Any bassist that you model yourself after?

[Indigo]

My biggest infuence (other than my weird brain...) when coming up with basslines is probably Tony Levin. But I´m not near as good as him, the stability and sound that guy has is truly incredible. I even discover myself doing Tony Levin-poses sometimes when playing live =)

[Wildside]

Nikki Sixx!!

I'm basically trying to blend nikki's rock n roll superstarness and riffs with some of the scott hubbell/kyle honea technical stuff.

[Stingus]

this brings up another interesting subject I've been thinking about lately; maybe this is more applicable to some of the older members of the forum, but are there any bassists that have influenced you not so much by their lines, but how they look, interviews in magazines, etc?

Two I think of are Anthony Jackson and Justin Meldal Johnson: I couldn't tell you any great bass parts that have really influenced me but AJ's interviews and columns were a big influence on me coming up, and JMJ's work with Beck is great and all, but I'm much more influenced by his articles about combining different effects and such...

L

[Matt Till]

Hulk Hogan: I eat my vitamins, say my prayers, and run wild on people with... bassamania.

[Caeros]

Probably Tony Levin and Paul Jackson, masters of the tasty pocket groove.

[bass_man86]

The Ox, absolutly. I don't copy his style, but still....

[Lackey]

Right now I'm trying to be a mix of Gary Willis and Tony Levin. They're both masters of what they do, (ultra technical fusion and killer lines/prog rock, respectively), and they both have some of my favorite tones. Now I just need a willis bass and a maple board MM!

Funny, I'm gradually learning to integrate Gary's ring-finger-grabs-higher-string technique into some of Levin's lines from the Crim!

[nicoli]

I don't normally write lines based directly on influence from other players, but there are definitely moments when I'll think that a Geddy Lee idea would work in this situation, or JPJ, or probably most commonly (lately anyway) Steve Harris. Or any multitude of local guys who I've seen do interesting things.

[Perfect-Tommy]

Originally Posted by Stingus

..JMJ's work with Beck is great and all, but I'm much more influenced by his articles about combining different effects and such...

Yea, I really never even heard of him untill his latest article in BP mag, but he had a really interesting article. Since then I went back and listened to his work with Beck. It's really good. It's nothing really ground breaking or over the top, but he does his job musically in Beck's sound. I think it's something that you'll see more in a studio player. Not being full time in anyone band and being brought in for various artist's ablums, you don't want to be a very out in the front player like a Claypool or a Wooten.

Anyways, yea, I agree. Articles from people like them really get you thinking and learn more about parts of your tech you might be neglecting. Before the JMJ article I never really thought of using many effects on my bass. I had a distorter that I never use, now I've got a few different things in layaway

[Minimaul]

I don't model myself after any one person, or people. Kind of.

One, week, I'll be all "chromatic fantasy!!!!!" And I'll try to play that. Practicing it as much as possible and for that one week (or so) that is 'my life'. Then, my train will jump tracks and I'll be all "I feel good!!!! And I knew that I would now!!" for that one week. Then , i'll be all "money, is the root-of-all-evil toooooooday" ect ,ect ect.

I guess, my playing is the sum of whatever I know. ha. that sounds retarded.. yet, it makes sense to me.

[Loren]

the bassist that has encouraged my technique and tone the greatest is without a doubt john entwistle of The Who. stage wise i act less like john and more like gene simmons (another big influence) though as i am the singer of the band.

[Sundogue]

I would have to say John Entwistle and John Paul Jones. They were the two that influenced me the most and I appreciate their onstage "coolness". No need to get all crazy when their playing speaks for itself.

I do think that there are bass players that influence my stage presence (or lack of it ), look and sound, as well as the type of playing style I have. Those two players are the most influencial to me out of everyone.

I have my own playing style...but it is really a combination of those two guys, and of course it is dependent on the type of music I am playing. I tend to like bass players that are more in the background and unassuming, yet give off this confident vibe. Kind of a "You don't have to notice me, to notice me." Like you just know that although they are not this major showman onstage, the band would be nowhere without them.

[DWBass]

If I were to liken my style to anyone it would be Nathan East. I think he is the epitomy of what a bassist should be. He's always solid, in the groove, never flashy and provides solid vocal support in any situation. Over my 30 years of playing, I've taken bits and pieces of just about every decent bassist I've come across.

[inspiredbassist]

I model myself after the best parts of everybody I hear. I'm not perfect, but neither is anybody else. So I pick the ripest fruit everybody else has and nibble it.
I listen more to other instruments. . .
I'm too eclectic.
Shoot me.