Which famous bassist are you most like?

[KPRott]

In your own opinion, what famous bassist do you consider yourself most like? In terms of playing style, what kind of bass lines you write if you're in a band, that sort of stuff.

I'd have to say mine is David Ellefson from Megadeth. Most of his bass lines follow the guitar almost exactly, like in Holy Wars, and that's the way I play my lines in the band (with some fills thrown in so I don't get bored )

 

[rjreynoldsbass]

This question is multi-faceted, but I'll try to keep it as direct as possible...

Two ideas about bass really influence my playing. I guess my style most closely mimics Michael Todd of Coheed and Cambria fame. His style emphasizes a specific groove a lot of the time rather than complex flashy lines. He says he likes to incorporate "little things you hear that make you nod your head," and that's an idea that's always resonated with me. The other is from Marcus Miller, where he describes his approach to the bass as treating it like a vocal instrument.

When I do any line at all, I take both of these ideas in mind: writing something that gives a solid foundation, and (if necessary) finding a melody in my head.

 

[ThisisCraigP]

I guess I'd be like Aston Barrett or John Paul Jones. I like staying the groove and not playing "lead" bass. Those two are pretty good at that.

 

[oswaldvon]

when i play with a pick i'm like a crack addicted, somewhat ******** paul mccartney.
when i play fingerstyle i'm like a inbred redneck version of Bernard Edwards

 

[TheHegemon]

I'd say Im a Geezer Butler/John Paul Jones kind of player. I like to play "busy" parts rather then just root ride I guess. But I like to play whats right for the song and keep the groove rolling.

 

[Mr. Mig]

I'd say Paul McCartney/Jack Bruce.

 

[JazzBass Love]

I'd say I'm an inferior mix of Boz Burrell and John Paul Jones. I like to use busy parts when applicable, but more than anything else I'd rather have bass parts that fit, regardless of degree of difficulty.

 

[Funky Ghost]

I'd say Im a Geezer Butler/John Paul Jones kind of player. I like to play "busy" parts rather then just root ride I guess. But I like to play whats right for the song and keep the groove rolling.

This.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks !

 

[Gubna]

probably no one,

but I've had people tell me that I've got a little bit of Steve Harris and Les Claypool at different times.

I'm just very happy to tell me that I'm ANY good.

 

[rarbass]

I'd say Im a Geezer Butler/John Paul Jones kind of player. I like to play "busy" parts rather then just root ride I guess. But I like to play whats right for the song and keep the groove rolling.

This. But my own interests outside of the band context follow more of a Marcus Miller, lead feel.

 

[BLDavis]

Thats easy..........Derrek Smalls.........

 

[iamthebassman]

EVERYONE tells me I play like Peter Hook.

 

[Jim Nazium]

I'm kind of like a tall, bald, middle-aged, male version of Tal Wilkenfeld. Only less talented.

 

[kcamsdog1387]

For me it really depends on the sound or song were going for. For my groove based rock band I really find myself (unintentionally) sounding like Robert DeLeo from STP. The way he does little slow walks around the root while still locking in with the drummer really gets me. He's kind of my new found old influence since listening back to some old stuff I find myself saying "Hey, I do that kind of stuff all the time"

 

[mccartneyman]

Without trying to sound pretentious, I'd say Paul McCartney & James Jamerson. Or so I have been told. I try to play melodically, yet solidly.

 

[waynobass]

I've been told I look like Pino Palladino.

 

[michael_atw]

I guess I'd have to go with my favorite - John Entwistle. Not that I would ever reach such heights, but a man can dream! Not so much tone-wise (I prefer old mid-action flats Jazz Bass tone...not that I hate his tone - love it, but don't really find myself duplicating it), and I definitely don't mind taking on a lead bass. I'm used to playing without a guitarist alongside. I just like to go all-out. He was basically the Keith Moon of drums. And they both followed each other perfectly.

 

[Sane]

Pete Wentz

 

[electracoyote]

After 35 years, I can imitate a lot of players pretty convincingly, but left to my own devices, I gotta say I start to sound quite a bit like Dee Murray. He was perhaps my earliest and most formative influence. He's also one of the hardest to imitate well. I can get all note-y like him, and most of the time it's pretty tasteful. But there's only one Dee.

 

[TheBasicBassist]

when i was playing in my heavier band i got told i sound like geddy lee all the time. nowadays my teacher and other band mates tell me paul chambers/paul mccartney/rocco prestia. so i guess it really depends on the situation. =]