What do we make of Danny Sapko?

[Jackroadkill]

I like him.  The character is harmless, and behind it there's a quietly self-deprecating man with a sense of humour and humility.  

[Cato]

He's apparently making a living from playing bass.

 

It may not be quite the same dream that most of us had when we started out way before social media, but he's still living it.

 

Personally, while I would never actively seek out his (or any other bass influencers) youtube stuff I do usually watch the short clips that pop up in my Instagram feed and he's made me laugh a few times, so good luck to him.

Edited December 1, 2025 by Cato

[Rayman]

I like him too, but I wish he’d just wind it in a bit. The crass punkesque attire is a bit irritating, but, it gets him noticed, so job done there I guess. I like the fact that he isn’t a virtuoso, there’s too many of them on YT already. 

[SimonK]

...am I the only one to hope that those tattoos on his fingers aren't the permanent type?

[RichT]

4 hours ago, wateroftyne said:

I remember when he first started popping up years ago. I couldn't bear him - his stuff was so TECHNICOLOR and in-your-face.

Turns out he was just ahead of the curve.

I still couldn't bear him until recently, but at some point I had another go accepting him as a bit of a cartoon character, and... I get him now. He's funny.

That said, I'd never watch him to learn anything. 

 

I had pretty much the same experience. Initial disdain (for quite some time) and then at some point I got the joke and warmed to him and his sense of humour. I'd much rather watch him and his dipstick-lick-schtik than the wannabe technical virtuoso types endlessly trotting out that grating double-thumb run down the G string. 

 

[RichT]

double post

 

 

Edited December 1, 2025 by RichT

[Bix]

Said a quick hello to him at a Janek Gwizdala / Ian Allison workshop in the summer where he was in the audience. He came across as a decent bloke, no different than he is on his videos, and yes he had a few cans of bitter with him.

Edited December 1, 2025 by Bix

[peteb]

I know Danny a bit. He used to live above a bar that I used to go to occasionally and now he's moved to the next town, I bump into him every now and again in the supermarket. Funnily enough, the last time I saw him, he was asking me about the tribute band I'm in, rather than talking about his more illustrious online career! 

 

He's actually a nice guy, even shorter in real life than you might imagine and a very good bass player! I don't really bother with online bass influencer types as a rule, but his clips are OK / mildly amusing. I do agree with some of the things he gets on his high horse about, especially the Mohini Dey / AI thing. 

 

[wateroftyne]

Further to my previous comment, I should add that I'd much rather watch Danny than the smelling-your-own-farts w4nkery of Berthoud etc. I get nowt from that stuff (YMMV obv).

[TimR]

I am eagerly awaiting his forthcoming video where he quotes from a load of old blokes on one of those old fashioned forums, and finally answers the age old questions; What bass is best for metal? Which is the best Jazz or Precision? Rounds or Flats? Can I mix cabs and heads? 

[risingson]

I really like him, he’s an antidote for the world of social media bassists and musicians in general. He’s carved a niche out for himself, and fair play to him for managing to do it. 
 

Musicians have a bit of a habit of taking themselves too seriously and he’s doing a good job of injecting a bit of fun into things without any of the pretence. Like it or not social media as a platform for musicians is going nowhere, so why not someone like him. 

[Mrbigstuff]

Shite player that talks bollocks because he has nothing else to offer. But he understands YT, is accessible to many and has built a following to become flavour of the month. There’s far better content to spend your time watching.

[peteb]

6 minutes ago, Mrbigstuff said:

Shite player that talks bollocks because he has nothing else to offer. But he understands YT, is accessible to many and has built a following to become flavour of the month. There’s far better content to spend your time watching.

 

You might well think that he talks bollocks, but he certainly is not a 'shite player'! 

 

[Musicman666]

he's alright .. it's all a bit of an act and it turns out he can actually play quite well ..oh and he hates 5 stringers ...so he isn't a total dipstick in my book. 

[Huge Hands]

15 minutes ago, Mrbigstuff said:

Shite player that talks bollocks because he has nothing else to offer. But he understands YT, is accessible to many and has built a following to become flavour of the month. There’s far better content to spend your time watching.

You are Charles Berthoud and I claim my £5....

[Mrbigstuff]

15 minutes ago, peteb said:

 

You might well think that he talks bollocks, but he certainly is not a 'shite player'! 

 

I’ve watched a few videos when he has collaborated on SBL and he is nowhere near the calibre of Ian, Scott or their usual guest list. 

6 minutes ago, Huge Hands said:

You are Charles Berthoud and I claim my £5....

At least he can play but doesn’t put out anything I find interesting. 

[tauzero]

I like both Danny and Charles Berthoud. Is that OK? Don't want the BC Thought Police banging on my front door at dawn. Again.

[asingardenof]

He's come a long way since doing Gear4Music demo videos... 

 

[prowla]

I occasionally check out a post, but I don't think I've ever managed to watch one all the way through.

[SimonK]

I'm not quite sure who awarded it but he did earn a "Bassist of the year" title in 2020 before hitting his punk phase!

 

 

Edited December 1, 2025 by SimonK

[mep]

He's been SBL and just appeared again, which I need to see. He did alright making up his own bassline to a MJ song. I do like this SBL idea and there are some other good ones.

Edited December 1, 2025 by mep

[Dan Dare]

He's pretty shameless, but hides quite a lot of knowledge and ability behind the BEHS humour and dipstickery. I like that. Much more relatable than Chas B. Mohini D and those who esteem themselves highly.

[Maude]

I'm hoping he'll do a three part series featuring Peter Hook, Melissa Auf der Maur and Nate Mendel. 

Then we'll really have something to grumble about 😁

[Mrbigstuff]

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

I'm not quite sure who awarded it but he did earn a "Bassist of the year" title in 2020 before hitting his punk phase!

 

 

Jesus. Who were the judges? He landed some licks but in general it was pretty sloppy. Meanwhile young bassists who can play (and unknown to most of us) are busy with real world gigs.

[walshy]

I’ve met Danny a couple of times and chatted a bit online. He’s a really nice lad, a pretty decent player too and his Instagram stuff is funny and at least a change from the stuff that’s normally stuffed down your throat on the daily. 
 

He’s easy enough to avoid if it’s not your bag but kudos to him for making a living from all things Bass/BEHS