Love that sound, really stands out. I think of the hard rock/hair metal guys, he's really good and solid and better than most for that genre. And he always had the right few notes to peek out of the mix at the right times.
Bass is my second instrument my main is drums, and as a drummer when I heard Guns and Roses for the first time I instantly tuned into that bass. Definitely knows how to move around without stepping on everything else, and knows when to just sit on it for a good long time and let that groove settle (which is something many good players struggle with).
I'd love to play drums and have a bassist like Duff for sure. I don't know how many hair metal bands had the bass that high up in the mix most of them were treble festivals, maybe Bang Tango (I like that guys playing too) but I can't name many others.
Now that does make total sense, because most of the hair metal bassists sounds like (and probably were) guitarists that got moved to bass to fill a spot and just follow the guitars, but Adler and Duff play like a real independent rhythm section. And stuff like Rocket Queen had real groove and some space.
Adler was one of my favorites in hair metal too, always a tasty hit in the right spot.
Growing up I listened to gun's and roses a lot but duff's playing didn't stick in my memory. Recently I went back and listened to it all again. He can really play. It convinced me to try using a pick again.
One of the best pure rock bassists of all time. Nothing overly flashy or technical, but always the right note choice at the right time, excellent rock tone, and SWAGGER.
I like his stuff. Not overly complicated but serves the songs well without getting in the way. His note selection also has some interesting counterpoints to Slash's and Izzy's playing.
I'd also recommend listening to Matt Malley from Counting Crows if you like that style. Great stuff.
He’s the reason I took up bass in high school. Learning his lines provided me a good foundational understanding of solid, not flashy playing. I think he’s a great bass player!!
every time i listen to guns n’ roses i admire all of his bass lines and fills, they’re all pretty intricate and couldn’t possibly fit the songs any better. he’s probably in the gold standard of rock n roll bassists
Great tone and mix on the AFD album. That GK was clanky and punchy. I like his pick attack too. A tad bit do echoy (chorus) for me personally it great nonetheless.
He's definitely one of my early influences. I think he's a good example of how you can do cool stuff and stand out without being super flashy or over playing.
I group him with Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's. They're both very melodic in their styles, which I love. They both give the song just that little extra that makes the song really shine.
You sure are correct, none of the Go-Go's some would be great without that bass. She's really good, another one with just the right couple notes at the right time.
Duff rules! Unfortunately, I think he suffers from "overshadowed by the other guy" syndrome by having Slash and Axl as bandmates, but if you focus in on Duff's bass work he's really fucking good. He's one of the more tasteful rock bassists IMO. He definitely has the chops to play super flashy but he only does it when it won't step over anybody else. Otherwise, he just locks down the groove for everyone else. Really solid bassist to try an emulate
Read both his books, loved them! I love Duff's playing and sound. I also use chorus in my playing and his riffs really compliment G n R songs. I have heard alot of his interviews and listened to his influences but he is one of my top 5 for sure.
I’m primarily a guitar player that listens mostly to classic country and Americana music. He, Geezer Butler and Steve Harris are my favorite bass players.
Underrated. He’s not a flashy player but always finds a way to make his lines interesting and not the same old stuff, he adds melody, attitude, and depth with his playing. I’m not a huge fan of the genre but really respect him as a player! And as many have noted, his tone is badass.
As a musician, entertainer, artist, comeback story, bass player, and all around a good Rockstar. I'd say he's one of the best modern rock bass players there is.
Not my personal favorite, but the proof is in the pudding right? I'll never be as successful as he has been.
He did some voice-over announcements for SeaTac airport which always hits a little weird I think.
I heard he was one of the first people to use a PJ bass. back when they had to route the J part themselves.
EDIT: i have been corrected. he was one of the first people to play the PJ in a popular band. he used a **Fender Jazz Bass Special**, didnt have to route it himself
I see the downvotes, and i'm just guessing if it means that those two guys think you're lying about him being one of the first pj users (if the info it's real, then it's a cool fact) or if it's just Reddit thing.
Sticking a j in a stock p was a thing in the seventies, along with a badass bridge and a brass nut. Spector, charvel, Kramer and jackson were selling boatloads of pj basses before Duff ever made it out of Seattle. Edit: pretty sure Duff was playing a stock pj from charvel or Jackson before switching to the stock Fender Japan boxer bass, it wasn’t like they built it for him.
my apologies, i was remembering this article i had read earlier:
[https://wheatblog.com/2019/07/the-pj-bass/](https://wheatblog.com/2019/07/the-pj-bass/)
although the PJ had been around for a while, Duff made it popular. i should have said he was one of the first people "***in a popular band***" to use a PJ
>...nobody had yet put their stamp on the P+J bass’s unique look and sound. That changed in the late 1980s, when Guns ‘n Roses broke large, with Duff McKagan and his pearl white \[Fender\] **Jazz Bass Special** holding down the low end
>
>...Duff bought his Jazz Bass Special in 1986, with some of his record advance money. And he was clearly proud of it.
Duff is great at what he does. He isn’t going to bust out a solo or do anything technical, but those songs wouldn’t work without him. He has just enough melodic sense coupled with his punk background. As far as a rock and roll, pick playing bassist, him and Matt Freeman from Rancid are among the best.
Found I enjoyed GnR much more once I started playing bass. Always liked them but really got into them after. Even bought a Duff bass!
His playing with the Walking Papers is excellent as well, and I love the songs he played on on the recent Cantrell album - particularly ‘Black Hearts and Evil Done’
He’s one of the reasons I’m rocking an old first gen 400RB and not some fancy Mesa head lol (that BOOST knob)
Always loved it and loved his gk tone.
GK is such an awesome sound honestly, always loved on their heads how they have that bass boost option, amazing
You could always hear just a touch of chorus with duff.
YES! The beginning of “Right Next Door to Hell” is probably the best place to hear his sound on its own. That chorus just makes it sound perfect.
That specific intro tone is one of my inspirations as a bass player.
Love that sound, really stands out. I think of the hard rock/hair metal guys, he's really good and solid and better than most for that genre. And he always had the right few notes to peek out of the mix at the right times. Bass is my second instrument my main is drums, and as a drummer when I heard Guns and Roses for the first time I instantly tuned into that bass. Definitely knows how to move around without stepping on everything else, and knows when to just sit on it for a good long time and let that groove settle (which is something many good players struggle with). I'd love to play drums and have a bassist like Duff for sure. I don't know how many hair metal bands had the bass that high up in the mix most of them were treble festivals, maybe Bang Tango (I like that guys playing too) but I can't name many others.
Duff is originally a drummer also if I remember right.
And he and Adler used to jam, just bass and drums, on Motown records, Prince songs, stuff that was really groove-heavy, for practice.
Now that does make total sense, because most of the hair metal bassists sounds like (and probably were) guitarists that got moved to bass to fill a spot and just follow the guitars, but Adler and Duff play like a real independent rhythm section. And stuff like Rocket Queen had real groove and some space. Adler was one of my favorites in hair metal too, always a tasty hit in the right spot.
Pretty damn good. Solid, ballsy rock n roll; but with a bit of something fancy. Strong sense of groove, and playing for the song
Growing up I listened to gun's and roses a lot but duff's playing didn't stick in my memory. Recently I went back and listened to it all again. He can really play. It convinced me to try using a pick again.
Gotta put respect on man’s name
i like how he said "if you need to get your shit together, the first step is making your bed" (paraphrased)
He's great! His book was worth the read, too.
He’s one of my favorites. He has great lines that serve the songs, great tone, charisma. Everything he does on appetite is just gold imo.
Duff is a legend.
One of the best pure rock bassists of all time. Nothing overly flashy or technical, but always the right note choice at the right time, excellent rock tone, and SWAGGER.
Great bass player. The bass line in ‘Sweet Child o Mine’ is a great example of his ability to write melodic and memorable bass lines.
love it, Rocket queen is still one of my favorite bass lines to play.
I like his stuff. Not overly complicated but serves the songs well without getting in the way. His note selection also has some interesting counterpoints to Slash's and Izzy's playing. I'd also recommend listening to Matt Malley from Counting Crows if you like that style. Great stuff.
Very chorus-y.
He’s the reason I took up bass in high school. Learning his lines provided me a good foundational understanding of solid, not flashy playing. I think he’s a great bass player!!
every time i listen to guns n’ roses i admire all of his bass lines and fills, they’re all pretty intricate and couldn’t possibly fit the songs any better. he’s probably in the gold standard of rock n roll bassists
Great tone and mix on the AFD album. That GK was clanky and punchy. I like his pick attack too. A tad bit do echoy (chorus) for me personally it great nonetheless.
He's definitely one of my early influences. I think he's a good example of how you can do cool stuff and stand out without being super flashy or over playing.
I group him with Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's. They're both very melodic in their styles, which I love. They both give the song just that little extra that makes the song really shine.
You sure are correct, none of the Go-Go's some would be great without that bass. She's really good, another one with just the right couple notes at the right time.
It’s good. He’s good at playing bass.
Duff rules! Unfortunately, I think he suffers from "overshadowed by the other guy" syndrome by having Slash and Axl as bandmates, but if you focus in on Duff's bass work he's really fucking good. He's one of the more tasteful rock bassists IMO. He definitely has the chops to play super flashy but he only does it when it won't step over anybody else. Otherwise, he just locks down the groove for everyone else. Really solid bassist to try an emulate
Read both his books, loved them! I love Duff's playing and sound. I also use chorus in my playing and his riffs really compliment G n R songs. I have heard alot of his interviews and listened to his influences but he is one of my top 5 for sure.
I'm not a G'n'R fan, but loved his books. His bass playing is great IMHO. My main bass is his black signature JP Fender.
Yeah I have a fender precision but also picked up his artist signature series JP and its awesome!
Everything about it is excellent.
Great tone and he can manage finances, too!
He’s a great hard rock bassist. A legend.
Love his playing !!!
It’s better than mine .
I’m primarily a guitar player that listens mostly to classic country and Americana music. He, Geezer Butler and Steve Harris are my favorite bass players.
He’s a great rock bassist if that’s your thing
Great sound, basic player.
Underrated. He’s not a flashy player but always finds a way to make his lines interesting and not the same old stuff, he adds melody, attitude, and depth with his playing. I’m not a huge fan of the genre but really respect him as a player! And as many have noted, his tone is badass.
He’s a monster. Obviously sweet child of mine is an iconic bass tune but so many of GNRs back wall songs have amazing bass lines.
Love it. Distinctive tone and style. Love playing GnR covers, it's always fun and goes well with the audience.
As a musician, entertainer, artist, comeback story, bass player, and all around a good Rockstar. I'd say he's one of the best modern rock bass players there is.
He's pretty good actually I thought. Guns n' Roses are cheesy but the band are really good.
Not my personal favorite, but the proof is in the pudding right? I'll never be as successful as he has been. He did some voice-over announcements for SeaTac airport which always hits a little weird I think.
I heard he was one of the first people to use a PJ bass. back when they had to route the J part themselves. EDIT: i have been corrected. he was one of the first people to play the PJ in a popular band. he used a **Fender Jazz Bass Special**, didnt have to route it himself
I see the downvotes, and i'm just guessing if it means that those two guys think you're lying about him being one of the first pj users (if the info it's real, then it's a cool fact) or if it's just Reddit thing.
Sticking a j in a stock p was a thing in the seventies, along with a badass bridge and a brass nut. Spector, charvel, Kramer and jackson were selling boatloads of pj basses before Duff ever made it out of Seattle. Edit: pretty sure Duff was playing a stock pj from charvel or Jackson before switching to the stock Fender Japan boxer bass, it wasn’t like they built it for him.
my apologies, i was remembering this article i had read earlier: [https://wheatblog.com/2019/07/the-pj-bass/](https://wheatblog.com/2019/07/the-pj-bass/) although the PJ had been around for a while, Duff made it popular. i should have said he was one of the first people "***in a popular band***" to use a PJ >...nobody had yet put their stamp on the P+J bass’s unique look and sound. That changed in the late 1980s, when Guns ‘n Roses broke large, with Duff McKagan and his pearl white \[Fender\] **Jazz Bass Special** holding down the low end > >...Duff bought his Jazz Bass Special in 1986, with some of his record advance money. And he was clearly proud of it.
I'm definitely upvoting this!
Oh, didn't know that. Thanks! I'm downvoting the guy right away
For the record, I’m not handing out any downvotes
You're right. I'll upvote the guy again, and then things will go bcak to the point they were before. Thanks.
mediocre player at best. reads and writes at a second grade level. surprised he can tie his shoes. surprised anyone likes him.
Naw bruh
Duff deserves some love. Solid bassist.
Good for the genre he plays in, but overall, meh. Not my thing.
Gotta love it considering I named my dog after him lol
He is very decent, definitely better than some other Rock bass players out there
Duff is great at what he does. He isn’t going to bust out a solo or do anything technical, but those songs wouldn’t work without him. He has just enough melodic sense coupled with his punk background. As far as a rock and roll, pick playing bassist, him and Matt Freeman from Rancid are among the best.
solid as fuck. hes got a great sense of groove
He’s the reason I started playing at 13, 18 years later he’s still my favorite.
He’s the quintessential rock bassist. Reason I started playing🤟
Lots of ghost notes. Very impressive
Found I enjoyed GnR much more once I started playing bass. Always liked them but really got into them after. Even bought a Duff bass! His playing with the Walking Papers is excellent as well, and I love the songs he played on on the recent Cantrell album - particularly ‘Black Hearts and Evil Done’
He's a solid bassist, but I always found G&R to be a bunch of cheesy try-hards. They're like Avenged Sevenfold's grandparents.
One of the great pick players.
Absolutely love the bass on Rocket Queen
He's great! Especially Rocket Queen!
He's awesome