Two bassists in a band?

[superkicky]

Anyone done this before? My guitarist is thinking of doing it, and it'd be great if we could get a point of reference if anyone's done it before and how they did it.

[bassbully43]

It can be hard to find one! let us know if you do it and how it sounds.

[teedub]

"Touching Bass" was the name of our effort. Basically I was hired by a friend to help replicate his solo CD in a live setting. His CD constisted of layer upon layer of bass tracks, SUPER full sounding, and it was a LOT of fun.

One of us would hold it down, while the other went into melodic la-la land, at least that's the basic gist of it. His pedalboard was very extensive, and I'm more of a "plug and play" type, so our roles were clearly defined, although he did give me the occasional solo or melody line. Great fun, and I highly recommend it!

Just be sure you've both agreed on who's going to do what during each tune as far as register is concerned. If you both are noodling up high, and conversely if you both are dwelling in the low end, isn't not the greatest idea. Even though we each had our own distinct tone, two sets of notes are pretty overwhelming to the ears if they're in the same register.

In summation: Play complimentary lines, don't set out to "out-do" each other, and most of all, have fun.

[chaosMK]

There is a band locally that uses two basses/bass players. But they kind of suck and tend to drive people away.

Squarepusher did some cool stuff with two basses (recorded) a while back.

[Atoz]

"Ned's Atomic Dustbin" used two bassists. There's also Dos (Mike Watt + Kira Roessler). There's certainly quite a difference in their respective sounds, so I think there's quite a large range of possibilities. Post a clip if you get it sorted out.

[superkicky]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

There is a band locally that uses two basses/bass players. But they kind of suck and tend to drive people away.

Squarepusher did some cool stuff with two basses (recorded) a while back.

Ooh, which album? I dig squarepusher. Respect for someone who was a drummer AND a bassist.

[BassChuck]

This would be a really cool thing if one bassist had a lower strung bass, say... F#, B, E, A, D and the other was higher, like.... A,D,G,C,F or whatever depending on the number of strings.

[SteveC]

The "replicate the solo CD live" thing is far different than a band. I don't see why you would want to really, but that' sjust my opinion

[tkozal]

Kip Hanrahan. two or three, the three being Jack Bruce (he who walks on earth as bass god) Steve Swallow (he who walks on earth as another bass god), and Andy Gonzalez on DB (another bass god). Verticals Currency or Desire Develops an Edge.

And really agree on your roles before hand. I was asked at one time to bring my piccolo to a gig or practice, only to have the other bassist take major offense.

[cheezewiz]

Ehh..call me old and too traditional, but I can't imagine a situation where a two bass band could sound good, unless the players were EXTREMELY talented and tasteful.

[Kael]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

Ehh..call me old and too traditional, but I can't imagine a situation where a two bass band could sound good, unless the players were EXTREMELY talented and tasteful.

Umm, ok. You are old and too traditional. Then again, I must be too, because I agree with you.

[SundanceChile]

Think Victor Wooten.

[SmittyG]

Actually, this is getting to be rather common in the jazz world. Jeff Berlin has done a couple of CDs where he played melody bass on top of the more traditional standup work of another bassist. Todd Johnson also has a CD using this format; his six-string bass doing chord/melody work over a more traditional player's standup walking lines.

[JAUQO III-X]

As far as modern music goes,if you do a little research you will find that the use of Two Bass players in the same Band has been going on for well over 50 years.

[didier]

There was a band in the 1986-1990 called Hugo Largo, and performed several songs with 2 bass guitars and violin.

Their first record, Drum, I think is the best. It might not be the directin your thinking about, but it was/is some very nice music

[tribal3140]

From some cats at the NAmm show that was done very tastefully

"Balancing Act"
some very good tracks on that disc.
Comeron and MAtt play opposite bass that complimant eachother well.

Theres a couple of fantastic trax on there too
#1, #2 and #9 are very veyr good songs!

Id recommend to check it out.
Good players too.

I think that this is a link but I am stabbing in the dark

www.balancingactmusic.com
?

[idoru]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

There is a band locally that uses two basses/bass players. But they kind of suck and tend to drive people away.

Oh wow, you too, eh?

http://www.myspace.com/xbhbex

Worst crowd response i've ever seen. In the silence after one of the songs, somebody's gf could be heard to say: "There's no f***ing way I'm applauding that, not even a pity clap".

[teedub]

Originally Posted by SteveC

The "replicate the solo CD live" thing is far different than a band. I don't see why you would want to really, but that' sjust my opinion

He was my friend, and he asked me. That's why.

We ended up only performing a few of his original tracks, and then a few of our own. It turned out quite fantastically while it lasted, and it was great fun. It's not like we played his solo tracks note for note, more of an "adaptation for dual bass".

[Keeaumoku]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

Ehh..call me old and too traditional, but I can't imagine a situation where a two bass band could sound good, unless the players were EXTREMELY talented and tasteful.

Yup! Me, too... and even then I would consider it a novelty act...

...now, where did I leave my Geritol???

[Blueszilla]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

There is a band locally that uses two basses/bass players. But they kind of suck and tend to drive people away.

What's the name of the band?

Miles had Foley on 'lead' bass. Sounded more like guitar though, at least guitar riffing.