Creativity: This is pretty much the category of music writing... this is about how clever or inventive the lines are.. This is not to be confused with stylistic innovation. Though they do gain creativity points if their lines are innovative, they don't necessarily have to be innovative to be creativite. They don't have to reshape the bass world or anything like that, they just have to be clever lines.

Technical ability: This is about the player's technique. Speed, precision, sense of rhythm/ability to hold the 'pocket', ability to play odd time signatures, as well as technique versatility.. ie. being able to play slap and fingerstyle well will score you more points than just being good at finger style.

Versatility: Versatility refers to not only versatility of musical genres, but also versatility in musical roles. Just like a guitarist is more highly regarded if he or she can perform well as a rhythm or lead player, it's the same with bassists. Bassists are the glue that holds the band together, and if the bassist can't fit in wherever the band, as a unit, needs them, they are not being very much of an asset to the band. Also included in this is instrumental versatility. This means playing a stringed instrument, besides bass guitar, in the role of a bass.

P.S influence innovation and impact play no role strictly SKILL only, plus comment to help rearrange any one u think should be moved around, also for someone u think deserves a spot peace out.




1. Victor Wooten
2. Billy Sheehan
3. Micheal Manring
4. John Patitucci
5. Stanley Clarke
6. Stuart Hamm
7. Jaco Pastorius
8. Tony Levin
9. Gary Willis
10 Dave LaRue
11.Steve Digiorgio
12.Tony Choy
13.Alex Webster
14.Sean Malone
15.Marcus Miller
16.Rev Jones
17.Jimmy Johnson
18.Brain Bromberg
19.Jonas Hellborg
20.Rufus Philpot
21.Richard Bona
22.Bunny Brunel
23.Jeff Berlin
24.Matt Garrison
25.Lenny Breau
26.Jimmy Haslip
27.Marc Egan
28.Jimmy Earl
29.Ric Fierabracci
30.Evan Brewer
31.Alphonso Johnson
32.Christian McBride
33.John Myung
34.Les Claypool
35.Anthony Jackson
36.Dave Carpenter
37.Roger Patterson
38.Flea
39.Victor Bailey
40.Lincoln Goines
41.Robert Trujillo
42.Cliff Burton
43.Percy Jones
44.Kai Eckhardt
45.Steve Bailey
46.Will Lee
47.Steve Harris
48.John Alderete
49.Steve Fimmers
50.Tetsuo Sakurai
51.Ryan Martinie
52.Dieter Ilg
53.Richard Patterson
54.Chris Squire
55.Michael Lepond
57.Gary Grainger
58.?

I just wanted 2 get this one started again 25 would be nice need some help thats all i really know so just give me some ideas

I'd think Sheehan is #2 easy.

The old forum had a good thread on this, I'd suggest you check it out.

Shouldn't Flea have a place on this list? I've heard very few bassists who can slap as fast as he does.

Chris Squire?

I agree with that. Tony Franklin too, he's kinda the Jaco Pastorius of rock.

Les Claypool.

Squire's nowhere near this list, unless we make it much longer.

I agree with that

Flea is like Claypool would come lower in terms of pure skill man

Buckethead.

Buckethead is pretty nasty

Richard Davis should be high up on there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Da ... le_bassist)

Yea hes pretty good not crazy mid spot might go up its mostly Metal n Jazz Fusion players there more technical in most aspects, i got the list 2 60 just let me know what u guys think n what should be done, i tried my best to research and listen to as many famous bass players as i could n most amature bass players on youtube didn't please me but anyway just shoot some ideas man thanks.

Squire and Lee definitely deserve this list, certainly above the likes of Cliff Lee Burton.