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Who are the best bass players of all time in your opinion?

by Roger Charles

Who are the best bass players ever?

Why do you say so?

Share your views below on who you think are the best bass guitar players of all time.

Thanks for commenting.




Comments for
Who are the best bass players of all time in your opinion?

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 29, 2008
 Victor Wooten
by: Casey from Edson, Canada

The man basically makes love to a bass and can do things I never thought imagined.
Sep 29, 2008
 berlin eats wooten's lunch and wooten kills all these guys
by: Anonymous

rob bailey??? wtf??? no one even knows him! wasn't barely in the band. jeff berlin is the best bass player....
Sep 30, 2008
 Les Claypool
by: Anonymous

I don't think this list would be complete without his name..
Oct 13, 2008
 Bass player
by: Anonymous

Herbie Flowers
Nov 05, 2008
 bass
by: Anonymous

I think Justin Chancellor of Toll is an amazing bassist

or Duff McKagan of GnR/Velvet Revolver
Nov 11, 2008
 Mike dirnt from greenday
by: Anonymous

Mike dirnt in my opinion is the best bass player. Why because of his and billie's ability to say what they feel through there music and I think thats what every musian does. Its just my thing to get my anger or my hapiens out through music.
Nov 17, 2008
 Best bassist
by: Anonymous

Definitely Victor Wooten or Les Claypool.
They are completely amazing and inspiring to myself (a fellow bass player) and to young bass players.
Dec 02, 2008
 Steve Harris
by: Maidenman

I mean, who's got that speed on his fingers??? :P:P:P
Dec 20, 2008
 Donald Duck Dunn
by: Anonymous

stax/volt bassman Donald Duck gets my vote
Dec 22, 2008
 STEVE HARRIS!!!
by: Tennullajet

How can he not even be mentioned on the list?? Maiden is a bass orientated band, and he is super fast with lots of changes...add to the fact he started and writes most of their material...a dead set bass legend!!
Dec 25, 2008
 here id the answer
by: Anonymous

tal wilkenfeld, plays with jeff beck. This question finally has an answer.
Jan 05, 2009
 MUST READ!!!!!
by: Anonymous

GEDDY LEE!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 09, 2009
 Mike Starr ( Alice in Chains)
by: Anonymous

The best ever!!!!!
Jan 14, 2009
 cliff em all
by: Anonymous

cliff burton or jason newsted
Jan 28, 2009
 John Entwistle & Derek Forbes
by: Silas

I would encourage anyone to go and listen to The Who Live at Leeds, Enwistle on this is just awesome.

For melody and technique and a great sound it's well worth checking out Derek Forbes of Simple Minds - New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84 just fantastic.
Jan 30, 2009
 John Myung of Dreamtheatre
by: adi

John Myung is an awesome bass guitarist, and their band Dreamtheatre amazes me with their cool guitar riffs topped with some Egyptian notes.
Feb 06, 2009
 A good list
by: DGH

I would include Chris Squire (I know Yes is so unfashionable) but people like Steve Harris and Geddy Lee mention him as an influence.

Steve Harris of Iron Maiden is an incredible bass guitarist I would include in a top bass players list.

I'm not much of a Led Zep fan but John Paul Jones was pretty innovative in playing his bass like a guitar.

Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead is an excellent bass player. He has a great musical sense (and training). He tends to stay away from the root and play innovative intervals.

Barry Oakly was considered to be pretty good back in the day. Sadly he was not on too many records (Allman Brothers Band).

Glad to see Bootsy listed. Might also consider Rick James. I don't think you reasonably get the list down to 10.
Feb 10, 2009
 Lee Allen Zeno
by: Anonymous

have you EVER heard this man lay down the lines?
plays with Buckwheat Zydeco. rumor has it he'll be having his own CD with Alligator or Blind Pig.
We all hope so!!! Keep asking them.
Feb 26, 2009
 jazz bassist
by: Anonymous

how about mark king from level 42? any fans?
Mar 12, 2009
 Bruce Foxton The Jam
by: Sean From London

listed to Down in the tube station at midnight. but that said Flea is still the best by far

Mar 16, 2009
 PRINCE!!!
by: Anonymous

the one and only PRINCE!!
Mar 24, 2009
 LED ZEPPELIN FTW
by: Anonymous

John Paul Jones was one of the best bassists ever!!!!
Mar 26, 2009
 Gene Simmons
by: Anonymous

Where's Gene?
Apr 02, 2009
 Like it said...
by: Anonymous

Flea's the best. Have you heard "Give it Away, Now" I don't even who woeton and gaypool are. The chili peppers are the best. Flea's like forty- six and still goin' at it. Just bow already...damn
Apr 06, 2009
 NIKKI SIXX!!!
by: Anonymous

HOW can you have a list like this and NIKKI SIXX not be on it!!!! NOT ONLY is he an amazing bass player but, he is the talent behind the success of Motley Crue...hellloooooooo!!
Apr 10, 2009
 Best bass player
by: Ed

John Deacon for his exquisite taste-so underrated
Chris Squire
Marcus Miller
Greg Lake
Apr 13, 2009
 There are many
by: Rick

Stanley Clarke
Will Lee
Nathan East
Has anyone heard know who "erroneous" is? Played some with Zappa
Apr 15, 2009
 remembering the mule
by: Anonymous

allen woody plays good plectrum bass..
Apr 21, 2009
 Bassists are numerous
by: Anchor

You cant do 10.. It needs to be at least 25..

My thoughts are for

Chris Squire from Yes
John Mayung from Dream THeatre
John Paul Jones from Led Zep

AM I dating myself?

THere are a lot of newer ones but for real duability I would go with the older ones for now..

Flea is another good choice.
Apr 23, 2009
 Mel Schacher
by: Anonymous

I won't argue about "best" in a category that's clearly about personal taste and preference, but I think that Mel Schacher of Grand Funk Railroad definitely needs to be included on the list. Need convincing? Listen to just about any track from the "E Pluribus Funk" album.
Apr 23, 2009
 update on erroneous
by: rick

Alex Dmochowski aka "erroneous" was introduced to Zappa by Aynsley Dunbar. Also played with Jon Mayall.
Marcus Miller is the most non-musical bassist I've ever heard. He has played with greats, And, has a sig. model for Fender! What a rip!
Apr 27, 2009
 Ray Brown The Pioneer
by: Reikimon

I think Ray Brown set the standard for taste in soloing on the string bass.
Apr 27, 2009
 BEST BASSIST? EASY
by: Anonymous

which planet do people live on?

Mark King is incomparable. no one touches him.
Apr 28, 2009
 gene
by: Anonymous

gene simmons
Apr 28, 2009
 weird feeling
by: Anonymous

of some reason, i feel like saying Nate Mendel. He's not extraordinary in every way, but i really like his work on The Colour And The Shape by Foo Fighters. He was also good in Sunny Day Real estate. it's just so groovy!:)
May 10, 2009
 oh c'mon!
by: ZAKKBROCHILL

no one is going to throw in a jaco pastorius??

chris squire
flea
victor wooten
steve harris


is anyone familiar with manuel ragoonanan carrero?
(glassjaw, saves the day, thursday, burn)

man oh man.
Jun 02, 2009
 the number of the beast
by: dev

Steve Harris for sure
Jun 09, 2009
 Amazing Bassist
by: Rick

Billy Sheehan
Jun 16, 2009
 Best bass player
by: Anonymous

Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse
Jun 16, 2009
 Worlds Greatest!
by: Carl

Matt Freeman all the way! Punk basslines are always great and I can not get enough of Rancid anyways.
Also Bass players will find this of interest.
http://www.play-bass.com
Jun 21, 2009
 Old as Hell and still playing
by: Anonymous

Not once did I see Jack Bruce's name mentioned. must be a bunch of kids leaving comments.
Jun 25, 2009
 best bass player
by: Anonymous

i think Les Claypool is the best. I mean, seriously, he tried out 4 Metallica and they said no cuz he was way 2 good.
Jun 25, 2009
 les claypool
by: Anonymous

he's so frickin' awesome! and I only saw his name once!
Jul 14, 2009
 a few more to add to the mix....
by: CXPoet

I'd definately like to throw Billy Sheehan, Stanly Clarke and Jaco Pastorius into the mix.....
Jul 17, 2009
 GUITAR WORK
by: wong bhai

hey jokers i m the best bass player in the world
Jul 24, 2009
 no best just fav
by: swanni77

best is impossible 2 choose favorite...verdine white of earth,wind & fire
Jul 26, 2009
 Jack Cassady
by: Brad

Has anyone considered Jack Cassady from
the Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna?
Aug 04, 2009
 My opinion1
by: Anonymous

Dont know bout you but Regionald "Fildy" Arvizu frok KoRn has the most awsome way of playing and is such a good player if you asc me!
Aug 17, 2009
 People don't know jaco
by: Nelson the Red

Why is no one mentioning Jaco Pastorius? Maybe he had a brief career and was a bit of wacko but the dude knew how to use the bass like it was a another limb on his body.
Aug 23, 2009
 miley cyrues
by: somene from the world

I think MILEY CYRUES is so the best bass player of all times (I LOVE MILEY CYRUES)
Sep 02, 2009
 Lynyrd Skynyrd
by: Anonymous

Did no one remember Leon Wilkeson? He was one of many who pioneered the concept of Lead Bass. I think that he should have been near the top of the list along with many of the others mentioned earlier. That's just my 2 cents worth.
Sep 07, 2009
 best bass player EVER
by: Anonymous

umm.......Nikki Sixx....HELLO!!!
Sep 14, 2009
 Best Bassists
by: Mike

Damn kids!
Jack Bruce
John Entwhistle
Chris Squire
Geddy Lee
John Paul Jones
Sep 16, 2009
 You are all complete idiots
by: Anonymous

First of all...it is absolutely uneducated to even put flea, les claypool, mike dirnt, the guy from maiden, or anyone that you all said in this list. It is impossible to measure the best. I can assure you though it is no one you mentioned. Yes Wooten is fast but can he hold a groove? He is a lead guitar player on bass.

Jeff Berlin is very good, but not the best.

Flea sucks everything there is to suck. He makes noise and his tone is aweful.

Everyone of you needs to listen to Jaco Pastorius. He is arguably the greatest bassist of all time. Just for you idits that say...he doesn't slap or tap or spin the bass around his head. No...he didn't need to. Listen to the notes he plays and where he plays them. Listen to what beats he starts his fills on. Listen to his ability to groove. No one did it like that before him.

Please stop flooding the internet with your rediculous uneducated opinions. If you do not have a degree in music...don't talk about it like you know.
Oct 19, 2009
 Paul McCartney
by: Greg

Paul McCartney is the best purely because he revolutionized how the bass guitar was played.

The bass on Dear Prudence works brilliantly with the finger picked guitar riff.
Nov 02, 2009
 Leland Sklar
by: Anonymous

Just look at the amount of work he has done and the various artist over time that he has played with.
Nov 06, 2009
 Lauri Porra!
by: SpeedMetal

-Lauri Porra (Stratovarius)
-Victor Wooten
-Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
-Flea (Red Hot...)
-Steve Harris (Maiden)
-Les Claypool (Primus)
Nov 29, 2009
 BEST BASS PLAYERS
by: CHRISSIE

Fernando Saunders- plays with Lou reed- fretless bass- sexy and divine- SMOOTH
Dec 11, 2009
 James Jamerson
by: Anonymous

The best ever
Jan 20, 2010
 Twiggy Ramirez (a.k.a Jeordie White)
by: Micayla!

Jeordie White also known as Twiggy Ramirez. How come no one realizes what he did for MARILYN MANSON!! he had to have been one of the sexiest and greatest bassist ever! but everyone thinks that the band is weird and no on actually takes the time to listen to the fuckin' awesome bass sound Twiggy brings to the band!
Jan 22, 2010
 Groove
by: TeeTee

Roger Glover: he was the MAN behind the groove of Deep Purple. Solid, firm bass lines made the band fly! When all the hell broke loose his bass was the one to keep the groove going...
Jan 22, 2010
 navy angels
by: charlie

Roger Glover - The man behind
Lauri Porra - The next one
Bob Daisley - Rocks
Stanley Clarke - Plays whatever
Stu Hamm - Listen the sound
Jan 22, 2010
 Jo
by: Tim Bird-Cherry

Roger Glover - Firm bass lines, keeps it going
Lauri Porra - The next one
Jaco Pastorius - The wizzard
Stu Hamm - Clear groove
Stanley Clarke - Plays everything!
Mar 05, 2010
 a
by: Anonymous

AC/DC is an Australian band not American
http://acdc.com/history/bio.php
Mar 07, 2010
 The best bass players in the world
by: Roger Collis

Almost certainly, the late John Rostill of the Shadows and later, Tom Jones band. Because he was a professional musician and not contemporary band member he's been largely forgotten, but he was a master player and song writer.
Mar 07, 2010
 kim deal
by: pixies fan

i'd second (or third) the nomination of Marc King for favoured status - because "best" is entirely subjective - and add a vote for Ms Deal. Some good names on here.
Mar 10, 2010
 Carol Kaye
by: Ray

If you don't know, you better ask somebody.
Mar 14, 2010
 Best Bass Player
by: Ender

Hmm, I like Wooten a lot, and he should definitely be higher on the list. A good overlooked bassist is Tim Foreman.
Mar 17, 2010
 Dont forget these trend setters
by: Oldschool

Steve Arrington of the group "Slave"
Nile Rodgers of "Chic"
Mar 17, 2010
 WHAAAT YOU TALKIN BOUT WILLIS?
by: loveda BASS

Jaco Pastorious of Weather Report is the MAAAAAN! Stanley Clarke .... yea man!
Mar 23, 2010
 Am I the only one....
by: Anonymous

... who thinks Mike Porcaro is missing!? He might not be the best, but he surely deserves to be mentioned as one the great players in the last 30+ years. /E.P.
Mar 23, 2010
 Best Bass Player
by: Riad Kh

Steve Harris
Apr 26, 2010
 Bass
by: J.C.

I don't know how you forgot Nikki Sixx. That guy rocks!! And I'm not really satisfyed with the list of people.
May 30, 2010
 Peter Hook!
by: Waffles

Peter Hook from Joy Division and New order.
He is a genius!
May 31, 2010
 R.I.P Paul Gray
by: Micayla

I feel the need to put this since this man inspired me to play bass and i dont know where i'd be without him. Sadly he was found dead on May 24th, 2010. He was only 38 and had been one of the founding members of a group of 9. He was called "The Pig" fo his mask and "#2" out of all 9. He played bass and to me is one of the most exceptional players ever. I posted a comment a while back on Marilyn Manson's bassist but this guy was just as good. Im talking about Paul Gray the bassist of Slipknot. He will Forever be remembered from all te nine and all the supporting maggots. 4/8/1972-5/24/2010.
Sincerely,
Maggot for life,
Micayla.
Jun 01, 2010
 Stanley Clarke
by: Jim Hobbs

Stanley Clarke is the best Bass Player in the world. End of Story! Technically all the other Bass virtuosos to come forward after 1971 owe some of their chops to this man. He invented the Piccalo bass. He's astonishing on Upright as well as being jaw droppingly hot on electric bass. Most of the bass players previously mentioned aren't even near being in his league. He also has written movie scores & orhestrations. Let's see Flea do that.I also think all the bass players mentioned would agree. He is also a world renowned producer. Don't get me wrong I love most of the Bass players mentioned in this forum but let's get real; AC/DC's bass player? come on!Stanley crosses all Genre's. Played with Jeff Beck, Ron Wood, Keith Richards & everybody who's anybody in the jazz field. Ask Victor Wooten & Jeff Berlin although they might say this isn't a competion but I'm sure they both stand in respect of Stanley's genius.
Jun 26, 2010
 John Entwistle
by: Jersey C Shore

Cleary if you have never heard Live at Leeds by The Who, I would strongly suggest you do so. There's your answer.
Aug 05, 2010
 The Wolstenbeast
by: Anonymous

Chris Wolstenholme. EPIC bass player, Hysteria is by far one of the best bass lines of this decade. Fricking amazing, and really underrated too. Check him out xD
Aug 06, 2010
 Markus Miler
by: Travis E. Nigma

Markus Miller From SMV
Look up Their Album
Thunder is amazing also listen to his single stuff
Sep 03, 2010
 come on, everyone forgot sid
by: Anonymous

sid vicious may not have been great in certain ways... but he was definitely famous... so why isn't he on the list
Sep 12, 2010
 JACO
by: budz

best bass players? IMHO
Jaco Pastorius
Stanley Clarke
Tony Levin
Geddy Lee
Sep 12, 2010
 From an old guy
by: Anonymous

I've been playing bass both professionally and not, for over 35 years. Almost everyone mentioned here is worthy of the list, but the one who will eventually go down as the all time best will be Tal Wilkenfeld. She had an edge on almost everyone listed here by the time she was 20, with only about 5 years playing experience. What she will do in her long and prosperous career will simply be amazing.
Sep 25, 2010
 best bassist
by: sir1

i beleave that LES CLAYPOOL because of he changes guitar bass stracture and set vibration handle for his guitar. i never seen anybody simple les claypool in this method.
Nov 18, 2010
 deep Bass
by: old school

To the old school different kinds of music tells us if you can just beat on or play all the stan for a grouprings and make a grove hit the low spots in your soul. For all you young cats out there I am talking about the Bass Man for SLAVE!
Nov 18, 2010
 bass man
by: Old school

This is it from old school Slave is yhe deep bump in my heart but stanly is the best ever
Dec 07, 2010
 Jeordie White aka Twiggy Ramirez
by: Anonymous

of Marilyn Manson, A perfect circle, goon moon and Nine Inch Nails
Dec 25, 2010
 Geddy Lee best4ever
by: Dik

Try to play the bass on high speed like a lead guitar when jumping on one leg, with singing, foottriggering pedals & playing synthesizer. then you know I'm right ! Even if you are older than 50 years !!!
Jan 06, 2011
 Best bass players
by: Min

Mick Karn - he was a genius
Lemmy - he's a fkn legend
Robbie Shakespeare - the best dub player ever
Gaye Advert - she was just so cool!
Youth- for his work with Killing Joke.
Jan 07, 2011
 Simply the Best
by: Slim

Here are my top five bass masters:

1. Verdine White
2. Stanley Clarke
3. Marcus Miller
4. Robert Wilson (Rest in Peace)
5. Larry Graham
Jan 10, 2011
 Phil Lynott
by: Sinead

I'm so surprised that I haven't seen the late great Phil Lynott's name anywhere here! The front man for Irish rock band Thin Lizzy even has a statue erected in Dublin in his honour. (Harry Street if anyone's interested!).

It's unfortunate that it only take 25 years in the ground to be forgotten from the music scene!
Jan 19, 2011
 Moody Blues
by: Anonymous

John Lodge
Apr 26, 2011
 John Deacon
by: Anonymous

John Deacon was even mentioned in the comments.
Whats your problem with Queen? YOU HATERS???
Aug 01, 2011
 the world best bass player
by: nelson

victor wooten will still remain d best, because he can play like all d best bassist in d world, mention them but they cant play like him and they all know that. He is too amazing on the bass, pls dont shy away from the truth.

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