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THE Favo(u)rite Bassist Thread

I think I did this once, but it disappeared. I grew up on Geddy Lee and he'll probably always be the first name out of my mouth when this question comes up, but these days it's hard to say someone is my favorite. I've learned there are so many aspects that make players great and no one player encompasses them all.

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Paul
 
I think John Wetton's playing in his King Crimson days is criminally underrated - not all that obscure a band but he seldom if ever gets mentioned as being in the same league as Chris Squire (another favorite of mine) or other prog rockers (Geddy Lee, say.) I think his playing was monstrous sounding, and he's one of the players who made me want to pick up the bass. Scott LaFaro, Paul Chambers, Charles Mingus are other favorites who all contibuted to me wanting to play. Wetton will always be a special player to me, even if he did go on to do some pretty unremarkable pop music with Asia.
 
well.....I must agree with most of the players (Squier,Lee...all those old school rockers and mowtown greats).but i must say I have been most recently inspired by Les Claypool and Trevor Dunn(Mr.Bungle)these guys are too much
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I'd have to say Geezer Butler is my all time favorite bassist. His fills are great (and hard to transcribe!!) and he practically came up with every Black Sabbath Song, even Iron Man! But a close second would have to be Steve Harris. Most heavy metal bassists can only try and imitate his style. As for Jaco, Victor Wooten, etc. they kick butt but I don't like them.

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favorite bassist....that's a tough call.
Mike Gordon(phish)would have to be my personal fave.he has the melodic thing down,
and he's also a strong funk player. I've seen
him carry a groove for half an hour by playing one or two notes the whole time. theres a lot to be said for that.
Also, the bassist for Galactic is a groove monster! if your into funk you have to check out Galactic. Family Man and Jaco are also some of my favorites.
 
my favorite player is John Paul Jones. He doesn't play bass solos or make bass the lead instrument, but his bass lines always fit the song perfectly, without crossing up with the drums or guitar. He's the kind of player that can be doing something complicated, but make it fit beautifully. The Lemon Song and just about all of ZepII are great examples. Jack Bruce is also awesome to listen to. he plays like a mad man and sings too. the bass in crossroads is incredible.
 
Hmmmm... this is a hard one, my playing is influenced by many bassists; such as Jaco, Victor Wooten, Gary Willis, John Wetton, Percy Jones... I would say my favorite all around bassist is Victor Wooten. When it comes to unique styles and sounds, I would have to go with Percy Jones of Brand X. If you don't know who this man is, check him out; you will be pleasantly surprised
 

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