward the back of the platform.

The true upside is I'm no longer even tempted to buy amps and pedals, as
this is my dream rig. Which frees me to play and continue to grow in my playing (45
years now, including pro and ministry touring and many studio sessions) - which
frees me to be a worshiper! Dialing tones is so simple I can work on my music and
skills, not my equipment.

I have had a guitarist or two get critical as to why I often play a $3,000
Melancon in church. They play a MIM Strat (I have one of those too...) and say
"it's good enough for church!" Good thing I don't hit people... The Lord has
blessed me with decent jobs and situations (like getting to know Gerard Melancon
personally) and no child or critter went hungry or payments missed. Just giving the
best of my flock.

BTW, I do play my MIM Strat in church now and then (with silent pickups as
well) and all anyone notices is the different color - so not saying you have to
spend big to worship big.

Just rambling. But enjoying the virtual fellowship with all of you and look
forward to more. Final thoughts - it's about our hearts and Walk with God, our
faithfulness and willingness to be used, giving our best and adding our anointing
to the others to make worship happen. Whatever helps you get there honors God.

Wildwind, May 22, 2017

#59
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May 22, 2017 #60
CapnCrunch
CapnCrunch
Friend of Leo's

2,337

Jan 7, 2011
 Washington, USA

Wildwind said: ↑

New guy here. Long-time worship guitarist and gearhead (recovering).

- it's about our hearts and Walk with God, our faithfulness and
willingness to be used, .

Easy to forget in the heat of things, but this is the heart of it,
and…….Welcome!

CapnCrunch, May 22, 2017

#60
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