The Top 10 Fender Jazz Bass Players That Changed the World
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- Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
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Anderton's Full Jazz Bass Videos where these clips came from:
Intro clip -
• £399 vs £4299 Bass - F...
The Fretless outro bit -
• Fretless Basses - The ...
Jaco's performance in Rochester 1981:
• Jaco Pastorius - Bass ...
Sorry I didn’t premier this one guys…I’m in this thing they call vacation. ;)
One of the only good things about being "older" is having been around to see some of the amazing music in the 1970's and early 80's. One such experience never left me and it involved a guy from south Florida and a '62 Fender Jazz Bass...the other 12 people mentioned here are more than worth their weight in gold as well. Enjoy!
Keith
Aston " Familyman" Barratt of the Wailers was a Jazz Bass player who really did change music with the introduction of Reggae into the mainstream during the 70's.
Agreed, came to say the same thing.
So true!!
Agreed 100%. I was just about to write in my comment , Aston Barrett should be in your top 5 Fender Jazz players of all time.
Beat me to it.
Oh yeah! The anchor of Marley’s band for sure. What monster tone he had! And his groove was just infectious.
Joe Osborne, wrecking crew stalwart, everywhere in the 60's. Always on the neck pickup, flat wounds and a pick
Agreed. Joe is a legend.
I thought Joe Osbourne played a P bass.
Osborne was given a newly designed Fender Jazz Bass while on a tour. He continued to use a pick and played a zillion recordings.
His tone on America's "Tin Man" is sublime...
The shining example to all low-esteem bassists who believe that a plectrum is white trash.
A plectrum bass sound melds very well with a kickdrum, in both attack and decay.
The best bassists are fluid with the greatest pallet of sounds.
Surely Tommy Shannon merited at least an honorable mention. Never flashy, but he provided supremely solid low end for 2 of the best guitarists to come out of Texas. How many other guys own a jazz bass that was played by both BB King AND Jimmy Hendrix?
I love Tommy’s playing. Got to meet him back in the 90s when he was touring with either Arc Angels or Storyville. Got him to sign the pickguard of line of my Jazz Basses. Super nice and humble. Such a solid player
Tommy and Gerry McAvoy have always been favorites of mine. Rock solid but flashy in their own right. They made beautiful canvases for the guitars to paint on.
@@chrismoser9138I feel more people need to know about Arc Angels 🍻
My first bass was a $180 Cort bass which was a Fender Precision copy. When it was in my brother’s car, the car caught fire and damaged it. I had it re-finished changing it from black with a white pick guard to white with a black pick guard. My second bass was a Fender 70’s reissue Jazz bass. I found I loved the Jazz bass’ sound more but the P-bass’ neck more. So I purchased a P-bass roasted maple neck and put it on my old Fender J-bass and that was the perfect bass for me until my MS. Be blessed 😇, from Alexandria, VA.
I always gravitated toward the “other” Canadian power trio, Triumph, for great bass tone. Mike Levine is one who made me want a jazz bass. He wasn’t an acrobat on the fretboard but was solid and in the groove. He made a white jazz bass look RnR.
From the UK perspective maybe Norman Watt-Roy who is a Jazz Bass player. He was bassist with Ian Dury (listen to “Hit me with your Rhythm Stick” - magic bass!), but in the 1980s he was everywhere. Behind Nick Lowe, The Clash (including “Rock the Casbah”), Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Roger Daltry solo work and the Wilko Johnson band.
Was Watt-Roy originally a Precision player?
@@jaschulYes - but we all have youthful indiscretions that should not be held against us!
For $279.50 I’ll take it!
That would be $2,910.96 in 2024. Yes, I think that I will definitely go with the Chinese copy then.🎸🤔👍
Well the 1960...depending on owner, $200,000.00 ? 😊
The other thing Jaco did for bass was using the Acoustic Amp, Ampeg ruled the world at the time, but they distort, Jaco’s precise and melodious lines required the flat frequency response and un distorted sounds of high power transistor powered bass amps, after that, only the big acts wanted to lug around the 125 pound SVT head, which only put out 300 watts (although I would strongly argue 300 watts of Ampeg is equivalent to about 600 watts of SS power) it started a revolution where much smaller lighter bass heads with sophisticated equalization became the norm. another key aspect of Jaco’s tone may have been the folded horn cabs he’s mostly shown using, which if I’m not mistaken have 15” speakers in them
Five-Watt for life!
man, you've watched some great concerts in your time! As usual, I end your videos with some tears in my eyes. Music, what a great gift!
The jazz bass was also popular with the reggae bass players Robbie Shakespeare used one and Bob Marleys bassist Aston Barrett
Big omission: Bootsy Collins, when he was with James Brown. That is some of the most epic bass ever played. “Superbad” is one of the best examples.
I've had my Jazz Bass for 20 years! Love playing it every week.
Great video.
I would submit Joe Osborn as one of the greatest Jazz Bass players and part of LA's Wrecking Crew. A former guitarist and playing bass exclusively with a pick, he rose through the ranks as part of Rick Nelson's band in the early 60's. Then wotking with Johnny Rivers on his live album recorded at the Whiskey-a-go-go, he can be heard on every recording by Rivers thereafter. Notable songs include "Look To Your Soul" and "Tunnel of Love". He recorded with the Fifth Dimension, Tommy Roe, the Mamas and Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, The Association ("Windy"), and The Carpenters.
All recordings performed on a 1960 Jazz.
Geddy's USA signature was my first really good bass and it absolutely blew my mind. I eventually ended up giving it to my brother after getting into 5 strings and moving to a small city apartment where I couldn't justify the space requirements, but it quickly became his number one as well, it sounds and plays that well. I'm sure nostalgia and my love of Rush blinds me; my current number one Enfield Lionheart 5 is truly the definition of "Enough" for practically any bassist, having two pickups that can switch between J, P, and Musicman modes individually and a full two octave neck, but I came up playing that Geddy Lee Jazz bass and any time I see my brother I pick it up, play Limelight, and remember all the reasons I love the J bass.
I am not a bass player, but it sure is nice to play in a band where a Bass player really knows what he is doing. Good job on the report. Leo
My first bass was a Jazz Bass willed to me by a guitar mentor. I couldn't play bass at the time, but I owed it to him to dive into it. Little that I've done has taught me more about guitar and music in general that playing that bass. He speaks to me still. Thanks Stan.
So well crafted, Keith. You've honed a presentation mode that is just wonderful. Thank you.
Great list, Keith! From Tal to Jaco, you're right in the sweet spot with this one.
Love the inclusion of Billy Cox. Actually met Billy when he did a club duo with keyboards while living in Alabama late 70s. My band did a song he had written, Sweet Lady Lulu. Jammed with him. He was a humble, pleasant gentleman
I saw Jaco and Weather Report the gig before you saw him. Pine Knob Theatre. Clarkston MI. I remember him playing two Basses at one point. One in the normal way, and another on the floor. 🙂
I was on vacation from the UK at the time.
Life changing in more ways than one 😄
Well done!!!
We saw U2 in Vegas during their recent residency at the Sphere. Fantastic shows with excellent suond throughout the building. I watched Adam a lot, and I swear he played a different bass for every song.
Excellent Keith.
Thank you for making this. More bass please!
Great video Keith. Kudos for including Tal, she is amazing. You referred to one of her band members from her first album as Kevin Carlock (at 3:09). I could be wrong, but I believe that is Keith Carlock. Thanks again for these videos.
What a great list of Jazz Bass players! ❤
Awesome! LOVE the bass content! And well Geddy is my hero! :) Nice job as usual Keith! Wait! I just thought of a video for you...the instruments of RUSH, not bad huh? -Brent, VT
Thanks for mentioning Tal Wilkenfeld and Billy Cox.
Always great content...thank you for all you do....I own the tee-shirt...I need to go buy that stomp pac. My 85-year-old uncle enjoys your channel too.
I saw Jaco on that tour, too. He both astonished with his playing and spent a lot of time irritating Wayne Shorter. Eight years later I saw the brilliant bagpipe player, Gordon Duncan. He was Jaco on the pipes, both creatively and wild stage personality. Another candle burning twice as bright.
What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Keith also don't worry about it not being primemed also happy birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊
You hit all the highlights again, Keith. Have 2 Jazz basses, fretted and fretless and they both are a joy to play.
Great video presentation Keith. I don’t own a bass now, but it is the instrument that most speaks to me. I never had a JB but love to own one.
Annie Holland from Elastica made me understand the appeal of the Jazz bass. She's an incredible bass player too.
A wonderfully glorious episode! I can only imagine how tough it was to come up with this list… I think you nailed it! Especially glad to see that John Paul Jones made the cut alongside of the other legends!
Thanks!
I love my Jazz bass. I consider myself a person that plays bass. This list of people were bass players. I like other basses but my primary is a 5 string Jazz. Thanks for the video Keith. Getty Lee was my influence in picking the Jazz by the way.
Fantastic video, Keith--thank you! I'm a Jazz Bass player myself, and all my heroes are here (even Adam Clayton!).
Excellent as always!!
Thanks Jeff
Loved it! As someone who started seriously playing bass as well about 12 years ago, over 40 now on guitar, I definitely favor the Jazz over everything else. I definitely think you hit the nail on the head with the list!
I always learn so much from his videos. Best guitar I ever played was Fender jazz bass. It had been owned by a well known local musician in the town I lived. Supposedly it was a bass made with original fender parts, but just after cbs took over. It played like buttter. The neck felt like my fingers were born to it. Im not a bass player. And not that great on guitar. But that bass made me feel like I could play.
“These are all done in fun and are just our opinions no matter how greatly attached to those opinions we might be.”. I don’t always agree but I do respect your opinions as they are so well explained. And… I always learn something new. How can that not be a great thing!
As Rush has been a fave of mine since the early years Geddy Lee would be my #1. His driving and at times complex base lines were a key part to the success of Rush. I love Geddy’s Book of Base. However, I can’t argue with your #1 either! I listened to Heavy Weather a while back BASEd on your suggestion - amazing! My first introduction to Tal Wilkenfeld was with Beck on a UA-cam video - again… amazing!
Thank you for these great history lessons. 👍
Hung in and enjoyed the Anderton's closing jam. Thanks FWW and TrueFire!
Thanks Craig
Very informative and entertaining video. I finally put a tortoise shell pick guard on my sunburst Jazz to make it look like John Paul Jones’ bass. I think I’ll skip the tug bar though - I don’t like drilling holes in guitars. 🎸
Hope you are having a great vacation.
When Geddy's #1 truss rod first gave out, he toured with a Japanese geddy lee signature neck on the #1 for a while before taking delivery of the custom shop neck. Apparently it was not planned, but when he was at fender he tried it and liked it, it was a perfect match.
Best bass player I ever saw was Ron Carter. Legendary upright jazz bassist. Thousands of records under his belt. Saw him with a trio as a fill in when Wayne Shorter couldn’t perform at a festival. He played My Funny Valentine solo, unaccompanied, and he showed a graceful mastery that had the entire audience enraptured. He even made the audience laugh with clever note choices. You can’t get any better than that. I’m a Fender Jazz bass man myself, but I’m always chasing that one night with Ron Carter.
My life changed when I heard Jaco. I don’t play bass, but I became so aware of bass because of him. Blew my mind.
I heard *Heavy Weather* in January 1996. I was 16 then. The guy who sold me my own first electric bass the following month raved about Jaco and told my father and me to check out his playing on record. I definitely had the same reaction Keith mentions here when we first heard that album together.
Great vid! I love all of your Short History and Changed the World vids but as a bassist I have a special appreciation for the bass related ones. While JPJ is my favorite player of all time Geddy is the one that changed me. 2112 was a revelation and he was playing a Rick..I was 15 and I wanted to be Geddy Lee. I worked all summer and saved half the money to buy a white 4001 (my dad fronted me the other half). Sadly that bass died a horrible death when in 1979 while playing a raised stage my strap broke and the bass hit concrete below and neck snapped in half. it was the first time I'd ever cried over an inanimate object. I now play P Basses primarily but have J bass as well.
I've never been a fan of bass solos, but I admit to being blown away by the one Tal Wilkenfeld played on "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers" with Jeff Beck at the 2007 Crossroads Festival . . . and Vinnie Colaiuta laying down some awesome drumbeats as well!
I hope your enjoying your vacation!
Got my G&L Jazzbass last year. For a kid who started on a Squire P-bass, it's pure heaven. Geddy Lee figures prominently in my desire to pick up the instrument, so the P-bass was just wrong for me.
A friend of mine had a '72 swamp ash Jazzbass with first generation EMG pickups in it. After getting accustomed to the 14-16 pounds of chiropractor's special mass, it demanded that funk be played at all times. It's weird. I don't slap, and I don't pretend to know how to slap bass, this Jazzbass brought it out of me. Madam D'Funk we call her. All attempts to replicate her have been futile. Somebody out there bought up most of the swamp ash Jazzbass before I understood what was so special about them.
Great shout out for Tal!
Bravo!
Thank You for including Billy Cox! Jerry Jemmott deserves more than a mention, considering he was a huge influence on your # 1, Jaco!
I'm one of those people who roll their eyes when folks start to wax about Jaco. Yes, he invented fretless bass. Yes, he was a enigmatic performer. BUT! I would much rather listen to tracks with Chuck Rainey or Gordon Edwards on the level of, just great bass playing, rather than self serving showmanship. I did grow up listening to Heavy Weather. I do get it, but as a bass player, Jaco is a thing unto himself, but it doesn't move me. I'd rather listen to Donald Duck Dunn.
Great work Kieth! Keep it up. I love your videos!
I mostly agree. 😊 Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Camel, Hatfield and the North etc.) was the one why I wanted to play Jazz bass. ❤ Jaco is #1
Sting also used to play Jazzbass occasionally)
Hi Keith. Loved this segment and agree with you on the sequence of which you placed our favorite players! Have a little story for ya: about a decade ago I finally found a fully stock, unmolested ‘62 Sunburst slab-board J-Bass on sale at a noted online guitar brokerage site. I know the owner pretty well as we’ve horse-traded many basses over the years. I decided to send him two of my refinished 62’s to help finance the stock one. One of those two refin’s was a Sea Foam Green, JUL 62 slab board J. As it turns out, this bass evidently caught the eye Geddy and he took it in as his first real pre CBS J-Bass! This particular bass actually bumped his No.1 ‘72 black blocker to the side for a bit - as many pics can be seen from past 8 years or so of him playing my old ‘62 (with his own tort guard now,) onstage. I contacted Rush management and introduced myself, armed with pictures and serial number information on that exact bass. I was scrounging for one geds bass books but was kindly denied. Oh well. Enjoy my old bass Ged! She surely is a good one and was once my old baby for a time. I want her back one day!
Great story!
very interesting! i sure wouldn't put giddy lee that high but you look at it from a different era, go jaco!
Another JB player of note was Barry Oakley of the Allman Brothers.
Though known for playing other basses (if he’s as known for his bass playing Ashe should be), Jason Scheff briefly played a J-bass near the end of the first full year I was a Chicago fan, 1998. He might have still been playing that bass the following summer when the live *Chicago 26* album was recorded. Meanwhile, I’ve noticed the way Jazz cats have gravitated toward the P-bass over the J-bass myself, having both performed with such people and see pin them from the audience.
Talk of bass players for Miles Davis, one of Marcus’ successors was another J-bass player I admire named Darryl Jones. His stylings on Sting’s *Dream of the Blue Turtles* and in the *Bring On the Night* documentary are definitely worth note.
Aloha Keith! Thanks for another interesting video. I don't play bass, maybe I should. It would be a hard choice between a Precision or a Jazzbass. I just received a long sleeve T-shirt.
Thanks Keith. So many good musical memories in this one. I first saw Flea in "Busta Move." Who is this guy? And wow, that's all on a bass? Peace
Good list. My blood pressure rose and fell as I wondered who would be on it. Overall I think You included many greats but missed a few. Maybe just do a series of great influential players by instrument and don't worry about limiting it to a number. Kinda start with the beginning to current kind of thing. Rock on !!!!!!!!!!!
Good list of players! A Jazz Bass to me is like a Stratocaster for guitars, like an "Old Friend".
I agree! This comparison also keeps coming to my mind. And P Bass/Telecaster, which are both instruments that make you work a bit harder, and they keep it as simple as it gets.
Fascinating add, the Picture of Hendrix in the early club gig shows him playing a white Fender Musicmaster with an added custom trem, and a custom PU assortment
of an added strat and Firebird size PU at the bridge, most likely it’s a a ‘62, I know because I own one! It’s not a Mustang, because that would have 2 treble slanted covered strat type PU’s especially amazing because of Hendrix large hands the scale length for the early 60’s Musicmaster is
21 & 3/4”😳 in the 70’s they changed to a 24” scale like the jaguar
Another Weather Report alum…their first bassist Miroslav Vitous. He used an upright, a Precision & a Jazz in his work with them.
His playing is incomparable!
As a trombonist first, my introduction to Jaco was the Trilogue project with Albert Mangelsdorff and Alphonse Mouzon. These three musicians were on fire during that live recording, which can be found on UA-cam. I recommend it highly!
I'd like to put in a mention for Norman Watt-Roy, bassist for The Blockheads and Fender Jazz player. Particularly for his bass part on 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick'.
One of my favourite Jazz Bass players, although he wouldn't fit in this list, was Bert Ruiter of Focus. BTW, I always think of slap bass as originating with stand up bass players trying to be heard in unamplified jazz and country bands before being taken up by bass guitarists in the same way I think of tapping originating as a violin technique (my violin teacher back in the 1970s said it was invented by Paganini) which was taken up by ukulele and acoustic guitarists before it found its way into the electric repertoire.
Will Lee. The sheer amount of musical styles he's capable of playing (while always being his own man), all the records he's played on and the decades long nationwide visibility as bass player for David Letterman puts him way up there.
Keith, I’m usually suspicious of videos ranking music, players, gear, etc. I’m not a subscriber to your channel, yet. With that said, I listened from the first to last frame. You did a disclaimer and that kept an honesty around your ranking. Popularity, fame influence our appreciation of products, music being one and gear absolutely. Why is the Rickenbacker even on someone’s radar? That’s my point. And while I like/dislike some of the players in your video, I absolutely appreciate the reasoning of your choices and the supporting evidence. It’s truly well researched. And yes, I bought Jaco’s album when it came out and without disregarding all his predecessors, he did change the way people think of the bass and raised the bar for everyone. Cheers!
⚓️ Thanks Keith 🎶
Thank you Keith
This fellow likely wouldn't fall under the "Change Music" category himself (thought the band as a whole certainly and unquestionably fits that bill), but Colin Greenwood of Radiohead is certainly worthy of a mention. Same with John Stirrat of Wilco.
Fun list either way, Keith. Thanks for your work!
Nice video, but two name corrections. It's Keith Carlock and Roger Sadowsky. Also, Carol Kaye was mostly associated with playing a Precision bass in the 60s. Still - that's a nice list. 👍
In an interview about his "Live at Ronnie Scotts" performance, Jeff Beck compared Tal to Jaco.
It must have been really tough to come up with a list of the Top 10 Jazz Bass players given the instruments' ubiquity. But this is a really nice choice, and it perfectly shows the versatility of the Jazz Bass! Many of them were a huge influence for me. And Jaco started it all, absolutely well-deserved lead of the bunch!
It's also really interesting how the Jazz Bass is especially popular in Jazz today, be it for soloing on the bridge pickup, slapping with both pickups on, or whatever else. Sounds which Leo certainly couldn't see coming when he designed the bass. Or was he a clairvoyant in the end?
Very nice!! Everyone please note that these players are great musicians who happen to be bassists. This includes the honorable list as well. Go get some bass in your face!😊❤
Could you do a list on Spector players please?
Very good list I would probably have included Family Man somewhere in there.
Yes. Aston Barrett was the bassist who uplifted the world with his reggae bass lines. Rebel Music. Positive Vibration. NATURAL MYSTIC!
Jaco.. effing.... Pastorius.... He causes me to be torn between being inspired to practice and work harder, and just selling all my bass gear and sticking to drums 😂
Great video and excellent narration, Keith. But I can’t forgive you for not putting Geddy as No.1. Lol
I honestly was on the edge of my seat but at the same prepared to be dissappointed if Jaco wasnt in the number 1 slot and was only listening to Havona five minutes before I found your video. Thanks Keith for as usual a thoroughly rivetting document.
Jack Casady reportedly played a Jazz on Surrealistic Pillow. He can be seen playing this bass in Monterey Pop.
Do spector next. Pls
I'm very late to this party, I bought a 1974 fender telecaster custom that needs a bit of love
Great vid. As a rabid Band of Gypsies-influenced string player, I wished to have seen Billy Cox higher on the list. Still, inspired inclusion 🤝
I have no two basses that have the same pick up arrangement. Two of them are jazz basses. One a fretless and the other a spector coda. I started on a Rickenbacker, but I love the assortment I own.
Great episode. Where’s the jaco you tube link of that bootleg? Didn’t see it in the transcript or description
It’s there now
@@fivewattworld huh. I still can’t find it. Is it in the transcript or description?
The most surprising omission is pioneering British session bass supremo Herbie Flowers. He’s almost exclusively used his famous 1960 blue Jazz Bass over a 60 year career. Per his Wikipedia article, “by the end of the 1970s Flowers had played bass on an estimated 500 hit recordings”. On that basis, he must surely objectively qualify.
The other nine players all agree with you about the #1 pick.
Great list. I think James Jamerson has influenced more bass players than can be counted. His influence affected players who might not have never heard him play, much like Robert Johnson changed the way the guitar was played.
I think I agree with all your choices and runners up!
Marcus Miller also has signature basses with Sire
Coincidentally, yesterday was the anniversary of Barry Oakley's birthday. He was born on April 4, 1948. Died November 11, 1972, in a motorcycle crash. The collision took place 3 blocks from where Duane Allman was killed a year earlier.
Instead of Carol Kaye, I would have included Joe Osborn. He played a Fender Jazz on most of his sessions.
A decent list, I must insist that Aston Barratt be inserted into say.... spot 4
While I disagree with some of your list, I think it’s very much a personal preference issue as you stated earlier in it. Kudos for giving the bassists some lol!
Larry Graham should be at number two, if we're really basing it on "all bass playing changed after ____." The only bassist more influential than Graham or Jaco is James Jamerson!
I’m not surprised that Jaco was at the top since he was an absolute beast of a player (not to mention being a pioneer of fretless bass) but another guy I’m surprised didn’t make it was Mark Hoppus from Blink-182, his playing on so many Blink albums is absolutely killer and he’s definitely one of the best punk bassists for a reason imo