Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yes, I know it's a controversial title, so lets keep it nice. What I'm thinking about is it's easy to think of all the bass players we like, but there are a few that just set my teeth on edge.

What I'm not looking for here are the inept or just plain bad. Just the players that are brilliant in their own way, but just don't do it for you.

I'll start. I can't listen to Jaco Pastorious. He was a phenomenal talent, but that combination of tone and style just don't do it for me.

Once again, I'm interested in respectful dissension, not "xxx sucks".

And nobody better choose me.

Bill Dickens and John Pattitucci. While I am in sheer awe at their skill, I just can't hear the music in much of what they play.

Now, Marcus and Larry, on the other hand....

Y'know. I'm going to slightly go off the path and add a note about Cliff Williams. While most players think what he does is 'simple,' I've seen quite a few 'instructional' YT players covering his stuff. They've got great chops and technique, but can't cop the groove that that guy produces. In short, they sound like **** playing something 'simple.' We play a couple of his tunes in my band and it requires very precise playing to make a groove like that.

Whoever plays for Nickelback.

I'm actually pretty sick of Geddy Lee in general. Sorry. I liked Rush for a while and then I got really, really burned out.

gareth wrote:I'll start. I can't listen to Jaco Pastorious. He was a phenomenal talent, but that combination of tone and style just don't do it for me.

Not even with Joni Mitchell? Wow. I agree his solo stuff is mostly obnoxious-sounding but even then he never stopped grooving.

blueflamerick wrote:Whoever plays for Nickelback.

Mike Kroeger.

Nicky Wire of The Manic Street Preachers

Peter Hook of Joy Division/New Order

Cant stand them, they're playing styles or their bands

Brian Medway

I totally agree about Bill Dickens; I saw him at a clinic with Bobby Rock and Neil Zaza, Bills could slap a mile a millitmeter but is was so tatsteless in the extreme.

"Hey kids, listen to how many notes can fit on a head of a pin"!

I too, will come to the defense of Jaco in his Joni Mitchell years. His playing there was sublime and matched Joni at every turn.

Robert Trujillo.

I'm sure he's a talented player, but I just cant watch his contorted stance onstage.

Robert Truhillo with Metalica. Can't stand his crawling on the stage. The guy just can not get vertical.

cassius987 wrote:...

gareth wrote:I'll start. I can't listen to Jaco Pastorious. He was a phenomenal talent, but that combination of tone and style just don't do it for me.

Not even with Joni Mitchell? Wow...

jps wrote:...I too, will come to the defense of Jaco in his Joni Mitchell years. His playing there was sublime and matched Joni at every turn.

+1. I agree that he did well with Joni.

John Lennon on "The Long and Winding Road". I think they had a Fender 6-string bass kicking around at that point.

Macca stayed peeved for so long that the self-indulgent "Let It Be Naked" was released decades later.

We'll see if I get struck by lightning today . . .

I'm sure most of the jazz greats would make my list but I don't hear them enough to warrant hate. Chris Squire is certainly a talent and probably a nice fella but I can't change the station fast enough if I'm unfortunate enough to stumble across a Yes tune while in my car. Literally make my skin crawl and gives me the creeps. Geddy Lee is a close second for the same reason. Great players in unlistenable bands.......IMO of course.

gareth wrote:I can't listen to Jaco Pastorious. He was a phenomenal talent, but that combination of tone and style just don't do it for me.

I think he was great player, but I don't put him on a pedestal like most do. I can only listen to so much of Jaco. I'd much rather listen to Sting play bass, who in my opinion is a fine bassist. As I call Sting, "The finest simple bassist ever".