All that aside general practice for rhythm guitars is to record multiple takes, and pan each hard to the left and right. For example You have two tracks for your rhythm, both are two separate recordings. You then pan one 100-75% (or somewhere in between there) to the left, and then do the same for the right. This gives the guitar track a wide, or stereo feel.
Very true, but one common mistake (especially when using distortion) is to use the same guitar+amp+pedals+settings+mic placement+parts for both sides. Even though they're both separate takes, and you won't play them 100% the
exact same, they still won't sound very different. And, as we know, when you have two very similar sounds panned left and right, it tends to narrow the stereo width of the sound.
This is kind of a catch 22. If you play the parts really out of timing/pitch, they'll sound different and they'll sound much wider in the stereo field. Wide is good, bad playing isn't. On the flip side, if you play the parts really tight (good), they'll sound less wide, which isn't good. (if you're going for the double-tracked wide wall of guitar sound)
(I take too long to get to the point
)
So, use different amps or settings or pedals or miking techniques if you're playing similar parts. If the two parts are quite different, then it's not as much of an issue. The result: Wider guitar sound.
Also, it can be a great sound to have two guitar tones that really work well together, even if they sound quite different separately - rather than one tone that sounds good by itself. Experiment
