100 Greatest Rock Bass Guitarists

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

ariel wrote:

Looks like Murray has some nasty versatility but I'd need more than that to go off of. Props for bringing up an unknown name rather than going 'raise [famous person] dammit!'

Murray isn't unknown at all, he's played on a whole bunch of records and anyone in the hard rock scene who has a bit of an interest in bass guitar knows him. If Murray isn't well known here that really proves people here don't know much more about bassists than the casual fan. Anyone with a slight interest knows the guys in the top 10 and plenty of others.

I believe Murray is on the metal bassists list by the way. Good bassist, some damn fine grooves he played during his time with Whitesnake.

KeithMoonIsGod · **Posted:** Sat Oct 16, 2010 4:31 pm

Doctor_Pik_Jr wrote:

ariel wrote:

Looks like Murray has some nasty versatility but I'd need more than that to go off of. Props for bringing up an unknown name rather than going 'raise [famous person] dammit!'

Murray isn't unknown at all, he's played on a whole bunch of records and anyone in the hard rock scene who has a bit of an interest in bass guitar knows him. If Murray isn't well known here that really proves people here don't know much more about bassists than the casual fan. Anyone with a slight interest knows the guys in the top 10 and plenty of others.

I believe Murray is on the metal bassists list by the way. Good bassist, some damn fine grooves he played during his time with Whitesnake.

Unfortunetly he's not. :sad:

But he is a mental bassist

Ariel · **Joined:** Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:19 am **Posts:** 1392

D.J. wrote:

Anyway about JPJ:
Influence 7/10
Innovation 10/15
Creativity 13/15
Versatility 12/15
Tech skill 12/15

Good breakdown on the whole but I'd change it slightly.

I'd give JPJ 8 in influence.
Bassfreak used to argue that JPJ deserves a decent innovation score since he was 'one of the first to elevate the bass in rock'...but I'm not sure how true that is. I'd give JPJ maybe like 10/15 in Innovation.

Creativity no way in hell JPJ gets 13. 13 is demi-god territory. 13 is guys like Levin and the Ox who have very unique, memorable styles that you recognize instantly. JPJ isn't that. JPJ's 12 - he's really excellent, but he doesn't really have a unique 'voice' on the instrument. I'm set on this score.

Versatility...hmm...12/15 sounds reasonable.

Tech skill would be like 11/15

which leads, as a total, to...

53. Your JPJ total was 54.

Hmm.

Well, thanks for your input, those were good scores :-)

Dr Pik -

I know a shitload about bassists, don't doubt me. Never heard of Murray I guess because I don't really follow hard rock

If you want him on the list make a case!

Doctor_Pik_Jr · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 119

KeithMoonIsGod wrote:

Doctor_Pik_Jr wrote:

ariel wrote:

Looks like Murray has some nasty versatility but I'd need more than that to go off of. Props for bringing up an unknown name rather than going 'raise [famous person] dammit!'

Murray isn't unknown at all, he's played on a whole bunch of records and anyone in the hard rock scene who has a bit of an interest in bass guitar knows him. If Murray isn't well known here that really proves people here don't know much more about bassists than the casual fan. Anyone with a slight interest knows the guys in the top 10 and plenty of others.

I believe Murray is on the metal bassists list by the way. Good bassist, some damn fine grooves he played during his time with Whitesnake.

Unfortunetly he's not. :sad:

But he is a mental bassist

That's odd, I could've sworn he was on one of the lists. He should be.

D.J. · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:33 am **Posts:** 719

ariel wrote:

D.J. wrote:

Anyway about JPJ:
Influence 7/10
Innovation 10/15
Creativity 13/15
Versatility 12/15
Tech skill 12/15

Good breakdown on the whole but I'd change it slightly.

I'd give JPJ 8 in influence.
Bassfreak used to argue that JPJ deserves a decent innovation score since he was 'one of the first to elevate the bass in rock'...but I'm not sure how true that is. I'd give JPJ maybe like 10/15 in Innovation.

Creativity no way in hell JPJ gets 13. 13 is demi-god territory. 13 is guys like Levin and the Ox who have very unique, memorable styles that you recognize instantly. JPJ isn't that. JPJ's 12 - he's really excellent, but he doesn't really have a unique 'voice' on the instrument. I'm set on this score.

Versatility...hmm...12/15 sounds reasonable.

Tech skill would be like 11/15

which leads, as a total, to...

53. Your JPJ total was 54.

Hmm.

Well, thanks for your input, those were good scores :-)

Dr Pik -

I know a shitload about bassists, don't doubt me. Never heard of Murray I guess because I don't really follow hard rock

If you want him on the list make a case!

Thanks Ariel! so do you think this list should be totally or partially redone with these scores or not?

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

BayPineapple wrote:

ariel wrote:

Well I'll ask this...who should he jump over? Not Flea IMO...and are you familiar with Johnson & Jackson's contributions?

Well you know more about bass than me, so I'll take your word for it. Claypool is just one of my personal favorites. Actually, I think he is better than Flea, but like I said you know more than me about bass players. You stick with the bass, I'll stick with the drums ;)

Remember this list is about the greatest not the technically most proficient or your personal favorite. FYI, I am also a bass player (38 years). I changed my name btw. Can you guess who I am?

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

ariel wrote:

BayPineapple wrote:

ariel wrote:

Well I'll ask this...who should he jump over? Not Flea IMO...and are you familiar with Johnson & Jackson's contributions?

Well you know more about bass than me, so I'll take your word for it. Claypool is just one of my personal favorites. Actually, I think he is better than Flea, but like I said you know more than me about bass players. You stick with the bass, I'll stick with the drums ;)

Lol...and we'll invade each other's forums ;-) (for as long as I feel like being a real active member anyway, which might end tomorrow for as far as I know)

The Flea/Claypool debate raged like hell back in 2005. Flea's way superior influence and versatility ensured he'd be higher, as I recall.

I would agree with that although Claypool is very good. The quirkiness of his music limits him overall.

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

ariel wrote:

Jamerson takes a big shit on Lee who's overrated anyway.

I think Jamerson's fixed at #1.

Check out "Darling my Dear" by the Jackson 5...think that's what it's called

Jamerson is the father of modern Rock Electric Bass. He was playing complex funky lines when when everyone else was laying down simple grooves (he virtually invented funk bass). Players as diverse as John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Tim Bogert, Billy Sheehan, Jaco Pastorious, Jerry Jemmott, Chuck Rainey, Bob Babbitt, Bootsy Collins and most others that followed in the late 60's and 70's site him as an influence. His position as #1 is set in concrete.

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

ariel wrote:

Jamerson takes a big shit on Lee who's overrated anyway.

No way that Geddy Lee is overrated.

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

Doctor_Pik_Jr wrote:

JPJ wipes the floor with Geezer.

Wrong. You can debate as to who is better but they are pretty close. Stylistically they are very different.

D.J. · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:33 am **Posts:** 719

Ssoyd wrote:

BayPineapple wrote:

ariel wrote:

Well I'll ask this...who should he jump over? Not Flea IMO...and are you familiar with Johnson & Jackson's contributions?

Well you know more about bass than me, so I'll take your word for it. Claypool is just one of my personal favorites. Actually, I think he is better than Flea, but like I said you know more than me about bass players. You stick with the bass, I'll stick with the drums ;)

Remember this list is about the greatest not the technically most proficient or your personal favorite. FYI, I am also a bass player (38 years). I changed my name btw. Can you guess who I am?

Welcome to the new forum tbcass! :tiphat:

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

ariel wrote:

D.J. if you want someone raised give an argument.

Squire's a genius but it's fairly unlikely he gets raised above Graham I'd reckon...G.'s influence is just insane.

Graham invented Slap n' Pop bass, something i I will resent him for forever. :lol:

(IMO, slap is one of the most overused and cliched techniques there is) However since Graham invented it his greatness is secured forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipjTvRe7-Zg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENe5snEv ... re=related

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

BayPineapple wrote:

My Top Five Favorite Bass Players
1. Chris Squire
2. James Jamerson
3. John Entwistle
4. Tony Levin
5. Paul McCartney

Speaking of McCartney, does anybody think he is better than Lee?
Ariel, could you do a criteria breakdown. From what I have seen you know a lot about the bass

Musicians have to be rated against their peers. Aside from Jamerson, McCartney was a giant of bass in the 60's. He had tremendous influence and his ability to create melodic bass lines that added harmonic interest to the song were unprecedented at the time.

Ssoyd · **Joined:** Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:06 pm **Posts:** 373

D.J. wrote:

Welcome to the new forum tbcass! :tiphat:

You are correct!!! It seems the forum has resurrected interest in the Bass forum, at least for now.

D.J. · **Joined:** Tue Oct 12, 2010 10:33 am **Posts:** 719

Ssoyd wrote:

D.J. wrote:

Welcome to the new forum tbcass! :tiphat:

You are correct!!! It seems the forum has resurrected interest in the Bass forum, at least for now.

Yes, it was a pity the bass forum was almost dead..I really hope it could be always so working...

100 Greatest Rock Bass Guitarists

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