No Treble’s 2025 Reader Favorite Bassists – #1: Why Les Claypool Still Leads the Way

by Kevin Johnson Thursday, January 1st, 2026

Editor’s Note: At the end of each year, we tally up all the article and video views on No Treble to come up with a list of the top 10 most popular bassists. This is entirely based on readership, not on opinions, polls, or anything else. Just having some fun.

Les claypool rick beato bass mag awards

We’ve finally reached number one in our list of reader favorite bassists for 2025, and the top slot solidly belongs to Primus frontman Les Claypool.

His unique gear is always a hit with bassists. This year, his Pachyderm Instrument Wally-Nut #1 ranked as our most popular Bass of the Week, while the new Pachyderm Sleek Bass was the second most popular new bass. The company also reissued the Whamola.

Primus had a big year, launching the “Onward & Upward” tour with new drummer John Hoffman while also releasing their first new songs in three years. We also featured a throwback clip of their performance from the last night of Ozzfest ’99.

Claypool had an amazing deep-dive conversation with Rick Beato on his channel, where he told the story of the South Park theme song and the hardest Primus songs. Finally, Paul Thompson listed Claypool as the “unmatched champion” in his breakdown of the best bass lines from 1991.

Les Claypool’s unmistakable style and enduring creativity continue to prove why he remains one of the most celebrated bassists in the world.

1. What Happens When MonoNeon and Les Claypool Jam? This Video Has the Answer

MonoNeon won the Future of Bass Award at the 2025 Bass Magazine Awards, presented by Les Claypool. The two legends celebrated with an electrifying jam.

2. Primus Reveals “Onward & Upward” Tour Dates with Fiery New Drummer and MonoNeon

Primus is back with a new drummer and fresh tour dates. Jon Hoffman joins the lineup after winning a massive audition, with MonoNeon on select dates.

3. 1991’s Greatest Bass Lines: 10 Iconic Grooves That Shaped the Year

Discover the greatest bass lines of 1991 featuring Flea, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, and more. From jazz to grunge to hip hop, these grooves defined an era.

4. Tool’s Maynard James Keenan Guests on Primus’s First New Song in 3 Years

Primus returns with their first new song in three years, teaming up with Tool's Maynard James Keenan during their joint Sessanta V2.0 tour.

5. New Whamola Drop Announced for Memorial Day Weekend: Here’s What’s New

Pachyderm Instruments will release two new batches of the Les Claypool Whamola this Memorial Day weekend, featuring upgraded specs and design tweaks.

6. Les Claypool’s Wally-Nut #1: Exotic Woods, 29 Frets, and a Bass Road-Tested with Primus

Les Claypool’s Wally-Nut #1 by Pachyderm Instruments pairs exotic woods, 29 frets, LEDs, and Primus tour history. Explore this unique bass.

7. Les Claypool Approves: Pachyderm’s Sleek Bass Debuts with 29 Frets and a Squid Ink Black Finish

Pachyderm debuts the Sleek Bass with 29 frets, a Squid Ink Black finish, and a personal stamp of approval from Les Claypool himself.

8. Les Claypool Tells the Wild Story Behind the South Park Theme Song

Les Claypool recalls how Primus wrote the South Park theme in Rick Beato’s interview, from a slower draft to one of TV’s most iconic songs.

9. Watch Buckethead and Primus Blow Up the Final Night of Ozzfest ’99

Primus' full Ozzfest 1999 set has been remastered and released in pro-shot form, complete with a surprise guest appearance from Buckethead.

In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.