10 Greatest RATM Bass Lines (by Tim Commerford)

You asked for it - now you got it. In today’s new video Ian Allison guides you through 10 iconic Tim Commerford bass lines with Rage Against the Machine. We start with the band’s 1992 self-titled debut album, through Evil Empires, Renegades and The Battle of Los Angeles.

We’ve also put together a free workbook for you to download, which contains a no holds barred cruise into every corner of Timmy C’s bass universe with tab and notation for every bass line that Ian features in the video. From Killing In The Name to Bombtrack.

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

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[pauliewalnuts]

Timmy C is criminally underrated. He's one of the guys who got me into bass. So much groove.

[MrStrangeSensation]

Comerford is a fucking master of minimalism in his basslines. He can make the most basic pentatonic lick into something legendary, with nothing but rhythm and tone. Dudes a legend.

[nicholasmartin]

This band changed my life. I’m sure no one will read this but imagine hearing Bulls on Parade at 10 years old. Fucking game changer!

[sammorris]

That first album is a lesson in badassery.

[abouc]

A bad day can be cured by putting on the first RATM album, picking up the bass, and playing along with the amp up loud enough to crack drywall.

[BitterBucolic]

Cummerford's lines was my gateway drug into bass. Sick mixture of funk and rock styles. Bombtrack was the first bass line I learnt to play. If anyone ever says they're thinking about learning bass guitar, teach them with this song and they'll be hooked. Takes me back.

[alienduce-unocero]

His groove, his riffs, his tone. God, Tim Commerford is such an underrated player. He and Brad are both very underrated. He's one of my favorites bass players ever.

[SWOLLACE]

Anyone else become inspired to play bass because of Tim?

[jabbbadahutt]

Scott’s just testing out his American accent don’t be fooled

[ultramet]

Never found the bass lines particularly difficult but I found them to be innovative, steady, and so damn catchy and that's all that matters. Who doesn't want to play these pentatonic riffs all day long. Just an underrated bass player on so many levels.

[JMC]

No Shelter, underrated bassline, Timmy playing a groove with delay and an octave pedal, crazy !

[Migs-yo]

As a guitar player ive always thought Tim was the perfect bass player from a groove stand point. The guy can create so many grooves with just a single note. His feel for space is just as important as the notes he's playing. Hes like the Tony Iommi on bass. Just very tasteful simple playing that adds so much to the song.

[danilojelovac]

I’m a simple man, I see Ian... I click! More of Ian, please, thank you. Best SBL tutor! ☺️

[ronmo]

Timmy C had me trying to figure out guitar riffs that were not guitar riffs for longer than I'm proud of. Very underrated bassist. His work with Audioslave showcases his range. You are the man Tim

[bassdevastator]

YASSS PLEASE!!! More Tim Commerford in general - RATM for sure more dope bass lines, but AudioSlave tracks like Cochise... that riff is so heavy, so massive and I have no idea how he's achieving that tone. RATM was a huge influence on me as a kid and there are several tracks in their discography that should be covered in Vol. 2 ✌️

[gabrielv]

One of the bass players that inspired me to play bass is Timmy C. Whenever i tell this people stare at me puzzled and i know why. Simple, loud and groovy, thats what i love of Tim's basslines.

[FrankTurk]

I think Scott better pay Ian well. His content so far on SBL is crazy good.

[neckcheese]

This was a great list, and I'm super happy to see Down Rodeo on here. You're right about being hard to choose just 10, but it would have been cool to have Without A Face on this list. I always loved the simple groove of that bassline during the verse.

[sandwich-breath]

Tim's baselines are a huge influence on my playing without ever trying to emulate his style. I soaked up his approach by listening to and loving the band rather than learning his chops. Looking back, his sense of rhythm and use of effects are hugely underrated. Much love for Tim C. Thanks for the riff rubdown!

[bandaepikos]

Tim C. is a genius. I've been drooling over his bass lines since I first heard RATM. He did a great job in Audioslave too.