From the article: Here are TEN kings of the four-string everyone should know about. (New window.)

Thanks. Pretty cool!

I saw this link on Fark a few days ago.  I imagine the lack of Stanley Clarked and Mark King will raise some eyebrows among this crowd.

Remember it said 10 Kings not The 10 Best Kings.  We need to educate this site and others as to the greatness of Clarke and King.  There are several others as well, part of the fun of having an opinion (just becasue I have an opinion does not make me a bad person!)
 
Great link anyway, I shocked the Hell out of my employees by blasting this all of the sudden (Go Ox!)

Jack Casady,  Phil Lesh,   Rocco Prestia   ,Stanley Clarke , John Paul Jones, & Jaco Pastorius , Mark Egan ,Donald Duck Dunn AND Charles Mingus  Plus __ Scott Lafaro &  Leroy Vinnegar , Paul Chambers.   Ron Carter and Ray Brown were all  a huge influence on me.
 
(Message edited by sonicus on January 27, 2010)
 
(Message edited by sonicus on January 28, 2010)

Steve,
 
I was actually impressed by the humility of the author when they stated that this list is by no means comprehensive.  I just happen to know where the loyalties of this crowd typically lie, with regards to player preference.

Les Claypool
Glide version was cool...but here's the original groove...By Pleasure
 

Percy Jones should be on that list too. Both Percy and Drummer Phil Collins, were in this Jazz Fusion band called: Brand X back in the late 70's.  
 
I would put this band on the same caliber as the RTF band. I love them both equally but with a edge going to RTF... because of the Alembic Bass sound (of course...)  
 
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by the_jester on January 27, 2010)

even if we're just talking electric players, i could add like 30 to that list....
steve harris, mike watt, erik fratzke (seriously, guys, if you don't know fratzke i'm begging you to listen to happy apple. three musicians that are at the top of their respective instruments, unbelievable stuff), klaus flouride, oteil burbridge, allen woody, etc etc etc.....
but, i respectfully agree to leave stanley clarke off the list. please and thank you.

another list but no solo, just clinics..
http://www.bassplayer.com/Video.aspx?bctid=50179423001§ion=artists
 
love & love
 
(Message edited by pierreyves on January 27, 2010)

All undeniably talented, but not my preference of ensemble-based playing.  Don't remember who said it, but the quote was along the lines of 'bass solos are kind of like teaching a bear the ballet:  He can do it, it's just not always very pretty!'
 
J o e y

In addition to those mentioned above I'd include Aston Barrett, Robbie Shakespeare, Victor Bailey, Richard Bona, Doug Wimbush, Nathan East, Armand SABAL-LECCO

I  REALLY ____have  to  include MICHAEL MANRING !   Who I think _ to my  ears - is the  BASS  SOLOIST of unprecedented proportions !  what he has taught me  first hand in the flow of continuousness during the musical process;        in the pursuit of innovation is priceless.  
 I was lucky to have taken one of his clinics in the early 1990's
 
I can't play like him but he really opened my eyes !!! And EARS  !

one of the best lists i've seen, only thing is Jason Newsted should be on there somewhere with the Seattle '89 bass solo :-D
 
~Taylor

I can't play like him but he really opened my eyes !!! And EARS !
 
Oh really? I'd like to hear about that.  
 
Have you heard the Windham Hill stuff he did w/ Michael Hedges?