How to handle when there are 2 or 3 guitars in a song?

Hi Mike, I am and advanced beginner / low intermediate.  I like to perform solo's and rhythm and perform a smooth song start to finish.  Please advise how I should approach a song with multiple guitars,  which guitar, 1, 2 or 3, to play?  It was easy to figure out what worked for me on Wild Thing (gutar 1 then 2 for the solo then back to 1).  Other songs seem more complicated to figure out how to approach.  

Love your teaching and thanks you,

Ron

Sorry about the multiple repeat posts. when I posted a prompt appeared saying there is a glitch and to try again.

ron

Hello Ron - thanks so much for your kind words and question! It sounds like you're already thinking about this in the correct way - try to separate the guitar parts into Rhythm or Lead - and then see what makes sense as far as the best way to blend those. Wild Thing is the most straight forward example, and the next level would be if there is a lead guitar playing fills throughout the song. Then, you'd want to see if you can combine any of the fills into the main rhythm guitar. 

Beyond that, it can become more difficult. I would say try to pick the parts seem more "important" to the arrangement. Sometimes there are iconic riffs or licks that need to be in your composite part so that the song sounds authentic. Sometimes there are complimentary parts where it won't matter which one you choose. 

Another consideration might be to make sure there is always some sort of lower rhythm part underneath the main vocal spots of the song. It can sound thin if you're playing some sort of higher register part or lead licks with the vocals. 

Beyond that, it really comes down to your preference. There's usually no right or wrong answer, and the more you do it, your experience will sharpen those instincts so that it becomes more apparent which guitar parts you should play for a composite part.

Hope this helps!