Poll: Billy Sheehan or Dave LaRue?

[Basshappi]

Both, then use the best takes.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by pacojas

kinda like asking, Billy Sheehan or a guy off the street! do you want a guest celebrity on the album or someone that no one knows. i know who DL is, but can't distinguish his sound from a TB'er if blinded!

Correct, which is why he might be the perfect choice in some cases.

remember, Billy can bring it down a notch.

He still sounds like Billy to me, even when he brings it down a notch. His style is very distinctive almost to the point he can't hide it. And if you need him to do that for your project, how happy will either of you be? So therein lies the decision!

can Dave take it out there?!!

Absolutely! Dave is a killer player, but if you want it to sound like Billy Sheehan, then you better hire Billy instead.

[Rev J]

"Which country's strongest,
Who plays best guitar,
Who ****in' cares,"

Iggy Pop.

Another one of those "My favorite player is better than your favorite player debates. Granted I got sucked into one debating the merits of Mike Gordon as best "Jam Bass Player".

Guess what I dig both players for different reasons and any decisions about who to use would break down to the same way I make decisions about any musician to use and that is "Are they right for the project." It's that simple. Given the lack of other info in the original post I would have nothing to base my decision on.

I'm a bigger fan of rhythm sections than individual bassists. I half joke that my 2 favorite rhythm sections are Dennis Chambers and anyone, and Jeff Sipe and anyone. Don't get me wrong I love bass and bassists, and I have my favorites. But to me they are nothing without a good drummer.

C/S,
Rev J

[rapidfirerob]

It's a silly question. Both are great players with different styles. Dave has the Berklee education, which isn't a bad thing to have. It depends on the project. Both would do well. Those who put down Dave's playing haven't listened to him. I enjoy both. I'm waiting for the new Niacin album that was talked about.

[Meddle]

Sheehan is a Scientologist, so I have to go with LaRue.

[Hobobob]

After falling in love with the Flying Colors album, I say Dave. Dude has monster chops and plays some really cool parts. That's not saying I enjoy Billy's playing any less - I just think that my idea of prog rock would have Dave be a better match.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by pacojas

kinda like asking, Billy Sheehan or a guy off the street! do you want a guest celebrity on the album or someone that no one knows. i know who DL is, but can't distinguish his sound from a TB'er if blinded!

remember, Billy can bring it down a notch. can Dave take it out there?!!

That's a joke, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzSCJB-lVAk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_GMvIea6s

BTW, Dave can read music and Billy can't, and reading would be a requirement on any of my sessions.

(disclaimer: friend of Dave's )

[4001]

I saw Dave LaRue play for Pat Travers about ten years ago or so and his playing was nothing short of incredible on that material. Saw Dave LaRue with the Steve Morse Band a few times and it was impressive to say the least. He has monster chops and the musical knowledge to back it up. I also saw Billy Sheehan with David Lee Roth and he and Vai were just awesome. Either one would be good for a prog band. I chose LaRue (without first hearing the music he would play on) because of his work with Steve Morse mainly.

BUT....if the bass needs to be more dirty and obnoxious, then it would have to be Billy.

[JimmyM]

Dave will do dirty and obnoxious should it be needed. He owns a few pedals

[micgtr71]

I saw DL with the Dregs and he was wonderful. His sound was tight and punchy. Everything that he did was just fantastic. Billy Sheehan is great. Saw him with Mr. Big. I don't care for his sound. I know I am in the minority, but I really never got into that Gibson EB pickup in the neck position. It always sounded squashy and muddy to me.

[JimmyM]

Ya, BIlly loves a lot of compression, that's for sure. Sometimes I like his tone, though. Depends on my mood. Definitely isn't a tone you hear every day and it gets a little intense sometimes.

[Farley]

Another vote for Dave. He is a brilliant musician and, from the few times I met him, a really genuine guy.

I too agree that, at times, I like Billy's tone - for example on The Explorer's Club Age of Impact album (which is a pretty solid 90s prog album). Not to knock Billy's talent at all, I just prefer what Dave does better.

[Tupac]

I love both, but I'd go with Billy. He's a lot more versatile than people give him credit for, and he's totally got the musical creativity to show for the "all chops no music" accusations.

[Dave the Bass]

I'll take Dave......'cause he has a cool name.........and I love his work with Steve Morse.

[That Sustain]

I think I'll pick Sheehan. His triple finger plucking technique is a huge influence. Plus, he designed the best P-Bass I've ever played(the Attitude).

[rupture]

Geddy

[rtav]

Yeah - poll results right where my drummer predicted - almost completely down the middle. We were split down the middle - a very hard choice as both players are phenomenal musicians.

[DiabolusInMusic]

They are both pretty wire-y... would make for a boring fight.

[gene beauchamp]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Dave LaRue. He fits with most everything he plays on, Billy's sound and style are very limited. Even doing som of the fusion stuff he has done, you can still tell it's Billy Sheehan.

Pure player preference for a project, hands down LaRue.

Isn't this an artist goal? To be recognized by first impression. Out of a gazillion bass players this is quite a task especially when half of them are trying to copy your style and sound. IMO

[HeavyJazz77]

Who are the other players?? That factors in more than anything.