Bands with two guitars, no keyboard

[MartinH]

I am in a band with two guitarplayers and no keyboardplayer. We have trouble to make the two guitarparts work together so I am looking for examples to learn from. Genre is pop/rock.

[MuzikMan]

I think it is best to have the two guitars produce different tones and play different lines. If they are trying to blend too much then you really only need one guitar player anyway. I have noticed that too much distortion can make it much more difficult to use two guitars.

[mcblahflooper94]

Foo Fighters. They did the last record with THREE.

EDIT(WARNING): Keyboards are occasionally used. :l

[EricssonB]

Proper use of EQ is great, as well as volume control.

[ksandvik]

Wishbone Ash material is maybe worth studying. Or Thin Lizzy.

[Gubna]

Iron Maiden.

Wait, don't they have three guitarists now?

[Thrust Meatnozl]

Judas Priest, Scorpions etc. 2 guitars was pretty standard in 70s & 80s hard rock.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by MartinH

I am in a band with two guitar players and no keyboard player. We have trouble to make the two guitar parts work together so I am looking for examples to learn from. Genre is pop/rock.

Work together in what particular way(s)? What precisely is the problem you're trying to fix, and what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

For starters, I'd listen to some classic rock/blues bands, such as:

• Thin Lizzy
• Wishbone Ash
• The Allman Brothers Band

IMO, the guitarists in these bands managed to work together very nicely - without stepping all over one another...

MM

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

Wishbone Ash material is maybe worth studying. Or Thin Lizzy.

Whoa! I didn't even read this before I posted...

MM

[BigMac5]

Pearl Jam

[jmattbassplaya]

Tell them to turn the bass down on their tone and to stick with mids and treble. They'll sound like poo on their own, but they'll sound amazing in a mix.

[lowfreq33]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Tell them to turn the bass down on their tone and to stick with mids and treble. They'll sound like poo on their own, but they'll sound amazing in a mix.

Doubtful this will be well received, but it is good advice.

Listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd. 3 guitars, bass, AND keys. Never got in each other's way.

[bassbrad]

Here is one of my bands with 2 guitars

Nardo The Band

[longfinger]

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones

There is a lot to learn from right there.

[nysbob]

Here are some more recent efforts from a band I'm in called the Bears - Adrian Belew & Rob Fetters on guitar. A lot of making it work has to do with arrangement and voicing. Check out the audio samples and see what you think.


The Bears | Car Caught Fire | CD Baby
The Bears | Live | CD Baby
The Bears | Car Caught Fire | CD Baby

[HometownLetdown]

If you want more modern bands w/ 2 guitars no keyboard

Four Year Strong (Rise or Die Album) (some keys but the song is complete without them)
Story of the Year (Page Avenue Album)
Greek Fire

[Mayers]

dude ... go to your local music store and buy the first CD in pop rock genre and there you go ... it will be 90% 2 guitars, 1 bass, 1 drum and 1 vocal

easy ...

[LanOsb133]

Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled album does it pretty well. Honestly just stick to the scale of the song. And just trial and error.

[sammyp]

Originally Posted by LanOsb133

Avenged Sevenfold Self Titled album does it pretty well. Honestly just stick to the scale of the song. And just trial and error.

yup....i'll go with AX7 as well.....great album!

GnR in their hay day did it well
Aerosmith
ACDC

in all the above bands you have a dedicated lead player and a guy who loves to play rhy and a bit understated at that!

it's all in the attitude of the two players.

[MartinH]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. Thin Lizzy is a good one (how could I forget them?) and since Wishbone Ash comes up a couple of times I will listen to them too.

@nysbob: The Bears is exactly the type of music/arrangement I was looking for!