THE Favo(u)rite Bassist Thread

[Player]

I think I did this once, but it disappeared. I grew up on Geddy Lee and he'll probably always be the first name out of my mouth when this question comes up, but these days it's hard to say someone is my favorite. I've learned there are so many aspects that make players great and no one player encompasses them all.

------------------
Paul

[Scottzo]

It's All Jaco!
Donna Lee makes me cry.

What gifted jackass he was.

[Tim Shea]

Tommy Shannon, Chris Squire, James Dewar (Great vocalist as well), Geddy (Ditto on the singing).

[moldweorp]

I think John Wetton's playing in his King Crimson days is criminally underrated - not all that obscure a band but he seldom if ever gets mentioned as being in the same league as Chris Squire (another favorite of mine) or other prog rockers (Geddy Lee, say.) I think his playing was monstrous sounding, and he's one of the players who made me want to pick up the bass. Scott LaFaro, Paul Chambers, Charles Mingus are other favorites who all contibuted to me wanting to play. Wetton will always be a special player to me, even if he did go on to do some pretty unremarkable pop music with Asia.

[Slaphappy]

It's a tie between Geddy and Chris Squire, for me. I love their sense of melody, "connecting" notes, and their place in their bands music is so well cut. They are why I play, and they are why I've always used a Rick.

[rekesbass]

well.....I must agree with most of the players (Squier,Lee...all those old school rockers and mowtown greats).but i must say I have been most recently inspired by Les Claypool and Trevor Dunn(Mr.Bungle)these guys are too much

[RobB]

I like the old groove guys, James Jamerson, who taught the rest of how to play, Rocco Prestia, and Tommy Shannon.

------------------

[Tom14454]

I'd have to say Geezer Butler is my all time favorite bassist. His fills are great (and hard to transcribe!!) and he practically came up with every Black Sabbath Song, even Iron Man! But a close second would have to be Steve Harris. Most heavy metal bassists can only try and imitate his style. As for Jaco, Victor Wooten, etc. they kick butt but I don't like them.

------------------

[mawsy]

Has to be flea for me. His playing on early Chilis albums was amazing, but on the latest, he stands back (a little) to improve the whole band sound.

[HunterTK]

My favorite has to be, and always will be, Tony Kanal of No Doubt. Maybe he's not as popular as Flea (who's a show off anyways), but I think if somebody listens to No Doubts CDs, you notice this awesome bass player immidiately.
Jason

[6-stringer]

favorite bassist....that's a tough call.
Mike Gordon(phish)would have to be my personal fave.he has the melodic thing down,
and he's also a strong funk player. I've seen
him carry a groove for half an hour by playing one or two notes the whole time. theres a lot to be said for that.
Also, the bassist for Galactic is a groove monster! if your into funk you have to check out Galactic. Family Man and Jaco are also some of my favorites.

[4string]

my favorite player is John Paul Jones. He doesn't play bass solos or make bass the lead instrument, but his bass lines always fit the song perfectly, without crossing up with the drums or guitar. He's the kind of player that can be doing something complicated, but make it fit beautifully. The Lemon Song and just about all of ZepII are great examples. Jack Bruce is also awesome to listen to. he plays like a mad man and sings too. the bass in crossroads is incredible.

[b3nd3r]

My favorite bass player well I cant just say one now can I. Flea and Bootsy would are up there in my books.

[tallguybcs]

I am very old school, i like John Paul Jones(he has been mentioned), but I especially Noel Redding(The Jimi Hendrix Experience), he was greatly overshadowed by Jimi, and left(he didn't play at woodstock), but he is good.

[fretlessjazz]

Hmmmm... this is a hard one, my playing is influenced by many bassists; such as Jaco, Victor Wooten, Gary Willis, John Wetton, Percy Jones... I would say my favorite all around bassist is Victor Wooten. When it comes to unique styles and sounds, I would have to go with Percy Jones of Brand X. If you don't know who this man is, check him out; you will be pleasantly surprised

[thunder child]

Les Claypool

[in_exile]

There is none higher than Les Claypool. Flea is real good, but Les made me pick up bass.
He is the God of Bass.


------------------
From the mind of In Exile

[J D]

Favorite Bassist Huh? Well, let me see......
#1 All Around...JACO
#2 Everyone Else; Caron,
Patitucci
Marcus
Ray Brown
Scot LaFaro
Mingus
Clark
Wooten
Rocco
Kim Stone
***And All Of The Rest ofYou Guys!

Bassist Regards;

J D

[betrnpippi]

My favorite Bass player is P-nut from 311.

[betrnpippi]

My favorite Bass player is P-nut from 311.