Bassists who never played guitar

[marchone]

I'll start with a dozen offhand. First instruments learned vary but cellos and tubas show up a few times. The low notes captivated them.

Paul Samwell-Smith
Jack Bruce
Phil Lesh
Michael Balzary aka Flea
James Jamerson
Chas Chandler
Christian McBride
Garry Tallent
Duck Dunn
Jaco Pastorius
Carl Radle
Nathan East

 

[Bushrod Johnson]

...and me.

 

[michael_t]

Lee Sklar was a child prodigy on piano. He was introduced to the upright bass when he was around 12 (grade 7?). He's been a dedicated bassist ever since. NO GUITAR!

 

[Geri O]

Played trumpet, piano, and drums. Never played any guitar.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Jeff Berlin was a youth prodigy on violin before taking up the bass. At some point along the way he became a decently adept keyboard player as well. But to the best of my knowledge he has never played guitar (other than picking up someone else's instrument and noodling on it).

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't think Esperanza Spalding ever was a guitarist although she could probably learn it in her sleep if she wanted to. She turned 37 yesterday too!

 

[Hot Rats]

I was drawn to bass, started on bass and have not played guitar. I played drums for a week at summer camp in 1979 but that quickly faded as I realized I liked bass. I had a guy come up to me after a show and say, "you totally used to play guitar huh?" for which I wasn't sure if I should be insulted. But it was strange, and I didn't question him on what he meant.....

 

[LBS-bass]

Add me to that list. Although I don't belong anywhere near those guys in terms of ability.

 

[bobyoung53]

I'll start with a dozen offhand. First instruments learned vary but cellos and tubas show up a few times. The low notes captivated them.

Paul Samwell-Smith
Jack Bruce
Phil Lesh
Michael Balzary aka Flea
James Jamerson
Chas Chandler
Christian McBride
Garry Tallent
Duck Dunn
Jaco Pastorius
Carl Radle
Nathan East

Jack Bruce picked up guitar somewhere along the way. I was just reading about that today, plays well enough that he's played it on some of his albums. I started with trumpet, switched to baritone, then guitar but always wanted to play bass. I am glad I learned guitar though.

 

[Cal03]

Started on clarinet and saxophone (still my main to this day), picked up keys along the way, then made my way to bass guitar. I've dabbled in regular guitar here and there, and I was supposed to get serious with it earlier this year. Alas, I kept tripping over string spacing and the irregular tuning, so I eventually lost interest, and it didn't help that I was busy with various other musical projects at the time...

Also I could never shake off the feeling that if I had to accompany, I might as well just do it on keys instead of guitar. Or better yet, let someone else handle the comping and just let me play bass!