Greatest Bass Players of All Time!!!

Billy B · #1 05-13-2009, 07:48 AM

Who are some of the Greatest Bass players of All Time?

James Hart · #2 05-13-2009, 08:48 AM

to what ends are you measuring "greatness" against? Without an equal and standardized "finish line" how can you make an accurate vote?

This isn't a sport we are all competing in... it's art, with individual voices and expression.

Jim Nazium · #3 05-13-2009, 08:59 AM

Derek Smalls FTW!

Cyber Soda · #4 05-13-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

to what ends are you measuring "greatness" against? Without an equal and standardized "finish line" how can you make an accurate vote?

This isn't a sport we are all competing in... it's art, with individual voices and expression.

If I had enough lines... This would probably be sigged.

MaidenFreak79 · #5 05-13-2009, 09:06 AM

There are tons of great players,my favorite is Steve Harris the guy rips on the bass simply amazing player.

Billy B · #6 05-13-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

to what ends are you measuring "greatness" against? Without an equal and standardized "finish line" how can you make an accurate vote?

This isn't a sport we are all competing in... it's art, with individual voices and expression.

I agree... not a competition. The better question is who influenced you most.... Just a discussion.... not a competition. All of the bass players listed influenced me and many more. Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith and his solid pocket. Brian Bromberg's virtuosity.... Richard Bona is AMAZING! I'm excited about bass.

I have some bass players I know who can play anything they hear or read but to have an original voice.... Some are technical wizards. Some are soloist... some are pocket players! It's all good!!!

Billy B

N8116B · #7 05-13-2009, 09:07 AM

Why wasn't my name listed?

Billy B · #8 05-13-2009, 09:12 AM

In Gospel check out some Joel Smith with Mississippi Mass Choir or Andrew Gouche with LA Mass Choir. Steve Huff with the Thompson Community Singers is off the Chain and a big influence on me. Fred Hammond, Maurice Fitzgerald, and Terrance Palmer are killer!!!

Billy B · #9 05-13-2009, 09:14 AM

Edgar Meyer is A M A Z I N G!!!!!!!!!!!

James Hart · #10 05-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy B

I agree... not a competition. The better question is who influenced you most.... Just a discussion.... not a competition. All of the bass players listed influenced me and many more. Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith and his solid pocket. Brian Bromberg's virtuosity.... Richard Bona is AMAZING! I'm excited about bass.

I have some bass players I know who can play anything they hear or read but to have an original voice.... Some are technical wizards. Some are soloist... some are pocket players! It's all good!!!

Billy B

So this is a "Who is your Favorite Bassist" thread

We have had a few of this over the years here

today, at this moment... Robin Mullarkey is my favorite player.

Billy B · #11 05-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaidenFreak79

There are tons of great players,my favorite is Steve Harris the guy rips on the bass simply amazing player.

Christian McBride, Alphonso Johnson, Louis Johnson, Victor Bailey, Billy "The Buddha" Dickens, Steve Bailey!!!

Have you ever seen Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Joe Pass perform Donna Lee?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm8HUqRSfHY

Billy B

COOL AND DEADLY · #12 05-13-2009, 09:27 AM

I'm not really a gospel fan, but I agree Andrew Gouche is remarkable. Check out his "shout music" vid on Youtube. It is very difficult to annoint one bassist over all the rest. The four greatest innovators in electric bass according to Anthony Wellington are Jamerson, Jaco, Larry Graham and victor Wooten. I also believe reggae musicians are underrated as a whole, so Fam and Robbie get a lot of respect from me.

Boostedrex · #13 05-13-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

to what ends are you measuring "greatness" against? Without an equal and standardized "finish line" how can you make an accurate vote?

This isn't a sport we are all competing in... it's art, with individual voices and expression.

+1 Are you wanting to judge by overall impact to the bass player community, most technically skilled, most accomplished, etc....

And boo for leaving a few other "heavy hitters" off your list.

However, from the list you provided I would have to choose either Victor Wooten or Stanley Clarke.

Billy B · #14 05-13-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COOL AND DEADLY

I'm not really a gospel fan, but I agree Andrew Gouche is remarkable. Check out his "shout music" vid on Youtube. It is very difficult to annoint one bassist over all the rest. The four greatest innovators in electric bass according to Anthony Wellington are Jamerson, Jaco, Larry Graham and victor Wooten. I also believe reggae musicians are underrated as a whole, so Fam and Robbie get a lot of respect from me.

Muzz Skillings, the original bass player from Living Color was S I C K!!!! He was insanely good!

Billy B · #15 05-13-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostedrex

+1 Are you wanting to judge by overall impact to the bass player community, most technically skilled, most accomplished, etc....

And boo for leaving a few other "heavy hitters" off your list.

LOL! They only let me put twenty on the list!! LOL! Aren't bassist great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have so many!!!!

Billy B

scottbass · #16 05-13-2009, 09:47 AM

Invalid poll.

Willie Dixon is not listed.

(Other missing notables: Duck Dunn, Les Claypool, Pino Palladino, etc., etc., etc.)

Billy B · #17 05-13-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostedrex

+1 Are you wanting to judge by overall impact to the bass player community, most technically skilled, most accomplished, etc....

And boo for leaving a few other "heavy hitters" off your list.

However, from the list you provided I would have to choose either Victor Wooten or Stanley Clarke.

I think when you get to a certain point there is no such thing as better.... all things being equal. How can you judge the soul of someones expression. After a certain point you have to say, "No one is better at being themselves!" No one is better at being Jaco than Jaco. He had his own voice! I believe that is what Jeff Berlin is refering to when he says he has trouble with people who play fretless.... He associates fretless with the musical voice of Jaco and that other fretless players are ripping off Jaco's voice. No one is better at being Victor Wooten than Victor Wooten. No one is better at being Stanley Clarke... etc...

If you learn as much as you can.... you can develope your OWN voice! Percy Jones of Brand X plays fretless but he sounds different from Jaco... he has his own voice!

NoobOnRoad · #18 05-13-2009, 10:03 AM

Where is claypool?

Where is the option carrots?

Boostedrex · #19 05-13-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy B

I think when you get to a certain point there is no such thing as better.... all things being equal. How can you judge the soul of someones expression. After a certain point you have to say, "No one is better at being themselves!" No one is better at being Jaco than Jaco. He had his own voice! I believe that is what Jeff Berlin is refering to when he says he has trouble with people who play fretless.... He associates fretless with the musical voice of Jaco and that other fretless players are ripping off Jaco's voice. No one is better at being Victor Wooten than Victor Wooten. No one is better at being Stanley Clarke... etc...

If you learn as much as you can.... you can develope your OWN voice! Percy Jones of Brand X plays fretless but he sounds different from Jaco... he has his own voice!

So it seems that you and I are in agreement here. Then why did this thread/poll even get started? I'm afraid I've lost the plot here.

PBass101 · #20 05-13-2009, 11:29 AM

Wait...how 'come I'm not on the list?

Everybody's going to vote for the favorite, which might give you some gauge as to who TB users like, but something which leaves off a lot of the aforementioned 'greats' is going to be skewed.

And remember, folks - millionaire celebrity musicians don't care whether you like them or not.