mandatory to have two guitarists?

[Children of Bodom]

Hey you guys in your opinion is it mandatory to have two guitarists in metal today?

My band only has me and we do fine... But what do you think?

[Rusty Shackelford]

As long as it sounds good nothing else matters.

[RushOfBlood]

no way, especially not 'classic' metal

edit:
although, if you want to do those harmonizing riffs, it makes it easier, but honestly, you can do both parts yourself, I'm sure lots of people do that..or even use a harmonizer!

[Kac]

no

[dd12939]

It helps if you have a solid rhythm section behind you. interesting bass drum parts can help fill a mix pretty fast.

[Baltar]

it depends more on the songs you play. we're currently experimenting
around wih different styles/songs and setup.
we're only three and depending on the song i either play the rythm
on the guitar or bass. so sometimes we do play without bass to get
a second guitar. quite weird, but very depending on the song.

i wouldn't recommend a setup to a music style - it depends on the song imo

[Children of Bodom]

I agree, I mean Dimebag didnt need another guitarist to solo and it sounded f'ing awesome...

That man was amazing. RIP

But ya it seems that almost everybody has two guitarists I was just wondering. IMO you have more freedom when playing a song you can experiment. YOu know?

[Robbiedbee]

I think there is a lot more freedom with a second guitarist. Some of those nice melodic riffs only sound good either with a second guitar player to harmonise with it, or to play rhythm to it. As above though, there are ways around it. A good drum/bass section would make all the difference.

The problem with second guitar players though is that it's another guy that you need to get to band practice, another set of gear to hunk around and another ego to clash with. Guitar players tend to be the egos in a band, truth be told. If you can get it to wrok though, it would pay off.

[sosomething]

I think there is a lot more freedom with a second guitarist. Some of those nice melodic riffs only sound good either with a second guitar player to harmonise with it, or to play rhythm to it. As above though, there are ways around it. A good drum/bass section would make all the difference.

The problem with second guitar players though is that it's another guy that you need to get to band practice, another set of gear to hunk around and another ego to clash with. Guitar players tend to be the egos in a band, truth be told. If you can get it to wrok though, it would pay off.

There is wisdom in this post.

Yep, all true. My current band is a 2-guitar band - the first I've ever been in, and I love it. We NEED to be a 2-guitar band, though. Our music is written for that format and doesn't work with just one.

That said, hauling an extra 4x12, tube head, and two extra guitars all over the place isn't loads of fun. As for ego clashing, so far we haven't had any problems. We are very conscious of keeping a "band" mentality over a "me" mentality, and it's worked well for a little over a year now. Just like any other band member, the most important thing is getting the best mix of personalities in the room. It helps a lot though if everyone is an above-average player.

The best thing about having a 2-guitar band is the sound that comes off the stage - it's so much fuller and larger, and the guts don't drop out when one of you goes up for a solo or lead part. The possibilities for harmonized riffs and interplay is really fun.

[Jeff Dunne]

I write for a two guitar band... my style of music just requires it. Too many harmonies, leads that need a backing, etc.

The only problem is, I find it a total ***** to work with other guitarists, because all the ones I've played with, so far, have no musical vision whatsoever, so it ends up being me directing them... which works, but I can't help but feel that they don't like it that much.

If you've got another dedicated, equal-thinking guy, it's great.


I haven't been able to find any dedicated, equally-visioned, technically proficient musicians, period, so I continue to remain a solo act.




The other way you could do things is to play to backing tracks live - drummer playing to a click, audio feed to the PA. I'll be doing this, for sure, and a lot of bands like In Flames do this. You can have harmonized guitar parts, a rhythm track for when you want to solo, backing/harmony vocals, and synth parts all go through the PA, leaving you to focus on the performance. The added textures really make the show quite a bit better.

[JB_From_Hell]

If you've got another dedicated, equal-thinking guy, it's great.

Make sure you're willing to compromise

I've always had the most fun when it's just me (and occasionally the singer) playing guitar. Then again, I never played much besides mediocre grunge with any bands.

[JacksonMIA]

I've heard some bands that couldn't really pull it off with just one, though I've heard some where two was too much. With a good group of musicians, you can make it work great with just one guitarist. I agree that you can do some cool stuff with two or more that really isn't possible - at least outside the studio - with one.

[TimmyPage]

Stoner rock is more fun with 2 guitarists.
Blues rock is more fun with a guitarist and a sax player.
Jazz.. whole band thing.
Metal, any amount.. 3 is kinda pushing it though.

[Christobevii3]

I hate when there are two guitars in heavy bands and they just play the exact same thing. Learn to play together and not the same stuff!

[Guitarist]

Of course it's mandatory, you dumbass.

[SpiderVenom]

I haven't been able to find any dedicated, equally-visioned, technically proficient musicians, period, so I continue to remain a solo act.

If you find such a man, you may well not be able to cooperate

[Children of Bodom]

Of course it's mandatory, you dumbass.

Look man... Ill kill you!

:fing25:

[Zhangliqun]

I don't get the part about having extra gear to haul around. You've got an extra man to help you haul it so I figure that would cancel it out. (If he doesn't want to haul is own gear, Donald Trump his a$$.)

[drew_half_empty]

if you're good enough you don't need another guitarist to be able to play complex stuff & solos

setzer doesn't have a rythm player, the rev doesn't, chop tops don't, zep didn't

[drew_half_empty]

my bad, you said metal

i therefore have no clue