Why isn't doublebass used in metal?

[semborg]

Why isn't doublebass used in metal?
(and in other genres aswell?)

It seems to only be used in Classical, Jazz, Pop. But I have never seen one in a Rock n Roll band for example.

[trajectory fish]

There are a few Tool riffs that are fun to play on DB.

My Engelhardt sounds great in drop D!

[SOA_bassist]

i know some rock/metal/ska/punk/etc. bands play DB

My friend likes the horror pops ( idk what they are, never listen to them ) but they are supposed to be punk or ska or something and their singer plays DB

[demon666]

Go to www.rockabillybass.com or www.kingdoublebass.com and go under users.

[Jazz Ad]

There's upright bass in Fear Factory. Although I think they stopped using it since Olde Wolbers now plays the guitar in the band.

[BassGreaser]

Originally Posted by SOA_bassist

i know some rock/metal/ska/punk/etc. bands play DB

My friend likes the horror pops ( idk what they are, never listen to them ) but they are supposed to be punk or ska or something and their singer plays DB

They are Psychobilly it's a form of rockabilly and old punk. I think it's not seen more as it's just harder to play upright Pizz style as fast as Metal is today. Plus it doesn't sound good using a pick:P

[fcleff]

Originally Posted by BassGreaser

I think it's not seen more as it's just harder to play upright Pizz style as fast as Metal is today. Plus it doesn't sound good using a pick:P

It would be a great way to speed up the bow arm.

[Shakehandswbeef]

Flea actually played DB http://youtube.com/watch?v=5EQHGCA4i...hili%20peppers

[v-12]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

There's upright bass in Fear Factory. Although I think they stopped using it since Olde Wolbers now plays the guitar in the band.

I didn't know that!

Didn't peter steele play one like a regular bass in one of type o negative's video's? may have been black no. 1, but i can't remember.....

[BassGreaser]

Originally Posted by Shakehandswbeef

Flea actually played DB http://youtube.com/watch?v=5EQHGCA4i...hili%20peppers

yeah he sounds good, but you can tell he doesn't play upright much:P It's a great RHCP song!

[BassGreaser]

here is some pretty fast psychobilly.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpEGrHvILyQ

[Jazzman]

I am playing double in a Dylan type band...not sure if that meets your requirements. It seems to fit real well, so it probably isn't what you are referrring to.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by semborg

Why isn't doublebass used in metal?
(and in other genres aswell?)

It seems to only be used in Classical, Jazz, Pop. But I have never seen one in a Rock n Roll band for example.

To answer your question :

DB is hard to play!
DB is hard to transport - throw it in the back of a van and it will probably break into pieces.
DB is relatively fragile - see above!
DB is hard to amplify at high volumes - liable to just get annoying feedback!

OK - all these problems can be surmounted - but I think these are the answers to your question.

[Jazz Ad]

Your two latter propositions are probably major.
Hard to headbang with an upright, difficult to amplify at high stage volumes required for metal.

[popinfresh]

It's used a lot in Rockabilly/Psychobilly etc.

Scott from The Living End still uses his double basses (they started out rockabilly) and they're playing pretty plain rock now.

[flint]

I'm playing some hardcore stuff on my DB. It's not impossible, but it can be difficult. The amplification issue is a real one, and not one that I've been able to overcome yet. You need to be loud enough to be heard over the stupid guitars, but the louder you get the more feedback you get.

[Anonymous75966]

The Ex had a double bass player for a little while - Rozemarie Heggen, who left the band last year I think. Never got to see them play when she was in the group, which I'm choked about as I think they're one of the best live bands on earth.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

To answer your question :

DB is hard to play!
DB is hard to transport - throw it in the back of a van and it will probably break into pieces.
DB is relatively fragile - see above!
DB is hard to amplify at high volumes - liable to just get annoying feedback!

OK - all these problems can be surmounted - but I think these are the answers to your question.

All of the above + it's expensive and let's list hard to amplify one more time for good measure.

I think it's easier to ask "why would someone use DB for metal?" The only possible answer is that it would look cool. Not a good enough reason for me. When I get asked to do a non-jazz project and they specifically want me to play doublebass, I ask questions to try to get to that point, if I realize that they just want to be seen on stage with a doublebass, I say "no". It's too much personal investment for me just to help someone pose.

The only good reason would be that it contributes musically in some way that electric bass doesn't.

There are some examples where it does and when you say "rock and roll", look back to Buddy Holly and you'll see it, but really Fender liberated those guys and most of them never went back. They were all of the sudden able to play in tune, be heard, throw it into the trunk of the car, rather than strap it on top, or in a trailer. You can jump around on stage with the guitar player, you've got that whole phallic extension thing going on. You can easily bring a back up, use bright round wound strings.

But, when the music calls for it, it's totally worth it. If I have to run through an effects board and a Marshall stack....I'm guessing that sonically I might as well be playing the Guitar Center special with some really cool graphics.

-tk

[semborg]

Cool, I like your replies

[DeadCat Dan]

If you do listen to the Horror Pops and decide that you like, try some other Psychobilly, ie "The Necromantix" or "Zombie Ghost Train"... There's plenty of great psychobilly bands around and most of em use DB.