Go to youtube, type in Spyro Gyra - The Deep End

The guys name is Scott Ambush, as it turns out, they are also paying homage to Sexy MF here in this tune.

The fun starts 3 minutes in.

[Edited 11/20/14 1:48am]

Have to check this out away work computer...

HA! I knew Scott Ambush from my D.C. days... he's a monster on Bass.

I hate to break it to you, but there are a million guys who not only come close to Prince on the bass but leave him in the dust.

Ever heard of Voctor Wooten?

Prince is awesome, without doubt. Music is also not a competition. Taste in music will vary, so if you're gonna compare then you have to do it based on something that is more objective.

The only thing that is objective in music is the performance aspect. Having said that, as good as Prince is there are guys out there that can do things he cannot based soely on athletic skill. Marcus Miller, for example.

Spyro Gyra makes some of the most boring music I've ever heard, but can the bass player get down? Hell yes.

[Edited 11/18/14 9:33am]

Also, I can do a little more than just come close to Prince on the bass. Guitar, too.

That doesn't mean I'm better than Prince at writing music that YOU'LL like, but I can definitely do some things physically that he cannot on the guitar. We can both do things the other cannot do the bass.

Again, it's not a competition and creating music that someone likes doesn't necesssarily mean you're the best, (or even especially good) at any instrument.

steakfinger said:

Also, I can do a little more than just come close to Prince on the bass. Guitar, too.

That doesn't mean I'm better than Prince at writing music that YOU'LL like, but I can definitely do some things physically that he cannot on the guitar. We can both do things the other cannot do the bass.

Again, it's not a competition and creating music that someone likes doesn't necesssarily mean you're the best, (or even especially good) at any instrument.

I'd like to hear some of your stuff! It sounds as if there's a much-better-than-even chance I'd like it!

LOL

'You must respect your mother!'

RodeoSchro said:

steakfinger said:

Also, I can do a little more than just come close to Prince on the bass. Guitar, too.

That doesn't mean I'm better than Prince at writing music that YOU'LL like, but I can definitely do some things physically that he cannot on the guitar. We can both do things the other cannot do the bass.

Again, it's not a competition and creating music that someone likes doesn't necesssarily mean you're the best, (or even especially good) at any instrument.

I'd like to hear some of your stuff! It sounds as if there's a much-better-than-even chance I'd like it!

I used to jam with him in the late nineties. Back then he was badass. If he's been playing since then, i'm sure he's over the professional level!

(hey, John! i've still got some one-offs from our days in OK!)

Elaboration edit...

We both saw Prince on the Jam Of The Year Tour and met up at the after show at "In Kahoots(sp?)" which was a small country bar in OKCity. At that time, Rhona Smith was fairly new in the band and Prince started jammin' on a tune and after a minute, went behind her and showed her where she should place her fingers on the fretboard. John turns to me and says, "see, I told you she's not that good! I should be up there!" (something like that)

There are MANY great bassists, and Prince, himself has recruited some (i hope you know who they are!)

Music is too big to say who's the best, and there will always be an arguement.

Prost!

[Edited 11/18/14 11:47am]

What about Victor Wooten? I was introduced to Victor when he put on an amzing show at Paisley Park in 2002 during the week long celebration.

sonicfreak said:

What about Victor Wooten? I was introduced to Victor when he put on an amzing show at Paisley Park in 2002 during the week long celebration.

Check "The Maker" live from Dave Mathews as he does a guest appearance.

Great song and Victor tops it at the end like icing!

i agree that there are so many great bassist out there and it usaully that style that defines who i like to listen to am feeling Nik West quite a lot as she is both funky and can also rock. Sonny T is another fave and not forgetting Bootsy you can tell i am more of a funker than a rocker

Les Claypool!

all of those players listed may be better bass players than Prince, but i'd much rather hear Prince play the one note thump of Cloreen Baconskin.

[Edited 11/18/14 17:03pm]

Ferret said:

Les Claypool!

leadline said:

Go to youtube, type in Spyro Gyra - The Deep End

The guys name is Scott Ambush, as it turns out, they are also paying homage to Sexy MF here in this tune.

The fun starts 2 minutes in.

[Edited 11/18/14 7:24am]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByuOfUyuSeQ

sonicfreak said:

What about Victor Wooten? I was introduced to Victor when he put on an amzing show at Paisley Park in 2002 during the week long celebration.

Steakfinger: Ever heard of Voctor Wooten?

YES!!!! Wooten is the absolute truth. Blows my mind watching him play. I Play bass myself (not that great or anything) my roomie asked why do i play bass. Cause he felt it couldn't show as much emotion. As guitar or piano then i showed them a video of Wooten playing. And he saw how bass could have a lot of feeling to it. And it changed his mind on bass playing.

Ferret said:

Les Claypool!

This.

Another nonsensical statement. Prince is a top-notch bass player but there are hundreds of other top-notch bass players on earth

as soon as i saw the words "ONLY GUY" i was done...

Prince wouldnt even agree with you.

Have Y'all heard of Buddy Hankerson? He's killer on the bass too.

All these amazing revelations that people outside of Prince can be as good or better than him. Sadly, if you look at Prince's bands, he's either going for yes-men, or a specific look (all girl band on purpose). He's never going to try to have the best possible musicians. Sometimes this strategy paid off. Lisa and Wendy were never among the greatest at their instruments, but what they added in the studio was tremendous. The 87-88 SOTT/Lovesexy Band was as good as it got musicially, with the 1986 Expanded Revolution and 2002 ONA band close behind. From 1997-2001, and 2006-2014 he seems to be careless with the level of musician he gets in the bands. 3EG are not bad by any means, but considering how amazing Prince is, it seems his bands are pretty much picked based on look, and the ability to be happy being underpaid. Sad...but that's how it is.

Oh yeah?

Let's see him try to duplicate the magic of "Kiss" on his bass, then we can talk!