by Mike Overly
Let's begin with a super simple definition of the bass. The bass is a low pitched stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers. Wow, perhaps that's a bit too simple, let's take a closer look at this essential instrument. We'll start with the Double Bass.

The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, bass fiddle, bass violin, contrabass, stand-up bass or doghouse bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the Western classical music symphony orchestra. It traditionally has four strings usually tuned E, A, D and G, from the thick string 4 to the thin string 1. This method of tuning is known as standard tuning. 

The double bass is an integral member of the string section of the modern symphony orchestra. In addition, it is used in other genres such as jazz, blues, rock, rockabilly, country, bluegrass, tango and many types of folk music. A person who plays the double bass is usually referred to as a bassist. 

The double bass is about six feet tall from scroll to endpin and is typically constructed from several types of wood, including maple for the back, spruce for the top, and ebony for the fingerboard. It is uncertain whether the instrument is a descendant of the viola da gamba or of the violin, but it is traditionally aligned with the violin family. While the double bass is nearly identical in construction to other violin family instruments, it also embodies features found in the older viol family.

Like many other orchestral string instruments, the double bass is played either with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (pizzicato) with the fingers. In classical orchestral music, both arco and pizzicato are used. In jazz, pizzicato is the norm, except for some solos and occasional written parts that call for bowing. When the double bass is used in other genres such as blues and rockabilly, the bass is plucked.

 When playing the double bass, the bassist either stands or sits on a high stool and leans the instrument against their body with the bass turned slightly inwards in order to more easily reach the strings. The double bass has sloped tapered shoulders, which separates it from the other members of the violin family. This narrower top area of the double bass facilitates playing the strings in higher registers.

The double bass is a transposing instrument and sounds one octave lower than notated  in the bass clef. This avoids excessive higher ledger lines. 

The electric bass is similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar, but with a longer neck and scale length, and four, five, six, or eight strings. The four-string electric bass is still the most common electric bass and is usually tuned the same as the double bass: E, A, D, and G. This tuning corresponds to the strings 6, 5, 4 and 3 of a guitar, one octave lower. The electric bass may be played with a plectrum (pick), or with the fingers or thumb so as to slap, pop, tap or thump. 

Like the double bass, the electric bass guitar is a transposing instrument, which sounds one octave higher than it is notated in the bass clef. The electric bass guitar, which generally has a solid wood body and therefore very little resonance, is plugged into an amplifier and speaker(s) to supply dynamic volume. 

Since the 1960s, the bass guitar has largely replaced the double bass in most styles of music including rock, metal, pop, fusion, Latin, funk, punk, country, reggae, blues, and jazz. While the types of bass lines vary widely from one style of music to the next, the function of the bass, which is to anchor the harmonic framework and keep the beat, is the same in most types of music. It should be noted that in the 1970s, the fretless electric bass was instrumental in the development of new approaches to the bass, such as harmonics and glissando (slide). 

Now, here's something strange. As was said earlier, a person who plays the double bass is referred to as a bassist, but in contrast, a person who plays the electric bass is usually referred to as a bass player. However, I like to avoid this comparative bias and consider both as musicians who play the bass!  

The following is an incomplete alphabetical listing of influential rock, metal, pop, fusion, Latin, funk, punk, country, reggae, blues, and jazz musicians of both double bass and electric bass.

A

• Wil-Dog Abers (Ozomatli)
• Barry Adamson (Magazine, Visage, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
• Martin Eric Ain (Celtic Frost, Hellhammer)
• Dominic Aitchison (Mogwai)
• Kianna Alarid (Tilly and the Wall)
• Mike de Albuquerque (Electric Light Orchestra)
• Juan Alderete (Racer X, The Mars Volta)
• Miša Aleksić (Riblja Čorba)
• Dave Alexander (The Stooges)
• Mike Alexander (Evile)
• Rustee Allen (Sly and the Family Stone)
• Merle Allin (The Murder Junkies)
• Karl Alvarez (Descendents)
• Thierry Amar (Godspeed You!)
• Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
• Marten Andersson (Lizzy Borden, George Lynch)
• Simon Andersson (Pain of Salvation)
• Mark Andes (Heart, Spirit)
• Felipe Andreoli (Angra)
• Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio)
• Tom Angelripper (Sodom)
• Josh Ansley (Catch 22, Streetlight Manifesto, HURT)
• Michael Anthony (Van Halen, Chickenfoot)
• James Anton
• Daniel Antonsson (Dark Tranquillity)
• Tom Araya (Slayer)
• Doug Ardito (Puddle of Mudd)
• Jennifer Arroyo (Kittie)
• Reginald Arvizu (Korn, L.A.P.D.)
• Talena Atfield (Kittie)
• Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole, Smashing Pumpkins)
• Eric Avery (Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette)
• John Avila (Oingo Boingo)
• Kevin Ayers (Soft Machine)
• Pedro Aznar (Serú Girán, The Pat Metheny Group)

B

• Bob Babbitt (The Funk Brothers)
• Johnny Bacolas (Alice N' Chains, Second Coming)
• Pat Badger (Extreme, Tribe of Judah)
• Steve Bailey (Bass Extremes)
• Victor Bailey (Jazz)
• Alec Baillie (Leftöver Crack)
• Harvey Bainbridge (Hawkwind)
• Brian Baker (Minor Threat)
• Carlos Balcells (The Dawn)
• Peter Baltes (Accept)
• Michael "Flea" Balzary (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• Tony Barber (The Buzzcocks)
• Paul Barker (The Blackouts)
• Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr.)
• Aston Barrett (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
• Arthur Barrow (Frank Zappa)
• Colin Bass (3 Mustaphas 3, Camel)
• Jens Becker (Grave Digger)
• Mark Bedford (Madness, Voice of the Beehive)
• Aram Bedrosian
• Robert Levon Been (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
• Garry Gary Beers (INXS)
• Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo, Iona)
• Andy Bell (Oasis)
• Robert Bell (Kool and the Gang)
• Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Mike Keneally, Dethklok)
• Frank Bello (Anthrax, Helmet)
• Carles Benavent (Paco de Lucía, Chick Corea, Miles Davis)
• Jo Bench (Bolt Thrower)
• Martin Bengtsson (Arch Enemy, Armageddon)
• Pig Benis (Mushroomhead)
• Max Bennett (Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, The Crusaders)
• Jay Bentley (Bad Religion)
• Glen Benton (Deicide)
• Stevie Benton (Drowning Pool)
• Jeff Berlin (Jazz)
• Dean Bernardini (Chevelle)
• Guy Berryman (Coldplay)
• Owen Biddle (The Roots)
• Bob Birch (Elton John)
• Pete Birrell (Freddie and the Dreamers)
• Mike Bishop (GWAR, Kepone)
• Matt Bissonette
• Jonas Björler (At the Gates, The Haunted)
• Bill Black (Elvis Presley)
• Lori Black (Clown Alley, The Melvins)
• Morty Black (TNT)
• John Blackburn (The Mescaleros, Skin)
• Alfonzo Blackwell
• Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees)
• Ron Blair (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
• Jimmy Blanton (Jazz)
• Johan Blomqvist (Backyard Babies)
• Vicki Blue (The Runaways)
• Bobzilla (Damageplan, Hellyeah)
• Henry Bogdan (Helmet)
• Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge)
• Rachel Bolan (Skid Row, Prunella Scales)
• Trevor Bolder (David Bowie, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep)
• Richard Bona
• Steve Boone (The Lovin' Spoonful)
• Zeta Bosio (Soda Stereo)
• Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult)
• Danny Bourgeois (Punch People)
• Pierre Bouvier (Reset, Simple Plan)
• Will Boyd (Evanescence)
• Randy Bradbury (Pennywise)
• Shanne Bradley (The Nipple Erectors)
• Beverly Breckenridge (Fifth Column, Phono-Comb)
• Eddie Breckenridge (Thrice)
• Andrés Bretel (TK, Madre Matilda)
• Dan Briggs (Between the Buried and Me)   
• Eric Brittingham (Cinderella)
• Brian Bromberg
• Dave Bronze (Eric Clapton, Procol Harum)
• Harvey Brooks (Bob Dylan, Electric Flag)
• Mark Brown (Prince and the Revolution)
• Ray Brown (Jazz)
• Rex Brown (Pantera, Down, Rebel Meets Rebel)
• Baron Browne (Jean-Luc Ponty, Billy Cobham, Vital Information)
• Jack Bruce (Cream)
• Bunny Brunel (CAB)
• Francis Buchholz (Scorpions)
• Adam von Buhler (Anarchy Club)
• Nicholas Bullen (Napalm Death)
• Chris Brubeck (Jazz)
• Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers)
• Ian Burden (The Human League)
• Hunter Burgan (AFI)    
• Mike Burkett (Nofx)
• J.J. Burnel (The Stranglers)
• Boz Burrell (King Crimson, Bad Company)   
• Heinz Burt (The Tornados)
• Cliff Burton (Metallica)
• Neil Busch (...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead)   
• Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne)   
• Tim Butler (The Psychedelic Furs, Love Spit Love)
• Tony Butler (Big Country)

C

• Chris Cain (We Are Scientists)
• John Cale (The Velvet Underground)
• Emperor Magus Caligula (Dark Funeral)
• Juan Calleros (Maná)
• Bernie Calvert (The Hollies)
• Ben Campbell (Zed)
• John Campbell (Lamb of God)
• Richard Campbell (Dave Mason, Three Dog Night, America)
• Tony Campos (Static-X)
• Captain Sensible (The Damned)
• Alain Caron (Uzeb)
• Will Carruthers (The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Spacemen 3)
• Ron Carter (Jazz)
• Julian Casablancas
• Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
• Gerald Casale (Devo)
• Ken Casey (Dropkick Murphys)
• Martyn P. Casey (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Grinderman)
• Louis Cennamo
• Pete Cetera (Chicago)
• Les Chadwick (Gerry & the Pacemakers)   
• Clive Chaman (Jeff Beck, Brian Auger)
• Paul Chambers (Jazz)
• Justin Chancellor (Tool)
• Chas Chandler (The Animals)
• Tim Chandler (Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies, The Choir)
• Chris Chaney (The Panic Channel, Jane's Addiction)
• Jeremy Chatelain (Jets to Brazil, Helmet)
• Stuart Chatwood (The Tea Party)
• Chi Cheng (Deftones)
• Sheila Chipperfield (Elastica)
• Tony Choy (Atheist)
• Johnny Christ (Avenged Sevenfold)
• Greg Christian (Testament)
• Sean Christians (Kamelot)
• Bill Church (Montrose, Van Morrison, Sammy Hagar)
• Dominic Cifarelli (Scars on Broadway)
• Al Cisneros (Sleep, Om)
• Annie Clark (The Polyphonic Spree, Bon iver)
• Mark Clarke (Colosseum, Uriah Heep, Mountain)
• Stanley Clarke (Jazz)
• Les Claypool (Primus, Frog Brigade)
• Adam Clayton (U2)
• Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords)
• Joey Clement (Selena Gomez & the Scene, Midwest Kings)
• Annie Clements (Sugarland)
• Rod Clements (Lindisfarne)
• Jim Clench (April Wine, Bachman–Turner Overdrive)
• Bud Cockrell (Pablo Cruise)
• Tommy Cogbill
• Bootsy Collins (James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic)
• Max Collins (Eve 6, The Sugi Tap)
• Johnny Colt (The Black Crowes, Train)
• Tim Commerford (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
• Van Conner (Screaming Trees)
• Stu Cook (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
• John Cooper (Skillet)
• Shaun Cooper (Straylight Run, Taking Back Sunday)
• Glenn Cornick (Jethro Tull)
• Andy Cousin (All About Eve, The Lucy Nation, The Mission)
• Duncan Coutts (Our Lady Peace)
• Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix, Band of Gypsys, Charlie Daniels Band)
• Mikey Craig (Culture Club)
• Robbie Crane (Ratt, Vince Neil Band)
• Evan Cranley (Broken Social Scene, Stars)
• Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies)
• Chris Cross (Ultravox)
• Juan Croucier (Dokken, Ratt)
• Sheryl Crow
• Justin Currie (Del Amitri)
• Steve Currie (T. Rex)
• André Cymone (Prince & the Revolution)
• Holger Czukay (Can)

D

• Patrick Dahlheimer (Live)
• Bob Daisley (Gary Moore)
• Bobby Dall (Poison)
• John Dalton (The Kinks)
• George Daly (The Hangmen)
• Mike Daly (Whiskeytown)
• Paul D'Amour (Tool)
• Sharlee D'Angelo (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Arch Enemy)
• Traa Daniels (P.O.D.)
• Rick Danko (The Band)
• Mike D'Antonio (Killswitch Engage)
• Mike Davenport (The Ataris, Versus the World)
• Alan Davey (Hawkwind)
• Stuart David (Belle & Sebastian, Looper)
• Jeremy Davis (Paramore)
• Michael Davis (MC5)
• Richard Davis (Jazz)
• John Deacon (Queen)
• Kim Deal (Pixies, The Breeders)
• Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity)
• Chuck Deardorf (Jovino Santos-Neto)
• Johan De Farfalla
• Vance DeGeneres (The Cold)
• Matt Deis (CKY, All That Remains)
• Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots, Army of Anyone)
• Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Box Car Racer)
• Joey DeMaio (Manowar)
• Jay Demarcus (Rascal Flatts)
• Michael Dempsey (The Cure, Associates)
• Carlos Dengler (Interpol)
• Rob Derhak (moe.)
• John DeServio (Black Label Society)
• David Desrosiers (Simple Plan)
• Dr. Matt Destruction (The Hives)
• Mark Deutrom (The Melvins)
• James Dewar (Robin Trower)
• Bill "The Buddha" Dickens
• B. B. Dickerson (War)
• Marty Dieckmeyer (Daniel Amos)
• Steve Diggle (Buzzcocks)
• Steve DiGiorgio (Death, Testament)
• Allie DiMeco (the Naked Brothers Band)
• Mike Dirnt (Green Day, Foxboro Hot Tubs)
• Jerry Dixon (Warrant)
• John Doe (X)
• Chuck Domanico (Jazz)
• Pat Donaldson (Fotheringay)
• Lawrence Donegan (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, The Bluebells)
• Lee Dorman (Iron Butterfly)
• Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie)
• Chip Douglas (The Turtles, The Monkees)
• Dave Dreiwitz (Ween, Instant Death)
• Chris Dreja (The Yardbirds)
• Uriah Duffy (Whitesnake, Lyrics Born, Christina Aguilera)
• Chuck Dukowski (Black Flag)
• Tom Dumont (No Doubt)
• Dennis Dunaway (Alice Cooper)
• Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Blues Brothers)
• Trevor Dunn (Mr Bungle, Fantômas)
• David Dyson (Brainstorm, New Kids on the Block, Pieces of a Dream)

E

• Robin "Graves" Eaglestone (Cradle of Filth)
• Jimmy Earl (The Crusaders, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea)
• Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Fourplay)
• Kai Eckhardt (Garaj Mahal)
• Leif Edling (Krux)
• Bernard Edwards (Chic)
• John 'Rhino' Edwards (Status Quo)
• Richie Edwards (The Darkness)
• Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree)
• Mark Egan (Jazz)
• Steinar Eikum (TNT)
• David Ellefson (Megadeth, Avian)
• Atom Ellis (Psychefunkapus, Dieselhed)
• Ben Ely (Regurgitator)
• Shane Embury (Napalm Death)
• Colin Emerle (Echo Orbiter)
• John Entwistle (The Who)
• Howie Epstein (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
• Lennart Eriksson (Ebba Grön)
• Chris Eskola
• Roy Estrada (Mothers of Invention)
• Dani Evans (Alestorm)
• Ean Evans (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Mark Evans (AC/DC)
• Tom Evans (Badfinger)
• Jason Everman (Soundgarden, Nirvana)
• Tobias Exxel (Edguy)

F

• John Fahnestock (Tons, Amen)
• Bob Fairfoull (Idlewild)
• Falco (Drahdiwaberl)
• Pete Farndon (The Pretenders)
• Sam Farrar (Phantom Planet)
• Nick Feldman (Wang Chung)
• Tracy Ferrie (Stryper)
• Jim Fielder (Buffalo Springfield, Blood, Sweat & Tears)
• Ric Fierabracci (Chick Corea, Frank Gambale, Yanni)
• Richard Finch (KC and the Sunshine Band)
• John Norwood Fisher (Fishbone)
• Klaus Flouride (Dead Kennedys)
• Herbie Flowers (T. Rex, David Bowie, Lou Reed)
• Ben Folds (Majosha)
• John Ford (Strawbs, The Monks)
• Maya Ford (The Donnas)
• Scott Ford (Twilight Singers, Gutter Twins, Camp Freddy)
• Tim Foreman (Switchfoot)
• Rayna Foss (Coal Chamber)
• Mo Foster (Phil Collins, Jeff Beck)
• Pops Foster (Jazz)
• Murray Foster (Great Big Sea, Moxy Früvous)
• Tom Fowler (Frank Zappa)
• Jackie Fox (The Runaways)
• Bruce Foxton (The Jam, Stiff Little Fingers)
• Nikolai Fraiture (The Strokes)
• Andy Fraser (Free, Sharks)
• Matt Freeman (Rancid, Operation Ivy)
• Misia Furtak (Très.b)
• Nick Fyffe (Jamiroquai)

G

• Tim Gaines (Stryper, SinDizzy)
• Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
• Simon Gallup (The Cure)
• Craig Gannon (Aztec Camera, The Bluebells, The Smiths)
• Greg Garbowsky (Jonas Brothers)
• Juan Garcia-Herreros
• Roberto García (WarCry)
• Paul Gardiner (Tubeway Army, Gary Numan)
• Chuck Garric (Alice Cooper)
• Jimmy Garrison (Jazz)
• Matthew Garrison
• Rosko Gee (Can, Traffic)
• Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees)
• Derek Gibbs (The Forces of Evil, Reel Big Fish)
• Melvin Gibbs (Rollins Band)
• John Giblin (Phil Collins)
• Brian Gibson (Lightning Bolt)
• Christian Giesler (Kreator)
• Peter Gifford (Midnight Oil)
• Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Dial, Pain of Salvation)
• Chad I Ginsburg (CKY)
• Joe Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones)
• John Glascock (Jethro Tull)
• Dann Glenn
• Roger Glover (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
• Eddie Gomez (Jazz)
• Rodrigo González (Die Ärzte)
• Jimi Goodwin (Doves)
• Bruce Gordon (I Mother Earth)
• Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth)
• Martin Gordon (Sparks, Radio Stars, Jet, John's Children)
• Mike Gordon (Phish)
• Billy Gould (Faith No More)
• Graham Gouldman (10cc)
• Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station)
• Paul Gray (Eddie and the Hot Rods, The Damned, UFO)
• Paul Gray (Slipknot)
• Ric Grech (Family)
• Karl Green (Herman's Hermits)
• Colin Greenwood (Radiohead
• Billy Greer (Kansas)
• Randy Gregg (Lauren Harris Band)
• Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium)
• Mark Griffiths (The Shadows, Hank Marvin)
• Nigel Griggs (Split Enz)
• Henry Grimes (Jazz)
• Johnny Griparic (Slash's Snakepit)
• Markus Grosskopf (Helloween)
• Richard Grossman (Divinyls, Hoodoo Gurus)
• Kelly Groucutt (Electric Light Orchestra)
• Patrice Guers (Rhapsody of Fire)
• Abel Guier (Gandhi)
• Trey Gunn (King Crimson)
• Jeremy Guns (Brides of Destruction)
• Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs)

H

• Mikey Hachey (Suburban Legends)   
• Kenny Håkansson (The Hellacopters)
• Paige Haley (Orgy)
• Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon)
• Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
• Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Frank Gambale)
• Didz Hammond (The Cooper Temple Clause, Dirty Pretty Things)
• Fred Hammond (Commissioned)
• Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (Jethro Tull)
• Steve Hanley (The Fall, The Lovers)
• Timi Hansen (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate)
• Steve Hansgen (Minor Threat)
• Robert Hardy (Franz Ferdinand)
• Nick Harmer (Death Cab for Cutie)
• Tim Harries (Steeleye Span)
• Jet Harris (The Shadows)
• Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
• Nigel Harrison (Blondie)
• Douglas Hart (The Jesus and Mary Chain)
• Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets, Gino Vannelli)
• John Hassall (The Libertines)
• "Evil" Jared Hasselhoff (Bloodhound Gang)
• Michel Hatzigeorgiou (Aka Moon)
• Robin Hawkins (The Automatic)  
• Charlie Haden (Jazz)
• Stuart Hamm (Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai)
• David Hayes
• Daryl Hayott
• Heath (X Japan)
• Brian Helicopter (The Shapes)
• Richard Hell (The Voidoids)
• Jonas Hellborg (Bill Laswell, Shawn Lane, Buckethead)
• Svante Henryson (Yngwie Malmsteen)
• Mike Herrera (MxPx)
• Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot, Sinergy)
• Dusty Hill (ZZ Top)    
• Ian Hill (Judas Priest)
• Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil)
• Chris Hillman (The Byrds)
• Mike Hindert (The Bravery)
• Taka Hirose (Feeder)
• Derrick Hodge
• Devin Hoff (Good for Cows)
• Annie Holland (Elastica)
• Dave Holland (Jazz)
• Matt Hollywood (The Brian Jonestown Massacre)
• Peter Hook (New Order, Monaco, Joy Division)
• Dave Hope (Kansas)
• Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine)
• Mark Hoppus (Blink-182, +44)
• Vinnie Hornsby (Sevendust)
• Brad Houser (Edie Brickell and New Bohemians)
• Hub (The Roots)
• Mike Huckabee (Capitol Offense)
• Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze, Black Sabbath)
• Jimmy Hughes (The Banned, Cowboys International)
• Peter Hume (Evermore)
• David Hungate (Toto)
• Darryl Hunt (The Pogues)
• Carl Hunter (The Farm)

I

• Mark Ibold (Pavement)
• John Illsley (Dire Straits)
• Michael Inez (Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne)
• Ricardo Iorio (V8, Hermética, Almafuerte)
• Jeff Irwin (Griffin House, Cerys Matthews, Mat Kearney, Eliot Morris)
• Fredrik Isaksson (Grave, Therion)
• Marvin Isley (The Isley Brothers)
• Chuck Israels (Jazz)
• Chris Ivanovich (My Sister's Machine)
• Michael Ivins (The Flaming Lips)
• Anders Iwers (Tiamat, Cemetary)
• Peter Iwers (In Flames)

J

• J (Luna Sea)
• David J (Bauhaus)
• Adrian Jackson (My Dying Bride)   
• Anthony Jackson (Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, O'Jays, Quincy Jones)
• Eddie Jackson (Queensrÿche)
• Jermaine Jackson (Jackson 5)
• Anthony Jackson (Jazz)
• Lee Jackson (The Nice)
• Randy Jackson (The Jacksons)
• Marcel Jacob (Europe, Talisman)
• James Jamerson (Funk Brothers)
• Alex James (Blur)
• Jason James
• Rick James
• Tony James (Generation X, Sigue Sigue Sputnik)
• Alvaro Jardón (Darna, WarCry)
• Steve Jay ("Weird Al" Yankovic)
• Jerry Jemmott
• Darryl Jenifer (Bad Brains)
• Neely Jenkins (Tilly and the Wall, Park Ave.)
• Joan Jett (The Runaways, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)
• Jiro (Glay, The Predators)
• Chris Joannou (Silverchair)
• Phil Joel (Newsboys)
• Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana)
• Gordon Johnson
• Jimmy Johnson
• Louis Johnson (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Brothers Johnson)
• Rick Johnson (Mustard Plug, Bomb the Music Industry!)
• Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys)
• James Johnston
• Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones)
• John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin, Them Crooked Vultures)
• Percy Jones (Brand X, Melon)
• Richard Jones (The Feeling)
• Richard Jones (Stereophonics)
• Simon Jones (The Verve, The Shining)
• Eric Judy (Modest Mouse)
• Ju-ken (Gackt, Anna Tsuchiya, Vamps)
• Larry Junstrom (Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special)

K

• John Kahn (Jerry Garcia Band)
• Jari Kainulainen (Stratovarius)
• Jim Kale (The Guess Who)
• Kalma (Lordi)
• Tony Kanal (No Doubt)
• Arthur Kane (New York Dolls)
• Mick Karn (Japan)
• Junnosuke Kawaguchi (The Blue Hearts)
• Carol Kaye (Beachboys, The Monkees)
• Dylan Keefe (Marcy Playground)
• Jesse F. Keeler (Death from Above)
• Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
• Rick Kemp (Steeleye Span)
• Ben Kenney (Incubus)
• Clare Kenny (Amazulu, Indigo Girls)
• Andy Kent (You Am I)
• Steve Kilbey (The Church)
• Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister (Motörhead)
• Tad Kinchla (Blues Traveler)
• James King (Jazz)
• Mark King (Level 42)
• Tim Kingsbury (Arcade Fire)
• Karl Kippenberger (Shihad)
• Cris Kirkwood (Meat Puppets)
• Kisaki (Phantasmagoria)
• Grutle Kjellson (Enslaved)
• Mark James Klepaski (Breaking Benjamin, Lifer)
• Steve Kmak (Disturbed)
• Bob Knarley (Dread Zeppelin)
• David Knights (Procol Harum)
• Ivan Kral (Patti Smith)
• Geoff Kresge (Tiger Army, AFI)
• Greg Kriesel (The Offspring)
• Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon)
• Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian)
• Adam Kury (Candlebox, Legs Diamond, The Kings Royal)
• Alexander Kutikov (Mashina Vremeni)

L

• Abraham Laboriel
• Greg Lake (King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
• Scott LaFaro
• Rick Laird
• Joe Lally (Fugazi, Ataxia)
• Adrian Lambert (Biomechanical, DragonForce)
• Alan Lancaster (Status Quo)
• Dirk Lance (Incubus)
• Tim Landers (Steve Smith, Vital Information)
• Ronnie Lane (The Small Faces, Faces)
• Steve Lang (April Wine, Mashmakhan)
• Chad Larson (The Aquabats)
• Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band)
• Bill Laswell
• Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P., New York Dolls)
• Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes, Blanche, The Raconteurs)
• Steve Lawson
• Jimmy Lea (Slade)
• Frédéric Leclercq (DragonForce)
• Brett Lee (Six & Out)
• Geddy Lee (Rush)
• Sara Lee (The B-52's, Gang of Four, Indigo Girls)
• Will Lee (The CBS Orchestra)
• Bill Leen (Gin Blossoms)
• Russell Leetch (Editors)
• Kelly LeMieux (Goldfinger)
• Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle, Zwan)
• Martyn LeNoble (Thelonious Monster, Porno for Pyros, The Cult)
• Matthew Leone (Madina Lake)
• Michael Lepond (Symphony X)
• Phil Lesh (The Grateful Dead)
• Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band)
• John Levén (Europe, Brazen Abbot)
• Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Liquid Tension Experiment)
• Daniel Vee Lewis (World Entertainment War)
• Graham Lewis (Wire)
• Mike Lewis (Lostprophets)
• Steve "The Gangsta Rabbi" Lieberman
• Dan Lilker (Anthrax, Stormtroopers of Death, Nuclear Assault)
• Brian Locking (The Shadows, Marty Wilde)
• John Lodge (The Moody Blues)
• Joe Loeffler (Chevelle)
• Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails)
• Tony Lombardo (Descendents)
• James Lomenzo (Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
• Peter London (Crashdïet)
• Joe Long (The Four Seasons)
• Alan Longmuir (Bay City Rollers)
• Nick Lowe (Brinsley Schwarz, Rockpile)
• Conrad Lozano (Los Lobos)
• Matt Lukin (The Melvins, Mudhoney)
• Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
• Ken Lyons (38 Special, The Lemonheads)

M

• Graham Maby (Joe Jackson, They Might Be Giants)
• Bill MacCormick (Matching Mole)
• James MacDonough (Iced Earth, Megadeth)
• Ian MacKaye (Teen Idles)
• Steve Mackey (Pulp)
• Lawrie MacMillan (Stiltskin, Ray Wilson)
• Mickey Madden (Maroon 5)
• Matt Maginn (Cursive)
• Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants)
• Dan Maines (Clutch)
• Sean Malone (Cynic, Gordian Knot)
• Olivier Manchion (Ulan Bator, Permanent Fatal Error)
• Roger Manganelli (Less Than Jake)
• Aimee Mann (Til Tuesday)
• Michael Manring
• Luís Mariutti (Shaaman, Angra)
• Brian Marshall (Creed, Alter Bridge)
• Jeremy Marshall (Cold)
• Ryan Martinie (Mudvayne)
• Nick Massi (The Four Seasons)
• Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols)
• Jeff Matz (High on Fire)
• Joe B. Mauldin (The Crickets)
• Chris Maurer (Suburban Legends)
• John Maurer (Social Distortion)
• Ricky Maymi (The Brian Jonestown Massacre)
• Gerry McAvoy (Rory Gallagher)
• Cecil McBee (Jazz)
• Christian McBride (Jazz)
• Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)
• Jason McCaslin (Sum 41)
• Mark McClelland (Snow Patrol)
• Andy McCluskey (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)
• Drew McConnell (Babyshambles)
• Tim McCord (Evanescence)
• Danny McCormack (The Wildhearts, The Yo-Yos)
• Jeremy McCoy
• Chris McCusker
• Hugh McDonald (Bon Jovi)
• Ron McGovney (Metallica)
• Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan (Oasis)
• Tom McGuinness (Manfred Mann, McGuinness Flint)
• Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver)
• Allen McKenzie (FireHouse)
• Ali McMordie (Stiff Little Fingers)
• Dugan McNeill (Chameleon)
• John McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
• Michael Manring (Jazz)
• Randy Meisner (The Eagles, Poco)
• Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck)
• Nate Mendel (Sunny Day Real Estate, Foo Fighters)
• Martin Mendez (Opeth)
• Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake)
• Mark Mendoza (Twisted Sister)
• Buwi Meneses (Parokya ni Edgar)
• Dave Meros (Spock's Beard)
• Robbie Merrill (Godsmack)
• Johnny Lee Middleton (Savatage)
• Marcus Miller (Jazz)
• Mike Mills (R.E.M.)
• Charles Mingus (Jazz)
• Roger Miret (Agnostic Front, Madball)
• Red Mitchell (Jazz)
• Naoshi Mizuta (The Star Onions)
• Gordon Moakes (Bloc Party)
• Ole Moe (Immortal, Aura Noir)
• A.J. Mogis (Criteria)
• Billy Mohler (Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, The Calling)
• John Mole (Colosseum II, Gary Moore)
• John Monte (M.O.D., Mind Funk, Ministry)
• Monk Montgomery (Jazz)
• Craig Montoya (Everclear)
• Alex Moore    
• R. Stevie Moore
• Tom Morello (Street Sweeper Social Club)
• Rockette Morton (Captain Beefheart, Mallard, Mark Boston)
• Keith Moseley (The String Cheese Incident)
• Peter Mosely (Inspection 12, Yellowcard)
• Robin Moulder (TCR, Jack Off Jill)
• Colin Moulding (XTC)
• Gary Mounfield (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream)
• John Moyer (Disturbed)
• John Munson (Semisonic)
• Chris Murphy (Sloan)
• Dee Murray (Elton John)
• George Murray (David Bowie)
• John Myung (Dream Theater)

N

• Samer el Nahhal (Lordi)
• Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)
• Me'shell Ndegeocello
• Kim Nekroman (Nekromantix)
• Billy Bass Nelson (Parliament-Funkadelic)
• Gabe Nelson (Cake)
• Jason Newsted (Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne)
• Murdoc Niccals (Gorillaz)
• Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (Rob Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne)
• Kelly Nickels (L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat)
• Johan Niemann (Therion, Demonoid)
• Prescott Niles (The Knack)
• Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü)
• Matt Noveskey (Blue October)
• Krist Novoselic (Nirvana, Eyes Adrift)
• Jonathan Noyce (Jethro Tull)

O

• Berry Oakley (The Allman Brothers Band)
• Marty O'Brien (We Are the Fallen)
• Brian "Big Hands" O'Conner (Eagles of Death Metal)
• Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down)
• Bernard Odum (James Brown)
• Tetsuya Ogawa (L'Arc-en-Ciel, Tetsu69)
• Patrick O'Hearn (Frank Zappa)
• Mike Oldfield
• Nick Oliveri (Kyuss, The Dwarves, Queens of the Stone Age)
• Stefan Olsdal (Placebo)
• Peter Olsson (Europe)
• Nick O'Malley (Arctic Monkeys)
• Jerry Only (The Misfits)
• Cait O'Riordan (The Pogues)
• Benjamin Orr (The Cars)
• Jackie Orszaczky
• Joe Osborn
• Franc O'Shea
• Mat Osman (Suede)
• Mark Owen (Take That)
• Scott Owen (The Living End)

P

• Mikko Paananen (HIM)
• Sascha Paeth (Luca Turilli's Dreamquest)
• Richard Page (Mr. Mister)
• Walter Page (Jazz)
• Pino Palladino (John Mayer Trio, The Who)
• Bruce Palmer (Buffalo Springfield)
• Dave "Yorkie" Palmer (Space)
• Chuck Panozzo (Styx)
• Horace Panter (The Specials, General Public)
• Felix Pappalardi (Mountain)
• Dave Parsons (Bush, The Partisans, Transvision Vamp)
• Drew Parsons (American Hi-Fi)
• Jaco Pastorius (Pat Metheny, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell)
• John Patitucci (Chick Corea)
• David Paton (Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project)
• Roger Patterson (Atheist)
• Joe Payne (Divine Heresy)
• Gary Peacock (Jazz)
• Jeff Pearce (Moist, David Usher)
• Justin Pearson (The Locust, Some Girls, Head Wound City)
• Bojan Pečar (EKV)
• Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (Jazz)
• Share Pedersen (Vixen)
• Dave Pegg (Jethro Tull)
• Wendy Penney (Bermuda Triangle Band)
• Jesse Peretz (The Lemonheads)
• Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick)
• Oscar Pettiford (Jazz)
• Mauro Pezzente (Godspeed You! Black Emperor)
• Kristen Pfaff (Janitor Joe, Hole, Palm)
• Pig Benis (Mushroomhead)
• Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner)
• Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers)
• Doug Pinnick (King's X)
• Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr. (Sepultura)
• Brian Pittman (Relient K, Inhale Exhale)
• P-Nut (311)    
• Pekka Pohjola (Wigwam)
• Robert "Pops" Popwell    
• Mike Porcaro (Toto)
• Lauri Porra (Stratovarius)
• Tiran Porter (The Doobie Brothers)
• Frankie Poullain (The Darkness)
• Millard Powers (Majosha, Counting Crows)
• Dougie Poynter (McFly)
• Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Roxy Music)
• Pino Presti (Mina, Shirley Bassey, Gerry Mulligan, Astor Piazzolla)
• Francis "Rocco" Prestia (Tower of Power)
• Joe Preston (Sunn O))), Thrones, High on Fire, The Melvins)
• Steve Priest (Sweet)
• Joe Principe (Rise Against)
• Joe Puerta (Ambrosia, Bruce Hornsby and the Range)
• Dave "Herr Pubis" Pybus (Cradle of Filth, Anathema)
• Howie Pyro (D Generation, Danzig)

Q

• Peter Quaife (The Kinks)
• Suzi Quatro
• Nate Query (The Decemberists)
• Jesse Quin (Keane)
• Mick Quinn (Supergrass)

R

• Carl Radle (Eric Clapton)
• Will Rahmer (Mortician)
• Chuck Rainey Steely Dan)
• C.J. Ramone (The Ramones)
• Dee Dee Ramone (The Ramones)
• Jimmie Randall (Jo Jo Gunne)
• Paul Raven (Killing Joke, Prong, Ministry)
• Brian Ray (Paul McCartney)
• Noel Redding (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
• Zoran Redžić (Bijelo dugme)
• Scott Reeder (Kyuss, Unida)
• Keanu Reeves (Dogstar)
• Tony Reeves (Colosseum, Greenslade)
• Rufus Reid (Jazz)
• Jonas Renkse (Bloodbath)
• Deon Rexroat (Anberlin)
• Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)   
• Tim Rice-Oxley (Keane)
• John Rich
• Jim Richardson (If)
• Greg Ridley (Humble Pie, Spooky Tooth)
• Oliver Riedel (Rammstein)
• Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)
• Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit)
• Simon Rix (Kaiser Chiefs)
• Dan Roberts (Crash Test Dummies)
• Johnny Rod (W.A.S.P., King Kobra)
• Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny)
• Jim Rodford (Argent, The Kinks)
• Omar Rodríguez-López (DeFacto)
• Kira Roessler (Black Flag)
• Kenny Rogers (The First Edition)
• Marc Rogers (Philosopher Kings)
• Leaton Rose (The Hot Lies, I Killed the Prom Queen)
• Magnus Rosén (HammerFall)
• Lars Rosenberg (Carbonized, Entombed, Serpent)
• Chris Ross (Wolfmother)
• John Rostill (The Shadows)
• Andy Rourke (The Smiths)
• Demis Roussos (Aphrodite's Child)
• Robb Royer (Bread)
• Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
• Kevin Rutmanis (The Cows, The Melvins, Tomahawk)

S

• Michael Steele, formerly of the Bangles
• Jeanne Sagan (The Acacia Strain, All That Remains)
• Tetsuo Sakurai (Casiopea)
• Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia)
• Ian Samwell (The Drifters)
• Paul Samwell-Smith (The Yardbirds)
• Troy Sanders (Mastodon (band))
• Mark Sandman (Morphine)
• Max Santos (Aventura)
• Gabe Saporta (Midtown)
• Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio)
• John Baker Saunders (Mad Season)
• Brad Savage (Band from TV)
• Rick Savage (Def Leppard)
• Taiji Sawada (X Japan)
• Patrick Scales (Klaus Doldinger, Pee Wee Ellis, Chuck Loeb)
• Tony Scalzo (Fastball)
• Reggie Scanlan (The Radiators)
• Mel Schacher (Grand Funk Railroad)
• Jason Scheff (Chicago)
• Jerry Scheff (Elvis Presley)
• Richard Scheufler
• Don Schiff
• Dirk Schlächter (Gamma Ray)
• Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy, Tinted Windows)
• Dan Schmid (Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Black Francis)
• Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles, Poco)
• Dave Schools (Widespread Panic)
• Jaye R. Schwarzer (Cancer Bats)
• Derf Scratch (Fear)
• Karl E. H. Seigfried
• Thomas Seltzer (Turbonegro)
• Henkka Seppälä (Children of Bodom)
• Steve Severin (Siouxsie and the Banshees)
• Carlo Von Sexron (Queens of the Stone Age, Mondo Generator)
• Nick Seymour (Crowded House)
• Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Storyville)
• Matt Sharp (Weezer, The Rentals)
• Snowy Shaw (Dimmu Borgir)
• Billy Sheehan (Niacin, Mr. Big, Steve Vai, Talas, David Lee Roth)
• Ben Shepherd (Soundgarden)
• Andrew Shives (Fear Factory)
• Natasha Shneider (Eleven)
• Scott Shriner (Weezer)
• Ray Shulman (Gentle Giant)
• Michael Shuman (Queens of the Stone Age)
• Azharlevi Sianturi (Kekal)
• Gene Simmons (Kiss)
• Paul Simonon (The Clash, The Good, the Bad and the Queen)
• Richard Sinclair (Caravan)
• Ryan Sinn (Angels & Airwaves)
• Ken Sinnaeve (Streetheart, Tom Cochrane, Red Rider, Loverboy)
• Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe, Brides of Destruction, Sixx:A.M.)
• Muzz Skillings (Living Colour)
• Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Phil Collins)
• Tim Sköld (Marilyn Manson, KMFDM)   
• Captain Sky
• Spike Slawson (Swingin' Utters)
• Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five)
• Phil Small (Cold Chisel)
• Derek Smalls (Spinal Tap)
• Curt Smith (Tears for Fears)
• Fred Smith (Blondie, Television)
• Scott Smith (Loverboy)
• Zach Smith (Pinback)
• Bryce Soderberg (Lifehouse)
• Scott Sorry (Brides of Destruction, The Wildhearts)
• Ville Sorvali (Moonsorrow) 
• Esperanza Spalding (Radio Music Society)
• Phil Spalding (Toyah, GTR, Mike Oldfield)
• Joey Spampinato (NRBQ)
• Barry Sparks (Dokken)
• Mark Spicoluk (Avril Lavigne)
• John Spiker (Filter)
• Chris Squire (Yes)
• Adam Stanger (Comes with the Fall)
• Mike Starr (Alice in Chains)   
• David Steele (The Beat, Fine Young Cannibals)
• Jeffrey Steele (Boy Howdy)
• Michael Steele (The Bangles)
• Peter Steele (Carnivore, Type O Negative)
• Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing)
• Kai Stephens (Hard Fi)
• Tony Stevens (Foghat, Savoy Brown)
• Brad Stewart (Fuel)
• Dale Stewart (Seether)
• Sting (The Police)
• Tommy Stinson (The Replacements, Guns N' Roses)
• Mark Stoermer (The Killers)
• Gary Stonadge (Big Audio Dynamite)
• Björn Strid (Terror 2000)
• Jesper Strömblad (Dimension Zero)
• Byron Stroud (Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad, Zimmers Hole)
• Dana Strum (Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent Invasion)
• Hamish Stuart (Average White Band, Paul McCartney)
• Neil Stubenhaus (Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones)
• Alex Suarez Cobra Starship, This is Ivy League)
• Alec John Such (Bon Jovi)
• Kasim Sulton (Utopia, Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, The New Cars)
• Stuart Sutcliffe (The Beatles)
• Magnus Sveningsson (The Cardigans)
• Steve Swallow (Jazz)
• Dan Swanö (Pan.Thy.Monium)
• Leon Sylvers III (Sylvers, Dynasty)
• Jack Syperek (The Trews)

T

• Robby Takac (The Goo Goo Dolls)
• Billy Talbot (Crazy Horse)
• Garry Tallent (The E Street Band)
• Janis Tanaka (L7)
• Pepsi Tate (Tigertailz)
• John Taylor (Duran Duran, Power Station, Neurotic Outsiders)
• Kavyen Temperley (Eskimo Joe)
• Robert Tench (Gass)
• Jay Terrien
• Gary Thain (Keef Hartley, Uriah Heep)
• Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura, Pestilence)
• Bruce Thomas (The Attractions)
• Paul Thomas (Good Charlotte)
• Danny Thompson (Pentangle, Richard Thompson)
• Dougie Thomson (Supertramp)
• Phil Thornalley (The Cure, Johnny Hates Jazz)
• Scott Thunes (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai)
• Gary Tibbs (Roxy Music, Adam and the Ants, Hazel O'Connor)
• Jan Erik Tiwaz (Borknagar)
• Ken Tizzard (The Watchmen)
• Michael Todd (Coheed and Cambria)
• Peter Tork (The Monkees)
• Toshiya (Dir En Grey)
• Sisely Treasure (Shiny Toy Guns)
• Iracema Trevisan (Cansei de Ser Sexy)
• Pete Trewavas (Marillion)
• Derrick Tribbett (Dope)
• Robert Trujillo (Suicidal Tendencies, Black Label Society, Metallica)
• Fred Turner (Bachman–Turner Overdrive)
• Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash)

U

• Takeshi Ueda (The Mad Capsule Markets)
• Futoshi Uehara (Maximum the Hormone)
• Chad Urmston (Dispatch)

V

• Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go's)
• Ross Valory (Journey, Steve Miller Band)
• Wolfgang Van Halen (Van Halen)
• Larry Van Kriedt (AC/DC)
• Sami Vänskä (Nightwish)
• Steve Vantsis (Fish)
• Ken Vasoli (The Starting Line)
• Jeroen van Veen (Within Temptation)
• Sergio Vega (Deftones)
• Morten Veland (Sirenia)
• D.D. Verni (Overkill)
• Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols)
• Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes (Burzum, Mayhem)
• Rico Villasenor (downset.)
• David Vincent (Morbid Angel)
• Leroy Vinnegar (Jazz)
• Miroslav Vitous (Jazz)
• Phil Volk (Paul Revere and the Raiders)
• Eerie Von (Samhain, Danzig)
• Klaus Voormann (Manfred Mann, Plastic Ono Band)
• ICS Vortex (Dimmu Borgir)

W

• Matt Wachter (30 Seconds to Mars, Angels and Airwaves)
• Andreas Wallan Wahl (Therion, Serpent)
• Greg T. Walker (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot)
• Jeffrey Walker (Carcass)
• Jon Walker (Panic! at the Disco, The Young Veins)   
• Scott Walker (The Walker Brothers)
• Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69)
• Tim Ward (The Fall of Troy)
• John Warne (Relient K, Guerilla Rodeo)
• Andy Warren (The Monochrome Set)
• Jared Warren (Karp, Big Business, The Melvins)
• Rob Wasserman (Jazz)
• Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
• Mike Watt (The Minutemen, Firehose, The Stooges)
• Norman Watt-Roy (The Blockheads)
• Nathan Watts (Stevie Wonder)
• Peter Watts (Mott the Hoople)
• Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance)
• Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse)
• Willie Weeks (Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Eric Clapton)
• Danny Weinkauf (They Might Be Giants)
• Andrew Weiss (Ween, Gone, Rollins Band, Regressive Aid)
• Mikey Welsh (Weezer)
• Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
• Uwe Wessel (Gamma Ray)
• Bob Weston (Shellac)
• John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson)
• Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads)
• Chris White (The Zombies)
• Jeordie White (Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails)
• Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
• Nick Wiggins (Aiden)
• Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck)
• Leon Wilkeson (Lynyrd Skynyrd)  
• Buster Williams  (Jazz)
• Cliff Williams (AC/DC)
• Hank Williams III (Superjoint Ritual)
• Leo Williams (Big Audio Dynamite, Dreadzone, Carbon/Silicon)
• Trevor Williams (Audience, Jonathan Kelly's Outside)
• Gary Willis (Tribal Tech)
• Matt Willis (Busted)
• Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
• Eric Wilson (Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars)
• Liam Wilson (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
• Mark Wilson (Jet)
• Paul Wilson (Snow Patrol)
• Doug Wimbish (Sugarhill Gang, Living Colour, Joe Satriani)
• Kip Winger (Alice Cooper, Winger)
• Muff Winwood (Spencer Davis Group)
• Nicky Wire (Manic Street Preachers)
• Jason Wisdom (Becoming the Archetype)
• Jah Wobble (Public Image Limited)
• Tom "T-Bone" Wolk (Hall & Oates, Billy Joel, Carly Simon)
• Chris Wolstenholme (Muse)
• Matt Wong (Reel Big Fish)
• Steve Wong (Beyond)
• Chris Wood (Medeski, Martin and Wood)
• Craig Wood (Avril Lavigne, Gob)
• Stuart John Wood (Bay City Rollers)
• Allen Woody (Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule)
• Victor Wooten (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Vital Tech Tones)
• Reggie Workman  (Jazz)
• D'Arcy Wretzky (The Smashing Pumpkins)
• Chuck Wright (Giuffria, Quiet Riot, House of Lords)
• Eugene Wright (Jazz)
• Rob Wright (Nomeansno)
• Tomasz "Orion" Wróblewski (Behemoth)
• Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones)

Y

• Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Murphy's Law)
• Brian Yale (Matchbox Twenty)
• Takahiro Yamada (Asian Kung-Fu Generation)
• Hiro Yamamoto (Soundgarden, Truly)
• Tetsu Yamauchi (Free, Faces)
• Adam Yauch (Beastie Boys)
• Thom Yorke (Radiohead, Atoms for Peace)
• Jasmine You (Versailles)
• Sean Yseult (White Zombie)
• Doug Yule (The Velvet Underground)

Z

• David Z (Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
• Buddy Zabala (The Eraserheads, The Dawn, Cambio)
• Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai)
• Regina Zernay (Cowboy Mouth)

As was said earlier, the above list is incomplete. So, if I left out someone you think should be on this list, don't hesitate to let me know.   'til next time, have some double-electric-bass playing fun… I'll be listening!  ______________________________________________________________________
Globally-renowned guitar and bass instructor, Mike Overly easily combines the worlds of deeply-rooted academic study with a well-textured performance resume. His pathbreaking 12 Tone Music Publishing products, including the newly released "Tone Note® Music Method for Guitar," provide valuable illuminating insights while simplifying the learning process. 

Join Mike at www.12tonemusic.com to explore and expand your knowledge of these two iconic instruments through a variety of reviews and interviews, tips and tricks and free lessons of remarkable originality, all presented in a family-friendly forum. Plus, as an added bonus, you get to follow Mr. Pick as he introduces you to fun fretboard games, jokes, riddles, quotes and more. Be sure to read the 12 Tone Music Blog where Mike offers a behind-the-scenes look at the development of his unique approach to solving the problems of modern musical notation and traditional guitar and bass methods. 

Mike Overly's unmatched perspective on fretboard education has something for everyone ~ from the amateur hobbyist to the serious professional player ~ as well as any music enthusiast who wants to come along for the ride.