Son Volt an interesting case in point - they've been touring lately without Eric, resulting in some songs being dropped from the set list (notably "Left a Slide". Damn shame). On others, Dave Boquist has been forced to do some interesting, inventive things on his six string to cover for the missing steel guitar. He also gets to play less fiddle. IMHO, it's damaged the SV live sound/repertoire somewhat. Although some of the new material certainly heads into rockier territory, fiddle and steel seem to me integral to the Son Volt sound Stevie
