Coilte

I never pay much attention to the "greatest" X,Y, or Z polls/opinions. They are in the "ear of the beholder". For me, a "great" bass line is one that supplies exactly (no more or less) what the song requires. If it sounds great to you then it is...

Check out G&L basses. The G&L L2000 is a very versatile sounding bass.

I assume it has a Badass bridge. 😉

See post number 40 in the link below. The contributor JTE is a longtime, and well respected member of Talkbass. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wilton-felder-tone.1012078/page-2

IMO you need to begin from the ground up and understand how chord tones are made from scales. Jamming along with scales is great for the ear, but you also need to move swiftly on to CHORD TONES. Here is a great site which will explain in an easy to understand way. https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/

Carol Kaye is one of the most famous pick players. In the link below (see tip numbers 26 and 27) she gives detailed instructions on pick playing. Plenty here to keep you occupied for a while. https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm

Canned Heat's Larry Taylor (RIP), and Buddy Guy's bassist Greg Rzab.

A very thoughtful gesture. Thanks. 🙏

Always loved his playing. R.I.P..

Correct. !!! The late great Glenn Cornick was on bass for Tull's first four or five albums. He is/was one of my favourites, with a very busy but lyrical style. As well as his amazing playing on " Living in the Past" and" Bouree," check out his playing in Tull's lesser known track "Jeffrey Goes to Leicester Square" from the "Stand Up" album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyFWn4uYC_4

Thomastik rounds are worth checking out. https://lordofthestrings.com/en/bass/electric/4-string/thomastik-jr344-jazz-bass.html

Sunny Afternoon - Kinks Something - Beatles She's Not There - Santana

Ditto here...followed closely by Jethro Tull and Chicago (the early albums in both cases). The very first album I ever bought was Mayall's "Beano" album.

Many Happy Returns to you..and all "Basschatters". 🎅🎄

Go to the lessons/study guide page on www.studybass.com and start where you deem appropriate. You are right about Youtube videos being a scattergun approach. However, here is an exception. It starts VERY basic so again, start where you see fit. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLImrzCNnL5PkSfa1gUpsGzSMELR31yW9h

Yes, it can be very overwhelming for a new player with all the information being fired at him. My advice would be to take your time and find a site or tutorial that you like and stick with that, rather than chopping and changing. Regardless of what route/site/tutorial you decide on... CHORD TONES...will always be the bassist's friend. 😉

As previously mentioned, a good teacher will get you off to a good start. In the mean time, on the theory side of things... (knowing some basic theory is always going to be beneficial)... dont fall into the trap of concentrating exclusively on scales. No doubt they are extremely important...but so too are CHORD TONES. These are what the bassist plays most of the time...not scales. The site linked below emphasises the importance of chord tones. You could do a lot worse than to go to the study guide on the site and starting where you deem appropriate, work through the lessons. The first thing to learn IMO is where all the notes are on the fretboard. Start with the first five frets. Happy Anniversary !!💘 https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/

Absolutely...having the action (that's the official name 😉) low will stop you wasting unnecessary energy when fretting. BTW...here is another clip on fretting lightly.

I'll Be Your Substitute".. by Clout

Well done. I always assumed you were playing longer than that. 👍 I myself, am a late starter too...around the same age as you did. @ OP (Ray) : Just one more thing that is often over looked by new bass players...safe.. (note I did not say "good" or "correct").. technique. I know that "Happy Jack" will agree that it is well worth being aware of. It will help you to experience many years of injury free playing. Learning safe technique at the start is great because unsafe habits dont have a chance to become established. The links below should be of some help. In a nutshell...try to keep both wrists as straight as possible as often as possible. Try also to have the hands relaxed and not put a death grip on the neck. Pressing down on the strings only requires a minimal force.

Plus 1. OP... try to find some other like minded musicians to jam with. Later, when you feel that you are ready, then maybe form a gigging band with your jamming friends, or seek out "bassist wanted" advertisements. In the mean time get some lessons and/or play along to songs in the genre of your choice. IMO playing along to songs is a great way to develop your ear...plus your groove and sense of timing. Best of luck on your journey. 🙂

Totally agree. If the OP is gigging regularly then he obviously has enough strength already. You beat me to it, as I was also going to suggest gentle stretches. OP...before you go on for a gig, try doing some gentle stretches (as mentioned above by Happy Jack..or from the clips below. There are lots of others on YT). Spend a few minutes doing them. Do the same immediately after the gig and again just before you go to bed. It may seem like a nuisance, but each session should only take a few minutes and IMO is well worth the (minimal) time and effort.

A "jack of all trades"...and master of none. 😉

As with their flats, the TI jazz rounds are an acquired taste. I happen to love them. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/thomastik-infeld-jazz-rounds.622601/