Bassists, Unite!

[bassist_25]

That's why I started! I do feel there is a difference in attitude and playing when a person starts out on bass as opposed to a guitar player who plays bass. What I mean is that the guitar players I know and have heard play bass play the bass with a guitar-like feel. Sure they hit the notes and all, but the "mentality" isn't there. I read in one of the publications that bass is more of an "attitude" type of instrument and I tend to agree. I think the same could be translated to the guitar. You should hear me play one of those. It's hysterical.

I have to agree whole-heartily. Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath was a guitarist before a bassist, and when I listen to his playing I can tell that he was really a guitarist - his feel, the way he plays a lot of pentatonic stuff, the way he was never really tight with Bill Ward. Maybe that's why I was never really nuts about his playing. On the other hand, Paul McCartney was also a guitarist first, and he's one of my favorite players.

Even when more solo-oriented guys like Wooten or Clarke are in a supporting context, those guys can sit in the pocket like nobody's business. They are real bass players.

But I like mostly all players who have something important to say with the instrument, whether it's James Jamerson or Victor Wooten or Bill Dickens or Pino Pallidino.

[Banned]

Absolutely!! I didn't know that Butler was a guitar player first. I will check his lines more closely---definately an influential player, though. McCartney--what else can you say. I don't care if he played flute--awesome and creative.

I guess I could add, too, that after seeing your comment, styles of music would also come into play. But at least someone knows what I was talking about.

[bassist_25]

Totally, but I just dig good bass players. I like pocket guys like Donald Duck Dunn and virtuoso guys like Adam Nitti. Adam Nitti has the chops, but he also has the musicality, though. I honestly believe he's going to be one of the next big players that's going to be on everybody's lips. He's a great Jazz player. He knocks me out with his ability to work his way through a real modal sounding solo and then just lay back with a tasty slap groove. I'm sorry; I'm just nuts for Nitti. I just honestly believe that he could be the next Jaco.

I like Michael Manring, Stanely Clarke, Ryan Martinie, Meshell Ndegeocello, John Paul Jones, Keith Horne, Ed Freidland, Gary Willis, Jeff Berlin, Geddy Lee, Tony Levin, Mike Watt, Tommy Shannon, and Timothy B. Schmidt (anyone who can cop a Pino line note-for-note is good) to name a few.

[Ron]

... and Timothy B. Schmidt (anyone who can cop a Pino line note-for-note is good) ...

Not to mention his stratospheric vocals.

[bassist_25]

Damn straight!

Even when he wasn't laying down a solid groove in The Eagles, he was a first call session back-up singer (for Toto and Poision just to name a few groups he's lent his vocal abilities to).

[MOONDOGGY]

About Adam Nitti... I went to see Steven Curtis Chapman in Hershey mainly to see Mr. Nitti. Aside from not being able to hear the bass, he did no fancy stuff whatsoever. I was kinda dissappointed. I thought SC Chapman would give him a huge bass solo or something, but instead he just stayed in the back and really didn't play anything truely amazing. I have heard some of his stuff and it is mind-blowing. My guess as to why he didn't perform to the best of his ability, is that since this was a Christian concert, the musicians weren't the ones who should've gotten all the attention. It was still an awesome concert.

By the way, if you don't mind listening to music with Christian lyrics, you should give Steven Curtis Chapman a listen. He actually shreds on guitar and on any style!

[zman1200]

[JeffLeeper]

Q: How do you stop a bass-player from drowning ?
A: Take your foot off his head.

Q: Why do we need bass-players ?
A: To translate for the drummer.

Q: What do you do if you see a bass-player staggering through your yard ?
A: Shoot him again.

Q: Anybody out there need a bass-player ?