Terms | Privacy | Copyright | FAQ
©2005-2018 TheTopTens® All rights reserved.
Most Talented Bass Guitarists
gemclobenThe Top Ten
1 John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle, was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, film and music producer. He is mostly known as the lead bassist for the rock band The Who.
John Alec Entwistle, was an English singer, songwriter, composer, musician, film and music producer. He is mostly known as the lead bassist for the rock band The Who. His talent is too good - gemcloben
The one bassist who played lead in the band while Townshend played rhythm. Perhaps the greatest bass guitarist of all times. A close second would be John Paul Jones of Led Zep and Nick St. Nicholas of Steppenwolf.
Not only a virtuoso, but THE virtuoso. The worlds fastest two finger picker by a wide margin, to the point where it's unphysical. Invented the modern bass and bass string, invented the two finger, three finger, and four finger picking technique. The only people I would say are even close to this level of technical ability are Hadrien Feraud and MonoNeon. This guy really shocked the world, like no other will.
2 Les Claypool
Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, composer, author and actor best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the band Primus.
Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, composer, author and actor best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the band Primus. No one is close to him. Especially when it comes to slapping. - zxm
3 Billy Sheehan
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs.
William "Billy" Sheehan is an American bassist known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs.
4 Geddy Lee
Geddy Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush.
Geddy Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush.
5 Flea
Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962), better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-born American musician, best known as the bassist, a co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers with whom he was inducted in 2012 into the Rock and Roll Hall ...read more.
Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962), better known by his stage name Flea, is an Australian-born American musician, best known as the bassist, a co-founding member, and one of the composers of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers with whom he was inducted in 2012 into the Rock and Roll Hall ...read more. Billy Sheehan just plays fast and Repetitive. Flea is more creative and should be in the top 2 on this list. - Sabbath
6 Cliff Burton
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10th 1962 - September 27th 1986) was an American musician, best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica, recording three studio albums. He died in 1986 after getting crushed by a tour bus in Copenhagen whilst promoting Metallica's ...read more.
Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton (February 10th 1962 - September 27th 1986) was an American musician, best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica, recording three studio albums. He died in 1986 after getting crushed by a tour bus in Copenhagen whilst promoting Metallica's ...read more. Umm...first guitarist for Metallica, right? - Feirceraven
The first thrash bassist - gemcloben
Bass guitarist I mean. - Feirceraven
7 Steve Harris
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist, primary songwriter and founder of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist, primary songwriter and founder of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He has a very unique style - gemcloben
8 Sumon (Aurthohin)
Saidus Salehin Khaled (Sumon), is a bass player, singer, songwriter, composer, music producer from Bangladesh and the vocalist and bassist for the rock band Aurthohin. He is known as "Bassbaba" (Father of Bass) among his fans and audiences for his bass guitar playing.
Saidus Salehin Khaled (Sumon), is a bass player, singer, songwriter, composer, music producer from Bangladesh and the vocalist and bassist for the rock band Aurthohin. He is known as "Bassbaba" (Father of Bass) among his fans and audiences for his bass guitar playing. One of the best slap bassists in the world. Both sings greatly and plays bass guitar. Not only bass riffs, but he plays bass solos too. But his tapping is what makes him even more talented. Plus his teeth grinding bass playing is also very good. - zxm
He is the best.
9 Geezer Butler
Terence Michael Joseph "Geezer" Butler is an English musician and songwriter. Butler is best known as the bassist and primary lyricist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
Terence Michael Joseph "Geezer" Butler is an English musician and songwriter. Butler is best known as the bassist and primary lyricist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
10 Duff McKagan
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician, singer, songwriter and author. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bass guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. McKagan rejoined the band in 2016, following ...read more.
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician, singer, songwriter and author. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bass guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. McKagan rejoined the band in 2016, following ...read more. This guy is great.
The Contenders
11 Roger Waters
George Roger Waters, is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He was mostly known for the secondary lead vocals and bassist of Pink Floyd .
George Roger Waters, is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He was mostly known for the secondary lead vocals and bassist of Pink Floyd .
12 John Myung
John Ro Myung is an American bassist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater.
John Ro Myung is an American bassist and a founding member of the progressive metal group Dream Theater. I think that this picture is awesome, that background as well. - Feirceraven
I think that john has a lot of talent - gemcloben
13 Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce was a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter known primarily for his contributions to the British supergroup Cream, which also included guitarist-singer Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker.
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce was a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter known primarily for his contributions to the British supergroup Cream, which also included guitarist-singer Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker.
14 Lemmy Kilmister
Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice. He died in 2015 from cancer and other health problems.
Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice. He died in 2015 from cancer and other health problems.
15 John Deacon
John Richard Deacon is a retired English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band Queen.
John Richard Deacon is a retired English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band Queen.
16 Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer . With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame with the rock band the Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop and rock music .
Sir James Paul McCartney is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer . With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame with the rock band the Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop and rock music . Good, but not the most talented bassist - gemcloben
More records sold than anyone in history. Most talented songvwriter. Plays bass, guitar, piano, drums, organ, etc. Give me a break #12...really?
17 Tim Commerford
Timothy Robert Commerford is an American musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, supergroups Audioslave and Prophets of Rage.
Timothy Robert Commerford is an American musician, best known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, supergroups Audioslave and Prophets of Rage.
18 Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward Squire was an English musician, singer and songwriter. He was best known as the bassist and founding member of the progressive rock band Yes.
Christopher Russell Edward Squire was an English musician, singer and songwriter. He was best known as the bassist and founding member of the progressive rock band Yes.
19 John Paul Jones
John Baldwin, better known by his stage name John Paul Jones, is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer.
John Baldwin, better known by his stage name John Paul Jones, is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer.
20 Krist Novoselic
Nirvana's bassist for the entirety of their lifespan before the group was disbanded in 1994. Nowadays, Krist is a humanitarian and a human rights activist.
Nirvana's bassist for the entirety of their lifespan before the group was disbanded in 1994. Nowadays, Krist is a humanitarian and a human rights activist.
21 Tony Franklin
22 Taiji Sawada
23 Tal Wilkenfeld
24 John Wetton
BAdd New Item
Recommended Lists
Featured
Popular
Latest
Related Lists
Most Talented Blues Guitarists
Most Talented Guitarists
Top 10 Most Pointy Guitar and Bass Designs
Top Ten Most Underrated Bass Riffs
Most Talented Italian Artists That Became Popular Thanks to a Talent Show
List Stats
24 listings
3 years, 134 days old
3 years, 134 days old
Top Remixes
1. Les Claypool
2. Sumon (Aurthohin)
3. Geddy Lee
zxm
2. Sumon (Aurthohin)
3. Geddy Lee
zxm
1. Geddy Lee
2. Les Claypool
3. Cliff Burton
Metal_Treasure
2. Les Claypool
3. Cliff Burton
Metal_Treasure
1. Billy Sheehan
2. Les Claypool
3. Flea
gemcloben
2. Les Claypool
3. Flea
gemcloben
Error Reporting
See a factual error in these listings? Report it here.