Bassists that, if you replaced them, would change the entire sound of the band

[SquierJazz72]

Looking at the previous posts, it seems like people are mentioning the bass players they like

Tried not to, actually. Only Geddy Lee and Geezer Butler are on my top list.
I don't listen to nearly as much Maiden as I used to, but still think Steve drives a lot of it.

Don't listen to Yes or Primus much at all, but still have respect for what Squire and Claypool bring to those bands.

[Nellarecneps]

Every Bassist is a little different. Therefore, Any replacements would change the sound a little bit. What if we put Pete wentz in RHCP and Flea in fall out boy? There would be some huge changes in store. But what if we put Dave Farrell in fall out boy, and Pete wentz in linkin park. I dont really think it would change that drastically.

[Musicman1901]

Flea, Justin Chancellor, Tim Commerford, Les Claypool to name a few. Those 4 bands would sound 100% different without those bassists.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by VinKreepo

... and whoever plays/writes the bass lines for Jamiroquai

Which is a good example. Take a look at the Zender years as opposed to the JK show that Jamiroquai has been since.

[Mike Sorr]

John Deacon of Queen. One of the most under rated bass players in rock.

[JimiLL]

Fieldy!

No, but seriously, could you really "replace" him? Like, if the original one had been lost in a fire?

[elgecko]

The correct answer is Rocco Prestia. Tower of Power couldn't be called that without him.

[atomicdog]

Bill Wyman. He had such a unique touch on all those early Stones hits.

[Greevus]

Jack Bruce CREAM
Joey DeMaio MANOWAR
Dennis Dunaway ALICE COOPER BAND

[edpal]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

A good example is Dusty Hill. If he was replaced by someone who played extremely simple bass lines, no one would probably notice; if he was replaced by someone substantially more busy, you'd notice.

I've always thought of Dusty's lines as fairly simple..but I like him and the Tops. Ain't all about complexity. And yeah, someone busy would muck it up. I personally have recently been given the challenge by new group with 2 CDs," don't be a busy as THAT, there and there." Great, now I have to second guess myself 2 directions.

I think many would not have came up with McCartney's lines.

[pbass2]

Originally Posted by atomicdog

Bill Wyman. He had such a unique touch on all those early Stones hits.

Glad to see this here. Growing up I was a progger--big Squire fan, and loved bass that was in your face, but I also really loved Wyman--he was the other end of the spectrum--totally understated yet still completely unique in his feel. Just compare Stones tracks that he's on to the ones that other guys played on. You know it's Bill when you hear him. The Stones haven't been the same since he left.

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by Mike Sorr

John Deacon of Queen. One of the most under rated bass players in rock.

Agreed. Thanks for posting this - I was going to if you hadn't.

[vlado]

John Paul Jones - without him Led Zeppelin wouldn't be worth listening to, for me he makes that band almost decent!

[Clark Dark]

Bobby Vega kept the groove going with Sly after Graham left and he also did good when Rocco needed to take a break.

[portlandguy]

Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[NWB]

Originally Posted by Kenzy

Even ignoring vocals, I'm going to say that Sting is irreplaceable as a bassist. I think he's very underrated as a bassist. Until recently, even I didn't think much of him, but I sat down and actually thought about his basswork. I've a new appreciation for him now, he actually does quite a bit for the band with his lines, and his style is pretty unique.

I'm not so sure about Sting. From what I've seen, he uses a studio bass player for a lot of his live work and it doesn't sound much different.

This applies to his solo work and not The Police.

[Kenzy]

Originally Posted by NWB

I'm not so sure about Sting. From what I've seen, he uses a studio bass player for a lot of his live work and it doesn't sound much different.

This applies to his solo work and not The Police.

The studio bassist is playing the lines that Sting wrote He's supposed to BE Sting. (bee sting?)
I mean, I can go and learn all of Chris Squire's lines and play them, but does that mean I could REPLACE him in Yes?

[Chrisk-K]

In many cases, Sting's bass lines = The Police songs.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Bernard Edwards. Without his bass, there would be no Chic.

Also, without Mick Karn's bass, there would be no Japan.

[CauliColin]

Originally Posted by Soppy Hat

Chris... Wolstenholme?
IT WAS INEVITABLE.

Hysteria, Sunburn, Liquid State, New Born, Hyper Music, Assassin, Plug In Baby, Starlight... gahd. All his weird, growly synth tones... I can't begin to think of what Muse would be without him.

I don't even know what I would be without him. Seriously, that man is the reason for the season. I mean, uh, a lot of my wonky tones, and also one of the main reasons I really got into bass to begin with.

A good example of Chris that's not Hysteria: Eternally Missed, the Hysteria B-side. That line is pretty rock-solid and it does a good job of showcasing his tone/style, I think.

Matt and Dom have said that Chris is the element of 'rock' in Muse.
Also, I wouldn't mind having his collection of gear.

[atomicdog]

Larry Graham from his Sly & the Family Stone days.