The best Bass player

[ReCycled]

I have my opinion who this is but I'll save my answer for later. I'll only say that he is dead.
Best Bass player is kind of a tough one since its a background instrument and doesn't usually take big spotlight solos. Nevertheless absolutely integral to the engine of the band (with the drummer).
 

[lidz]

These best posts are difficult, I mean there are so many music mediums, which create amazing talent.  So to be the best, wouldn't they need to cover all musical avenues?  Ok, I am over analyzing it, but being music lover, so many are great at what they do.

For hard funk - Flea
For obvious reasons - Les Claypool
For classic rock stuff - John Paul Jones and Buddy Miles
For jam band stuff - Mike Gordon
For technical stuff - not sure, don't really enjoy it
For semi hard rock - Justin Chancellor
For jazz - Jaco Pastorius
For heavy metal - not sure, don't really enjoy it
For country - do they even play the bass? 

Then there are many others, that do amazing stuff.  But that's my general take.   

[Remedy]

cliff burton

[Svet[SIR]]

I agree with Recycled, def was john entwistle

[ReCycled]

I agree with Recycled, def was john entwistle

Hehe.....nice try Svet. No Lidz was right. I'm convinced it was Jaco Pastorius. If you've heard any Weather Report you can hear this unstopable, pumping bass driving the band. His knowledge of harmony and his expertise on the instrument was remarkable. He didn't just play jazz but played in many other genres before settling on jazz. However he was exceptionally difficult to be around. So much so that eventually no one would work with him. He died, homeless, in a bar fight in 1987. This is a small sampling of his technique from Midnight Special. His bass phrasing is amazing relative to the chords that are being played by Zawinal, the keyboardist:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQlSSOXU6A&mode=related&search=

 

[Moving Shadow]

Jaco is the best.  hands down.   

[ANALGASSES{KEA}]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRuOQtg-pJ0

[ANALGASSES{KEA}]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dWb-aCWR8U&feature=related

There is a bunch       

[jägermonsta]

what's a bass player 

[ANALGASSES{KEA}]

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdJvHE8qxA&feature=related

[ReCycled]

check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdJvHE8qxA&feature=related

Pretty slick.....and he use no pick......