Top 10 Bassists

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  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    There's a guy named Stanley Clarke... he's pretty good.
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  • jeff doing entwistle's lines on the real me qualifies jeff to be in the category IMNSHO
  • metsfan wrote:
    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.

    No, it's just my opinion. It says at the top a list of my favourite - not necessarily the technical best, it is therefore unsurprising that the bassist from my absolute favourite band features high on the list
    Mike McCready makes the energizer bunny look tired.
  • tremorstremors Posts: 8,051
    Bass is the one instrument I used to play (not very well).

    The bassists I would rate most highly, in making the most striking contribution the music I listen to, are

    Pino Paladino
    John Paul Jones
    Gary Peacock (plays with Keith Jarrett - jazz)
    Jeff Ament
    Cliff Burton
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  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    I would build my rankings like a tree....start with strong roots composed of Sir Paul, John Paul Jones & Mr. Entwhistle, add a trunk composed of John Wetton (check out any live recording of "Starless" featuring John on vocals and bass), Geddy Lee, Tony Levin (of King Crimson & Peter Gabriel's band) and Chris Squire (of Yes) and then some branches such as Sting (from the Police days), Jeff Ament and Les Claypool.
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • KevinmanKevinman Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 1,921
    I guess maybe it wasn't that he was too good, but here's why I thought this,

    But modest Claypool says Metallica fromtman James Hetfield is being too kind when he suggested in an interview that the tie-up never took place because his audition was just too impressive.

    He tells CityPages: “I’d say that’s an untrue story.

    “James said that I was too good in an interview – but he and I were hanging out quite bit during the time they did that interview. And I said, ‘What the hell are you guys talking about?

    “‘You didn’t want me – you thought I was a freak!’ James just laughed.”

    Claypool admits Hetfield and co may have had a point: “I showed up for the audition with a bleach-blond mohawk, wearing baggy skater pants and two different-coloured tennis shoes. And they were all in black with tight pants and the whole bit.”

    After Newsted got the job Claypool, who’d invited Metallica to jam an Isley Brothers tune, went on to form Primus. And when the thrash role became available again in 2003, he didn’t apply.
    I am lost, I'm no guide, but I'm by your side

    06.27.98  Alpine Valley
    10.08.00  Alpine Valley
    09.23.02  Chicago
    06.18.03  Chicago | 06.21.03  Alpine Valley
    10.03.04  Grand Rapids
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    05.16.06  Chicago | 05.17.06  Chicago | 06.29.06  Milwaukee
    08.02.07  Chicago | 08.05.07  Chicago
    08.23.09  Chicago | 08.24.09  Chicago
    05.07.10  Noblesville | 05.09.10  Cleveland
    09.03.11  Alpine Valley | 09.04.11  Alpine Valley
    07.19.13  Chicago
    10.17.14  Moline
    08.20.16  Chicago
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    09.18.22  St. Louis
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  • jeff doing entwistle's lines on the real me qualifies jeff to be in the category IMNSHO
    Anyone can play that... I'm an average guitar player and I can play that... The genius is that the ox wrote it.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,390
    Kevinman wrote:
    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.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS6gwp6SeXM

    Also what about Fieldy from Korn? I personally always thought he was pretty decent.
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
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    4/28/16- Philly, PA
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    5/1/16- NYC
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    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly. PA
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
    RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
  • BinauralJamBinauralJam Posts: 14,158
    Cliff-god of bassist
    Steve Harris-Jesus
  • My personal favorites:

    1. John Entwistle (I get goosebumps listening to the quick bass solos in 'My Generation')
    2a. Flea (funk rock, baby)
    2b. Geddy Lee (why doesn't Rush ever get any credit?)
    4. Chris Squire (one of many talented guys on Yes)
    5. Jack Bruce & Phil Lynott (just enjoy hearing these guys play)
  • NYCPJNYCPJ nyc Posts: 764
    My personal favorites:

    1. John Entwistle (I get goosebumps listening to the quick bass solos in 'My Generation')
    2a. Flea (funk rock, baby)
    2b. Geddy Lee (why doesn't Rush ever get any credit?)
    4. Chris Squire (one of many talented guys on Yes)
    5. Jack Bruce & Phil Lynott (just enjoy hearing these guys play)

    I think this is a good list, but id have to find a way to get John Paul Jones in there. IMO, Entwistle is a clear number 1. And i certainly wouldnt argue with Cliff Burton or Tony Levin on any list. One bassist i currently really enjoy is Oteil Burbridge from the Allman Brothers (their previous bass players were pretty good as well!)
    6/3/06 (East Rutherford 2)
    6/24/08 (MSG1)
    6/25/08 (MSG2)
    7/1/08 (Beacon Theater -NYC)
    10/30/09 (Philly3)
    5/18/10 (Newark, NJ)
    5/20/10 (MSG1)
    5/21/10 (MSG2)
    10/18/13 (Brooklyn 1)
    10/19/13 (Brooklyn 2)
    5/1/16 (MSG 1)
    5/2/16 (MSG 2)
    3/30/20 (MSG)
    9/3/24 I(MSG1)
    9/4/24 (MSG 2)
  • Cliff-god of bassist
    Steve Harris-Jesus

    LOL...well said though. :D
    Five, five...five against who?
  • Some others that haven't been mentioned...

    Eric Wilson, Sublime - I don't listen to them all that much anymore but damn, does this guy have some great lines.

    Tim Commerford, Rage Against The Machine & Audioslave - Unbelievable stuff with both bands.

    Stefan Lessard, Dave Matthews Band - Even if you don't care for the band, there's no denying Lessard's bass playing ability, they are all top-shelf musicians, really.

    Justin Chancellor, Tool - Another amazing bassist. Some great stuff on Lateralus and 10,000 Days.
  • Victor Wooten/Mike Gordon/Colin Greenwood/Jaco Pastorius/John Stirratt/Les Claypool/Justin Chancellor/John Paul Jones/Larry Graham(Sly & The Family Stone)/Charles Mingus
  • I can't believe this thread went 45 posts without mention of Jaco Pastorius. Fuckin amateurs :mrgreen:
  • sawyerjam wrote:
    I can't believe this thread went 45 posts without mention of Jaco Pastorius. Fuckin amateurs :mrgreen:

    I'll go with you on that.

    What about Charlie Haden, Charles Mingus, Tommy Caldwell, James Jamerson?

    C'mon guys!!
    Bristow, VA (5/13/10)
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