Who played bass on the Traveling Wilburys songs?  

Jeff Lynne played bass on the Traveling Wilburys’ first record, even though Tom Petty appeared with a bass in the music videos. The article says Lynne was a natural choice because his studio experience let him shape the recordings directly, while George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Petty handled other parts.

The group’s five members were all accomplished guitarists, but Harrison’s slide guitar and Dylan’s acoustic guitar were considered central to their sound. Petty played acoustic guitar on the record; Lynne’s bass lines were understated, adding a buoyant feel without crowding the vocals or Jim Horn’s saxophone. The article says the songs were put together in only a few days before Dylan left to tour.