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How good is Nikki Sixx as a bassplayer?

Love him or hate him, you have to respect what Nikki has accomplished. IMHO, he is extremely talented. I agree with Dannoman completely. I happen to love the Crue. I saw them recently and was blown away. (For the record, I'm 42 and not a newbie) People have to realize that not everyone can be Jaco or Wooten, nor does everyone want to be. Nikki found his niche and has made the most of it, and he has the fame and fortune to prove it.
 
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Love him or hate him, you have to respect what Nikki has accomplished. IMHO, he is extremely talented. I agree with Dannoman completely. I happen to love the Crue. I saw them recently and was blown away. (For the record, I'm 42 and not a newbie) People have to realize that not everyone can be Jaco or Wooten, nor does everyone want to be. Nikki found his niche and has made the most of it, and he has the fame and fortune to prove it.
Absolutely.

I saw my old post and didn't like it to much on here.
If he's making the band sound good, then he's doing his job:)
 
Couldnt'a said it better.

Nikki was perfect for Crue. He might suck in any other situation. Bootsy would probably suck in Crue.
I would challenge that. Bootsy is capable of much more than being pigeon holed into one style of music. The bass lines in most Motley Crüe songs are far from complex.

I am not a Bootsy fanboy but he is several levels better than Nikki.
 
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I wanna say he's not a great bassist but when I think about it, he is the perfect bassist for that music. Sometimes songs don't need a bassist that has crazy skills and bass lines. who knows...maybe he's a great bassist but prefers to play simple lines for Crue songs.

I've always say Joe Satriani is a great technical guitarist, but I don't think his style is good for making great songs. But hey, I'm just a guy writing on a bass forum...I'll trade shoes with Nikki or Joe anyday hehe.
Every time Coldplay's biggest hit plays on the radio, Joe gets a paycheck.
 
To answer the OP's question, I'd have to say yes. Many on this forum, and in the amateur, semi and pro level would probably say so too. IF it's Nikki's playing on those recordings and in the videos and the numerous onstage performances in front of tens of thousands of fans, I'd say he was good enough to be smart enough to play JUST WHAT made a particular song appeal to a large swath of the public.

We can debate the "marketing" or because the band had some 'inside track' or what ever. It's irrelevant really. WE are mostly here, on the outside looking in.

Just USE the musical info available and make the most of your experiences. Don't quibble about how another may have achieved success, try & ask them instead, learn from the info we have. Get as close to the successful people and their work ethic as you can, that's where you'll learn.
 
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He's more of a song writer and great lyricist. His bass playing is nothing special but as a " rock n roll " bass player he gets the job done. Personally I think Motley Crue has some cool songs. Vince Neil is just ABSOLUTELY awful. Less is more. Don't get me wrong,if you can have chops in many different forms and techniques that's great. Some people are about the song, rockin out and just having a good time. Like Nikki, he had a vision and he's a more recognized,successful musican then most of us on here. The fact that we're sharing thoughts,facts and opinions along with comparisons on him says a lot about him as a bassist in general
 
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His greatest strength is the songwriting and as a bass player he does the job and plays what Mötley Crüe needs, it wouldn't be the same thing with a Flea, Billy Sheehan or Geddy Lee on bass. There are bass players who's got way more chops than Nikki Sixx but aren't as great at playing for the song as him.
 
I saw an interview with Ron Nevison who produced 'Shout at the Devil'....he states that Nikki was lacking in bass skills and Nikki knew this BUT Nikki was the bands leader and was very focused on songs, image and stage presentation...btw, Mr. Nevison stated that Tommy Lee was very accomplished on drums, absolutely no issues getting his parts down but then once he was done recording...oh boy!!

I saw Motley (Shout at the Devil' tour) open for Ozzy and they had it goin on.....Nikki likes the Gibson bass sound, got it from Gene Simmons and Killer Kane of the New York Dolls.

You might check out the 1st Motley Crue album 'Too Fast for Love'...when i heard it i really thought they had something.
 
Wasn't he playing B.C. Rich in the beginning & on that tour?
Wasn't he playing B.C. Rich in the beginning & on that tour?
I think so...no idea on studio...big body Explorer types but i havent kept up...he was concerned with stage image and they definitely stood out on stage early on...Mick Mars is under-rated he got very accomplished a few albums in...heard he is working on a solo album.