Top bassists who use a pick

[MStrianese]

Krist Novoselic, Flea (Sometimes)

 

[LowEndMonty623]

I like Matt Freeman from Rancid and Justin Chancellor from Tool.

 

[corinpills]

Nigel Griggs of Split Enz played with a pick. He's really solid and plays some tasty lines. He and his group are underappreciated outside of Australasia, imo.
.

Not at my house, they aren't!

 

[hamertek98]

Didn't go through all the posts.

Tom Petersson/Cheap Trick

Jack Blades/Night Ranger (thumb pick)

John Deacon/Queen (sometimes)

 

[Mutato]

Scott Thunes at times.

 

[Mutato]

I'd like to add Brian Ritchie as well.

 

[Basstard79]

J J Burnell. And he played damned well with one, too.

Definitely yes! Listen to Nice And Sleazy. Great song, great bass line.

Yeah, Hellmut Hattler...
Check out his latest live video. Real fun starts with part II

Oh yeah

Phil Lynott always did, and had fantastic basslines.

+1!!! I've always loved Thin Lizzy, and many of Lynott's lines are very tasty!

Dave Pegg.

YEAH! Absolutely! Love his work with Jethro Tull The bass line in Black Sunday is just phenomenal!

I see many votes for Chris Squire - I can agree with that, he's a great bassist although I dislike his tone. I also agree that Justin Chancellor is a very skilled player (and he makes some fantastic music with Tool). John Deacon didn't use a pick too much but when he did he was as good as with fingers... Same for John Wetton, although he uses a pick much more.

The list can go on and on...

All that said, I'm primarily a fingerstyle player.

 

[Hobbes]

Bruce Foxton.

 

[jacksonguy95]

David Ellefson Comes to mind

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

seems like most of the names I'm seeing are rather past-tense...

How about *current* players?

 

[raymondl3]

Andy West

 

[Rockmusician]

Paul McCartney
Sting
John Deacon (occasionally, Under Pressure for instance)
Phil Lynott
Gene Simmons
Jack Blades
And many others

 

[Imyrhuckleberry]

Duff Mckagan

 

[raymondl3]

Yngwie plays some really fast stuff on bass (no surprise).

 

[BillySid]

Dug Pinnick - King's X

 

[Tommygunn]

Dirnt and McKagan get my picks.

 

[raymondl3]

Stephen Amazing

 

[Invisible_Sun]

Marco Hietala from Nightwish and Tarot. He's a very solid bassist, always uses a pick (and heavy overdrive/distortion).

And...Ian Hill! I think he used his fingers in the past, i.e. 80s, but now it's all pick. Sounds great too!

 

[SwitchGear]

Tom 'T Bone' Wolk.

 

[almost human]

Eric Avery from Jane's Addiction.