Greatest Bassist Ever

[The Purchaser]

For Bassiswild...

And just cuz you guys got me on a roll...

[[AK]Bribo]

Here's a good list.

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/page...assguitar.html

Two that are in my top ten are Chris Squire from Yes and Jack Bruce form Cream.

[[AK]Palooka]

Victor Wooten is the best electric bass player alive. Period. There is no debate.

[[AK]Nuts]

Les Claypool is okay in my book

-edit
Crap.. didn't see that he was on the list.

[[AK]Bribo]

Victor Wooten is the best electric bass player alive. Period. There is no debate.

We said "Best" not "Most Obscure".

[Slaughter]

Les Claypool gets my vote... Those bass rythmns are rediculous.

[The Purchaser]

Two that are in my top ten are Chris Squire from Yes and Jack Bruce form Cream.

Intentionally left those two out...Chris Squire..although innovative in his time, never really busted out of that "Yes" progrock genre. Some would argue that Geddy never busted out of Rush, but the difference between Rush and Yes is that Rush actually developed radically different music along with the times...Yes has always been...Yes.. a great group...but always sounding the same.

Jack Bruce was totally carried by Ginger and Eric...sorry man..but his talent was limited...he was simply lucky enough to be the bassist with two of the greatest musicians alive.

Having said all of that...the list is obviously biased by my likes..That's why Wooten isn't on there...Pure jazz like his is just too "out there" for most...just like Roy Estrada from The Mothers of Invention...definately innovative...but just not mainstream enough to be considered "greatest ever". Feel free to disagree with any or all of what I've said..I LOVE the debate!

[The Purchaser]

oh...and Les Claypool is 2nd best in my mind...but Geddy gets number one due to the fact that he heavily influenced Les. Thus no Geddy..no Les. Les is way more innovative, Geddy is way better technically and is the Godfather of all bassists.

[[AK]Squidly]

People surpass those who influenced them all the time.

Just an observation...

[Bassiswild]

What a great thread. All those bassits are awesome I have seen Victor Wooten a couple times and had the chance to see him perform at last years NAMM show with Steve Bailey and also saw the performance of a lifetime with Les Paul and a slew of other musicians. I thought VH1 was taping the show but I have not seen it at all on TV.

My favorite bassists are
Cliff Buron
Victor Wooten
Beaver Felton
Benny Rietveld
Bill Dickens
Rob Trujillo
Bootsy Collins
Jason Newsted
Les Claypol
Roger Glover
and of course
Geezer Butler
Just to name a couple of my influences.

[Bassiswild]

Purchaser you are the MAN for starting this thread. Really interesting to read who everyone likes as a bassists. I did some digging in my files and I found a pic of Victor Wooten and Steve Bailey jamming together at last years NAMM show. I wanted take some pics at the Les paul jam but they busted me with the cam and made me give it to them before I could go in and see the show. Talk about a bummer.

[The Purchaser]

...Um...Bass?...where is Geddy in your list?

LOL!!!

Did I mention I was a Rush fan?

[[AK]Rocks]

I agree with Bribo, Chris Squire should be in the vote. "YES" he Should!

[Bassiswild]

Chris Squire is an awesome bassists. His playing is so dynamic he goes off on Roundabout. Of all the bassits that I listed I can't believe I left out Geddy on the list of influences. Rush songs are a must for starting bassists. I think the first Rush song I every played was Tom Sawyer. Actually that is my favorite Rush song as well. Kind of worked out that it is a must for bass players starting out to learn.

[[AK]JD]

Six foot two and rude as hell, better put em in the ground before he starts to smell. My name is mudd!

As Purchaser knows I am a Primus fanatic. I would have to say Les Claypool is my personal favorite followed closely by Geddy Lee. If I don't mention Geddy I'll be hunted down by Purch . These 2 would be IMO the best bass players of my lifetime. I will also give Bootsy an honorable mention kuz he's got da funk!