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THE Favo(u)rite Bassist Thread

John Myung. He is just the MAN. He knows when to lay back and reinforce the guitar, he knows when to counterpoint the vocals, and he knows when to go absolutely nuts.

Some of Dream Theater's stuff is kinda cheesy, (don't get me wrong...I like them a lot) but still....not a note is out of place in the bass lines.

Honorable mentions to Geddy Lee and Alex Webster too.
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I'm sorry Mr. Sound Guy. Did you just say "Too much low end"?
 
MY opinion on THE best bass player;
STANLEY CLARKE!!!!
Reasons;
(1) His ability to lock in and groove with any drummer,
(2) His tasteful technique on up right,
(3) His skills as a composer,
(4) His lightening fast triplettes,
(5) He's not afraid to be a bass player as well as being the melodic instrument.
You can easily identify Stanley's sound and style even before reading thr liner notes!!!
Whether on up right or his " alto" bass, Mr. Stanley Clarke is "THE MAN".
(Oh, did I open up a new can of worms or what?!?!?!?!?)
Take Care
Chuck
 
hey everyone, i have to give it up for flea, he is awesome. but some local canadian talent is bruce gordon of i mother earth. not too big in the states, but he's the man. my fav at least. peace out

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Brent "the Bass Man"
 
Man everyone listed is great, how could I choose. They all have offered something, all have pushed the enevelope a bit further.

Hell, my fav is ME. Not that I'm better than anyone who has ever picked up a bass, but if I can sit alone a groove that makes happy and proud of the work I've put in to get to where I am.

And it's all about what makes YOU happy.
 
How about John Entwistle? Him and Keith Moon
were a great rhythm section. While Townsend was destroying guitars and amps old John just stood back so he wouldn't get hit by debris. Also what about Mike Watt? From the
Minutemen thru firehose and his solo stuff;
all great. I think he is 10x better than
flea. All his lines are played with such feeling. Every grimace on his face while he is playing, and you can see the passion he puts in every note.
 
How about John Entwistle? Him and Keith Moon
were a great rhythm section. While Townsend was destroying guitars and amps old John just stood back so he wouldn't get hit by debris. Also what about Mike Watt? From the
Minutemen thru firehose and his solo stuff;
all great. I think he is 10x better than
flea. All his lines are played with such feeling. Every grimace on his face while he is playing, and you can see the passion he puts in every note.
 
Hmm hard one
Stanley clarke, electric
Ron carter, acoustic

Yes Chuck you did open a new can of worms
just listen to " song to the pharoh kings"
or "spanish phases for strings and bass"

[This message has been edited by 17Hz (edited March 06, 2000).]
 
Well first of all JACO he has magig fingers, and a really deep soul for a bass player, his speed, accuracy and crativity makes a truly bass legend. But have we forgotten about MIKE MANRING...he´s absolutelly incredible(playing 4,5,6,8,10 string basses on those beatiful Zons). Also a litle old school: RUFUS REID. Cliff BUrton is also excellent, really fast and imaginative.
Flea is great, his spirit, stamina, accuracy and felling makes him really original, one of the best without a doubt.
Geddy Lee Rocks!! as well as that guy(don´t remember name) from Jamiroquai.
Les Claypool is also very good.

Remember it is not all about knowing every scale, every note, is about really beliving in yourself, and having a spirit to play with your soul.:]
 
The man who influenced me the most, was a young Paul McCartney (he's got 10 yrs on me). I remember it well, it was Sunday February 9th 1964. Up to that point I had been playing drums. And I had heard the Beatles on the radio many times but when I saw them and McCartney's bass that night, that was it. I was going to be a bass player with one of those funny violin basses. Little did I know or anyone else for that matter just how much of a influence the Beatles would have on music. The drums went and I got my Hofner (I still have it). A few of the other bass players that influenced me are James Jamerson (Motown), John Paul Jones (Led Zep), Randy Meisner (Eagles), John Lodge (Moody Blues) to name only a few.
Cheers
 
I have a core list of players who I believe profoundly affected my playing, mostly because of what I listened to in my formative years. They are:
Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath, of course)
Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
John Taylor (Duran Duran)
Tony Levin (King Crimson, Pete Gabriel) for fretless work.
Extremes, but well-rounded.
 

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