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.
- [Selected by the pros!] 10 great bassists from the jazz fusion world
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- 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)
Them ChangesThundercat
Contrary to his recognition in Japan, he is currently one of the most famous bass players in the world.
Since he performs with artists like Flying Lotus, his technique is exceptional.
If you want to hear the latest in music, you should listen to his sound.
Dub MakerAston Barrett（Bob Marley & The Wailers）
The bassist for Bob Marley & The Wailers is Aston “Family Man” Barrett.
If you listen closely to reggae, I think you’ll realize just how important the bass and drums are.
It’s this low end that’s crucial to sustaining that laid-back groove.
Who’s the Best in the World!? A Roundup of Famous Overseas Bassists (31–40)
stretchin outBootsy Collins
He is an extraordinarily distinctive player who laid the foundation of funk bass.
His unconventional playing style—featuring bass effects (notably distortion and Musitronics’ Mu-Tron III auto-wah)—has had a profound influence not only on funk but also on other genres such as rock and hip-hop.
I Wanna Be AdoredGary Michael “Mani” Mounfield（The Stone Roses）
A milestone of UK rock.
Often hailed as a living legend and a groove master who makes the world dance.
His groove with drummer Reni is one of a kind, and the trippy phrases flowing from Mani’s Rickenbacker became a new benchmark for bass.
Time WarpRobert Trujillo（Metallica）
He joined as the replacement for former bassist Jason Newsted.
In stark contrast to the fashionable other members and the previous bassist, his laid-back look of denim and a T-shirt—paired with a muscular, burly build and jaw-dropping technical prowess—pushed Metallica to a new stage.
What Makes YouJoe Lally（Fugazi）
Joe Lally is the former bassist of the famous alternative rock band Fugazi.
He’s also an irresistible maestro of the bass for rock lovers.
With bands like this, the key isn’t so much the guitar melodies as the heavy, hard-driving low-end rhythm—so listen closely and let it electrify you.
Guns Of BrixtonPaul Simonon（The Clash）
It can be said that the reason The Clash—often cited alongside the Pistols as one of punk’s two towering acts—didn’t fit neatly into the category of just a punk band is none other than bassist Simonon bringing into the group a sound influenced by reggae and dub music.
The anecdote that he couldn’t play either guitar or bass when he joined the band is well known.