The Best Grunge Bassists Of All Time Ranked

The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass, as in “base”) is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. The bass is similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar, but with a larger body, a longer neck and scale length, and usually four strings (though some versions of the bass guitar feature 5 strings tuned to the same pitches as those of the double bass, or one octave lower in pitch than the four lower strings of a guitar (E, A, D, and G). Since the 1950s, the electric bass guitar has largely replaced the double bass in popular music. The bass guitar provides the low-pitched basslines and bass runs in many different styles of music ranging from rock and metal to blues and jazz. It is also used as a soloing instrument in jazz, fusion, Latin, funk, and rock styles. Here are all of The Best Grunge Bassists Of All Time ranked.

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5. Ben Shepherd

“Ben is one of those bass players whose heavy bass riffs really blow you out of the water and make you wonder what the hell just happened! He adds an element of mystique to the Soundgarden songs that transports you to another realm. He’s also a uniquely talented songwriter, who deserves a lot more recognition for his musical contributions.”

4. Jeff Ament

“Jeff Ament plays with taste and style over flash and gimmicks. His talent is a huge part of the Pearl Jam sound. Just listen to his song “Lowlight” Jeff Ament is a stud when it comes to bassists. He (like Pearl Jam) is ignored for not being a magnet for media attention.”

3. Robert DeLeo

“His bass Lines fit so good, his bass lines in the “core” album are just too good, he is one of my influences to this day, and on the “purple” album are just as amazing. Just love what he comes up with. Definitely, one of my favorite bass players.”

2. Mike Starr

“I regard Mike Starr to be one of those great artists who nonetheless goes unrecognized by many, due to some personal flaw that had little to do with their music. Mike provided a kind of dedication, talent and charisma to the birth of Northwest Grunge. He and a few others from other bands there, embodied the spirit that defined grunge: complexity from a dark, moody, simple locale; disregard for dominant social directives, and a mysterious raw energy that was expressed in his music, his look, his life.”

1. Krist Novoselic

“Krist may have played a simplistic form of music but no one can deny his skills. Simple but effective, as well as making catchy (if simple) bass lines. Go listen to Hairspray Queen and Blew for all the proof you need. Him and Nirvana blew up, brought the underground into the mainstream, and ruled the world!”