Here Today... Gone To Hell!

They asked Dave Effelson to rate a bunch of bassists 1-10 and Duff was one of them.


5. Rate the following bass players on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being somebody that has no business playing 4 strings and 10 being a Bass God.


Nikki Sixx = 4
Frank Bello = 5
Jason Newsted = 7
Steve Harris = 10
Michael Anthony = 7
Robert Trujillo = 10
Tom Hamilton = 9
Lemmy = 9
Gene Simmons = 11
Duff McKagan = 8

LOL, as much as I love Duff, he sucks ass in bass playing. He shlud get a 6 at best

Thats pretty impressive, David Ellefson is a really good bassist, so for him to hold Duff in such high regard is really cool.

I always though Duff was an average bassist, but his attitude always made up for his limited skills.

I think people underestimate just how perfect Duffs playing is within the context of the songs.  Bass players who flex their skills within the song often overpower the song (unless its a band like RHCP where the bass drives the music).  Really listen to Duffs playing on tracks like "Its So Easy" and then tracks like "November Rain" and "SCOM".  The bass lines in those songs were probably very tricky, but they turned out perfect.

Lol duff's is accurate...if u wanna hear great bass listen to the bass carefully in BAD OBSESSION, but Gene Simmons 11 ::) and Robert Trujillo 10 give me a break

Duff is awesome people dont know what they talking bout when they talk shit on his skills

I agree. I consider Duff to have an average skill of a bass player, but he's a very precise player, I hope I used the right word. My guitar teacher (who was more into Led Zep than GN'R) always said that Duff made GN'R huge, and his ultimate precision is the most important part in GN'R.

Duff is definitely above average. He has a very distinct sound and it just fits perfectly.  Nikki Sixx is average.

Duff is an awesome bassist, his style superbly complements the songs

Gene Simmons 11?  ::)

I've never enjoyed Duff's "clanking" sound but have always considered his playing serviceable.

Is he great?  No.

Does he suck? No.

I always loved Duff's playing in Guns. I love how he can sound punk, metal and can even play sweet melodic songs...10 times better than Simmons, which would make him a 110 on that scale.

Yeah, thats why he deserves 5/6. 8/10 is for people like Cliff Burton, not duff   :P

Don't know about Cliff, but your 5/6 for Duff qualifies as serviceable.. 8)

Gene was an awesome bassist, just listen to detroit rock city.

I think he must have given him an 11 in the same way that you would give paul mccartney an 11, it wasn't exactly they're playing just they're..............i dunno just what they did for rock n roll i guess...............creativity and stuff.

KISS music is held together by the bass.........it was real important that they had a player like Gene.

And maybe the guy gave him an 11 because Gene is his idol i dunno :hihi:

Gene 11?  :hihi: He deserves maybe 4  :hihi:

Gene Simmons 11 ??? ::)

Trujillo is a good session player but I'd give him a 8.5

If I had to rate Duff I'd give him a 9.5 cause I think he's got the touch

That's cause he uses a pick.

id give a 7.metallax78 is dead on imo with his attitude making up 4 it

 :rant: LEAVE HIM ALONE!

I've just seen this thread, and I'm appalled at how people can say that about Duff!

He plays bass cos he loves rock n' roll, great attitude too! So for that he's already way in front!

Duff got on the cover of TOTAL GUITAR BASS SPECIAL ISSUE! Whilst Metallica and Jack Bruce, Nikki Sixx and others (including Zakk Wylde too I think!) were left trailing behind him! Ha!!!

Duff has his own special tone! He plays bass with a plectrum for a more authentic hearing/style!
Thumb slaps, plecs, fingers whatever style!
He is almost percussive- it has a nice low end but it has top, the attack, etc!
He rules at bass! Listen to all of ya GNR cds!
SCOM is a kick ass bassline! Yadda yadda yah!

Duff McKagan deserves some respect!  :peace:

He is an idol to millions! GNR fans or not!
Just watching him play makes my day- and no if you're thinking its cos i'm a gurl who is obsessed/ fancies Duff then your wrong! I love Duff cos of his bass-playing nevermind the fact he's a hottie!

Not only bass, but he can play gitR n' drums, and CAN sing too! Very talented- deserves every point he gets!  :beer:

Suck on that!  :o

Gotta agree with Rebecca here, the man is pure class!

Both his playing and his attitude deserve a 9 or a 10, but cos he has both, he is a legend.

He might not be technically the best bass player, but like the man himself said, that guy from Claypool might be the best bass player in the world technically, but his playing doesnt want to make you fuck your wife!

The bass in WTTJ is awesome, both in the verses and in the solo's. Also in YCBM the bass thunders the song along, combined with Matt's drumming. The album is gonna be class with that rythym section driving the songs.

Just listen to the best GnR songs and try and isolate the bass, you'll find that its severely kick-ass. Even better, try and play some of the songs on a bass, you'll find its very difficult.

Basically, Duff rocks!!!!

You'll be pleased to hear that Zakk Wylde plays the six string guitar.  And Total guitar is a flavour of the month type mag.  Theyd've put Mark Hoppus on the front if the mag had been released three years three years ago.

Haha! You got me!  :rofl: Sowwy- i'm like half-asleep!
Oh god what a dumbass!
 :-[  :rofl: I can't stop laughing now!

Anyway.......
I got carried away cos it's shocking because on here you get a lot of people like not respecting Duff!

He WAS a member of GNR for a long time! And deserves respect!
I mean I'm not good with words to describe like what I feel towards GNR's music, and how to praise each member, but I might aswell do it seeing lots of people don't!!!!
Thanks for your post Goat! That's what I like to see n' hear- Duff getting some credit!
I mean cumon: Imagine GNR without Duff! Impossible!
Duff compliments the GNR tone!  : ok:

I got Slash issue too (Duff's in there) and Zakk Wylde's in there too! I got it mixed up- sowwy again!  :rofl:

No trouble Rebecca, Duff needs the respect he deserves. Slash and Axl might have provided the manic energy in GnR but Duff and Izzy added the laid back cool in the group. I think Tommy will do a good job in new GnR but he aint no Duff.

For me, the fact that Matt and Duff are back together for Contraband is one of the most exciting things about the band. They make such an awesome combination in the rythym section.

As a drummer myself, I have a lot of respect for Matt and Duff. All great bands need a rocking rythym section like Duff and Matt, Bonham and Jones and Watts and Wyman.

I'm looking forward to the driving hard songs where Duff and Matt can really get the tunes thundering along. Cant wait to get the album pumped up in my car and get cruising round in the summer with it blasting out.    :smoking:

3 weeks tomorrow!  : ok:

You know I like Dave Effelson rate, Duff is a good bass player, I know he is not  John Paul Jones Or Geezer Butler or Cliff Burton BUT HE gave Guns N Roses a certain sound that is recognicible ,
FOr example when you listen to songs like sweet child o mine where Slash is the Guitar God in that song , in that intro you listen to those magnificent bass lines ,...and thats like Wow this guy knows where to lay his Bass parts!  Thats what i always liked about him,and i still do. If you listen to slither, the song begins with bass , no guitar  :yes:


Duff Rocks!!!!!! : ok:

Hey peoples lets not forget the bass line in COMA :beer:

I Respect Mr. Ellefson rates, but what happened with John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler, Cliff Burton or John Deacon?? They are or were (burton case) Bass Gods! they provide that kinda of distinguish enviorement into the sound of the band.  :peace:

He didnt make up the list. The interviewer asked him.

Exactly what I'm talikn bout!  :beer:
Oh My God!!!!!!! I seen Slither recently on Kerrang- I have it BLASTING!
It Rocks!

Slash's hair is limp now ain't it- its cos its longer!
He still rules!
Wowwwwww n Duff and that six pack- Toned body!!
Proper rock n' roll- to give these pathetic excuses of bands a kick up the arse!
Heaven man!

Scott is really cool aint he!  :yes:

You are sooo right about Izzy n' Duff man!  :beer:

I total agree with Dead Horse too!  :beer:

You are right Rebecca, we need some more proper rock n roll to get rid of this miserable Coldplay/Keane crap that fills the "rock" charts.

Scott really has that cool vibe to him, he fits really well with the kings of cool Slash and Duff. He has that kind of swagger to him that all rock singers need.

Love the video, the way Slash really goes for it during the solo is awesome.

Less than 3 weeks and I'll have the album. I have had Set Me Free on in the car for ages now I just need the album and I am set.

Who cares if I drive a Citroen C3? With Contraband blasting out, it dont matter!

 :hihi: I was actually thinking more Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Biskit etc.
Oh and Pigface!!! Erm....... what are they called again....... The Rasmus... he luks like a pig! Hee hee! Oink oink!  :rofl:
I like Coldplay!  ;D


Definately- I sooooooooo agree!!!!!
He looks soooooo mint on Slither!


Yup! All hail to the master!!!!!!
 :drool:  :-*  :yes:  :beer:


I'll be blasting me neighbours out!!!
Driving me 'rents nuts!!! n' friends- my poor friends gotta listen to me rabbit on bout Duff N' GNR!!!  :rofl:



That's the spirit!  :beer:
My dad is a white van man!
Heehee! he drives a transit! coooool!
but whats not cool- no cd player! only tape player- at least i can put on my COOL GNR mixed tape!
I made one whoooooole HUGE GNR song- it goes on for an hour!

You gotta be qwik, and try not to get caught out when the songs change- so much fun!

 : ok: @ Rebecca's dad the white van man!

I think you need to get your dad to have a CD player installed especially for the 7th June ;D then you can mix him a GnR CD!

I love the comment about the Rasmus guy, he does look like a pig.

I think your friends need to hear about Duff and the guys, maybe it will convert them into Gunners.
I have been trying that with my mates, whenever I pick them up to go out or to footy, i whack on some GnR in the hope of converting them to the GnR faith. Doesnt seem to work though!

When Contraband hits the shelves, I am gonna try and do the same thing. I'll be on a massive PR drive!  8)

So if you see a C3 drive past with some VR blasting out with some bemused looking dudes in the back, thats me!

Man, i am getting well excited about the album, its all i seem to think about these days! :beer:

Hee hee!


Yeah we should! If his worklplace will let him!
He's just got a new van- on da otha one i wrote- "Rebecca loves Gun's N' Roses forever!" on- its like at the front aswell- everyone will notice it!  :hihi:


Thanks for agreeing!
They pretty much such- they are far toooooo over-rated!


Oh they are all gay nowadays- me i love Hendrix, Sid, Cream, Aerosmith, Ramones, Sex Pistols etc.
You're mates have no taste!



 :hihi: Ok!


I knooow!!
Its Gunner rule!!!!!!
I love them- I'm always moshing in me sitting/living room when they come on TV!
And........ OMG!!!!!
HAVE YOU SEEN DUFF'S BODY?!?
Wow......... that six-pack is hot!  :drool:  :drool:  :drool: