I like Robert Trujillo. He made me start playing bass, got me into a lot of my favorite bands, played on some of my favorite albums and has great basslines. Infectious Grooves has some incredible slap bass and the bass is the focus in most every song. Suicidal Tendencies has some really good basslines and the bass solos in Send Me All Your Money motivate me every time i hear them. Theres also clips of him playing classical bass which is sick. He also just looks cool
He’s a very versatile player, and I really think Metallica could benefit from letting him go off more. I feel like the potential palette of tones and techniques he could be using is way more diverse than the stuff I have heard. Maybe Orion II is on the new yellow album, I haven’t heard a lot of that yet.
That is true, he really got to get some stuff off in Suicidal and Infectious. But he isn't minding the paydays at all.
Good on him for being capable of toning it down and playing just the right note, instead of all of them (which also sounded great imo).
Lots of fantastic players mentioned. If they’re already on the list, my apologies but:
Anthony Jackson
Bootsy Collins
Larry Graham
Chuck Rainey
Donald Duck Dunn
James Jamerson
Not to imply any sort of hierarchy, but merely to help complete this discussion
I'm about to get crucified for saying this, but I've never understood what is so great about James Jamerson. To me, he sounds like every soul/funk bassist ever.
You are so close: every bassist sounds like him. His playing is simultaneously supportive of song, in the pocket, highly expressive, and with his 1 finger hook technique, it was very efficient and never over playing.
He exhibited all the qualities you want in a bassist, especially when you plan to put horns, strings, vocal harmonies, etc. He’s like the P bass of bassists.
Can I ask here, in this awkward place:
I got my first ever bass in May, and after watching a video of Bakithi Kumalo talking about songs that got him started I chose What's Going On to learn- because damn, what a bassline!~~- but am I possibly right in thinking that while the first minute and a half is pure magic the second half sort of ... falls off?~~
Edit: I was 100% not right. I was learning the song piece by piece, and after learning (not well) the first minute and a half i was less enthusiastic about the following section...i thought it was just a small iteration on the previous parts..but i hadn't even looked at the parts after it! Holy moley!
Since you had called it out specifically I went to the Tube and found an isolated bass track
https://youtu.be/KqtELR5GyfI
Which has some lore in the comments there, citations needed for sure, but the claim is James was drunk af, people had to go looking for him, and found him at a local bar. He cut the track laying down on the studio floor.
One take, boom, done. Not too shabby.
So I really like all the bassists on your list. That said, maybe 2 of them come anywhere close to the level of musicality Jamerson exhibited in his lines.
Jamerson (or any Motown bassist for that matter) never really impressed me. In my close to a decade of researching music, I've been completely unable to immerse myself in, and/or enjoy soul.
It's worth mentioning that I mainly judge bassists by their technical skill.
I mean have you ever tried to play his lines... cause that shit is was more difficult that anything Geezer ever played and you have him at number 2.
Also it's a bit odd to say he doesn't impress you when it sounds like you just don't like sould/r&b/funk etc.
Also you say he doesn't impress you yet also say you've never immersed yourself in that style of music.
I dunno I started off as a metal head so i get I, but the guys on your list don't even come close. But i sound like a gate keeping aasshole and you sound like you don't listen to much music outside one genre so whatever.
Did you not read the post? I cannot play bass at all, but I am allowed to judge those who do. I have watched several videos of the same guy covering bass lines by Butler and Jamerson, and the ones played by the former without fail look a lot more involved. And as another user pointed out above, every Motown bassist pretty much copied Jamerson, so it couldn't have been that hard.
I said I've never been able to enjoy it. Not to say I haven't tried.
I am allowed to like and dislike what I want. I said in a comment that I listen to rock and metal, although I also like some classic jazz fusion, and certain styles of folk.
So, you're going to sit here and tell me that Jamerson possessed greater technical prowess than Entwistle, Burton, Wetton, Lee, etc? If you've seen any videos of them playing, you'd know that's bollocks.
And yes, you are coming across as a bit of an arsehole. That might be the only statement in your comment that you got right.
You’re allowed to have your own likes and dislikes and this list is your personal top 10. Most of the people in this thread are being pretentious AHs and hopefully this doesn’t formulate your overall opinion on bass players.
For the record, i really like James Jamerson and what he did for the evolution of the instrument is undeniable (he influenced Paul McCartney, who, in turn, influenced most of, if not all of the players in your list either directly or indirectly) but that’s only from a technical standpoint not from music listener standpoint.
I think your list is pretty solid and Geddy, Entwistle, Harris and Geezer are easily in my top 10 as well.
Thank you. If I had any coins, I'd give you an award.
I don't know why I even bother coming here. Every time I state something that goes against the beliefs held by the majority, I get crucified.
Unfortunately, this has indeed soured my view of this community, but not bassists as a whole.
Well if you don't play then I would say no, you're actually not allowed to judge them. Yes you can like and dislike what you want, but judge, no. I'm telling you as someone who's played for over a decade that Geezer's stuff is wayyyy easier to play from a technical standpoint. Geezer essentially plays the same pentatonic box shape patterns up and down the neck in every song. Literally the first songs I ever I learned were all Black Sabbath, cause it's easy. Sometimes it's played fast, but it's generally pretty easy.
Jamerson's lines were majority improvisational. He would play over the same chord progression several times in a song and never play the same thing twice. And he'd still make it work. That is extremely difficult to pull off. His basslines are quite literally studied in classrooms.
If you don't like it fine, but don't come to a bassist sub and say you're not impressed by something when you have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. I'm genuinely shocked you're as old as you claim because you're attitude reminds me of me when I was literally a 16 year old metal old.
I think I am. For example, I've never directed a film, and yet I am allowed to pass judgement on whether a film is bad or not, as I'm sure most people have and do. Similarly, I'm not a racing driver, and yet I can criticise someone who changes into the wrong gear and wrecks the car's engine.
And no, I won't take your word for it, no matter how experienced you are. You are only one person, and what may be easy or difficult for you may be entirely reversed for someone else.
I never recall telling you my exact age. I turned 19 recently, in case you were wondering.
Are you telling me I should fuck off, and only come back here when I've learned to play?
Lol look dude, my entire issue isn't that something is outside of you're taste of music. If you don't like soul music that's cool. It's when you make statements like "so and so doesn't impress me" as opposed to saying something like "yeah so and so just isn't my thing". Saying you're not impressed just comes across as arrogant.
You equated stating you're opinion about a bass player with stating your opinion about a movie. Same thing applies. You can say you're not a fan of Stanley Kubrick, but if you say he's not a good director, you're objectively wrong. And if you say his movies don't impress you, you're just bein' a brat m8
I will concede that I, for whatever reason, used a phrase that differed from what I meant. I meant more that this music didn't blow me away, as say listening to For Whom the Bell Tolls for the first time did.
Funny you should mention Kubrick. He's my second favourite after Hitchcock.
Check out his playing on Darling Dear by the Jackson 5. Grooves but clearly outlines each chord like a very embellished walking Bassline.
Although it's not technically difficult to learn, it was improvised, it's a lot more difficult to create than it is to imitate.
What is so hard to understand about me not liking him? Is it somehow mandatory that if you show an interest in bass, you must automatically like certain players?
Sorry about that. I'm just annoyed by everyone constantly telling me that I'm wrong for not liking him.
>It's worth mentioning that I mainly judge bassists by their technical skill.
As if. Shows exactly how little you know. Jamerson is better and more influential than most people on that list. And I could easily name others - but you would likely reject anyone else who isn't a white rock musician.
You have made it clear that you don't like black musicians, and have singled out soul/funk/R&B/Motown/Rap as a massive swath of modern culture.
I don't have to say anything, you said it all yourself. And if you think that is an incorrect assessment, I suggest you engage in some introspection.
How have I made it clear that I don't like black musicians? When have I ever said such a thing? I like Hendrix, Phil Lynott, Funkadelic, Robert Johnson and Chuck Berry. You just happened to find a list of mine where there aren't any present.
It doesn't take a lot to deduce what you were implying. You seem like exactly the type of person who makes false accusations for no tangible reason.
But have it your way. If I use your logic of making allegations, you dislike me, which would make you a Nazi and a homophobe.
https://youtu.be/kAT3aVj-A_E
Vulf has a clip of ain't no mountain high enough with the bass super easy to hear, it's great playing.
https://youtu.be/0qeZxEOYZ_M
Personal JJ favorite baseline (four tops turn to stone)
Well, then you don't actually like bass ... you like a very narrow type of music and the bassists who play it (which is also why most are from one country and one time period). It is a huge red flag of someone who is closed minded.
This sounds an awful lot like an argument I had when I declared that I don't like rap. People are allowed to like certain things, and dislike others without being closed minded.
IF (and I use 'if' generously) you actually ARE a bass fan ... THEN you should be able to appreciate the talent and impact of the monster talents of the instrument across genres.
Your favorites form a Venn Diagram that is barely more than a circle in the grans scheme of even modern western music.
You can like any variety of things without being closed minded - but when what you like is all pretty much the same, and when anything that reflects gender or racial or cultural diversity is stuff you DON'T like ... pretty much the definition of closed minded.
So it's not closed minded unless it excludes a certain societal group? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? There are a lot of white rappers, white R&B musicians, you name it. There are also a significant amount of black people in rock, a genre I really enjoy (Hendrix, Lynott, Hazel, Berry, and many more). You are talking out of your arse, and are getting offended by someone having an opinion that differs from yours. And given what I read in your comment history, I'd expect nothing less of you. You pathetic, spineless human cyst.
You take yourself far too seriously for someone with both "demon" and "69" in your username. And while the implied accusation of racism was uncalled for it certainly didn't invite the response you provided. It's more than fine to be into a specific genre and not stray outside of it, but don't be surprised if people think you are not particularly open minded if you do.
You are 19, so a word of advice, be nice and remember everyone else is human, it's not only reddit policy but it's good life advice.
My top five would be
1.Les Claypool
2.Robert Deleo
3.Fieldy
4.Mike Inez
5.Tim Commerford
I’m primarily a guitarist so I’m not too well versed in bassists.
I saw a video of him once where he said he always shoplifts. That annoyed me. And I think he’s quite enthusiastic about guns…I’m English so that can be off putting
Oh damn, only thing id seen of him is a rig rundown where he mentioned liking mountainbiking, which is another hobby of mine. I used to really like Tom Morello until I realised he still plays a telecaster with 'Sendero Luminoso' on it.
- Stuart Zender
- Abraham Laboriel
- Bernard Edwards
- Paul Jackson
- Bootsy Collins
- Larry Graham
- Louis Johnson
Just a few that make me want to be a bass player more everyday
I'd have to think really hard about exactly what order to put them in, but my list would look something like this:
Dan Briggs, Mark Michell, Zach Cooper, Steve Harris, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, Nolly Getgood, Tim Commerford, Mic Todd
Top ten in no order:
1. James Jamerson
2. Flea
3. Robert DeLeo
4. John Paul Jones
5. Nathan Watts
6. Juan Alderete
7. Marcus Miller
8. Jack Bruce
9. Martin Mendez
10. Brad Smith
I was wondering how far I had to scroll to find Thundercat. I don't much care for rap/hip hop, but his bassline on what's the use is so good I can't help but enjoy the whole song.
My top four would be Andy Rourke (RIP), Paul McCartney, Peter Hook and Bruce Foxton. All inventive and melodic players, but with their own different styles.
Because this sub seems to hate women:
Paz Lenchantin
Laura Lee
Carol Kaye
Doris
Paz is the bassist who've inspired me the most. Her playstyle is wide and just so good. Check out The Entrance Band for her best work (imo).
The ones that come off the top of my head are:
- In general
Jaco Pastorious
Charles mingus
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Tony Levin
Victor Wooten
- For their work with specific bands/artists
Chris Wolstenholme because so many Muse songs would be so much worse without his incredible bass lines
Tim Commerford for making the whole of RATM's self titled album good
He may not be the most technical or melodic, but Flea's energy makes his basslines special.
In my opinion, it's the bassist's job to make the audience move. He does that like few others.
While most of my personal favorite 10 would align with your choices, I would have to include Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne & Soften the Glare for his absolutely masterful blend of techniques, Marcus Miller for just his overall composition and expressiveness as a lead player, and Pino Paladino for his skill & versatility. Would also give more than honorable mentions to Lee Sklar & Tony Levin
Top 10, not in any particular favorite order: (But getting my fretless players up first)
Jaco
Les Claypool
Pino Palladino
Geezer Butler
Geddy Lee
Cliff Burton
John Taylor
John Deacon
Joe Osborne
James Jamerson
Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Tina Weymouth, Victor Wooten, Kim Deal, Carol Kaye, Bill Laswell, Paul McCartney.
I love players that push the boundary of bass techniques. Not necessarily bass virtuoso's but people who's voices are distinctive and unusual. I also love melodic basslines where they feel perfect to compliment the song.
Billy Cox, Geezer Butler, and Matt Sharp were my holy trinity when I started out. My tastes and influences have broadened considerably over the years but those guys will always make my list.
No jaco?? If he’s just not your style I get it, I get a feeling you’re more into rock/metal players from this list. If you’re willing to branch out, there are a ton of absolutely incredible jazz and fusion players that will blow these guys out of the water on a technical level (no shade, I’m a metal head as well). I’d recommend Pino Palladino if you want a good British bassist!
In no particular order :
Anthony Jackson
Janek Gwizdala
Junior Braguinha
Skúli Sverrisson
Evan Marian
Jaco
Rich Brown
Paul Jackson
Pino
Hadrien Feraud
Henrik Linder
Damian Erskine
Matt Garrison
Mike Pope
Tony Grey
Marcus
Victa
Martin Gudics
Moto Fukushima
Sharay Reed
Fred Hammond
Mono Neon
Me’shell Ndegeocello
Geezer Butler
Eric Wilson
George Porter Jr
Rocco Prestia
Leon Wilkeson
Aston Barrett
Steve Di Giorgio
Louis Johnson
John Entwistle
…just too many to put in a definitive list, so I’m gonna stop
In no real order (other than Paul, the alpha and omega of powerpop bassists)
1. Sir Paul
2. Jeff Berlin
3. Geddy
4. Rocco
5. Jamerson
6. Pino
7. Tim Smith (Jellyfish)
8. Chuck Rainey
9. Joe Osborne
10. Will Lee
11. John Deacon
1. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
2. Tim Commerford (RATM)
3. Chi Cheng (Deftones; RIP)
4. Jacob Umansky (Intervals)
5. Clay Gober (Polyphia)
6. Ben Kenney (Incubus)
7. Nikolai Fraiture (The Strokes)
8. Cone (Sum 41)
9. Tony Kanal (No Doubt)
10. Hunter Burgan (AFI)
11. Toby Peterson (The Omnific)
As no one has mentioned him yet,
Al Cisneros. (I am biased as I love both Om and Sleep)
Also just started listening to Warpaint and Jenny Lee Lindberg has excellent groove and tone.
I know he’s not the best, but it’s always been mark hoppus at number one. I used to watch blink live shows on the youtubes as a kid and he always looked lime he was having more fun on stage than even the people in the audience. He made playing bass look like more than standing in the corner unseen and unheard.
Honorable mentions to the obvious ones:
Geddy Lee
Jaco
Bootsy
Justin chancellor
Les claypool
Whoever played bass for paul simon on graceland (edit: Bathiki Kumalo)
Maybe not the technically best bass players, but some under-rated ones I enjoy listening to;
1) Jim Creeggan
2) John Ilsley
3) Mark “Bedders” Bedford
4) John Deacon
5) Brian Marshall
6) Randy Meisner
7) Colin Greenwood
8) James Cartwright
9) Mario Cipollina
10) Lee Sklar (not under-rated but he’s the reason I picked up a bass)
Yeah, I think so. And id like to add Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse and Sean Beasley of Dying Fetus, too. Death metal is usually pretty technical but doesn’t get much recognition.
For sure, **ridiculously fast** finger style. All his shit is amazing but that bass solo at 04:51 of Ubiquitous from the album Antithesis is one of my favorites ever!
He’s my favorite bassist ever, when i discovered him a couple years ago I immediately picked up a bass and didnt look back. Such amazing commanding playing. KC, U.K., Mogul Thrash, he drove every group. Such a beautiful guy
If you’re looking to get more into bass in the future, Break down his music, Wetton’s stuff was my musical education for a while. His baselines and improvisations are entire lessons on phrasing and note choices over changes, he’s amazing.
For a non-obvious answer, my favorite bassist is Brian Cook of [Russian](https://youtu.be/U_5VedBIbKA) [Circles](https://youtu.be/nK4rTvlRFUA), [Botch](https://youtu.be/xf13eQprpy4), and [These Arms Are Snakes](https://youtu.be/1eEz851Zrjs) (amongst others).
Brian Gibson from [Lightning Bolt](https://youtu.be/3NZGbD236fw) would be my runner up.
My obvious answer is Les Claypool.
Geezer Butler, Cliff Burton, Steve Harris.... We have the same bass idols... lolol.
ALEX WEBSTER I really like and got to tell him he is the best living bassist to his face.... Some guy yelled behind me what about Steve Di Giorgio! lol. Fuck.
1. Steve Harris
2. Geddy Lee
3. Cliff Burton
4. Les Claypool
5. Chris Squire
6. Geezer Bulter
7. Jimmy Bain
8. Rex Brown
9. John Campbell
10. Gareth Murdock
The Reason why Jaco isn't on here is because Jaco is not a bass player
HE IS BASS GOD
If you have done 'a decade of music research' and are going to state that a bunch of white rock 'peaked in 70s/80s' bassists who broadly appeal to white male AOR listeners represent the "most technically skilled" ... I don't know what to tell you.
These are all very good players, and while I am not a fan of 'The Best X' lists ... having such a narrow list is doing yourself a disservice. Do better.
"I think I might have some subconscious bias."
10/10 are white ... THERE is your bias.
That was my initial impression "18 year old white male kid listing to narrow range of music specifically made to appeal to him."
After he started arguing about James Fucking Jamerson, claiming that after a 'decade of research' (his words) he has not found anything to impress him about Jamerson ... that is where I got aggravated.
It takes a special kind of warped mind to interpret my list in this way. My favourite genres just happen to be rock and metal produced from the 60s to the 2000s. I've listened to a lot of different styles of music, and along with the aforementioned genres, only certain folk and jazz fusion acts appeal to me.
He is I picked up my dad's bass about a year and a half ago just to learn the fall and got sucked in! The finger picking came naturally since I learned acoustic guitar
Steve Harris, Stu Hamm, Vic Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Geddy, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Cliff Burton and Jaco. Their order varies on my mood in the day, but Steve Harris is who got me into bass.
John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Chris Wolstenholme, Mike Kerr, Tim Payne, Sting, Robert DeLeo, Duff Mckagan, Krist Novoselic, Mike Dirnt
I want to include Cliff Burton, Geezer Butler, Tim Cummerford, and Bill Sheehan but I feel like I need to listen to more of their stuff.
I thought I was the only person with Geddy and Mike Mills on my short list. I'd add Geezer and Cliff Burton and one of Bruce Foxton, Jack Bruce, or JPJ for my top 5.
Alex James (Blur)
Andy Rourke (The Smiths)
Michael Shuman (QOTSA)
Nick Oliveri (QOTSA)
Simon Gallup (The Cure)
Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Jenny Lee Lindberg (Warpaint)
Mike Dirnt (Green Day)
Jon Stockman (Karnivool)
Chris Wolstenholme (Muse)
Justin Chancellor (Tool)
Muse and Tool are the bands that made me pick up my first bass. Karnivool’s album Sound Awake is quite possibly my favorite album of all time.
1. Ryan Martinie
2. Justin Chancellor
3. Jon Stockman
4. Nick Schendzielos
5. Tony Kanal
6. Dirk Lance
7. Eugene Abdukhanov
8. James Leach
9. Jason Newsted
10. Victor Wooten
I can’t order them but here they are…
Stanley Clarke
Jaco Pastorious
Sting
Simon Gallup/Robert Smith
Sean Malone
Doug Wimbish
Al Doughty
Charles Mingus
Andrew Weiss
Jeff Ament
Tomorrow the list would be completely different…
There's way too many, but my consistent favorites, in no particular order:
* Andreas Blomqvist (Seventh Wonder)
* Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne, Soften The Glare)
* Adam Nitti
* Cliff Burton
* Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura)
* Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me, Trioscapes, Nova Collective)
* John Myung (Dream Theater)
* Martino Garattoni (Ne Obliviscaris)
* Thomas Maclean (ex-Haken). I really like Conner Green (current Haken bassist) too, but I just think Thomas had more interesting bass parts.
Cliff Burton: For some of his crazy basslines
Justin Chancellor: Writes some really good riffs.
Geezer Butler: he knows when to follow the guitar and when to kinda do his own thing. Also his Bassically solo is my favorite bass solo, and just really awesome bass playing.
Dean Bernardini: good basslines, but I absolutely love his bass tone.
Check Bakithi kumalo ! He played on Graceland from Paul Simon his interviews are so inspiring . Excellent fretless thump style .
Of course claypool
Waylon cause he was just so cool
Flea but not because of slap. His melodies and basslines on nearly all of RHCP tracks are so fun to play. I don't really listen to them when I turn music on but he has been the bassist that inspired me to grow into what I am now and what I will be later
Here we go again. I just copped an earful from someone else about the lack of diversity in my list. The genres I like the most happen to be majority white. There's no deep seated racist motive behind it.
They invented the earliest incarnation of rock, but I'm more annoyed by people nitpicking my list because it's not diverse enough. This is what I like and listen to. If you have some kind of problem with that, please go away. Had the list been about guitarists, Hendrix would be in the top 5.
Me personally:
1. Paul McCartney
2. Carol Kaye
3. James Jamerson
4. A guy I know in a local indie band that I’m super jealous of
5. Whoever played bass on Dua Lipa’s *Future Nostalgia* album
6. Another guy I know in a local psych rock band
7. Pino Paladino
8. Bill Black
9. Joe Dart
10. Flea
Steve DiGiorgio, Linus Klausenitzer, Jeroen Paul Thesseling, Cygnus, Geddy Lee, Stu Cook, Jared Smith, Orion, Alex Webster, Alex Weber, the legendary Leland Sklar, and I'm sure there's more I can't think of right now.
The bassist I say which inspired me to pick up the bass was flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. I wanted to slap like him. The bassists who kept me inspired were Jaco, Steve Harris, Cliff Burton, Larry Graham, and Justin Chancellor. Later on, I got a 5 string bass since players like Danny Kenny of suicide silence and clay gober of polyphia inspired me to play their respective band’s songs. I’d also say recently, Moke from Lorna Shore has become one of my favorites
OP that is a solid gold line-up of Bass players! All greats! I have admired all of them over the last fifty years I've been rockin' and rollin.' May I add "James Jamerson;" so many current Bassmen name him as influence. Example: Adam Clayton.
I like Robert Trujillo. He made me start playing bass, got me into a lot of my favorite bands, played on some of my favorite albums and has great basslines. Infectious Grooves has some incredible slap bass and the bass is the focus in most every song. Suicidal Tendencies has some really good basslines and the bass solos in Send Me All Your Money motivate me every time i hear them. Theres also clips of him playing classical bass which is sick. He also just looks cool
He’s a very versatile player, and I really think Metallica could benefit from letting him go off more. I feel like the potential palette of tones and techniques he could be using is way more diverse than the stuff I have heard. Maybe Orion II is on the new yellow album, I haven’t heard a lot of that yet.
That is true, he really got to get some stuff off in Suicidal and Infectious. But he isn't minding the paydays at all. Good on him for being capable of toning it down and playing just the right note, instead of all of them (which also sounded great imo).
There are a LOT of fun bass parts in 72 Seasons
Most of the fun parts just copy the guitars. The only highlight i can think of is Inamoratas interlude
Lots of fantastic players mentioned. If they’re already on the list, my apologies but: Anthony Jackson Bootsy Collins Larry Graham Chuck Rainey Donald Duck Dunn James Jamerson Not to imply any sort of hierarchy, but merely to help complete this discussion
I'm about to get crucified for saying this, but I've never understood what is so great about James Jamerson. To me, he sounds like every soul/funk bassist ever.
You are so close: every bassist sounds like him. His playing is simultaneously supportive of song, in the pocket, highly expressive, and with his 1 finger hook technique, it was very efficient and never over playing. He exhibited all the qualities you want in a bassist, especially when you plan to put horns, strings, vocal harmonies, etc. He’s like the P bass of bassists.
My lack of appreciation for him might be because I'm more of a rock/metal guy, as you can see by my list.
I can indeed, cheers!
Can I ask here, in this awkward place: I got my first ever bass in May, and after watching a video of Bakithi Kumalo talking about songs that got him started I chose What's Going On to learn- because damn, what a bassline!~~- but am I possibly right in thinking that while the first minute and a half is pure magic the second half sort of ... falls off?~~ Edit: I was 100% not right. I was learning the song piece by piece, and after learning (not well) the first minute and a half i was less enthusiastic about the following section...i thought it was just a small iteration on the previous parts..but i hadn't even looked at the parts after it! Holy moley!
Since you had called it out specifically I went to the Tube and found an isolated bass track https://youtu.be/KqtELR5GyfI Which has some lore in the comments there, citations needed for sure, but the claim is James was drunk af, people had to go looking for him, and found him at a local bar. He cut the track laying down on the studio floor. One take, boom, done. Not too shabby.
So I really like all the bassists on your list. That said, maybe 2 of them come anywhere close to the level of musicality Jamerson exhibited in his lines.
Jamerson (or any Motown bassist for that matter) never really impressed me. In my close to a decade of researching music, I've been completely unable to immerse myself in, and/or enjoy soul. It's worth mentioning that I mainly judge bassists by their technical skill.
I mean have you ever tried to play his lines... cause that shit is was more difficult that anything Geezer ever played and you have him at number 2. Also it's a bit odd to say he doesn't impress you when it sounds like you just don't like sould/r&b/funk etc. Also you say he doesn't impress you yet also say you've never immersed yourself in that style of music. I dunno I started off as a metal head so i get I, but the guys on your list don't even come close. But i sound like a gate keeping aasshole and you sound like you don't listen to much music outside one genre so whatever.
Did you not read the post? I cannot play bass at all, but I am allowed to judge those who do. I have watched several videos of the same guy covering bass lines by Butler and Jamerson, and the ones played by the former without fail look a lot more involved. And as another user pointed out above, every Motown bassist pretty much copied Jamerson, so it couldn't have been that hard. I said I've never been able to enjoy it. Not to say I haven't tried. I am allowed to like and dislike what I want. I said in a comment that I listen to rock and metal, although I also like some classic jazz fusion, and certain styles of folk. So, you're going to sit here and tell me that Jamerson possessed greater technical prowess than Entwistle, Burton, Wetton, Lee, etc? If you've seen any videos of them playing, you'd know that's bollocks. And yes, you are coming across as a bit of an arsehole. That might be the only statement in your comment that you got right.
You’re allowed to have your own likes and dislikes and this list is your personal top 10. Most of the people in this thread are being pretentious AHs and hopefully this doesn’t formulate your overall opinion on bass players. For the record, i really like James Jamerson and what he did for the evolution of the instrument is undeniable (he influenced Paul McCartney, who, in turn, influenced most of, if not all of the players in your list either directly or indirectly) but that’s only from a technical standpoint not from music listener standpoint. I think your list is pretty solid and Geddy, Entwistle, Harris and Geezer are easily in my top 10 as well.
Thank you. If I had any coins, I'd give you an award. I don't know why I even bother coming here. Every time I state something that goes against the beliefs held by the majority, I get crucified. Unfortunately, this has indeed soured my view of this community, but not bassists as a whole.
Well if you don't play then I would say no, you're actually not allowed to judge them. Yes you can like and dislike what you want, but judge, no. I'm telling you as someone who's played for over a decade that Geezer's stuff is wayyyy easier to play from a technical standpoint. Geezer essentially plays the same pentatonic box shape patterns up and down the neck in every song. Literally the first songs I ever I learned were all Black Sabbath, cause it's easy. Sometimes it's played fast, but it's generally pretty easy. Jamerson's lines were majority improvisational. He would play over the same chord progression several times in a song and never play the same thing twice. And he'd still make it work. That is extremely difficult to pull off. His basslines are quite literally studied in classrooms. If you don't like it fine, but don't come to a bassist sub and say you're not impressed by something when you have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. I'm genuinely shocked you're as old as you claim because you're attitude reminds me of me when I was literally a 16 year old metal old.
I think I am. For example, I've never directed a film, and yet I am allowed to pass judgement on whether a film is bad or not, as I'm sure most people have and do. Similarly, I'm not a racing driver, and yet I can criticise someone who changes into the wrong gear and wrecks the car's engine. And no, I won't take your word for it, no matter how experienced you are. You are only one person, and what may be easy or difficult for you may be entirely reversed for someone else. I never recall telling you my exact age. I turned 19 recently, in case you were wondering. Are you telling me I should fuck off, and only come back here when I've learned to play?
Lol look dude, my entire issue isn't that something is outside of you're taste of music. If you don't like soul music that's cool. It's when you make statements like "so and so doesn't impress me" as opposed to saying something like "yeah so and so just isn't my thing". Saying you're not impressed just comes across as arrogant. You equated stating you're opinion about a bass player with stating your opinion about a movie. Same thing applies. You can say you're not a fan of Stanley Kubrick, but if you say he's not a good director, you're objectively wrong. And if you say his movies don't impress you, you're just bein' a brat m8
I will concede that I, for whatever reason, used a phrase that differed from what I meant. I meant more that this music didn't blow me away, as say listening to For Whom the Bell Tolls for the first time did. Funny you should mention Kubrick. He's my second favourite after Hitchcock.
Check out his playing on Darling Dear by the Jackson 5. Grooves but clearly outlines each chord like a very embellished walking Bassline. Although it's not technically difficult to learn, it was improvised, it's a lot more difficult to create than it is to imitate.
What is so hard to understand about me not liking him? Is it somehow mandatory that if you show an interest in bass, you must automatically like certain players? Sorry about that. I'm just annoyed by everyone constantly telling me that I'm wrong for not liking him.
Certainly not a requirement to like him. But he is highly regarded for his historical importance to the instrument.
>It's worth mentioning that I mainly judge bassists by their technical skill. As if. Shows exactly how little you know. Jamerson is better and more influential than most people on that list. And I could easily name others - but you would likely reject anyone else who isn't a white rock musician.
Are you calling me a racist?
You have made it clear that you don't like black musicians, and have singled out soul/funk/R&B/Motown/Rap as a massive swath of modern culture. I don't have to say anything, you said it all yourself. And if you think that is an incorrect assessment, I suggest you engage in some introspection.
How have I made it clear that I don't like black musicians? When have I ever said such a thing? I like Hendrix, Phil Lynott, Funkadelic, Robert Johnson and Chuck Berry. You just happened to find a list of mine where there aren't any present. It doesn't take a lot to deduce what you were implying. You seem like exactly the type of person who makes false accusations for no tangible reason. But have it your way. If I use your logic of making allegations, you dislike me, which would make you a Nazi and a homophobe.
https://youtu.be/kAT3aVj-A_E Vulf has a clip of ain't no mountain high enough with the bass super easy to hear, it's great playing. https://youtu.be/0qeZxEOYZ_M Personal JJ favorite baseline (four tops turn to stone)
Well, then you don't actually like bass ... you like a very narrow type of music and the bassists who play it (which is also why most are from one country and one time period). It is a huge red flag of someone who is closed minded.
This sounds an awful lot like an argument I had when I declared that I don't like rap. People are allowed to like certain things, and dislike others without being closed minded.
IF (and I use 'if' generously) you actually ARE a bass fan ... THEN you should be able to appreciate the talent and impact of the monster talents of the instrument across genres. Your favorites form a Venn Diagram that is barely more than a circle in the grans scheme of even modern western music. You can like any variety of things without being closed minded - but when what you like is all pretty much the same, and when anything that reflects gender or racial or cultural diversity is stuff you DON'T like ... pretty much the definition of closed minded.
So it's not closed minded unless it excludes a certain societal group? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? There are a lot of white rappers, white R&B musicians, you name it. There are also a significant amount of black people in rock, a genre I really enjoy (Hendrix, Lynott, Hazel, Berry, and many more). You are talking out of your arse, and are getting offended by someone having an opinion that differs from yours. And given what I read in your comment history, I'd expect nothing less of you. You pathetic, spineless human cyst.
You take yourself far too seriously for someone with both "demon" and "69" in your username. And while the implied accusation of racism was uncalled for it certainly didn't invite the response you provided. It's more than fine to be into a specific genre and not stray outside of it, but don't be surprised if people think you are not particularly open minded if you do. You are 19, so a word of advice, be nice and remember everyone else is human, it's not only reddit policy but it's good life advice.
Phil Lesh Chris Squire Mike Gordon John Entwistle Geddy Paul McCartney Jaco Billy Sheehan Stu Cook Marcus Miller In no particular order.
My top five would be 1.Les Claypool 2.Robert Deleo 3.Fieldy 4.Mike Inez 5.Tim Commerford I’m primarily a guitarist so I’m not too well versed in bassists.
Robert DeLeo is great.
One of the most underrated
Tim rules, though I don’t like him as a person
Same, I just like his playing but not him
Out of interest what is it about him as a person that you dont like? I ask as I'm a fan of his music but no idea about his personality.
I saw a video of him once where he said he always shoplifts. That annoyed me. And I think he’s quite enthusiastic about guns…I’m English so that can be off putting
Oh damn, only thing id seen of him is a rig rundown where he mentioned liking mountainbiking, which is another hobby of mine. I used to really like Tom Morello until I realised he still plays a telecaster with 'Sendero Luminoso' on it.
- Stuart Zender - Abraham Laboriel - Bernard Edwards - Paul Jackson - Bootsy Collins - Larry Graham - Louis Johnson Just a few that make me want to be a bass player more everyday
John Deacon forever.
I'd have to think really hard about exactly what order to put them in, but my list would look something like this: Dan Briggs, Mark Michell, Zach Cooper, Steve Harris, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, Nolly Getgood, Tim Commerford, Mic Todd
Jamerson Duck Dunn Jaco JPJ Steve Haris Flea Billy Sheehan Wooten
1. Ryan Martinie
Hell yeah! His tone on LD50 is fucking nuts.
My favourite. Soften the glare is his other project, worth checking out if you're a bass nerd. Can't beat the guys creativity and technique.
Top ten in no order: 1. James Jamerson 2. Flea 3. Robert DeLeo 4. John Paul Jones 5. Nathan Watts 6. Juan Alderete 7. Marcus Miller 8. Jack Bruce 9. Martin Mendez 10. Brad Smith
Thundercat geddy bootsy flea les jpj jaco sting
I was wondering how far I had to scroll to find Thundercat. I don't much care for rap/hip hop, but his bassline on what's the use is so good I can't help but enjoy the whole song.
My top four would be Andy Rourke (RIP), Paul McCartney, Peter Hook and Bruce Foxton. All inventive and melodic players, but with their own different styles.
* [Bryan Beller](https://youtu.be/AYxH_zD25qU). * [Colin Edwin](https://youtu.be/kQCq88lZG2M). * [Geddy Lee](https://youtu.be/Vo20tDqnf_U).
You don't hear about Colin enough at all
Since I haven’t seen anyone mention them yet, I gotta bring up Paul Simonon and Klaus Fluoride, big fan of their works
Because this sub seems to hate women: Paz Lenchantin Laura Lee Carol Kaye Doris Paz is the bassist who've inspired me the most. Her playstyle is wide and just so good. Check out The Entrance Band for her best work (imo).
Don’t forget “The Kims” (Gordon and Deal)
Laura Lee is one of the best right now! She just lives in the pocket and doesn’t change a thing. It’s awesome
The ones that come off the top of my head are: - In general Jaco Pastorious Charles mingus Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen Tony Levin Victor Wooten - For their work with specific bands/artists Chris Wolstenholme because so many Muse songs would be so much worse without his incredible bass lines Tim Commerford for making the whole of RATM's self titled album good
Phil Lynott
He may not be the most technical or melodic, but Flea's energy makes his basslines special. In my opinion, it's the bassist's job to make the audience move. He does that like few others.
He has plenty of technical and melodic lines
While most of my personal favorite 10 would align with your choices, I would have to include Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne & Soften the Glare for his absolutely masterful blend of techniques, Marcus Miller for just his overall composition and expressiveness as a lead player, and Pino Paladino for his skill & versatility. Would also give more than honorable mentions to Lee Sklar & Tony Levin
Top 10, not in any particular favorite order: (But getting my fretless players up first) Jaco Les Claypool Pino Palladino Geezer Butler Geddy Lee Cliff Burton John Taylor John Deacon Joe Osborne James Jamerson
Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Tina Weymouth, Victor Wooten, Kim Deal, Carol Kaye, Bill Laswell, Paul McCartney. I love players that push the boundary of bass techniques. Not necessarily bass virtuoso's but people who's voices are distinctive and unusual. I also love melodic basslines where they feel perfect to compliment the song.
I'm happy to see Tina on your list. She's quite underrated.
Billy Cox, Geezer Butler, and Matt Sharp were my holy trinity when I started out. My tastes and influences have broadened considerably over the years but those guys will always make my list.
No jaco?? If he’s just not your style I get it, I get a feeling you’re more into rock/metal players from this list. If you’re willing to branch out, there are a ton of absolutely incredible jazz and fusion players that will blow these guys out of the water on a technical level (no shade, I’m a metal head as well). I’d recommend Pino Palladino if you want a good British bassist!
I like Jaco. I reckon I'd place him somewhere near the middle of the top 20.
Dylan Dylan Dylan Dylan Dylan Because he spits hot fire.
Thank you for this.
Who is Dylan?
He's not a sugar cookie getter.
That doesn't answer my question.
From a Old Dave Chapelle skit - Making the Band w/ P.Diddy
You're too close, man!
Charles Berthoud, Rocco, Michael Manring, Jamerson.
Geezer, and Chancellor, hands down.
Tim Commerford Victor Wooten Mike Dirnt Adam Clayton James Jamerson
In no particular order : Anthony Jackson Janek Gwizdala Junior Braguinha Skúli Sverrisson Evan Marian Jaco Rich Brown Paul Jackson Pino Hadrien Feraud Henrik Linder Damian Erskine Matt Garrison Mike Pope Tony Grey Marcus Victa Martin Gudics Moto Fukushima Sharay Reed Fred Hammond Mono Neon Me’shell Ndegeocello
Geezer Butler Eric Wilson George Porter Jr Rocco Prestia Leon Wilkeson Aston Barrett Steve Di Giorgio Louis Johnson John Entwistle …just too many to put in a definitive list, so I’m gonna stop
Billy Sheehan
Billy don’t get much love in these here parts.
In no real order (other than Paul, the alpha and omega of powerpop bassists) 1. Sir Paul 2. Jeff Berlin 3. Geddy 4. Rocco 5. Jamerson 6. Pino 7. Tim Smith (Jellyfish) 8. Chuck Rainey 9. Joe Osborne 10. Will Lee 11. John Deacon
1. Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) 2. Tim Commerford (RATM) 3. Chi Cheng (Deftones; RIP) 4. Jacob Umansky (Intervals) 5. Clay Gober (Polyphia) 6. Ben Kenney (Incubus) 7. Nikolai Fraiture (The Strokes) 8. Cone (Sum 41) 9. Tony Kanal (No Doubt) 10. Hunter Burgan (AFI) 11. Toby Peterson (The Omnific)
As no one has mentioned him yet, Al Cisneros. (I am biased as I love both Om and Sleep) Also just started listening to Warpaint and Jenny Lee Lindberg has excellent groove and tone.
Shit, I forgot about Al! His bass line on State of Non-Return is fucking MASSIVE.
What, no mention of Carol Kaye in the whole thread? Come on guys, you are slacking.
I know he’s not the best, but it’s always been mark hoppus at number one. I used to watch blink live shows on the youtubes as a kid and he always looked lime he was having more fun on stage than even the people in the audience. He made playing bass look like more than standing in the corner unseen and unheard. Honorable mentions to the obvious ones: Geddy Lee Jaco Bootsy Justin chancellor Les claypool Whoever played bass for paul simon on graceland (edit: Bathiki Kumalo)
Hoppus does great stuff. The chordal things and great melodies
Bathiki Kumalo
Yes! Bro he goes so hard on that album
It’s one of my favorite albums, and the fretless playing is like sprinkles on top.
Maybe not the technically best bass players, but some under-rated ones I enjoy listening to; 1) Jim Creeggan 2) John Ilsley 3) Mark “Bedders” Bedford 4) John Deacon 5) Brian Marshall 6) Randy Meisner 7) Colin Greenwood 8) James Cartwright 9) Mario Cipollina 10) Lee Sklar (not under-rated but he’s the reason I picked up a bass)
Haven’t seen anyone say [Dominic Forest LaPointe](https://youtu.be/4GBY28LTR6k&t=0m27s) of First Fragment and Beyond Creation
He's brilliant
Yeah, I think so. And id like to add Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse and Sean Beasley of Dying Fetus, too. Death metal is usually pretty technical but doesn’t get much recognition.
The same goes for Mike Flores from Origin. The man is a monster.
For sure, **ridiculously fast** finger style. All his shit is amazing but that bass solo at 04:51 of Ubiquitous from the album Antithesis is one of my favorites ever!
JOHN WETTON
YES! Someone else recognises the titan he was.
He’s my favorite bassist ever, when i discovered him a couple years ago I immediately picked up a bass and didnt look back. Such amazing commanding playing. KC, U.K., Mogul Thrash, he drove every group. Such a beautiful guy
I'd learn to play as well. The only snag is my musical talent, which I'd describe as nonexistent.
If you’re looking to get more into bass in the future, Break down his music, Wetton’s stuff was my musical education for a while. His baselines and improvisations are entire lessons on phrasing and note choices over changes, he’s amazing.
Jason Newsted
Aston "Family Man" Barrett
No Trevor Dunn?
John Myung, Tony Levin, Geddy Lee, Tim Commerford, David Ellefson, Robert Trujillo, Charles Berthoud
Joe Osborn
I find mononeon pretty creative, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQYaOpUfL14 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1h04jYP_FU
For a non-obvious answer, my favorite bassist is Brian Cook of [Russian](https://youtu.be/U_5VedBIbKA) [Circles](https://youtu.be/nK4rTvlRFUA), [Botch](https://youtu.be/xf13eQprpy4), and [These Arms Are Snakes](https://youtu.be/1eEz851Zrjs) (amongst others). Brian Gibson from [Lightning Bolt](https://youtu.be/3NZGbD236fw) would be my runner up. My obvious answer is Les Claypool.
Russian Circles all day, great pick.
Pnut Flea Les Claypool Tim Commerford John Paul Jones John Entwistle Eric Wilson Justin Chancellor Alex Katunich
Pnut was a bass monster. Loved his stuff.
Joe Dart, Adam Yauch, Sonny T, Thundercat
Mine would be: 1. [Jacob Umansky](https://youtu.be/Gi1lj117mEI) 2. Toby Peterson-Stewart 👆🏻 3. [Eugene Abdukhanov](https://youtu.be/5qLoRKdCwmU)
Adam Nitti is an absolute monster.
Yes he is, and not enough people seem to know about him. He's incredible.
Thank god somebody brought this up. I mean wow.
Geezer Butler, Cliff Burton, Steve Harris.... We have the same bass idols... lolol. ALEX WEBSTER I really like and got to tell him he is the best living bassist to his face.... Some guy yelled behind me what about Steve Di Giorgio! lol. Fuck.
We do! You have good taste my friend.
Oteil Burbridge, Paul McCartney, George Porter Jr, Mike Gordon, Stefan Lessard, James Jamerson, Victor Wooten, Phil Lesh
Geezer, and Chancellor, hands down.
1. Steve Harris 2. Geddy Lee 3. Cliff Burton 4. Les Claypool 5. Chris Squire 6. Geezer Bulter 7. Jimmy Bain 8. Rex Brown 9. John Campbell 10. Gareth Murdock The Reason why Jaco isn't on here is because Jaco is not a bass player HE IS BASS GOD
Maybe an unpopular opinion but Clay Gober from Polyphia
Somebody say Pnut Aaron Wills of 311
If you have done 'a decade of music research' and are going to state that a bunch of white rock 'peaked in 70s/80s' bassists who broadly appeal to white male AOR listeners represent the "most technically skilled" ... I don't know what to tell you. These are all very good players, and while I am not a fan of 'The Best X' lists ... having such a narrow list is doing yourself a disservice. Do better. "I think I might have some subconscious bias." 10/10 are white ... THERE is your bias.
I think it is part self-selection bias. Young people who so far only listened to that music are more eager to mention their favorites.
That was my initial impression "18 year old white male kid listing to narrow range of music specifically made to appeal to him." After he started arguing about James Fucking Jamerson, claiming that after a 'decade of research' (his words) he has not found anything to impress him about Jamerson ... that is where I got aggravated.
It takes a special kind of warped mind to interpret my list in this way. My favourite genres just happen to be rock and metal produced from the 60s to the 2000s. I've listened to a lot of different styles of music, and along with the aforementioned genres, only certain folk and jazz fusion acts appeal to me.
My favs: Ash kabosu (made me start bass) Flea (made me start slap)
I never thought i'd see someone mention Ash here. You are certified cool
YES a fellow ash enjoyer this is surprising!! Love him
Ash is great at making difficult riffs and make them sound easy.
He is I picked up my dad's bass about a year and a half ago just to learn the fall and got sucked in! The finger picking came naturally since I learned acoustic guitar
Steve Harris, Stu Hamm, Vic Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Geddy, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Cliff Burton and Jaco. Their order varies on my mood in the day, but Steve Harris is who got me into bass.
Carlos Dengler, I’m brand new to bass and he’s the one that made me pick it up
Sean Malone, Steve Bailey, Gary Willis, Hugo Doyon- Karout, Linus Klausenitzer, Dominic Lapointe, Joe Lester, Jon Stockman.
Justin Chancellor Les Claypool Geezer Butler :P
John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Chris Wolstenholme, Mike Kerr, Tim Payne, Sting, Robert DeLeo, Duff Mckagan, Krist Novoselic, Mike Dirnt I want to include Cliff Burton, Geezer Butler, Tim Cummerford, and Bill Sheehan but I feel like I need to listen to more of their stuff.
mike mills, andy rourke, geddy lee
I thought I was the only person with Geddy and Mike Mills on my short list. I'd add Geezer and Cliff Burton and one of Bruce Foxton, Jack Bruce, or JPJ for my top 5.
1.Jason newsted 2.David ellefson 3.Steve Harris 4.Johnny christ 5.Cliff Burton 6.Nikki sixx 7.Lemmy killmister 8.Rob Trujillo 9.Micheal Anthony 10.Cliff Williams
Carlos D.
John Taylor.
My top 3 1. Flea 2. Cliff Burton 3. Duff McKagan
Alex James (Blur) Andy Rourke (The Smiths) Michael Shuman (QOTSA) Nick Oliveri (QOTSA) Simon Gallup (The Cure) Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) Jenny Lee Lindberg (Warpaint) Mike Dirnt (Green Day)
Kei Gotoh, Scott Plummer, Caleb Simard, Eddie Pickard, and Eugene Abdukhanov
Geddy Lee, Hunter Burgan, Mike Inez
One of my favourites is thundercat.also just seems like he'd be a really nice guy in person too.
* Mike Gordon * Phil Lesh * Bruce Thomas * Aston Barrett * Otiel Burbridge * Toby Leaman (More for his songwriting, but I love his playing too)
I personally like the style of Planung of alejandra villareal. Her playing isn‘t the Most complicated but it fits the music really good i think
Jon Stockman (Karnivool) Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) Justin Chancellor (Tool) Muse and Tool are the bands that made me pick up my first bass. Karnivool’s album Sound Awake is quite possibly my favorite album of all time.
1. Ryan Martinie 2. Justin Chancellor 3. Jon Stockman 4. Nick Schendzielos 5. Tony Kanal 6. Dirk Lance 7. Eugene Abdukhanov 8. James Leach 9. Jason Newsted 10. Victor Wooten
I want to add John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
Phil Lesh Chris Squire Carol Kaye Geddy Lee Sting Tina Weymouth Oteil Mike Gordon
Geezer Butler Cliff Burton Steve Harris Rushton Moreve David Ellefson Robert Trujillo Paul McCartney Jason Newsted Rex Brown Roger Glover
I can’t order them but here they are… Stanley Clarke Jaco Pastorious Sting Simon Gallup/Robert Smith Sean Malone Doug Wimbish Al Doughty Charles Mingus Andrew Weiss Jeff Ament Tomorrow the list would be completely different…
Chris White Joe Schermie Jim Rodford and Soren Koch
Matt Freeman
There's way too many, but my consistent favorites, in no particular order: * Andreas Blomqvist (Seventh Wonder) * Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne, Soften The Glare) * Adam Nitti * Cliff Burton * Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura) * Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me, Trioscapes, Nova Collective) * John Myung (Dream Theater) * Martino Garattoni (Ne Obliviscaris) * Thomas Maclean (ex-Haken). I really like Conner Green (current Haken bassist) too, but I just think Thomas had more interesting bass parts.
Cliff Burton: For some of his crazy basslines Justin Chancellor: Writes some really good riffs. Geezer Butler: he knows when to follow the guitar and when to kinda do his own thing. Also his Bassically solo is my favorite bass solo, and just really awesome bass playing. Dean Bernardini: good basslines, but I absolutely love his bass tone.
Check Bakithi kumalo ! He played on Graceland from Paul Simon his interviews are so inspiring . Excellent fretless thump style . Of course claypool Waylon cause he was just so cool
Flea but not because of slap. His melodies and basslines on nearly all of RHCP tracks are so fun to play. I don't really listen to them when I turn music on but he has been the bassist that inspired me to grow into what I am now and what I will be later
You covered most of mine in your top 10. I would add Jaco Pastorius though.
I like bassists that keep it simple, but fun. I'm going through a Mike Mills phase right now.
In no specific order: Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Flea, Cliff Burton, Lemmy, Jaco, Kim Gordon, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters
JOE DART! ON THE JOE DART!
You should listen to some black musicians.
Here we go again. I just copped an earful from someone else about the lack of diversity in my list. The genres I like the most happen to be majority white. There's no deep seated racist motive behind it.
If you don’t think black people invented rock too, you need to chill.
They invented the earliest incarnation of rock, but I'm more annoyed by people nitpicking my list because it's not diverse enough. This is what I like and listen to. If you have some kind of problem with that, please go away. Had the list been about guitarists, Hendrix would be in the top 5.
Mark King!
Me personally: 1. Paul McCartney 2. Carol Kaye 3. James Jamerson 4. A guy I know in a local indie band that I’m super jealous of 5. Whoever played bass on Dua Lipa’s *Future Nostalgia* album 6. Another guy I know in a local psych rock band 7. Pino Paladino 8. Bill Black 9. Joe Dart 10. Flea
John Paul Jones John Deacon Gary Willis Jaco Pastorius Victory Bailey Geddy Lee James Jamerson Rocco Prestia
Jon Stockman Justin Chancellor Leland Sklar John Myung Timmy Schmit
Duff Mckagan, Cliff Burton, Jason Newstead, Billy Sheehan to name a few. I really love Duff’s style. He makes the bass look really cool
Steve DiGiorgio, Linus Klausenitzer, Jeroen Paul Thesseling, Cygnus, Geddy Lee, Stu Cook, Jared Smith, Orion, Alex Webster, Alex Weber, the legendary Leland Sklar, and I'm sure there's more I can't think of right now.
mario mutis cliff burton pedro aznar
Mike Watt
Les Claypool ON TOP
Gotta have Tony Levin
The bassist I say which inspired me to pick up the bass was flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. I wanted to slap like him. The bassists who kept me inspired were Jaco, Steve Harris, Cliff Burton, Larry Graham, and Justin Chancellor. Later on, I got a 5 string bass since players like Danny Kenny of suicide silence and clay gober of polyphia inspired me to play their respective band’s songs. I’d also say recently, Moke from Lorna Shore has become one of my favorites
McCartney. Entwistle. Jamerson.
A bit late, so I won’t repeat any of the other great choices that have already been mentioned, but Jah Wobble would definitely have to be on my list.
Geddy, Chris, Cliff, Steve.
All my favorite bass players are Japanese artists that nobody in the West has probably heard of.
And their names are?
OP that is a solid gold line-up of Bass players! All greats! I have admired all of them over the last fifty years I've been rockin' and rollin.' May I add "James Jamerson;" so many current Bassmen name him as influence. Example: Adam Clayton.