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Top 5 bassists you USED to like!


Bilbo
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You know what I am saying? Who are the people you used to think were the dbs but you have now got bored of? The people you bought everything they recorded but now avoid like the plague.

Mine?

Jaco Pastorius - was he the greatest? Not sure but definately the most influential. I have dozens of his recordings and some of them are superb but some are just not emotionally very satisfying. He could soooo repeat himself! I guess he could have been so much more if he hadn't been ill. :)

Jeff Berlin - set phasers to stun. Early Bruford stuff, Allan Holdsworth's 'Road Games' was a real head turner for me but I don't like his solo bass stuff after 'Dixie'. His sound is too 'clean', not enough depth, enough 'bass' ness! I know he really wants to be a commercial success (or why would he arrange Norah Jones tunes) but, until he understands that the music is not about the instruments or the bass playing but about the emotions, the sounds and the arrangements, he will remain in iconic obscurity. And he'll never be taken seriously by the music business until he shaves off that moustache. :huh:

Percy Jones - liked him when he was current (early Brand X) but he still sounds the same 25 years later and it doesn't work so well for me anymore. Shame - he really did break new ground. :huh:

Steve Harris - he got me into bass playing when I was 16/17 and I remember being astonished at the fact that he played with his fingers. Now I am only astonished that Iron Maiden are still going and his fingers still have skin on them.
:huh:
Geddy Lee - Used to love Rush but now, when I go back to listen for old times sake, I wince at the pseudo-technicality of it all. It's all so transparent! And the lyrics? I thought Peart was such a deep man! :huh:

So who have you left behind as your ears have moved on???

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Haha - here are three:

1. Jaco Pastorious - "you're a bass player, you must love Jaco". Jazz funk widdling. Thanks, but I'll pass if you don't mind

2. Stanley Clarke - see above. 'School Days'? I'd rather be in detention.

3. Victor Wooten. See reason 1

Bass players I've come to admire:

1. Flea - soulful and inventive

2. Bruce Foxton - as a bass player, playing his lines is a pleasure

3. Mark Stoermer (The Killers) - inventive and clever use of melody and licks

4. Andy Rourke (The Smiths) - same as 3.

Edited by stingrayfan
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I don't know if I can do five but here goes:

1 Flea

2 Stu Hamm

3 Jonas Hellborg

4 Les Claypool

And a massively distant 5th place to...

Vic Wooten...

I still love him as an overall bassist - just a bit bored of his solo style and music - but he's still a giant of modern day bass and an incredible teacher too.

M

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Most of these guys I have respect for, but I don't get Jonas Hellborg. Or Rush.


Chris Squire

Flea (punk-slap, early stuff - subway to venus)

Rocco Prestia


--
Most other bassists I have been interested in I still admire: Jeff Ament, Mike Gordon, flea as a groover, JPJ, Andy Fraser, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond and many more I can't think of right now.

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[b]Mark King[/b]... I used to think the sun shone out of his every orifice, he was my first big hero, god I wanted to [i]be[/i] him... but now 20 years later, he's still doing [u]exactly the same thing[/u]... the only thing that has changed is his waistline :) He used to be a slap god, but nowadays youtube is crawling with young guys who can completely blow him into the weeds. Ironically, my favourite by far of his 'recent' work is his 'One Man' solo album... not a single slapped note on the entire thing, just good well-written well-performed well-produced songs. Real songs.

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I find it really difficult to be put off bassist as they all have that individual thing they do! guitarist on the other hand......some cant stop soloing, can play but no class nor feel for space...such as:

sqweedgie malmsteen
joe satriani
steve via

theres a space...must widdle, must widdle..........aaarrrgghh!!!

just stop guys and smell the coffee!!!

below is a list and please feel free to pick the worst offenders...above are mine!

1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin - Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Guns N' Roses, Solo
John MclaughlinNuno Bettencourt
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Jason BeckerJoe Satriani
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament

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re Geddy - if you don't like what he's doing on the 70s stuff... get some newer stuff, such as [i]Presto[/i] (Wall-to-Wall Wal) or [i]Snakes & Arrows[/i] (dense & melodic). He doesn't stick to the same style for too long. I think he's a bit overdue for a change of bass, though, I never liked that Jazz into SansAmp sound (too muddy).

I'm having difficulty coming up with even one name, because I tend to take the "progressive" view - musicians will inevitably change over time, and usually for the better. But:
- Mark King: technically amazing, but technique does not make a song, and things were never the same after the Gould Bros. left Level 42.
- Doug Wimbish: gave me an earful in the 90s with Tackhead and his other Adrian Sherwood / Keith LeBlanc collaborations, and Living Colour's [i]Stain[/i], but seemed to go "off the boil" a bit.

Edited by bnt
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5 i got tired of? erm ok, well there was:
-stu hamm who i thought was god at one point but listened to some other stuff by him and found it boring
-never got into victor wooten enought to have a good opinion
-errm yeah sting... yeah someone told me he was a good bassist but i've never seen him write or play anything of any additional complication or variation to his usual linier simple basslines
errrrrm... stuck...
bassists i love is easier:
-oliver reidel, not amazingly complicated playing but seeman is some brilliantly written music.
-john paul jones, excelent bassist and musical director
-flea, hes good fun and very creative with his playing
wow i'm bad at thinking of stuff... that'll do i say

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RE: Jaco being a Jazz/Funk Widdler.... listen to some other redordings with him on...

not many of our favourite bass players would be doing what they're doing without him. It's like anyone great who has existed...Bach, through to Buddy Rich - yeah, people can probably do it better now but nobody was doing it before them and in my opinion there is greatness in that fact.

Think about it...


N

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flea in his newer stuff. i still hink hes a good bass player, but i just find some of his basslines (scar tissue for example) BORING!

also, (dont burn me for this) i used to think mark hoppus was great.

Edited by lwtait
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[quote name='andy67' post='86358' date='Nov 10 2007, 01:27 AM']I find it really difficult to be put off bassist as they all have that individual thing they do! guitarist on the other hand......some cant stop soloing, can play but no class nor feel for space...such as:

sqweedgie malmsteen
joe satriani
steve via

theres a space...must widdle, must widdle..........aaarrrgghh!!!

just stop guys and smell the coffee!!!

below is a list and please feel free to pick the worst offenders...above are mine!

1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin - Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Guns N' Roses, Solo
John MclaughlinNuno Bettencourt
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Jason BeckerJoe Satriani
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament[/quote]

I don't think I even KNOW that amount of bass players.

Jaco - has the odd nice song, part from that no thank you.

Cliff Burton - Used to love the guy, but now I just realise he was a decent bassist who was simply louder than the rest.

Steve Harris - Dum dadadum dadadum dadadum dadaum

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[quote name='3V17C' post='87969' date='Nov 13 2007, 05:30 PM']nuno rules! i was never really into extreme becasue that singer annoyed the hell out of me, but as a guitarist nuno is definitely up there, especially listening to some of his solo bits n bobs more recently.[/quote]
What about the unison guitar/bass solo in 'Cupid's Dead'..?? Outrageous! :)

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