Famous bassists who use picks

[Tin Cadillac]

Haven't seen a thread on this yet. I have often heard that real bass players use their fingers and NEVER use a pick (shudder) but I have learned that a good number of famous bassists actually use picks and that a pick is a part of their signature sound.

I started out using a pick (because I am a guitar player, after all) but weaned myself off because I wanted to become a "Real" bass player!

Here are some iconic bass players who use a plectrum (Pick).:

Chris Squire - Yes (Not just that "Rick" giving that signature sound)

Mel Schacher - GFR

John Lodge - Moody Blues

Tommy Shannon - SRV and Double Trouble

Roger Waters - Pink Floyd

Paul McCartney - The Beatles



I do not know about anyone else here but I will not be telling these guys they are not bass players because they use a pick!

 

[Stealth]

Pete Trewavas (of Marillion and Transatlantic) and Steven Severin of Siouxsie and the Banshees spring to mind.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Use search feature.

 

[countrybass007]

Phil Lesh-The Grateful Dead

 

[Roscoe East]

Haven't seen a thread on this yet.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Chris Squire

 

[T Bassman]

In my experience, the bassists who make silly statements about 'real' bass players not using picks, usually have no game with a pick, or are scared to try and work on their pick playing as it may prove challenging. I think it can only make you a better bassist, being able to play with your fingers and I pick.

I regularly use a pick on sessions with my P bass strung with flats, and always get complimented on my tone, and how the note sits against the kick drum. Plus its just kinda fun to be able switch between pick/fingers live to change it up and explore ways to control both. And yeah, you dont have to look very far to garner a pretty big list of famous/pro players who use plectrums as part of their tone

 

[HolmeBass]

Carol Kaye, Jerry Peek (w/ Steve Morse band)

 

[BassGen]

Why does it have to be one or the other? Some songs we do sound better played in finger-style and some sound better with pick-style.

 

[Journey55]

I think the name's Justin Chancellor (the guy from Tool)

 

[klejst]

Mike Dirnt - Green Day
Krist Novoselic - Nirvana

To name a few.

Oh and Pete Wentz - Fall Out Boy

 

[Don Tony]

Joey DeMaio (Manowar)
Graham Maby (Joe Jackson)
Rick Danko (The Band) That's off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more.

 

[pudgychef]

this comes up once for every six 'P vs J threads'

Bobby Vega, Joe Osborne

 

[rtslinger]

Wolfie Van Halen sorry guys couldn't stop myself lol

 

[iamthebassman]

Why does it have to be one or the other? Some songs we do sound better played in finger-style and some sound better with pick-style.

Better yet, why did I even look at this silly thread?

 

[bassman314]

So in effect, every one of these bassist ragequit TB?

 

[roadkill2309]

I feel a hissyquit coming on..

 

[TRichardsbass]

Joe Osborn
Bill Wyman
Waylon Jennings (with Buddy Holly)
Bill Black (Elvis Presley and Bill Black Combo)
Dee Dee Ramone
Bruce Foxton
Paul Simonon
Berry Oakiley
Peter Quaife (Kinks)
Felix Pappalardi
Mike Rutherford
Just a handful of them....

 

[Tin Cadillac]

Use search feature.

I did. Feel free to link any here. Thought it would provide good discussion!

 

[Tin Cadillac]

I still use a pick every once in a while - one of the best ways to get a completely different tone out of your bass!

Also good for when you have been gigging three or four days straight and your right hand fingers are just TORE UP!!!