Oh, for Pete's Sake...
[soapbox]
Flea is, hands-down, the absolute BEST...at playing Flea Basslines. No one can even touch him at playing his lines. He's got his own voice-though, like any player, his influences are apparent to those who've educated themselves to the history of the Bass Guitar. He's also got tons of charisma, and is a pretty great all-around musician (plays the trumpet, I think, and was a big Chet Baker fan--see "Let's Get Lost" if you haven't.)
Technically, there are at least 100 guys who can out-play, outspeed, outslap, and out-WOW Flea. Many of them have been listed here. But, you see.....no one is really TRYING to. The guys (and gals) named on this list have, instead, focused on something WAY more important...playing like themselves. Finding, and nurturing, their voice. Working on "locking" with the rhythm section. Supporting the melodic line. Crafting a unique and musical tone.
Someone called this thread and "Epic Fail," and I was going to agree, but then I realized that what we have here, gentlemen, is a "teachable moment." Flea has done wonders for the Bass World, no question...he's helped to put the instrument Out Front amongst folks of a certain age and disposition. I personally enjoy his playing. A recent article in Bass Player was really quite good...he supports education and he strikes me as a cool guy. I think he would be the first to tell you that a guy like, say, Victor Wooten, jsut to mention one name I think we can all agree on, can play circles around him. But Victor is playing "Victor's lines," not Flea's lines. Victor, and Flea, both know and understand this.
I would just urge anyone who thinks Flea is the greatest thing to happen to electric bass guitar to explore some of these other players, and other styles of music. Flea, after all, is a well-rounded musician. RHCP certainly have their punk roots, but it's obvious Flea has spent a lot of time listening to 70's Old School Funk and Soul, not to mention classic fusion. Less apparent, but still discernable, is his love of Jazz. So, if you dig Flea.........check out some of his influences. And follow those influences down the years to some of the other cats, mentioned here in this thread, that have built on those influences in different ways. [/soapbox]
It's ok people, its just an opinion. 
