Who's Your Favorite Bass Players; Why?

for a smorgasbord of good rock bass players, check out the two "Deep End" cd's by Gov't Mule, which Warren Haynes and Matt Abts made with a variety of bass players, after their friend and band mate, bass player Allen Woody, passed on. While you're at it, also check out their earlier stuff with Allen Woody on bass.

got to give Michael Manring a shout out here.Not saying he is my favorite but he deserves a mention with some of these greats.He has taken the instrument in a direction i have never heard anyone take it with his solo work.That Government Mule set really is a good smorgasbord Mitch2,i agree.Quick shout out to Chris Squire and Phil Lesh as well.Both of these players added their own voice to this instrument that is unmistakeable most times.Phil has an orchestral sensibility which he intersperses with pure improvisations.Love the things he has done recently with Phil and Friends and the music that has come from him post Grateful Dead(although i loved his playing with them as well of course).Also, way Squire plays some of those lines and sings unbelievable harmony at the same time is astonishing to me.JACO!! had to shout that too -talk about an innovator : )
Oscar Pettiford-just beautifull stand up lines.
and the list of jazz standup bass giants could go on and on.Oh and the way Jack Cassidy twirls those lines around a guitar is pure beauty-can't leave him out as a great.alright enough of my opinion
next.......

Ray Brown for gettin it on with Ella Fitzgerald

Did anybody mention James Jamerson?

Hands down, the "slapmaster" Gary Lee Weinrib (Geddy Lee)! The technical lines he plays in many Rush tunes is just amazing to me.