There are loads of great basses in the world, and we know it. But what are the very best? Well, I'll give you some ideas with this post!
No. 1. 1973-75 Fat-style Gibson L-9S Ripper
Krist doing what he does best.
Most Prominent User: Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Nevermind is one of the most famous albums ever put to record, and the Ripper is the unsung bass hero that gave it its unique bass sound. Running it through a scooped-mid EQ gets a biting, aggressive sound that mellowly sits in a mix perfectly with guitars over the top, but strikes your ears like an ice-pick when it's alone or with drums. Whilst the 1975-1982 Rippers with their thinner style and different pickups (post 1976) are nice enough, the fat chunky original just looks beautiful.
Hear it: Nirvana Live
Great concert video...except for Come As You Are...
Teen Spirit
No 2. 1978-85 Gibson G3
Being played by Mark Bull. A great bass channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNV93yc2HcQ
Most Prominent User: Mike Dirnt (Green Day)
Back in the 90's before the eyeliner and rock operas, Green Day was a fun pop-punk band who knew a thing or two about bass tone. Mike Dirnt ran his G3 through an Ampeg SVT Rig to get a mid-heavy sound that went perfectly with Billie Joe Armstrong's distorted guitar. Their 1992 Kerplunk album pulls a strange-yet-brilliant trick by making the bass louder than the guitar, and with the G3 it couldn't sound better.
Hear it: No-One Knows
When I Come Around (Live at Woodstock '94)
No 3. Fender P (Precision) Bass
Most Notable Player: JUST ABOUT EVERYONE
Enough has been said about the P bass to fill an Encyclopedia-size book. There's nothing I can say about this bass other than: it's the most famous and popular bass in existence, and it's perfect in every way, shape and form.
Hear it: What's Going On
Money
No 4. Fender T (Telecaster) Bass
Most Notable Player: Dusty Hill (ZZ Top)
In the beginning (1951), uprights ruled the low-end scene. Then Leo Fender made the T bass.
At the time it was known as the Precision bass, but since then the single-coil predecessor to the 1957-onwards P bass has been known as the 'Telecaster Bass'. Look at the headstock and knobs to see why. Unless you are a ZZ-top fan, you probably think you haven't heard this bass before. Hahaha! How very wrong you are...
Hear it: I Want You Back
No More Tears
No 5. Gibson RD Artist Bass
Most Notable Player: Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Third Gibson on the list, and not the last for sure. (I really love Gibson.) One of the first mass-produced active basses, released only a year after the MusicMan Stingray, it's like if a Thunderbird became curvy and got fatter-shaped pickups, but sounds a lot different. The tone on this thing is unbelievable with both bright, snappy roundwounds or old, dead strings. Take a listen here!
Hear it: Chicago Music Exchange Demo
Sliver Live at the Paramount
Most Notable Player: Rex Brown
The Spector NS-2 (or Euro 4LX, same thing) is the weapon of many a great bassist. They include:
-Pantera's Rex Brown
-Judas Priest's Ian Hill
-Alice in Chains' Mike Starr
-Living Colour's Doug Wimbish
-Skid Row's Rachel Bolan
-Steve Morse Band's Dave LaRue
-Queensryche's Eddie Jackson
...and many more. Listen to the two tracks for some truly monstrous tone.
Hear It: Would?
Floods
No 7. Early 60's Gibson EB-3
Bob Daisley recording Blizzard of Ozz.
My first bass was an Epiphone EB-0, a single pickup version of the EB-3, and since then I've always liked EB basses. However, a few days ago when I was browsing Bob Daisley's website, I heard he used an EB-3 on Blizzard of Ozz. I thought that was pretty cool, but since he owns several Gibson EB-3's I tried to find out which one he used. (I'm like that.) I came across the picture just above with a white EB-3 and an early-60's black neck pickup. Either of those two features make an EB-3 look very cool, but both simultaneously? That's ULTIMATE cool!
Hear It: Crazy Train
I can't find a video on YouTube, so just open up Spotify or something and listen to the original album version.
All Right Now
So that's that. Do you think my list is good, or that I have no taste at all? If you feel like commenting, please do! I'd really appreciate it!
