QFT

Bass is the glue that holds all the other instruments together.

(Guess what it is I play!!!!)

great vocals, anyday.

I would say that exact same thing for the Drums though....if the drumming isn't keeping the timing together...he can throw everyone else off

But the thing is... the bass ties together the rhythm and melody. If the bassist screws up both of those go out the window. If the drummer screws up, it's only rhythm. And guitarists often play off the bass.

this is kinda dumb, for all of them are important, especaiily guitar drums and vocals, but i guess ill vote guitar. how can you listen to a band that doesnt have a guitar!

Well, I don't mean to offend but that's a bit naive because any lead instrument can be substituted for a guitar really... piano anyone? There are many lead instruments.

But when you look at the rhythm section, the variety of instruments used is smaller. Classical and jazz use upright bass. Rock, metal, punk, funk use electric bass.

I guess this thread is kinda pointless, you cant really compare them, but Bass would definatly be last in my books, look at the white stripes, they show how little it can be needed

i voted guitar because i mostly only like bands that have a good guitarist... but without the drummer the guitarist would **** up. and instrumental songs can get boring if its not too interesting(so unless theres a crazy guitarist in an instrumental it gets boring). A bassist isnt really ALL that important because you can play without one for the most part... ive been to a few local shows and for the most part the bassist just play a 3 note bassline rythm.. (not bashing bassists because there are really good ones that DO make the band) and im sure there are guitarists that use the bassists rythm but i use the drums beat :/

another thing to consider is the rythm guitarist that fills in gaps and a guitarist could play off that if need be.

so it kinda depends on the band and the skill level of each player but my overall opinion would be
Guitar=drum>vocals>bass

I would have to say Drum and Bass. we need the Rhythm.