Filling out the sound with no rhythm guitar

[12stringbassist]

The answer is a decently balanced mix, with the bass level matching up with the guitar for rhythm and the guitar not leaping out to an overly silly degree on solos.

[Bluewine]

12 hours ago, prowla said:

Some bands use synth bass pedals to add things; you can do strings, choir, orchestral sounds and suchlike.

An octave pedal like a Mosaic can do things too.

You can run the sounds to separate amps or the PA to make them distinct.

And they don't have to be on all the time; they can even just add points of interest during songs.

Rush are probably the best example of that approach.

 

Alternatively don't overthink it and just be a 3-piece.

Budgie are a good example of that (and are not dissimilar to Rush when you listen).

Robin Trower's work (Bridge Of Sighs & Long Misty Days) doesn't sound empty.

 

I think allot of guys in trios are faced with this issue. When trios work it's fantastic when it doesn't it's a train wreck. 

 

We have two guitarists so it's not an issue for me. However,  for certain songs I will engage my MXR Bass Octave pedal to fill out the sound.

 

Daryl