Why the dislike for Jeff Ament?

[Lowbrow]

Here's my personal 'why': a guy came into a vintage guitar shop I worked in and tried out a rare Ric 8-string bass we had and just chiseled and chiseled away at the price (remember asking price was ~$800, 1992 money). Upon finally ending negotiations, Amet revealed who he played with, with a wry smirk. Don't know a thing about his skills as a bassist, only his joy at getting over on a deal he could have easily afforded and rubbing our faces in it.

 

[bolophonic]

I'm not a Pearl Jam fan, but I can't say I've seen any hate on here. He seems like a solid bassist.

 

[Pelham Bleu]

I love Ament's playing on the early PJ records.

 

[Jack Butler]

I've always liked him and thought his bass parts always enhanced the songs. Plus, PJ did one of the best covers ever of "The Real Me" and Jeff nailed the bass parts.

 

[40Hz]

I'd say commercial success is one indication of "quality" but not the sole indication of quality. I'm no fan of Barry Manilow, but you're talking about aesthetic opinions. At least album and ticket sales can be measured. I'm sure there are people out there who think Paul McCartney is lousy bassist. My only point was, I wonder what level of quality (however you measure it) have haters of Jeff Ament achieved. My guess is, not much.

Agree.

I think it's mostly just people talking. That's what we humans do. One reason why the bellyachers and dead-catters are so easy to ignore. And places like TB exist.

Like the King Crimison song says: It's only talk. Elephant talk!

 

[Duder]

Lists have nothing to do with how good someone actually is.

For example, Rolling Stone always has the guitar solo from "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on it's "Best guitar solos" list. I love Nirvana, but that solo is complete cheese.

 

[ReiPsaeg]

Maybe because he plays in a terrible band?

 

[Altitude]

Jeff Ament contributes to the band in a lot of ways, and in particular is a big writer for them. He is a valuable member of the band's overall thing.

I've never felt his bass playing to be particularly innovative, technical, or even have a remarkably good feel. But it doesn't matter, and I'm not sure Pearl Jam's music would be improved by more masterful playing anyway. I'd say the same about Adam Clayton.

So - no Jeff Ament hate from me at all, but at the same time I don't think he's a great bass player.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Wasn't aware Jeff played guitar for Pearl Jam, and I've been a pretty big fan for years. So I'm not sure why people would hate him as a Bass player because he plays guitar in the same band. That's why I asked @organworthyplayer337 to elaborate on this.

So that doesn't make sense to me.

He's not the full time guitarist be he has played a few songs live like that. That's all.

 

[john_g]

Here's my personal 'why': a guy came into a vintage guitar shop I worked in and tried out a rare Ric 8-string bass we had and just chiseled and chiseled away at the price (remember asking price was ~$800, 1992 money). Upon finally ending negotiations, Amet revealed who he played with, with a wry smirk. Don't know a thing about his skills as a bassist, only his joy at getting over on a deal he could have easily afforded and rubbing our faces in it.

Nobody held a gun to their head to sell it to him so good for him. Also, 1992? That would have been early into their success so whos to say how much money he had at that point.

 

[RickyWoo]

Maybe because he plays in a terrible band?

I tried my best to reserve myself but this is just a silly thing to say. You don't like Pearl Jam, I'm not a big fan either... but "terrible band"? They've sold 32,000,000+ albums LOL! They sell out every venue they play... for the past +/-25 years.... straight. How fast are the CD's flying off your merch table? The only members to ever leave the band were their drummers, who were probably rage fired (the only possible explanation). Sounds like a pretty great band to me. Even if I'm not a huge fan.

 

[lfmn16]

I tried my best to reserve myself but this is just a silly thing to say. You don't like Pearl Jam, I'm not a big fan either... but "terrible band"? They've sold 32,000,000+ albums LOL! They sell out every venue they play... for the past +/-25 years.... straight. How fast are the CD's flying off your merch table? They're one of the successful bands of the world that have maintained their original lineup as well. Sounds like a pretty great band to me. Even if I'm not a huge fan.

Justin Beiber has sold more than 15,000,000 CDs so I don't think you can equate sales volume with quality of music.

 

[rogerbmiller]

News to me. I quite liked his playing on the early PJ records.

 

[RickyWoo]

Justin Beiber has sold more than 15,000,000 CDs so I don't think you can equate sales volume with quality of music.

44,000,000 in the US alone, actually. 10,000,000 of which were "aggregated sales". So.... in hindsight, there is a community the size of the total population of Canada that are Beiber fans in the USA.... Or Beleibers, if you will LOL

 

[lfmn16]

44,000,000 in the US alone, actually.

44 million IS more than 15 million.

 

[Jack Butler]

Like the player the band doesn't hold up over time.

That singer's mopey, leftist, smugness is very unappealing.

The number of bands with singers that have at least one of these traits is pretty high, glad I just worry about the music.

 

[ReiPsaeg]

I tried my best to reserve myself but this is just a silly thing to say. You don't like Pearl Jam, I'm not a big fan either... but "terrible band"? They've sold 32,000,000+ albums LOL! They sell out every venue they play... for the past +/-25 years.... straight. How fast are the CD's flying off your merch table? The only members to ever leave the band were their drummers, who were probably rage fired (the only possible explanation). Sounds like a pretty great band to me. Even if I'm not a huge fan.

I'm pretty certain that defending a band you don't even really like based on commercial success is a much sillier thing to say.

 

[RickyWoo]

44 million IS more than 15 million.

I have no doubt about it. lol

 

[bararan]

Most likely because people who spend their time posting "Best/worst <instrument name>ists of all time" videos are the ones with way too much time in their hands and very very few ideas about what to do with it. In all likelihood they toss in some names just to spark controversy and attract more clicks.

I'm sure you can find better ways to spend your time than watching meaningless youtube videos, then pondering why they were made.

 

[selowitch]

I don't waste time dogging on other bassists. Sure, there are some I like more than others, but life is too short. Besides, Jeff Ament is excellent.