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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The familiar “Top 12 Richest Bassists in the World” list is a historical ranking attributed to TheRichest and reported by Guitariste.com in 2014—not a verified ranking of musicians’ fortunes today. It put Paul McCartney first at an estimated $1.2 billion, followed by Sting and Gene Simmons at $300 million each. The ranking does not explain how it calculated those figures.
The reported 2014 ranking
Guitariste.com published the list on 2 September 2014, attributing it to TheRichest. The amounts below are that ranking’s estimates as reproduced by Guitariste.com; they are not audited financial disclosures. Guitariste.com’s 2014 list does not state a valuation method.
| Rank | Bassist | Band or association shown in the list | Estimate in the 2014 ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul McCartney | The Beatles | $1.2 billion |
| 2 (tie) | Sting | The Police | $300 million |
| 2 (tie) | Gene Simmons | Kiss | $300 million |
| 4 | Roger Waters | Pink Floyd | $270 million |
| 5 | Adam Clayton | U2 | $150 million |
| 6 (tie) | John Deacon | Queen | $115 million |
| 6 (tie) | Flea | Red Hot Chili Peppers | $115 million |
| 8 (tie) | John Paul Jones | Led Zeppelin | $80 million |
| 8 (tie) | Bill Wyman | Rolling Stones | $80 million |
| 10 | Geezer Butler | Black Sabbath | $65 million |
| 11 | Tony Kanal | No Doubt | $45 million |
| 12 | Krist Novoselic | Nirvana | $40 million |
How to read these figures
They are estimates from 2014, not current net-worth figures
The amounts describe what a media ranking estimated in 2014. They should not be presented as current fortunes: the ranking supplies no later updates or underlying financial records. A 2020 bass-instruction article also identifies the list as a 2014 TheRichest ranking, but repeating the list does not independently verify its numbers. No Treble’s 2020 article provides that later identification.
The method is not explained
The ranking pages do not describe how they treated assets, debts, royalties, taxes, estates or business interests. The rounded amounts therefore cannot be checked or compared as if they were audited totals. A separate post by music educator Bobby Owsinski reproduced the same figures in December 2014; it is another account of the list’s circulation, not a financial disclosure. Owsinski’s December 2014 post also observes that most people listed write songs. That commentary is not proof of how any particular musician earned or accumulated wealth.
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- This beginner guitar comes with a 30-day subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series features the iconic Fender Precision Bass model, and includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability
- The Squier Debut Series Precision Bass features a split-coil pickup with volume and tone controls that offers punchy P-Bass tones, and the vintage-style open-gear tuning machines provide smooth and accurate tuning
Who the list leaves out
Guitariste.com itself raises the absence of notable bassists, including Lemmy, Geddy Lee and Victor Wooten. Since the list gives no inclusion criteria, its twelve names should not be taken as a comprehensive worldwide ranking. A contemporaneous Rolling Stone Germany gallery also published a top-ten list in August 2014, but it is another media ranking rather than primary evidence of anyone’s finances. Rolling Stone Germany’s 2014 gallery offers that historical comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Further reading for bass fans
For readers interested in the musicians rather than their estimated fortunes, Bass Heroes, edited by Tom Mulhern, is a collection of interviews with 30 bass players, including Paul McCartney. Hal Leonard’s 2005 dealer catalog identifies the book and its ISBN, 0-87930-274-7; that catalog entry establishes bibliographic details, not present-day availability. Hal Leonard’s 2005 dealer catalog.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Short-scale 4-string Bass Guitar with Poplar Body
- Dual Single-coil Pickups - Walnut Flat
- Jatoba Fingerboard
- Maple Neck
Rank #2
- One Squier Debut Series Precision Bass Guitar – a perfect beginner guitar for all ages
- Designed by the most trusted name in guitar and backed by a 75-year legacy of quality and craftsmanship
- This beginner guitar comes with a 30-day subscription to Fender Play that includes lessons with thousands of instructional videos to build your skills by playing the songs you love, all with no additional cost
- Designed for beginners, the Squier Debut Series Fender Precision Bass includes a super-comfortable "c" shaped neck, laurel fingerboard and thin, lightweight body for more comfort and playability.
- The Squier Debut Series Precision Bass features a split-coil pickup with volume and tone controls that offers punchy P-Bass tones, and the vintage-style open-gear tuning machines provide smooth and accurate tuning
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
