Why would bards switch out instruments?

[Pindrought]

So i'm really new to Everquest, and i'm pretty confused about something I had read. Why would a bard switch out instruments while in combat when you don't need the instrument equipped to use the spell?

[leftharted]

the instruments improve the effect of the song considerably. better instruments have a greater effect. Alot of the strategy to bard grouping is determining when to 'buff' your songs with instruments; and when not to.

http://wiki.project1999.com/Thrasos%27_Bard_Guide

wiki should explain better than I can. =)

I just re-started myself; but my brother mained a Bard in live back in the day; which is the only reason I know this.. heh.

[Swish]

If you've got a bard that switches a lot, you've got a good bard.... essentially :p

[Halfelfbard]

Bards are awesome, get the best loot you can and just stand there and health/mana! The group will love you. (sarcasm on) Bard is the "busiest" class to play in a group. Hope you type fast!

[Llaile]

Gotta type in
short bursts between
triggering songs

[xKoopa]

Gotta type in
short bursts between
triggering songs

this makes so much sense

[firesyde424]

http://www.gucomics.com/20020812

[Ele]

dat mod

[NovaSeven]

So i'm really new to Everquest, and i'm pretty confused about something I had read. Why would a bard switch out instruments while in combat when you don't need the instrument equipped to use the spell?

They have to stop using their horns to release the spit valve. Spit valves are classic.

[Pindrought]

Thanks so much for the answers guys. I thought my chord of dissonance was doing low damage and then I realized that when I put on my string instrument it doubled in damage. Makes a lot more sense now. That being said, as far as swapping out weapons during combat, is the only way to do this by having the weapons on your hotbar and swapping with mouse or is there any way to swap them out with macros?

[Xaanka]

They have to stop using their horns to release the spit valve. Spit valves are classic.

[darkreap]

Some songs can only be played with certain instruments equipped. Cantata of Soothing for instance can only be played with a stringed instrument equipped(lvl 34 only as the lvl 55 one can be sung). Also, the lvl 50 and 60 bard overhaste spells can only be played with a horn equipped. In later levels bards will do much more damage with their dots while they have instruments equipped but depending on the group makeup, this could be less overall dps for the group. Just kinda depends on the situation.

[GuRu]

the instruments improve the effect of the song considerably. better instruments have a greater effect. Alot of the strategy to bard grouping is determining when to 'buff' your songs with instruments; and when not to.

http://wiki.project1999.com/Thrasos%27_Bard_Guide

wiki should explain better than I can. =)

I just re-started myself; but my brother mained a Bard in live back in the day; which is the only reason I know this.. heh.