Top 10 Bassists...

bassplayer8953 · #1 03-29-2011, 05:27 PM

...according to Gibson.com:

1. Macca
2. James Jamerson
3. John Entwistle
4. Cliff Burton
5. Geddy Lee
6. Jaco
7. Les Claypool
8. Flea
9. Chris Squire
10. John Paul Jones

Ace of Bass: The Top 10 Bassists of All Time

agree? ...or not?

Hopkins · #2 03-29-2011, 05:35 PM

No, not really. Any top 10 bass player list without Vic is pretty much a farce.

Paul McCartney wouldn't be on my list (If it was top ten musicians maybe, but not bass players). Neither Would Cliff Burton.

funkyebk · #3 03-29-2011, 05:37 PM

From Wikipedia:
Gibson is an English surname.[1] The name is a patronymic form of the common mediaeval personal name Gib, which is a short form of Gilbert.[2] The name Gilbert was very popular in Great Britain in the Middle Ages. Variant forms of the surname include Gibsoun, Gipson, Gibbson, Gibbons, Gilson, Gibb, and Gibby amongst others.[citation needed]

The personal name Gilbert, which was introduced into England by followers of William the Conqueror after the Norman Invasion of 1066. The Norman name was originally found as Gislebert or Gillebert, and is composed of the Germanic elements Gisil, meaning "knows absolutely nothing about bass."

bassobrutto · #4 03-29-2011, 06:06 PM

These threads are only meaningful if the terms/criteria are properly defined. Otherwise people talk at crossed purposes. So what does "top" mean here exactly? 1. Most historically important/influential? 2. Most incredible chops? 3. Best ensemble player? Each one might produce a completely different top 10 list.

Since technical virtuosity (no. 2) is primarily of interest only to other bassists and has no necessary relation to any actual musical achievement (see YouTube), I would say that definitions no. 1 and 3 are likely to make for a more interesting thread.

Whatever the case, OP, define your terms, sir!

waleross · #5 03-29-2011, 06:40 PM

I've got to vote for Bootsy Collins......................

Art Araya · #6 03-29-2011, 06:41 PM

It's impossible to come up with a top ten list that everyone will agree on. But these are certainly all excellent players for an up and coming bassist to be familiar with.

bassplayer8953 · #7 03-29-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassobrutto

These threads are only meaningful if the terms/criteria are properly defined. Otherwise people talk at crossed purposes. So what does "top" mean here exactly? 1. Most historically important/influential? 2. Most incredible chops? 3. Best ensemble player? Each one might produce a completely different top 10 list.

Since technical virtuosity (no. 2) is primarily of interest only to other bassists and has no necessary relation to any actual musical achievement (see YouTube), I would say that definitions no. 1 and 3 are likely to make for a more interesting thread.

Whatever the case, OP, define your terms, sir!

Just quoting the Gibson site; you'll notice I did not venture an opinion in my initial comments.

But since you asked: Gotta agree that "Top10" is very subject to interpretation. In influence? Certainly, they all are/were influential. As musicians/bassists? They're quite a talented bunch. Top 10 bassists from a talent standpoint? Hardly...

NortyFiner · #8 03-29-2011, 08:26 PM

I find it interesting that this list was on the Gibson site, but most of the players on that list never touched a Gibson bass that I know about.

Exploiter8 · #9 03-29-2011, 08:28 PM

6. Jacwho?

bassplayer8953 · #10 03-29-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortyFiner

I find it interesting that this list was on the Gibson site, but most of the players on that list never touched a Gibson bass that I know about.

Other than Thee Ox, on occasion, I don't think any of them did. Interesting that Jack Bruce, probably the most famous Gibson player of all (during his time with Cream) didn't make the list. A few people on the Gibson site are commenting on Mr Bruce's absence from the list...

Tampabass · #11 03-29-2011, 08:51 PM

no Stanley Clarke?!?
I spit on this list

SMILEYSIXX · #12 03-29-2011, 09:13 PM

1. Hells to the no.

2. Should be number one.

3. I'm a who fan and I like the ox, but I don't see his playing as that big of a deal

4. No. Just no.

5. Definitely up there in the world of bass.

6. Should be above cliff and macca, without question.

7. Don't hate him, but definitely not my cup of tea

8. LOL

9. Never appealed to me.

10. See #3 explanation

This list, to me, is a total joke for the most part.

JFN · #13 03-30-2011, 10:45 AM

How could they leave off Peter Tork????

AHDBassist · #14 04-01-2011, 08:07 AM

Where's Steve Harris? Tommy Shannon??!

EdHunter · #15 04-01-2011, 05:21 PM

That's just silly. The best 10 ever are:

1. Steve Harris
2. Geezer
3. Geddy
4. Entwistle
5. Billy Gould
6. Cliff
7. Phil Lynott
8. Roger Glover
9. Pete Way
10. Lemmy

Can't they ever get it right?

bassplayer8953 · #16 04-01-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdHunter

That's just silly. The best 10 ever are:

1. Steve Harris
2. Geezer
3. Geddy
4. Entwistle
5. Billy Gould
6. Cliff
7. Phil Lynott
8. Roger Glover
9. Pete Way
10. Lemmy

Can't they ever get it right?

I like that list! Got a bunch of my hero's on there!!