Originally posted by Slow Diver
However, I think the opposite situation is also wrong -- playing in a band just because you are very good friend with the other members. I was stuck in this kind of situation for 3years, and the results are that I basically wasted my time.

I hear you on that one...thankfully I wasn't stuck for three years, but the worst part is when good friends fall out with each other over band stuff.

My current band is a 4-piece:

Singer (who plays some guitar on odd tracks)
Lead/rhythm (Me)
Bass
Drums

Getting the levels right does take time, and none of us are completely happy yet, but what takes even longer (from the main guitarist's point of view) is getting the guitars to have a tone when playing with the band. It's all very well getting that great sound when playing in your bedroom with the volume no higher than your stereo, but its different when blending with blending your sound with other sounds, and at a different volume level. Remember a good tone can be part of the uniqueness of both a guitarist and band. Incidents, I seem to remember you have some rather good gear....push it to its limits and get that sound :cool:

If you're stuck with virtuosos don't be too quick to abandon them....whenever I work with people of a higher ability than me I make sure I pick their brains and learn some stuff from them.

Above all else, have fun with it.