leading from electric?

[travisham]

I wanted to hear you guys' thoughts on leading worship from electric guitar. It's something that I've seen done at Sunday morning corporate worship a very small number of times and that I've never tried myself. I've written a few preliminary thoughts on why it makes sense from a contextual standpoint on my blog, but I'm really curious to hear what you all have experienced on this issue. Anyone tried it? Anyone use it regularly/all the time? What has been the response from your congregation? Thanks y'all.

-travis

[Mike Darley]

I had a Carvin AE 185, which is a semi-hollow body electric w/ a piezo bridge pick up. Basically, you can switch between acoustic and electric with the same guitar. I've used this a couple times playing out on a worship set, but never at my church. It worked well, but again it wasn't in my church. If you church is used to electric or is at least a church that is ready for electric I don't see why this would be a problem. I'd say, go for it.

[travisham]

I'm curious why you haven't used it at your church. Would it be for the reasons listed (not used to electric / not ready)?

[jefflibby]

I'm pretty sure Tommy Walker leads regularily with electric. I led once with electric at our Wednesday night bible study and it was received well... of course I ran it nice and clean, so it sounded acoustic-ish. That time it was myself on guitar and another team member on djembe.

[Mike Darley]

Nah, our church is ready. I'm just not very good at electric. I'm a better rhythm player, plus I don't have an amp and any good effects. I had an amp that took a dump, and had to borrow the effects I used. We're adding an electric guy here pretty soon who is awesome. It's really just personal preference.

[Milestoneworship]

I'm the only guitarist in my band, so I have to lead with both (at different times of course! I'm not that good yet). Playing electric is an entirely different beast than acoustic, and it is important that I make certain mental adjustments, or things can start sounding...weird.

[worshiptrench]

once again, do both even at the same time....if things get out of hand or you get nervous, with a push of the pan pedal you are back on acoustic...here's how once again boyz and girlz (video post)

http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=28

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I AGREE

[travisham]

Jordan, if I remember right Brent was the first one of you two to bring out the electric on Sunday morning. I'm curious what kind of feedback you guys got from folks at the time and how that has changed since then.

[stephen_can_man]

I lead from either guitar. I tried the line six variax and that thing was a piece of crap. Don't waste your money on it. Now I use my Taylor or PRS through my POD XT live. It depends on the sound and transitions in the songs, but, I use whichever the song calls for, or, when the guys in the band cant play the solos. That schecter semi-holobody guitar looked like a good idea, but I am style conscious and it looked like an old mans guitar...Either way, use the instrument that fits the song!

[El Ben]

Two words, one man: Lincoln Brewster. 'Nough said.