Playing with just 2 guitars and drums -no bass

casey

Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 520
2 Security Pins

Posted on May 27 2006 07:24 AM

Wondering how many groups play with just 2 guitars and a drummer. Seems that bass players are in short supply around here. Our group has been playing as a 3 piece for a while and no one has mentioned the lack of a bass yet. We have the rhythym guitarist playing through 2 x 12" speakers, one in an external enclosed cabinet that adds a fair amount of bass . Hey, the Duo-Tones sound great with just 2 guitars.
Casey (3rd Wave)

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DougForbes

Joined: Mar 07, 2006
Posts: 62
La Crescenta CA.
United States

Posted on May 27 2006 09:18 AM

Hey Casey,

Where are you located?

Doug Forbes, Bass
Longboard Ranch
Flowmasters
Planktones

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casey

Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 520
2 Security Pins

Posted on May 27 2006 12:56 PM

Doug, we're a long way from sunny California - Richmond, Virginia.
Casey

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DougForbes

Joined: Mar 07, 2006
Posts: 62
La Crescenta CA.
United States

Posted on May 28 2006 08:45 AM

Bummer, I would have liked to jam.

Doug

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2346
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on May 29 2006 12:30 PM

There are those who do it without a bassist, but having
previously gone that route, I really think that having a
bass in the mix is critical. There are those who pull it
off fairly well (among others, the Concaves played without
a bassist for a while, and sounded pretty damn good).
Playing without is better than not playing at all, but IMHO,
continue the search. Best of luck!

Bob S.

—

Bob

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casey

Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 520
2 Security Pins

Posted on May 31 2006 09:29 PM

Well, the rhythym guitar player is taking the summer off to travel - in trying to find a replacement came up with another guitar player who comes with a bass player too . Looking forward to playing some as a traditional 4 piece.
Casey

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jhawkdville

Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 52
Encinitas, CA

Posted on Jun 17 2006 03:52 AM

casey
Hey, the Duo-Tones sound great with just 2 guitars.
Casey (3rd Wave)

I think the Duo-Tones sound great because they have a "balanced" sound. The two guitars are playing in a range that complements each other without one sound "sticking out".

When adding drums to the mix, you'll have high end sizzle esp. when the ride cymbal is being played. With just two guitars and drums, the high freqs from the drums really need help with something low to "balance out" the sound as well as provide support for the song's harmony. Perhaps one of your guitarists covers the low end by playing chords with strong root motion.

When you have a bass player in the group, it affords the guitar player(s) the luxury of playing more "adventurously" with the group's sound still sounding cohesive (harmony supported thanks to bass). "Adventurously" meaning lines or chords that touch on altered tones and/or chord extensions such as 6ths, 9ths, 11ths, etc. For surf, they can be used as passing notes...not that I'm suggesting playing be-bop lines!

Sorry for the music theory-speak, but being a bassist (as well as guitarist) I've a feeling your group may have a better chance to play unfettered (and more adventurously!) if you had a bassist to hold down the fort. Your drummer can also play fancy/vigorous ride patterns without sticking out like a sore thumb as the bass line complements the drum pattern.

Keep up the search and good luck!

~ Jonathan

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krupanut

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
2 News Pins

Posted on Jun 19 2006 09:55 AM

Belairs.

—

The Thunderchiefs

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casey

Joined: May 18, 2006
Posts: 520
2 Security Pins

Posted on Jun 19 2006 08:23 PM

Jonathan.,
Appreciate your comments and insight. I'd definitely prefer playing with a bass player, its just that they're in great demand around here and not always available. Part of our soultion has been to address the voice of the guitars, rhythym through 2 x 12" speakers, one of which is in an enclosed external cabinet. Seems to give the rhythym guitar a sound with more bass vs the lead through 4 x 10's. Casey

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casey Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 520	Posted on May 27 2006 07:24 AM Wondering how many groups play with just 2 guitars and a drummer. Seems that bass players are in short supply around here. Our group has been playing as a 3 piece for a while and no one has mentioned the lack of a bass yet. We have the rhythym guitarist playing through 2 x 12" speakers, one in an external enclosed cabinet that adds a fair amount of bass . Hey, the Duo-Tones sound great with just 2 guitars. Casey (3rd Wave) Top
DougForbes Joined: Mar 07, 2006 Posts: 62 La Crescenta CA.	Posted on May 27 2006 09:18 AM Hey Casey, Where are you located? Doug Forbes, Bass Longboard Ranch Flowmasters Planktones Top
casey Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 520	Posted on May 27 2006 12:56 PM Doug, we're a long way from sunny California - Richmond, Virginia. Casey Top
DougForbes Joined: Mar 07, 2006 Posts: 62 La Crescenta CA.	Posted on May 28 2006 08:45 AM Bummer, I would have liked to jam. Doug Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2346 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on May 29 2006 12:30 PM There are those who do it without a bassist, but having previously gone that route, I really think that having a bass in the mix is critical. There are those who pull it off fairly well (among others, the Concaves played without a bassist for a while, and sounded pretty damn good). Playing without is better than not playing at all, but IMHO, continue the search. Best of luck! Bob S. — Bob Top
casey Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 520	Posted on May 31 2006 09:29 PM Well, the rhythym guitar player is taking the summer off to travel - in trying to find a replacement came up with another guitar player who comes with a bass player too . Looking forward to playing some as a traditional 4 piece. Casey Top
jhawkdville Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 52 Encinitas, CA	Posted on Jun 17 2006 03:52 AM casey Hey, the Duo-Tones sound great with just 2 guitars. Casey (3rd Wave) I think the Duo-Tones sound great because they have a "balanced" sound. The two guitars are playing in a range that complements each other without one sound "sticking out". When adding drums to the mix, you'll have high end sizzle esp. when the ride cymbal is being played. With just two guitars and drums, the high freqs from the drums really need help with something low to "balance out" the sound as well as provide support for the song's harmony. Perhaps one of your guitarists covers the low end by playing chords with strong root motion. When you have a bass player in the group, it affords the guitar player(s) the luxury of playing more "adventurously" with the group's sound still sounding cohesive (harmony supported thanks to bass). "Adventurously" meaning lines or chords that touch on altered tones and/or chord extensions such as 6ths, 9ths, 11ths, etc. For surf, they can be used as passing notes...not that I'm suggesting playing be-bop lines! Sorry for the music theory-speak, but being a bassist (as well as guitarist) I've a feeling your group may have a better chance to play unfettered (and more adventurously!) if you had a bassist to hold down the fort. Your drummer can also play fancy/vigorous ride patterns without sticking out like a sore thumb as the bass line complements the drum pattern. Keep up the search and good luck! ~ Jonathan Top
krupanut Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 492 Austin Texas	Posted on Jun 19 2006 09:55 AM Belairs. — The Thunderchiefs Top
casey Joined: May 18, 2006 Posts: 520	Posted on Jun 19 2006 08:23 PM Jonathan., Appreciate your comments and insight. I'd definitely prefer playing with a bass player, its just that they're in great demand around here and not always available. Part of our soultion has been to address the voice of the guitars, rhythym through 2 x 12" speakers, one of which is in an enclosed external cabinet. Seems to give the rhythym guitar a sound with more bass vs the lead through 4 x 10's. Casey Top

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Playing with just 2 guitars and drums -no bass