Bass players!!!!!

[ChaosRisingRice]

Who do you think is the best bass player of all time? Whether they are alive now or passed away.

[bassist_25]

That's a really hard question, because some players are masters of the pocket (James Jamerson, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Chuck Rainey), while others have amazing technical skill (Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm, Victor Wooten). Still others approach the bass from a compositional stand point and come up with some amazing lines (Paul McCartney, Sting). I guess if you're asking whom is the greatest player from a pure technical stand point, it would be hard to argue that Michael Manring isn't one of the greatest in the world. He creates amazing bass compositions, some which border on the avant-garde, and even studied under the late, great Jaco Pastorious. Plus, anyone who uses SWR amps gets a thumbs up from bassist_25.

But some of my favorite players are

Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T. and the MGs)
Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones)
Jeff Berlin (Allan Holdsworth)
Gary Willis (Tribal Tech)
Geddy Lee (Rush)
Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings, solo)
Tony Choy (Atheist)
Flea (RHCP)
John Paul Jones (Led Zepplin)
Tommy Shannon (Double Trouble)
Jaco Pastorious (Weather Report)
Adam Nitti (solo)
Bill Dickens (solo)
John Myung (Dream Theater)
Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose)
Pete Perez (Spastic Ink, Riot)
Stanley Clarke (solo)

- Slick50

[ChaosRisingRice]

What are your feelings on Les Claypool. I think that is his name.

[moxham123]

Here is a list of the top 100 "Rock" bass players of all time that was done on a music survey. I would add Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, and Jeff Berlin to this list. They are great jazz and fusion players.

1. James Jamerson (Funk Brothers, session man)
2. John Entwistle (The Who)
3. Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)
4. Chris Squire (Yes)
5. Jack Bruce (Cream)
6. Tony Levin (King Crimson, session man)
7. Geddy Lee (Rush)
8. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
9. Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson, session man)
10. Anthony Jackson (session man)
11. Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
12. Marcus Miller (session man)
13. Les Claypool (Primus)
14. Chuck Rainey (session man)
15. Billy Sheehan (Niacin, Mr. Big, Steve Vai)
16. Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
17. Will Lee (session man)
18. Michael Manring (Attention Deficit, session man)
19. Nathan East (Eric Clapton, session man)
20. Rocco Prestia (Tower Of Power)
21. John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
22. Abe Laboriel (session man)
23. Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani)
24. Donald "Duck" Dunn (The MGs)
25. Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs)
26. Bob Babbitt (Funk Brothers, session man)
27. Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead)
28. Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
29. Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
30. Cliff Lee Burton (Metallica)
31. John Myung (Dream Theater)
32. John Deacon (Queen)
33. Willie Weeks (session man)
34. Carol Kaye (session woman)
35. Aston "Family Man" Barrett (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
36. Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
37. David Hungate (Toto, session man)
38. Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & The Gang)
39. Joe Osborne (session man)
40. Phil Chen (Rod Stewart, session man)
41. Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band)
42. Freddie Washington (session man)
43. Nathan Watts (session man)
44. Louis Satterfield (Earth Wind & Fire, session man)
45. Andy West (Dixie Dregs)
46. Bootsy Collins (Funkadelic)
47. John Wetton (King Crimson)
48. Greg Lake (ELP)
49. Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge)
50. Mark King (Level 42)
51. Mike Watt (Minutemen)
52. Bernard Odum (James Brown, session man)
53. George Porter Jr. (Meters, session man)
54. Mike Gordon (Phish)
55. Bernard Edwards (Chic)
56. Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
57. Willie Dixon (session man)
58. Andy Fraser (Free)
59. Trey Gunn (King Crimson)
60. Dave Schools (Widespread Panic)
61. Berry Oakley (Allman Brothers Band)
62. Jerry Jemmott (session man)
63. Roger Glover (Deep Purple)
64. Bill Black (Elvis Presley)
65. "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (James Brown, session man)
66. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
67. Billy Cox (Band Of Gypsys)
68. Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions)
69. Gary "Mani" Mounfield (Stone Roses)
70. Felix Pappalardi (Mountain)
71. Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
72. David Ellefson (Megadeth)
73. Matt Freeman (Rancid)
74. Ronnie Baker (MFSB)
75. John Alderete (Racer X, Mars Volta)
76. Robert Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies)
77. Duff McKagen (Guns N Roses)
78. Marshall Lytle (Bill Haley & The Comets)
79. Bill Gould (Faith No More)
80. Ray Pohlman (session man)
81. Me'Shell NdegéOcello (session woman, solo)
82. Doug Pinnick (King's X)
83. Tommy Cogbill (session man)
84. Glen Cornick (Jethro Tull)
85. Pino Palladino (session man)
86. Randy Coven (Steve Vai)
87. Tim Commerford (Rage Against The Machine)
88. Doug Wimbish (Living Color)
89. Thomas Miller (Symphony X)
90. Mick Karn (session man)
91. Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
92. Ron Wood (Jeff Beck Group)
93. Michael Lepond (Symphony X)
94. Dave Hope (Kansas)
95. Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones)
96. Leo Lyons (Ten Years After)
97. Timothy B Schmit (Eagles)
98. Rex Brown (Pantera)
99. Bobby Sheehan (Blues Traveler)
100. Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)

[Banned]

Chris Squire of Yes was the first bass player that made me take notice of the bass. I just love his lead/counterpoint bass lines, and was an intrical part of Yes.

Paul Goddard of the Atlanta Rhythm Section was one of the best live bass preformances I have ever seen. Check out his bass playing in thier song "Boogie Smoogie"

John Entwistle just rocks all those Who songs.

[bassist_25]

What are your feelings on Les Claypool. I think that is his name.

I think he has his niche. He plays interesting lines and can whip out some good chops when need be (i.e. Tommy the Cat). I don't really care for his "atonal for atonal's sake" approach to playing. I also don't think that he should be put up on a pedestal like Jaco or John Patitucci, though some people do. But hey, he's accompished more than I have, so I guess I sound pretty stupid critqueing his playing. *LOL*

Moxham that was a killer list. Every player on there is awesome and has contributed something significant to the art of bass playing.

97. Timothy B Schmit (Eagles)

Timothy will always have a special place for me. Not only do I think that he's a seriously underrated player in both taste and chops, but he introduced me to two things in bass that have stuck with me throughout my playing: Carvin basses and the fretless bass. I remember being about 12 and watching the Hell Freezes Over concert that my father recorded off PBS. For the first half of the concert, he played a sunburst Fender Jazz bass. Then about half way through, he picks up his white Carvin LB70. That thing had The Tone, very pristine and pianoesque. The live bass tone on I Can't Tell You Why knocks me out everytime I hear it. Then I remember him pulling out his fretless Carvin for A New York Minuite - which of course was originally a Pino Pallidino line, proof that TBS has some serious chops - and I was floored. For some people, they got hip to the fretless when Jaco hit the scene or when Paul Simon released Graceland. I got into fretless when I saw Timothy B. Schmidt play one during Hell Freezes Over.

[Banned]

I think that Moxham's list is extensive and everyone on it is great.

My opinion of some of the best, or should I say, people that I think have made an impact on me personally are the following:

Geddy Lee
Victor Wooten
Steve Bailey
Paul Simonon
Billy Sheehan
Randy Coven
Flea
Tony Franklin

I can pull out a record at any point in time with any one of these players on it and still be totally amazed.

[MOONDOGGY]

Noody has mentioned the legend himself. He isn't exactly technical or super fast. He doesn't do any jaw-dropping riffs or solos. BUT, he has a bigger resume than any 5 of these bass players combined. He is Mr. Leeland Sklar.

Here's a list:

Be Humbled

* Hooked — Hook — (196?)
* Will Grab You — Hook — (196?)
* Brian Hyland — Brian Hyland — (1970)
* Helen Reddy — Helen Reddy — (1971)
* Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon — James Taylor — (1971)
* Lonesome Picker Rides Again — John Stewart — (1971)
* Sister Kate — Kate Taylor — (1971)
* Mimi Farina & Tom Jans — Mimi Fariña — (1971)
* Expressions — Turley Richards — (1971)
* Casey Kelly — Casey Kelly — (1972)
* Graham Nash/David Crosby — Crosby & Nash — (1972)
* Full Circle — The Doors — (1972)
* Jackson Browne — Jackson Browne — (1972)
* One Man Dog — James Taylor — (1972)
* Lady's Not for Sale — Rita Coolidge — (1972)
* Ronee Blakley — Ronee Blakley — (1972)
* Section — The Section — (1972)
* Faces — Shawn Phillips — (1972)
* Mousetrap — The Spencer Davis Group — (1972)
* Willis Alan Ramsey — Willis Alan Ramsey — (1972)
* Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys — Arlo Guthrie — (1973)
* 7-Tease — Donovan — (1973)
* Cosmic Wheels — Donovan — (1973)
* For Everyman — Jackson Browne — (1973)
* The Original Tap Dancing Kid — Jimmie Spheeris — (1973)
* My Sportin' Life — John Kay — (1973)
* Full Moon — Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge — (1973)
* Don't Cry Now — Linda Ronstadt — (1973)
* Roger McGuinn — Roger McGuinn — (1973)
* Forward Motion — The Section — (1973)
* Bright White — Shawn Phillips — (1973)
* Kinky Friedman — Kinky Friedman — (1974)
* Spooky Lady's Sideshow — Kris Kristofferson — (1974)
* Mission Magic — Rick Springfield — (1974)
* Fall into Spring — Rita Coolidge — (1974)
* Peace on You — Roger McGuinn — (1974)
* Breakaway — Art Garfunkel — (1975)
* Something New — Barbi Benton — (1975)
* Playing Possum — Carly Simon — (1975)
* Wind on the Water — Crosby & Nash — (1975)
* The Higher They Climb — David Cassidy — (1975)
* Daryl Hall & John Oates — Hall & Oates — (1975)
* New Arrangement — Jackie DeShannon — (1975)
* Gorilla — James Taylor — (1975)
* Greatest Hits — James Taylor — (1976)
* Kim Carnes — Kim Carnes — (1975)
* Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame — Kris Kristofferson — (1975)
* Hungry Years — Neil Sedaka — (1975)
* Sedaka's Back — Neil Sedaka — (1975)
* It's Only Love — Rita Coolidge — (1975)
* Atlantic Crossing — Rod Stewart — (1975)
* Stills — Stephen Stills — (1975)
* What's Wrong With This Picture? — Andrew Gold — (1976)
* Thoroughbred — Carole King — (1976)
* Whistling Down the Wire — Crosby & Nash — (1976)
* Home Is Where the Heart Is — David Cassidy — (1976)
* Love Songs — David Sanborn — (1976)
* Streetheart — Dion — (1976)
* Slow Down World — Donovan — (1976)
* Bloodline — Glen Campbell — (1976)
* Bigger Than the Both of Us — Hall & Oates — (1976)
* Southwest — Herb Pedersen — (1976)
* The Pretender — Jackson Browne — (1976)
* In the Pocket — James Taylor — (1976)
* Surreal Thing — Kris Kristofferson — (1976)
* Steppin' Out — Neil Sedaka — (1976)
* A Night on the Town — Rod Stewart — (1976)
* Broken Blossom — Bette Midler — (1977)
* Carole Bayer Sager — Carole Bayer Sager — (1977)
* Beauty on a Back Street — Hall & Oates — (1977)
* Sandman — Herb Pedersen — (1977)
* Road Songs — Hoyt Axton — (1977)
* Running on Empty — Jackson Browne — (1977)
* JT — James Taylor — (1977)
* Karla Bonoff — Karla Bonoff — (1977)
* Making a Good Thing Better — Olivia Newton-John — (1977)
* If Love Is Real — Randy Edelman — (1977)
* Anytime, Anywhere — Rita Coolidge — (1977)
* Fork It Over — The Section — (1977)
* Spaced — Shawn Phillips — (1977)
* All This And Heaven Too — Andrew Gold — (197?)
* Too — Carole Bayer Sager — (197?)
* Dr. Heckle & Mr. Jive — England Dan & John Ford Coley — (197?)
* Change of Heart — Eric Carmen — (197?)
* Leo Sayer — Leo Sayer — (197?)
* Nigel Olsson — Nigel Olsson — (197?)
* Transcendence — Shawn Phillips — (197?)
* Bish — Stephen Bishop — (197?)
* Excitable Boy — Warren Zevon — (197?)
* Night Flight — Yvonne Elliman — (197?)
* Flag — James Taylor — (1979)
* St. Vincent's Court — Kim Carnes — (1979)
* Leah Kunkel — Leah Kunkel — (1979)
* I Could Have Been a Sailor — Peter Allen — (1979)
* You're the One — Randy Edelman — (1979)
* Yvonne — Yvonne Elliman — (1979)
* Alibi — America — (1980)
* Bernadette Peters — Bernadette Peters — (1980)
* Replay — Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — (1980)
* Innuendo — Danny Kortchmar — (1980)
* 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs — Dolly Parton — (1980)
* Dolly, Dolly, Dolly — Dolly Parton — (1980)
* The Wanderer — Donna Summer — (1980)
* In the Pocket — Neil Sedaka — (1980)
* Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School — Warren Zevon — (1980)
* Sometimes Late at Night — Carole Bayer Sager — (1981)
* To Love Again — Diana Ross — (1981)
* Dad Loves His Work — James Taylor — (1981)
* America's Greatest Hero — Joey Scarbury — (1981)
* Should I Do It — Tanya Tucker — (1981)
* Daylight Again — Crosby, Stills & Nash — (1982)
* Heartbreak Express — Dolly Parton — (1982)
* I Can't Stand Still — Don Henley — (1982)
* Cat People — Giorgio Moroder — (1982)
* Angel Heart — Jimmy Webb — (1982)
* Branigan — Laura Branigan — (1982)
* Hello, I Must Be Going! — Phil Collins — (1982)
* The Envoy — Warren Zevon — (1982)
* Born to Love — Peabo Bryson/Roberta Flack — (1983)
* Success — The Weather Girls — (1983)
* Lonesome Feeling — Herb Pederson — (1984)
* Banded Together — Lee Ritenour — (1984)
* Singer Sower — 2nd Chapter of Acts — (1984)
* That's Why I'm Here — James Taylor — (1985)
* No Jacket Required — Phil Collins — (1985)

...

[MOONDOGGY]

...

* Nine Lives — Bonnie Raitt — (1986)
* Innocent Eyes — Graham Nash — (1986)
* Love's Gonna Get Ya — Ricky Skaggs — (1986)
* Ocean Front Property — George Strait — (1987)
* Heart Over Mind — Jennifer Rush — (1987)
* Heart Beat — The Oak Ridge Boys — (1987)
* Monongahela — The Oak Ridge Boys — (1987)
* Last One to Know — Reba McEntire — (1987)
* Hai Hai — Roger Hodgson — (1987)
* Way Back Home — Vince Gill — (1987)
* Sentimental Hygiene — Warren Zevon — (1987)
* Rainbow — Dolly Parton — (198?)
* Never Die Young — James Taylor — (198?)
* View from the House — Kim Carnes — (198?)
* Land of Dreams — Randy Newman — (198?)
* Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind — Linda Ronstadt — (1989)
* Lyle Lovett and His Large Band — Lyle Lovett — (1989)
* ...But Seriously — Phil Collins — (1989)
* Sweet Sixteen — Reba McEntire — (1989)
* Live It Up — Crosby, Stills & Nash — (1990)
* Force Behind the Power — Diana Ross — (1991)
* Live in Rio — James Taylor — (1991)
* Offbeat of Avenues — Manhattan Transfer — (1991)
* Lovescape — Neil Diamond — (1991)
* For My Broken Heart — Reba McEntire — (1991)
* My Father's Son — Ricky Skaggs — (1991)
* Roar of Love — 2nd Chapter of Acts — (1991)
* Consider the Cost — Steve Camp — (1991)
* Aces — Suzy Bogguss — (1991)
* Bernadette — Bernadette Peters — (1992)
* Hard Way — Clint Black — (1992)
* Partners — Flaco Jiménez — (1992)
* Time for Love — Freddie Jackson — (1992)
* Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads — Jimmy Buffett — (1992)
* The Future — Leonard Cohen — (1992)
* Joshua Judges Ruth — Lyle Lovett — (1992)
* Christmas Album — Neil Diamond — (1992)
* Born to Rock & Roll — Roger McGuinn — (1992)
* Voices in the Wind — Suzy Bogguss — (1992)
* Astronauts and Heretics — Thomas Dolby — (1992)
* Shadows and Light — Wilson Phillips — (1992)
* Wynonna — Wynonna Judd — (1992)
* Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas — Aaron Neville — (1993)
* The Vanishing Race — Air Supply — (1993)
* Clay Walker — Clay Walker — (1993)
* No Time to Kill — Clint Black — (1993)
* Thousand Roads — David Crosby — (1993)
* Suspending Disbelief — Jimmy Webb — (1993)
* My World — Ray Charles — (1993)
* Passion — Regina Belle — (1993)
* Terence Trent d'Arby's Symphony or Damn — Terence Trent d'Arby — (1993)
* Something Up My Sleeve — Suzy Bogguss — (1993)
* Let There Be Peace on Earth — Vince Gill — (1993)
* Woman to Man — Daniel Lavoie — (1994)
* Crazy — Julio Iglesias — (1994)
* Winter Light — Linda Ronstadt — (1994)
* Read My Mind — Reba McEntire — (1994)
* Simpatico — Suzy Bogguss — (1994)
* Wonderful World — Chris Eaton — (1995)
* Looking for Christmas — Clint Black — (1995)
* Strait Out of the Box — George Strait — (1995)
* Feels Like Home — Linda Ronstadt — (1995)
* When You Get a Little Lonely — Maureen McCormick — (1995)
* I'll Lead You Home — Michael W. Smith — (1995)
* Randy Newman's Faust — Randy Newman — (1995)
* Starting Over — Reba McEntire — (1995)
* Medio Vivir — Ricky Martin — (1995)
* Amanda Marshall — Amanda Marshall — (1996)
* Vivencias — Ana Gabriel — (1996)
* After Dark — Engelbert Humperdinck — (1996)
* Road to Ensenada — Lyle Lovett — (1996)
* Give Me Some Wheels — Suzy Bogguss — (1996)
* Everybody Knows — Trisha Yearwood — (1996)
* Comme ils l'imaginant — Véronique Sanson — (1996)
* High Lonesome Sound — Vince Gill — (1996)
* I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology) — Warren Zevon — (1996)
* To Make Me Who I Am — Aaron Neville — (1997)
* Songs from a Parent to a Child — Art Garfunkel — (1997)
* Catie Curtis — Catie Curtis — (1997)
* Nothin' but the Taillights — Clint Black — (1997)
* Vivir — Enrique Iglesias — (1997)
* Firecracker — Lisa Loeb — (1997)
* Carry On — Crosby, Stills & Nash — (199?)
* Live & Learn — Daryl Stuermer — (199?)
* Pistol Packin' Mama/Spin of the Wheel — Hoyt Axton — (199?)
* Last Train to Memphis — Johnny Rivers — (199?)
* We Ran — Linda Ronstadt — (199?)
* Step Inside This House — Lyle Lovett — (199?)
* Desconocida — Marta Sánchez — (199?)
* Christmastime — Michael W. Smith — (199?)
* Steady On — Point of Grace — (199?)
* As I Came of Age — Sarah Brightman — (199?)
* Lukather — Steve Lukather — (199?)
* One Left Shoe — Steve Poltz — (199?)
* Nobody Love, Nobody Gets Hurt — Suzy Bogguss — (199?)
* Perennial: Songs for the Seasons of Life — Twila Paris — (199?)
* Moonlighting: Live at the Ash Grove — Van Dyke Parks — (199?)
* Indestructible — Véronique Sanson — (199?)
* Algo Natural — Alejandra Guzman — (1999)
* Love Like Ours — Barbra Streisand — (1999)
* Live, Laugh, Love — Clay Walker — (1999)
* Family Tree — Darrell Scott — (1999)
* Back to Love Again — Paul Williams — (1999)
* Christmas Story — Point of Grace — (1999)
* D'un papillon à une étoile — Véronique Sanson — (1999)
* Heart and Soul: New Songs From Ally McBeal Featuring — Vonda Shepard — (1999)
* Seul — Garou — (2000)
* Entre Tu y Mil Mares — Laura Pausini — (2000)
* Tra Te e il Mare — Laura Pausini — (2000)
* Everything I Am — Anna Vissi — (2001)
* Well — Jennifer Warnes — (2001)
* Dream — Michelle Tumes — (2001)
* Legacy...Hymns and Faith — Amy Grant — (2002)
* Cry — Faith Hill — (2002)
* Twisted Angel — LeAnn Rimes — (2002)
* Something Worth Leaving Behind — Lee Ann Womack — (2002)
* Cake and Pie — Lisa Loeb — (2002)
* Hello Lisa — Lisa Loeb — (2002)
* Soy Yo — Marta Sánchez — (2002)
* Escapology — Robbie Williams — (2002)
* Simple Things — Amy Grant — (2003)
* Few Questions — Clay Walker — (2003)
* The Best of James Taylor — James Taylor — (2003)
* Walk the Talk — Jesse Colin Young — (2003)
* Turnin' Back the Pages — Stephen Stills — (2003)
* Christmas With You — Clint Black — (2004)
* Crosby & Nash — Crosby & Nash — (2004)
* Wonderful Life — Lara Fabian — (2004)
* What a Wonderful World — LeAnn Rimes — (2004)
* Mi Jardín Azul: Las Canciones Favoritas — Linda Ronstadt — (2004)
* Christmas Collection — Michael W. Smith — (2004)
* Greatest Collection — Reba McEntire — (2004)
* Barefoot Servants 2 — Barefoot Servants — (2005)
* There You Are Again — Livingston Taylor — (2005)
* Chicago Wind — Merle Haggard — (2005)

260 Albums, Haven't counted the soundtracks for movie or TV.

Be Very humbled.

[Sapo]

For me its:

Cliff Williams
Stanley Clarke
Jeff Berlin
Randy Coven
Sting
Billy Sheehan
Geddy Lee
Doug Pinnick

These guys have all influenced me one way or another-whether its how they hold a groove, technical prowess, composition, or tone.

[MeYatch]

ok, he doesn't seem to be mentioned yet, so the only thing I can think to contribute is Mike Dirnt.

he's not as technically proficient as some, but the guys good dammit.

[DirtySanchez]

Matt Freeman from Rancid, if you think I'm kidding check out the albums Let's Go, or And Out Come The Wolves.

[Baceman Spiff]

HERE'S MY TOP TEN:

1.Geezer Butler
2.Geezer Butler
3.Geezer Butler
4.Geezer Butler
5.Geezer Butler
6.Geezer Butler
7.Geezer Butler
8.Geezer Butler
9.Geezer Butler
10.Cliff Burton

[bassist_25]

Mike Dirnt is indeed bad-ass. He's one of the very few Ampeg players who has a tone that I like.

[ZappasXWife]

The live bass tone on I Can't Tell You Why knocks me out everytime I hear it

yea I agree bassist_25, I also like Stefan Lessard and the bassist who plays with Bela Fleck, he's good....
locally I think Jeff Clapper and Matt Burns are great, but have not seen many others of you play

[bassist_25]

Stefan Lessard is amazing. Before These Crowded Streets is by far my favorite Dave Matthew's Band album just for the fact that Stefan gets to shine so much on it (and they finally fuckin' turned him up in the mix). Victor Wooten is the bassist from Bela Fleck.

Since you brought up local players...

My favorites are

Jeff Clapper (Hurricanes)
Seanson (Flight 19)
Jason Ebersole (Nightcrawlers)
Adam Zimmer (In)
Kent Tonkin (Grimm)
Iva Biggin (HF1)

...and who ever plays with Smoking Joe and the Wildhorse band. He freakin' smokes!

[moxham123]

Most of my personal all time favorite bass players have been listed here. I want to add one more.

Larry Junstrom from .38 Special.

He is a great player and writes terrific, tasteful, yet, technically challenging bass lines. Try learning some of them and you will see what I mean. I have played many .38 special songs and they are so much fun to play for a bass player if you can get all the little the parts right. He adds so many things and changes throughout the songs. And he does this while there are 3 other guitar parts going on and they had 2 drummers. I have seen them perform live several times and he is always consistent.

[EyesOfAnguishbassist]

GEEZER BUTLER!!!
Cliff Burton
Les Claypool

My top 3 pick....

[J Michaels]

FINALLY someone mentioned Cliff! I was going to throw that out there, cuz he was really incredible.

Geddy Lee - just being able to play his lines is impressive enough, but he does it WHILE SINGING AND PLAYING KEYS TOO! Are you KIDDING?!

Steve Harris - the MAN

Billy Sheehan - technically amazing, and a great showman at the same time - the Steve Vai of bass, imo

Here's another I am surprised hasn't come up yet - Rex from Pantera - he mimicked many of Dime's lines and times (signatures) (I decline to include the last name of "Rocker" he once used..... I think his real last name is Brown, no?)

John Paul Jones was on the big list earlier, but he hasn't received enough love... the guy is awesome.....

Locally, I have played with two guys that just blew me away - Paul Barsom and Todd Burns... pocket, tone, technically proficient..... two amazing players......

[ToonaRockGuy]

One guy that nobody has mentioned...

Pat Badger of Extreme. This guy is SICK. So much funk, he rivals Flea for pure talent. Proof can be found on Extreme III, track number 5, "Cupid's Dead". He plays along with Nuno during the solo note for note. Unreal.

I've been lucky to play with some kickass bass players in the area, and locally, where's the love for Billy Nusom? He's a pure pocket player with rock-solid feel and groove. Some of my other fave bassists that I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with include Jeff Clapper (Hurricanes), Paul Rainey (Bad Daze, get him to tell you the story of the plectrum), Iva Biggin (HF1), Doug Cruse, Jason Ebersole (way back when he was with The Hurricanes), Randy Ketner (Fat Vinny & The Wiseguys), Matt Popp (ex-I Enemy), and The Deathmaster, and Red Solinski (ex-Stix-N-Stones). Amazing players, every one of 'em.

[witchhunt]

This is too wide open. Can't really pick the greatest ever. I'll just mention the ones I normally listen to.

Geddy Lee, of course. Just think what he'd be doing if he only played bass.

Steve Harris. Best metal bassist. What a compliment to a three guitar lineup.

Geezer Butler. His chops are downright evil.

Flea. A little too much funk at times but he sure is fun to listen to.

Dennis Dunaway. Played with Alice Cooper till the original band broke up. If you're not familiar with him, give some old Cooper a listen. Not the radio songs but everything else. Very interesting. Way ahead of his time.

Billy Sheehan. I'm only familiar with some DLR and Mr. Big. Pretty impressive.

John Myung. As good as the band he plays for. A thumper just wouldn't make it in that slot.

Dave Pegg and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. Both played for Jethro Tull. Both as good as each other. Super cool bass lines.

Mark Gallagher. He was a great metal bassist. I thought he had a terrible sound, though. Too much fuzz or something.

[bassist_25]

where's the love for Billy Nusom? He's a pure pocket player with rock-solid feel and groove.

Much love for Billy here. He has a great pocket, and Billy can sing his ass off. I also forgot to mention Mike Griffs in my local list. HTF could I forget him? Kelly Montgomery can also groove.

Big Jim switched from guitar to bass and he really understands the pocket well. That's something a lot of guitarists-turned-bassists don't get for a long time...if at ever.

[skipisode]

All great players on the lists. Anyone remember the original bass player from Boston? He kicked some ass as well.

[TJ Kelly]

Wasn't that Fran Sheehan?

Born: March 26, 1949
Boston, MA, USA

He played with them from 1973-1980. Prior to that Tom Scholz tracked the bass parts.

I saw them in the mid 80's in P-burgh and Fran and the original drummer came out and did a couple numbers mid show. I have to saw they were one of the best bands I ever saw live. No pyro just killer sound!

[Gallowglass]

Burton, Butler, Clarke, McCartney, Pastorius.