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Top Three Most Recognizable Basses by the General Public
- Thread starter Ephminus
- Start date
Not IMO for Geddy. I love Rush but Geddy has played Steinbergers, Wal, RIC, etc. Anthony and his JD bass? He really only played it for a tune or two (if you can call his solo a tune) a gig.
I think McCartney is #1 for sure, but beyond that? Not sure most people would really know unless they played bass.
Cliff Williams of AC/DC with his old Stingrays might be up there as would Chris Squire and his RIC. Jack Bruce and his EB-2? Steve Harris and his P bass? Lately, Flea and his '62 Jazz might be a good one too.
Hard to really say what bassists in huge bands play unique basses. Clayton of U2? Laklands, Sadowskys, etc.... Entwhistle? Played all kinds of basses... same with Wyman in the Stones....
Good topic!
I think McCartney is #1 for sure, but beyond that? Not sure most people would really know unless they played bass.
Cliff Williams of AC/DC with his old Stingrays might be up there as would Chris Squire and his RIC. Jack Bruce and his EB-2? Steve Harris and his P bass? Lately, Flea and his '62 Jazz might be a good one too.
Hard to really say what bassists in huge bands play unique basses. Clayton of U2? Laklands, Sadowskys, etc.... Entwhistle? Played all kinds of basses... same with Wyman in the Stones....
Good topic!
Back in the day Flea was almost never seen without a Stingray, even though he rarely, if ever, recorded with one. But, now he has been spreading it around to the Modulus and vintage Jazz, so I don't think that bass is so associated with him anymore.
Almost every gig, someone in the audience asks if I know any a) Tool or b) Primus. But, while they are pretty well-known, at least among people know a bit about music, I doubt that any non-bass playing folks have heard of Wals or Carl Thompson.
Almost every gig, someone in the audience asks if I know any a) Tool or b) Primus. But, while they are pretty well-known, at least among people know a bit about music, I doubt that any non-bass playing folks have heard of Wals or Carl Thompson.
I think for the most part the general public knows little if anything about famous/recognizable basses or bassists.
IMO they know Sir Paul because he was a singer in The Beatles not because he was the bassist for The Beatles. Yes they may recognize the bass and put 2 + 2 together.
Non musician people know a song they like and care for little else about how the song was put together. Bassists and other musicians know Chris Squire plays a Ric because we want to investigate and be informed more than the casual listener.
IMO they know Sir Paul because he was a singer in The Beatles not because he was the bassist for The Beatles. Yes they may recognize the bass and put 2 + 2 together.
Non musician people know a song they like and care for little else about how the song was put together. Bassists and other musicians know Chris Squire plays a Ric because we want to investigate and be informed more than the casual listener.
tom (tom & jerry playing his upright - is you is or is you ain't)
and chics loved kip winger in the 80's, he played spectors - but did the general public notice he was playing an instrument at all, let alone a bass guitar?
and chics loved kip winger in the 80's, he played spectors - but did the general public notice he was playing an instrument at all, let alone a bass guitar?
The title of this thread does not match the first question. The "Top Three Most Recognizable Basses ..." would be the Fender Precision, Fender Jazz and you can argue over the third. I'm not so sure the "general public" can match any electric bass model to any bass player.
I'd say Paul is #1, but beyond that, who knows. My guess is the top three would all have to be played by world-famous singers, so I'd put Sting's '54 Precision at #2, and I don't know, maybe Roger Water's Precision, or Greg Lake's Alembic, or Peter Cetera's Jazz, or Mark King's Jaydee, or even Les Claypool's Carl Thompson at 3.....
I think though that the general public would not know a famous bass if they saw it.
A non-musician fan of a certain band would probably be familiar because they are a fan and have more of an interest other than liking a song or two.
Not a bass but an instrument that may be recognized by a (30 something ) non-musician could possibly be this....
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A non-musician fan of a certain band would probably be familiar because they are a fan and have more of an interest other than liking a song or two.
Not a bass but an instrument that may be recognized by a (30 something ) non-musician could possibly be this....
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I doubt many in the general public could tell between a jazz bass and stratocaster. I think it's all just some guitar-shaped thingy to them. As long as they can shake their butts to a strong rhythm, I don't think most people take notice or care in the least which instrument is what.
