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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 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
He's really creative and talented. Listen to Aeroplane. - Userguy44
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. #4 You guys are crazy. John Entwistle is definitely side by side by with Geddy Lee...but still... Geddy Lee #1.
VOTE FOR GEDDY LEE. ALTHOUGH JOHN ENTWISTLE IS SIDE BY SIDE WITH GEDDY LEE. BUT FLEE? BILLY SHEEHAN? OH BOY. DISTANT FROM THE TALENT OF GEDDY LEE. GEDDY LEE RULES!
5 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.
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. He should be in the first place. If he did not die unfortunately that day, he would have made Metallica far better than they are right now.
Umm...first guitarist for Metallica, right? - Feirceraven
Bass guitarist I mean. - Feirceraven
One of my favourite bassists. - Userguy44
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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 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. Iconic bass -lines, like Under Pressure, and Another one bites the dust. Short but virtuoso bass playing in Breakthru.
One of the best bass-player, highly underrated.
He has a lot of interesting basslines. - Userguy44
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 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
The Contenders
11 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.
12 Roger Waters
George Roger Waters, is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is mostly known for being the secondary lead vocalist and bassist of Pink Floyd.
George Roger Waters, is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is mostly known for being the secondary lead vocalist and bassist of Pink Floyd. He didn't even used 100% of his talent. - Userguy44
13 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.
14 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.
15 John Taylor
16 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.
17 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.
18 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?
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 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.
21 Chris Wolstenholme
Christopher Tony "Chris" Wolstenholme is an English musician. He is the bassist and backing vocalist for the alternative rock band Muse.
Christopher Tony "Chris" Wolstenholme is an English musician. He is the bassist and backing vocalist for the alternative rock band Muse. He made a lot of cool basslines. Such a great player! - Userguy44
Muse - Hysteria has one of the best Bass lines going. normally ques come from the drummer but not on this track.
Go on then... you try playing it if you dare and keep the rhythm going for the whole track.
22 Marcus Miller
23 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. He's good, but far from the best. - Userguy44
24 Tony Franklin
25 Taiji Sawada
26 Tal Wilkenfeld
27 John Wetton
28 Mike Dirnt
Michael Ryan Pritchard, known professionally as Mike Dirnt, is an American musician best known for being the co-founder, bassist, backing and occasional lead vocalist of the American punk rock band Green Day.
Michael Ryan Pritchard, known professionally as Mike Dirnt, is an American musician best known for being the co-founder, bassist, backing and occasional lead vocalist of the American punk rock band Green Day.
29 Alex James
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List Stats
100 votes
29 listings
3 years, 307 days old
29 listings
3 years, 307 days old
Top Remixes (4)
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. Flea
2. John Taylor
3. Steve Harris
listfreak
2. John Taylor
3. Steve Harris
listfreak
View All 4
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