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Top 10 Bassists

StoneAmentStoneAment Posts: 393
edited December 2010 in Other Music
So there are a lot of lists out there fore guitarists but no love for bassists. So this is a list of my 10 favourite (not necessarily technically the best) bass players

1. Geddy Lee (Rush)
YYZ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hJ5-ngUow
2112 (Parts 1&2 of 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQyY2ikmqNo

2. Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
Can’t Stop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfOdWSiyWoc

3. Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
Jeremy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9UO7Yl5tVs

4. John Entwistle (The Who)
The Real Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqty-PWJtOI

5. Jason Newsted (Metallica)
My Friend of Misery http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUmKitBtqgk

6. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
Dazed and Confused http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaPEOdefOq0

7. Cliff Burton (Metallica)
Orion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzMJhOwBLqw

8. Steve Harris (Iron Miaden)
Hallowed Be Thy Name http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyW1D_GqsuM

9. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
Heaven and Hell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EL67mjv1nM

10. Ben Shepard (Soundgarden)
Spoonman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0mYZswIU5M
Mike McCready makes the energizer bunny look tired.
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  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,721
    StoneAment wrote:

    7. Cliff Burton (Metallica)
    Orion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzMJhOwBLqw

    Cliff Burton :D
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KpxOmksHrY
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  • klusterfukklusterfuk Posts: 1,411
    we cant forget John Entwistle that dude was badass

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5mFVo55bKQ
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  • Newch91Newch91 Posts: 17,560
    I would've put My Generation instead of The Real Me for John Entwistle.
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  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    My top 5.

    John Paul Jones
    Paul McCartney (his lines are unbelieveable)
    Geddy Lee
    Julie Slick
    Tony Levin
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  • HorosHoros Posts: 4,518
    A couple of others:

    Billy Sheehan

    Stu Hamm
    #FHP
  • FenwayFaithfulFenwayFaithful Posts: 8,626
    6 people have posted here and not one mentions Mr. Leslie Edward Claypool.
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  • DewieCoxDewieCox Posts: 11,430
    Justin Chancellor
    Roger Waters
    Sven Pipien
    Robert Deleo
    Chris Squire
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    UM HELLO? LES CLAYPOOL



    /THREAD
  • Digital TwilightDigital Twilight Posts: 5,642
    Brisk. wrote:
    UM HELLO? LES CLAYPOOL



    /THREAD

    Nah he's pretty naff really.

    John Paul Jones

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZsQq2q4Tys

    ;)
  • StoneAmentStoneAment Posts: 393
    dimitrispearljam wrote:
    Cliff Burton :D
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KpxOmksHrY
    Hi Cliff!
    Brisk. wrote:
    UM HELLO? LES CLAYPOOL
    Yeah he's a good bassist but tbh I'm not too familiar with his band and what I have heard I don't like all that much so he's not on the list
    Mike McCready makes the energizer bunny look tired.
  • KevinmanKevinman Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 1,921
    Claypool tried out for the bass job for Metallica after Burton died. Metallica said no. They said he was too good and should do something on his own.
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  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    they didn't say he was too good, did they? I thought they said he was too weird.

    You put Newsted above Burton? BLASPHEMY!!! Burton is LIGHT years ahead of Newsted. Easily.
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  • StoneAmentStoneAment Posts: 393
    Paul David wrote:
    they didn't say he was too good, did they? I thought they said he was too weird.
    This sounds a bit more likely
    Paul David wrote:
    You put Newsted above Burton? BLASPHEMY!!! Burton is LIGHT years ahead of Newsted. Easily.
    I knew this was going to cause a bit of controversy. I fully accept Burton was technically better and easily more innovative - the man would shred on a bass like others struggle to do on a guitar. However, Newsted remains my favourite Metallica bassist. The reason being the bass isn't about shredding, it's about rhythm, and Newsted had phenomenal command of rhythm. I'm not saying cliff didn't but I dunno man there's a certain groove I hear in Jason's playing that really resonates with me and I don't get it so much with Cliff.
    Mike McCready makes the energizer bunny look tired.
  • skippybrewskippybrew Posts: 283
    Not yet mentioned:

    Mike Watt (Minutemen)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ghVtYu_sg8&feature=related

    Mark Sandman (Morphine)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M34iZH4-qkI&feature=related

    Robert Trujillo (Suicidal/Infectious Grooves/Metallica/etc.)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bum3R23sWo&feature=related

    Nick Olivieri (QOTSA/Kyuss/Mondo Generator)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_8N6bRzEJY&feature=related

    Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUw4gPZiNGQ&feature=related
  • evenflow82evenflow82 Posts: 3,892
    No Jack Bruce, huh??? He was revolutionary for his time and played the bass like a lead instrument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BGlFsf9DM8
    Listen to the bass line in Cream's live version of Crossroads from 1968.
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  • Back_PedalBack_Pedal Posts: 1,171
    In after classic rock bassists.

    Trent Reznor on Year Zero. His bass is pretty great on it.
    Dan Briggs of Between the Buried and Me.
    Zander Zon.
    Colin Greenwood from Radiohead.
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  • Bushleaguer28Bushleaguer28 Posts: 776
    Claypool and Geddy at the top - Everyone else is after
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  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    don't like their styles. too flamboyant. I guess it depends what your criteria are for "best". my criteria is "how do they carry the songs".
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    Claypool and Geddy at the top - Everyone else is after
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  • Bushleaguer28Bushleaguer28 Posts: 776
    Paul David wrote:
    don't like their styles. too flamboyant. I guess it depends what your criteria are for "best". my criteria is "how do they carry the songs".
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    Claypool and Geddy at the top - Everyone else is after

    Well Claypool's bass IS the song, so I feel he carries it well. As far as Lee goes, if anyone in Rush is flamboyant for me, its Neil. It often feels like he drums for the sake of showing off. Maybe in another band Lee would sound flamboyant, but personally I dont hear it in Rush.
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  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,367
    keeponrockin wrote:
    My top 5.

    John Paul Jones
    Paul McCartney (his lines are unbelieveable)
    Geddy Lee
    Julie Slick
    Tony Levin
    Great call on Sir Paul!! His playing gets overlooked a lot because of what a great song writer he is. But he's a virtuoso player on multiple insturments.
  • LoulouLoulou Adelaide Posts: 6,247
    My thoughts exactly!! I love Primus! GO LES!!!!!!!!!!
    FenwayFaithful wrote:
    6 people have posted here and not one mentions Mr. Leslie Edward Claypool.
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  • weekapaug19weekapaug19 Posts: 2,293
    claypool and victor wooten
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,207
    StoneAment wrote:
    Paul David wrote:
    they didn't say he was too good, did they? I thought they said he was too weird.
    This sounds a bit more likely
    Paul David wrote:
    You put Newsted above Burton? BLASPHEMY!!! Burton is LIGHT years ahead of Newsted. Easily.
    I knew this was going to cause a bit of controversy. I fully accept Burton was technically better and easily more innovative - the man would shred on a bass like others struggle to do on a guitar. However, Newsted remains my favourite Metallica bassist. The reason being the bass isn't about shredding, it's about rhythm, and Newsted had phenomenal command of rhythm. I'm not saying cliff didn't but I dunno man there's a certain groove I hear in Jason's playing that really resonates with me and I don't get it so much with Cliff.

    As great as Cliff was to early Metallica with his energetic style especially on some instrumentals. I have agree with your assessment of Newsted. He had a talent for creating a groovy rhythm which I liked, Cliff was able to create this as well however i preferred Jason's. Also in the band Metallica Jason wasn't given MUCH OF ANY CHANCE to create the style he wanted. He was basically muffled by Lars and James and it's no wonder Jason said he had enough after 14 years. In an odd way the band has not been able to come close to their pre 90's popularity since Jason left the band.

    Peace
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  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,207
    BTW Stu Hamm would be one of my top choices along with the underrated Geddy Lee of Rush.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • LoulouLoulou Adelaide Posts: 6,247
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XeVLJe ... re=related GO LES!
    “ "Thank you Palestrina. It’s a wonderful evening, it’s great to be here and I wanna dedicate you a super sexy song." " (last words of Mark Sandman of Morphine)


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  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    maybe that was the wrong word for Lee. I just can't get into Rush. And I'm Canadian. A few of their really earlier songs (and a two song single they just released on iTunes is really good) are good, but for the most part, all I see is 3 awesome musicians, but not a lot of substance. You are right about Peart. 50 toms and 176 crash cymbals does not make an effective drummer.

    I guess I just can't get into Primus. Never could. Burton is the ONLY bassist where I like it being centre stage some of the time (and I'm a bassist). He was an integral force in early Metallica. Jason was NO force in ANY Metallica (by no fault of his own).
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    Paul David wrote:
    don't like their styles. too flamboyant. I guess it depends what your criteria are for "best". my criteria is "how do they carry the songs".
    Bushleaguer28 wrote:
    Claypool and Geddy at the top - Everyone else is after

    Well Claypool's bass IS the song, so I feel he carries it well. As far as Lee goes, if anyone in Rush is flamboyant for me, its Neil. It often feels like he drums for the sake of showing off. Maybe in another band Lee would sound flamboyant, but personally I dont hear it in Rush.
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  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,390
    def. got to have Claypool in there.

    Also i would say P-Nut from 311 should be mentioned as well
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  • evenflowevenflow Posts: 401
    I was really surprised by 2 things:

    1.) Les Claypool not being at the top of the original list

    2.) P-Nut not being mentioned until the post before this one
    It's all about the music...

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  • dcfaithfuldcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    This man should make the list. RIP.

    While not technically advanced, Peter Steele's sound, style, and strength as a bassist should not be overlooked.

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  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,067
    Jeff ament doesn't belong in the top 10 and more so ahead of the ox. Jeff ament plays simple basslines that any bassist can play. having jeff number 3 is just being bias and a very poor opinion. The ox basically reivented the bass. I can't believe no one has mentioned fieldy. I've always wanted to hear fieldy do 5:15. Dude always stuck out to me in korn.
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