Skip's solos display originality and technique while staying within an arm's reach of the melody and original rhythm. I never have the feeling that he's just winging it or noodling around in the outback somewhere. His bass produced a whole lot of sustain when he wanted it, such that his stopped notes rang just like his open strings, which I do not notice in all bassists. And this was only his back-up bass since his primary bass was at the luthiers. (Both have his characteristic lion's head scroll, though.)