Who’s the World’s Best!? A Roundup of Famous Bassists from Around the Globe
If you’re a bassist—or simply someone who loves the bass—you probably research various bass players and study their performances, don’t you?
From bassists who have established their own unique playing styles to those who excel at laying down groove, each has a distinct appeal that captivates us.
In this article, we’ll introduce bassists from around the world that you absolutely need to know.
We’ll feature them alongside performance videos, so be sure to enjoy their playing with both your eyes and ears.
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- Packed with slap groove vibes! A collection of songs with cool bass
- 【2026】A Roundup of Japanese Bassists: From Big Names to Rising Stars
- Exploring the appeal of Paul McCartney as a bassist
- Love at first sight with a bass girl! The female bassist of a popular band
- A compilation of bassists who use StingRays
- [Low End] A collection of Japanese songs with high-difficulty bass parts [Cool]
- Who’s the World’s Best!? A Roundup of Famous Bassists from Around the Globe
- Practice songs for beginner electric bass players
- Master one song over summer break! Recommended practice songs to level up your bass
- [Western Music] Classic Jazz Fusion Masterpieces: Recommended Albums You Should Listen to at Least Once [2026]
- [Low End] A Collection of Japanese Songs Featuring Standout Bass Solos [2026]
Who’s the Best in the World!? A Roundup of Famous Overseas Bassists (21–30)
John Patitucci SoloJohn Patitucci
If you’re into jazz or fusion, he’s a well-known bass player.
He has complete command of his technique and can play the bass with remarkable versatility.
Fast playing on bass is extremely difficult, but he handles it effortlessly thanks to his skill.
Louis Johnson
The so-called master of slap bass is Louis Johnson.
Controlling the bass at will and producing sounds so freely is impossible without extraordinary technique.
If you like funk, once you hear this tone, it will never leave your head.
Very Fast BassRichard Bona
The bass played by Richard Bona from Cameroon overwhelms listeners with incredible speed and precision.
His sound, which brilliantly fuses African rhythms with jazz harmonies, is truly one of a kind.
Coupled with his distinctive falsetto vocals, it’s irresistibly captivating.
Since releasing his debut album, “Scenes from My Life,” in 1999, he has delivered numerous masterpieces.
Influenced by Jaco Pastorius, his playing style showcases dazzling right-hand technique, and his fretless bass tone is exquisite.
It’s a must-listen not only for jazz fans but also for anyone interested in African music or world music.
Basket CaseMike Dirnt（Green Day）
The bassist of Green Day, a quintessential American punk band.
He plays a Squier signature model and, despite his low-slung, classic punk-style approach, he’s actually a highly skilled bassist capable of executing intricate phrases.
Squarepusher ThemeSquarepusher
Many artists are called geniuses, but there aren’t that many true geniuses.
However, Squarepusher is a genuinely genius artist.
These days he shows a talent that makes you forget he’s a bass player, but if you like electronic music, I recommend him.
Wild SideNikki Sixx（Mötley Crüe）
Nikki Sixx, the brains behind the hard rock band Mötley Crüe.
He’s also active in other groups, energetically taking part in Brides of Destruction, 58, and SIXX:A.M.
His trademark black Thunderbird bass—nicknamed the “Black Bird”—is extremely famous.
Guerrilla RadioTim Commerford（Rage Against the Machine）
Although they have disbanded, Rage Against the Machine remains popular as a legendary heavy rap metal band.
The backbone of the group is bassist Tim Commerford.
The groovy bass lines he creates are addictive.