Michael Anthony Play Style

[Smooth_bass88]

I think Eddie played alot of the VH bass lines FWIW. Not that Anthony isn't good, but EVH didn't appreciate it.

this is patently FALSE!! Where did you hear this? Do you posses proof of this? Ed played bass on a couple songs on Van Halen III, yes, but this is because that album is basically an EVH solo album. He even played some drums. Please don't spread misinformation/disinformation.

 

[DuluthDank]

I like his playing with Chickenfoot.

VH has plenty of recognizable bass lines, I think his playing in other bands is better. More matured too. No Eddie and Alex.

On some of the live recordings with Chickenfoot, he's mixed nice and high, and has some of the best rock bass tone I've heard.

To the OP, I'd look at some bass covers on youtube of some of Van Halen's earlier records. They reined him in more by the mid 80's, but the earlier DLR era had some of his most interesting and active lines.

People will give you other advice on this thread, but at the end of the day nothing beats figuring out stuff by ear if you want to learn to play like somebody. Here's one I transcribed a number of years ago:

 

[winston]

From an old article in Guitar Player, I believe he said it was just the "good old two finger pluck", plenty of videos showing him do just that. Supposedly he occasionally used a pick live and on recordings but i can't remember a video of him uing one. His bss lines were always solid and functionl, which they had to be to anchor behind Eddie's guitar craziness and Dave's sloppy singing style, but what was most impressive about him was his ability to play in time and on target and sing those high harmonies. By all accounts a nice guy, and Eddie and Alex treated him like dirt.

IMO there was no other band like Van Halen with Roth, true pop metal with real songs and outrageous swagger, ridiculous humor and of course EVH's otherworldly artistry.
They had the whole dude hesher and shredder crowd, but were a party band who drove the ladies crazy!
Mike's high harmonies and solid playing made that happen, sucks he was treated so badly, glad he's had a great career after VH.

 

[Naigewron]

Supposedly he occasionally used a pick live and on recordings but i can't remember a video of him uing one

Yeah, he used a pick for a lot of songs live.

Not sure if he was consistently using a pick for the same songs or if he just did it to give his fingers a break sometimes, but it definitely wasn't unusual.

A couple of examples:

 

[Naigewron]

this is patently FALSE!! Where did you hear this? Do you posses proof of this? Ed played bass on a couple songs on Van Halen III, yes, but this is because that album is basically an EVH solo album. He even played some drums. Please don't spread misinformation/disinformation.

I believe Eddie himself claimed this, but I would take it with a grain of salt personally. He was definitely not always truthful about stories like this, and I believe this statement comes from around the time when Mike was booted from the band and Eddie was struggling with various substances.

 

[Michedelic]

I think Eddie played alot of the VH bass lines FWIW. Not that Anthony isn't good, but EVH didn't appreciate it.

Was there a talley of which songs in particular?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Was there a talley of which songs in particular?

nope, because it's about 99% false. Ed did play some bass on III, because it's essentially an EVH solo album

 

[Michedelic]

nope, because it's about 99% false. Ed did play some bass on III, because it's essentially an EVH solo album

That was just my rhetorical way of saying “prove it”.

 

[hpn8777]

Want to play similar to MA? Perhaps take care of yourself, be a team player, learn to play in time and when you are still out their smiling in your 70's you'll know that you've achieved it!

 

[Deleted member 394181]

. I really like his playing on all VH stuff and beyond.

 

[2thAche]

Was there a talley of which songs in particular?

Google, there are lists. Seems to be a touchy subject tho so don't quote me

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Google, there are lists. Seems to be a touchy subject tho so don't quote me

yes, because google is 100% trusted

 

[Kyle_S]

Outstanding bass player and singer, and seemingly a hell of a nice guy. Also impressive is how he's come out the other side of all the ******** he was put through without ending up bitter.