Author |
Message |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 136 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 4:19 pm: | |
Louis Johnson (back in the day) used Alembic basses when "The Brother Johnson's" was at their apex during the 70's. I often wondered whatever happened with those Alembic bass(s) Louis played. Man, that was some great music, but in the the end, I believe, Quincy Jones switched gears from the Brother's Johnson, to the "Brother's Jacksons" because he knew, the Brother's Johnsons only could go so far with pop. Their music was much too good to be POP stars. Those guys were not clowns and clowns are the ones that get's the most attention. Michael Jackson, was the best clown for the bucks and he was real cheap back in them days too.(IMO) As it all unfolded, Louis Johnson was able to salvage is talents by supporting MJ on "Off the Wall", "Thriller" and I believe he was able to tour with Micheal too. From a bass playing perspective, Louis Johnson was someone, Quincy just couldn't go on the road without and that disco funky slap-pop was huge during that time, and honestly, Michael Jackson (Jacksons) were really headed to obscurity during that period. Quincy's vision was another example of pure genius in finding and turning dirt, into gold. If anybody knows anything, to work with Quincy is the highest honor anybody could wish and achieve. In fact, the Brother's Johnson was basicly Quincy's vision from the start and they too won Grammys under Q's leadership (Just like that...) Yeah, for Louis Johnson, it was like: "Q, no more Brothers Johnson? and you want me to support Michael on bass? No problem. I got you, I am there, what else would you like me to do?!" Why did Louis switch from Alembics, to Music Man Basses? "I'll take my answers off the air." |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 137 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 1:28 pm: | |
Come to thing of it, in sharing this information... both Louis and Stanley joined forces on Stanley's Album "Rock Pebbels and Sand"; title cut: "We supply" (all your funky needs). It was Alemibc slap-popping, fast fingering, and vocals. It was so good, it was "BAD". Those guy's were both in their prime-time and it was at this time, I was wanting an Alembic very badly. The recording of that jam was done so well, I could hear the actual differents (distinctly) of both the Music Man and Alembic basses from each other. It was like, these guys wanted the audience to hear the differences. The Music Man Stingray sounded "Glassy bright" and basically a sound most basses could copy. Therefore, when I said it was a stingray, I am really guessing the brand, but Louis was really slang the hell out of the Music Man's at that time, so this was only a hunch or a educated guess on my part. However, on the other hand, even if Stanley Clarke was not playing the other bass on the track, I knew it was an Alembic. This kind of bass "duel" was done before it got popular. Now you can hear Vic, Stan and Marcus (Three bass sounds) and run comparisons today. Yet still, after all those years, Alembics sounded different, while the others (regradless who's playing), sound the same as any other good bass(s). Honestly, I couldn't tell you the kind of bass it Louis was play on the cut, but I knew damn well, it was not an Alembic with Stanley standing there . As to Louis yeilding his playing of Alembic basses, I often thought; he may have felt he needed a good axe to distinguish himself from others with other famous bass players and their basses. I am sure pretty sure, Louis would have been the first to grab an Alembic bass, if Stanley was not first. If I am correct, Louis could had felt a bit withdrawn from his original Alembics because he may have been tired of people saying: "Louis, you got the bass Stanley Clarke plays..." or, "Man, that sounded like Stanley when you did that..." Therefore, I think this is why he simply stopped playing them in public. Thus, The Musicman Stingray basses was the direction which would set him apart and prove effective and it appeared to work. Mst people identify LJ with Stingray basses. Therefore, problem solved...? -Wrong- Now, I don't see Louis playing Stingray basses anymore. Therefore, now I am lead to believe, he ran a ground as it related to Music Man's Stingray quality and possible corporate consistency. It appears now, Stingrays were more of a "prop" than anything else. Everybody knows, "pound for pound", Stingrays don't hold a candle next to Alembic basses and I am very sure, Louis knew it too. So, what lesson is learned here? Louis should had just kept playing his Alembic. If he did, he'd been eventually identified as "the guy who plays Alembic too." Sure, this would had put some greater pressure on Stanley Clarke, he couldn't claim or corner the market. In otherwords, if Louis kept his Alembic, I am not saying he would be any better or worse, but what I am saying is, Louis would had eventually been in Stanley's mind: "wonder what Louis would do in this situation..." Louis was in back of Stanley's rearview mirror and with the Alembic bass as his ride, musically speaking, he was in the race. Also when you look at the times (back in those days), Louis Johnson had a far bigger audience than Stanely Clarke too. Louis Johnson in the long run made a bad mistake switching for inferior product to distinquish himself. Now, LJ is not even playing Stingrays basses anymore. Go figure... Also when you look at the times (back in those days), Louis Johnson had a far bigger audience than Stanely Clarke too. |
white_cloud
Intermediate Member Username: white_cloud
Post Number: 101 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 1:45 pm: | |
Hi Hal, I believe that Leo fender designed the first Musicman stingray basses in consultation with louis! In fact it is on record that Louis stated "Leo designed and built them for me!" The bottom line here is this...Endorsement=$$$$! I dont believe Alembic endorse/hand out freebie instruments to any artists! Is this the case, or am I mistaken?? |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 138 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 8:46 pm: | |
John, I would agree with you there. I remember this too, but I was not sure and your recall, put things in perspective. Yes, money was the thing, (when is not an issue...(retorically asked...)) and Leo was smart to snatch Louis up in those days, because The Brother's Johnson was Hot! Also, the requirements Louis requested, was nothing really high level engineering to begin with, anyway. The raw material were still cheap as a bass costing 98 bucks from a Sears catalog. Leo seen Louis and Louis seen Leo and the bottom line, basses sold off the floor like hot cakes. Alembic didn't need a gimmick or a Ronald McDonald "like" clowns to appeal buyers. To some degree, the gimmick idea rest upon the maker's like Fender. Louis, on the other hand, was smart to ask for such a deal, and get it. Like I said Louis get's my respect for seeing his value/brand worth the discussion. As far as Alembic goes, who need help with selling a bass, if your basses sell themselves? It may had been possible, Quincy Jones opened the discussions with Leo on behalf of Louis Johnson because of the many years they'd known each other (IMO) and leverage the deal (who knows?). You also have to remember, Alembic new was young company and with limited connections in the distribution game. Fender is an older company, and was available everywhere and anywhere, and could offer many options than Alembic (...and they still could). If Alembic wanted to pay performers for endorsing Alembic gear, they would. But then you must ask yourself, why would they need to do this? Quality, quality, quality speaks louder than endorsements. Suppose the person who was paid to endorse, was to have "run-ends" with the law, the product image becomes tarnished too. You are taking about music too with all the drugs and other risks... Alembic principles are "RIGHT-ON". Personally, it says a lot about a company, when they refuse to provide endorsement deals with performers. In fact, it speaks of more value because, if a great performer (who could afford any product in their profession) chooses a product and pays like everybody else... then it speaks well of the product they use and it becomes an issue of a non-bias nature. Alembic found away to get the endorsement, and get paid too. BRILLIANT! I think Alembic wins here again. Both Louis and Stingrays expired relations, was to end after the party was over. In the end, Louis loses some credibility because some things are best when you pay for them and he would have been free to speak his mind on real quality, and not for those things he got paid to say or not say. That's bullsh_t! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 139 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2007 - 10:12 pm: | |
Sorry, I got a little sloppy toward the end.. But what I wanted to say was: When you pay for a product, you have every right to offer an honest opinion as you pleases concerning quality, for quality sake. However, if you are paid by a company to use their products, you "can't" say anything about the quality in public. Now, you'd become a paid hype-man. Who can trust you for a product, when it took them to pay you to use it? Well, maybe I will not use it until I get paid... Pure foolishess... Alembic practices are as good as a company can get. Alembic performers are not paid to share there time, nor to discuss their opinions. You can't do better than that, when it comes to quality, for quality sake. My hat goes off to Alembic and performers who don't get fooled and become bought and sold as paid hypemen unless they do it with class like George Forman (Put your name on it!) |
adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan
Post Number: 1710 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 1:13 am: | |
What a lot of second-guessing. |
white_cloud
Intermediate Member Username: white_cloud
Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 4:41 am: | |
I really like Musicman basses. To me they were kind of like an improved "heavyweight" or "muscular" Fender precision! A simple, powerful and reliable axe! Bright, punchy sound. Compared to an Alembic the production costs to make a Musicman must have been hugely lower when you consider the materials used and factory construction etc. Louis Johnson was one of my favourite funk players of the era thats for sure, just seeing him slap his musicman was enough to make me want one! so, to surmise, the endorsement certainly worked for Leo!! Another example was the endorsement that Jaydee provided for Mark King (who actually preffered Alembic!) The high profile that MK gained sent Jaydee sales through the roof so to speak! In my mind, the finest endorsement of a product has to be when the top quality artists pay for their instruments just like you and I. After all, they can easily afford it..and if they didnt pay we would pay more to cover the costs of the rich muso's axe...and I for one would certainly grudge doing so! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 140 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 9:31 am: | |
Music man were some bad ass basses (back in those days) when Louis Johnson was playing them. Now, they're not even Fenders. The company sold them off. Coincidentally, when "The Brothers Johnson’s" fell off the charts, that was like the beginning toward the end for Music Man's as a Fender product. My guess (again) Fender was having problems with sales, so they sold it off. Louis on the other hand, still plays bass, but I never seen him playing Music Man's anymore. My question was why, and the answer I got was endorsements. OK, so in the end, who won? I feel as a consumers, I loss from both ends. Leo got paid, Louis got paid, but in the end, I can't even buy a new (off the factory floor) Fender Music man today. Even if you could, I would be some-what skeptical of the quality. For example: I could even ask this question: "Louis Johnson is my bass hero, if he don't uses Music man's anymore, I will follow..." I am not saying all people who purchased Music man’s will go to this extreme example, but clearly, those are the hidden risks a company must face if they allow their products to be endorses by celebrities. Never had I ever seen Jimi Hendrix endorse Fender Strats, for I don't think Jimi really cared about such acts. I believe Jimi felt, his music was just too important to focus on trivial matters like endorsements. Many would believe, Jimi gave Leo, the best endorsement in the world (ironically speaking) and still considered the best endorsement money can't buy... it's called: "word of mouth". |
adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan
Post Number: 1718 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 9:47 am: | |
Guys, can you drop the second-guessing? You're passing off half-digested rumours from decades ago as facts. People change, business changes, idols turn out to be mere mortals - so what. |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 141 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 10:02 am: | |
I am happy you pointed this out. So please, excuse yourself, and follow your truth. |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 142 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:21 am: | |
I think this conversation is a bit too advanced for you, please go to an area where the people are not giving their opinions... (I honestly don't know where you would go... but you obviously didn't find it here. I am in American, where we are allowed speak, or write our opinions, if not here, it would be somewhere else. Whether its about music, football player "Michael Vic's" fair trial for dog-fighting , it is our right as Americans to agree or disagree with our monies or votes. The point is, I consider everybody on this board worthy of their own opinions. Some I agree, some I disagree like yours. You can still post what you want, but you really never said anything which required some of your experiences to reference where you claim we speak half truths. Your just making blanket statements to cover everything said. Sorry you live in a world of absolute. (Go look that up...) Which tells me, you don't have an opinion. Opinions in your world are evil and wrong! If this stuff is offensive to you, hey... find a discussion that moves you. Don't even think, I would validate your remarks "WHY, because you say so...?" Who are you? (Rhetorically speaking, for I don't really care what tree you fell from...) Good day. |
5stringho
Intermediate Member Username: 5stringho
Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 7:15 pm: | |
Hal, I'm not quite sure what Music Man or Leo Fender or even Louis Johnson did to you, but obviously it must have been quite traumatic. It would be nice to get your facts straight before you start a rant, and like Adriaan said, not pass off half-digested rumors and innuendo as fact. Leo Fender started MusicMan in 1971, after he sold Fender to CBS, but didn't really kick it in gear untill 1975, after his non-compete agreement with CBS expired.Fender Musical Instruments HAVE NEVER been involved with MusicMan, just Leo himself. And, the 70's are still kinda hazy for me , so I don't feel confidant about anything to say about Louis Johnson, except I sorta remember he played a MM for a while. I was really not into the whole funk thang at the time. But, The StingRay was introduced in 1976, and to this day is one of the MOST SUCCESSFUL bass guitars ever produced.Leo left in 1979 due to disagreements within the company, and Ernie Ball bought it in 1984, and has never looked back.StingRays have been played by a LOT of musicians on a LOT of records and made MILLIONS OF DOLLARS for their owners without ever being paid a DIME by Leo Fender. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE GREAT BASSES! They are one of the easiest to record, able to get great tones, and play very nicely. One of the most recognized Fretless Basses ever is the 1979 Sunburst StingRay Pino Palladino BOUGHT from Sam Ash in New York, and still uses to this day. Yea, they may not cost $12,000, but they get the job done! Now, I'm and American, and here's MY opinion. I LOVE my Alembic, and I certainly will LOVE the one that the elves are currently constructing for me. It's being built EXACTLY like I want it to be made, and it's costing me a BUNCH! That was my choice. Now, I also have a MusicMan StingRay I bought new in 1986, and a 5-string StingRay my wife bought me 6 years ago for my 40th birthday. They ARE currently my main basses. I use one or the other, or both, at virtually every gig I play, and have since I bought them. I use my other basses, but I generally ALWAYS have a MusicMan. And, after playing them for hundreds of gigs, rehearsals, sitting around the house, jams, etc., I can honestly say I have had LESS trouble out of 20-some years of MusicMan Basses than I have had from ANY of my "HighEnd" basses, yes, including my Alembic. Clean them up, change the Strings, put a Battery in 'em every once in a while, and PLAY! I've adjusted the neck once on my 5, and twice in 21 years on the 4. And trust me, nobody ever paid me to play them! Most people would probably rather pay me NOT to play them ! I respect your opinion, but there is way too much of people slamming other product here. We are a diverse bunch, and most of us play a lot of different instruments from different manufacturers. I Thought this forum was to talk about how GREAT Alembic is, instead of raggin' out what other people make or play!! Wish politicians would talk about what they Can do, instead of how bad the other person is, Too!!Have fun with what ya got! BCoool, Mike, Tho |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 143 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 10:57 pm: | |
I suggest you re-read what I said. I have not bad mouth Music Man Basses. Can't you read, you must be crazy because Louis John? My simple question was: why did Louis Johnson stop playing Alembic basses and why did he ultimately stop playing Music Man Stingrays in particularly as well? Now, if you want to make something about anything more abut what I said, then have the floor. Also, I don't need you to tell me what I can or can't speak on especially if you're not articulate enough show me what I said was wrong. In understanding quality, I personally believe attributes of stability and consistency are important "TO ME". Maybe you don't have a problem with axes being bought and sold like a stock commodity, but not me. Each time a new owner carries (CEO) even, the quality can change either for the better, or the worse. However, from a risk standpoint, the risks are higher that quality would be compromised just do to uncertainties of inexperience’s. This is a normality any new business takeover or acquisition. (Common sense stuff...) Anyway, I am happy you own an Alembic because you out of all people must have good taste But please don't "even-try" to insult my intel when you say your Music Man is a better quality...hummm and out lasted your Alembic bass? Well, this is possible. I can accept this. I could also accept people loving Music man basses more than Alembic too. But its more out of an exception, (meaning error) then the rules. Hey, I'll give you two more music man's for your problem low-quality Alembic... DEAL? Yeah, just what I thought. |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 144 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:06 pm: | |
Correction: "I suggest you re-read what I said. I have not bad mouth Music Man Basses. Can't you read, you must be crazy because Louis Johnson was in fact the first to introduce Music man Stingray's basses. And yes, it was build to his spec's too, by Leo personally! Good day! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 145 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:23 pm: | |
Hey, don't take my word for it. Read below... Louis Johnson (bassist) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Hal Leonard Publishing Website www.louisjohnson.net The Brothers Johnson's bassist, Louis Johnson ( born 13 April 1955, in Los Angeles ) is regarded as one of the best bassists of the 20th century. His signature sound is from the musicman bass which Leo Fender especially made for him to first use and promote. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Johnson_(bassist) |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:43 pm: | |
Hey man, its all about the quality. My question was simple. Why would Leo build Louis a bass, to his spec's and years later, he drops it and never performs with his axe again? My question is interesting, because you don't see this honor everday, nor do you see such a honor rejected either. I am not going to lie, I don't know the story to this conundrum, and going off the subject in saying I said this, and that was a waste of time. Please, anybody (somebody) give me a hint, to understand this wonderful story. It's pretty historic and wonderful to share. |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 12:23 am: | |
I have nothing against either Leo Fender or Louis Johnson. To think of me in this way, was empathically incorrect. With such comments you make about me, and to dare discuss about a bass you say you own, and to be so uninformed, blows my mind. I have something against people like you, who don't even know enough about their basses, and yet they try to make me look foolish. That's real sad to me. It took me to set you straight about Leo and Louis. You said the following: "Leo Fender started MusicMan in 1971, after he sold Fender to CBS, but didn't really kick it in gear untill 1975, after his non-compete agreement with CBS expired.Fender Musical Instruments HAVE NEVER been involved with MusicMan, just Leo himself. And, the 70's are still kinda hazy for me :-(, so I don't feel confidant about anything to say about Louis Johnson, except I sorta remember he played a MM for a while." Man, where is your facts? I don't believe one word you said and you took my whole discussion out of scope. |
adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan
Post Number: 1719 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 1:43 am: | |
My comments were not about Louis Johnson's involvement in the development of the StingRay, which is an accepted fact. I'm not trying to stifle your freedom of expression, merely observing that asking about people's past motivations without having these people involved in the discussion is second guessing. Asking about motivations why people did not do this-that-or-the-other is based on the assumption that there actually was a motivation not to, where there might have been simply a motivation to do something else. You won't be interested in my lack of motivation for not eating a bagel for breakfast this morning. |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 3:35 am: | |
Oh, you mean Leo and Louis had created an accord??? No way man....that's half truth... Oh, you mean Leo built a bass under the guidelines of Louis Johnson called stingray??? No way man....that's half truth too. Oh, you mean Leo agreed Louis to endorse Music Man basses too??? No way man....that's half truth as well. You know what Adriaan? Your point is weak. (very weak...) You were playing it very cool in your comments, and you were careful not to give away too much of your lack of knowledge about this whole matter. Too late, don't try to clean it up, just come back correct next time and have a better explained full point of view. Now as far as the term "motivations" in your depictions of my position, you are putting words in my mouth, and I must say, how wrong you are there too. The term that fit my vernacular is: "MOTIVES". A motivation is different from motives. For example: (I'll break it down to you...) You can be motivated to have something, but lack the motives (rational knowledge steps) to get it. [Ring the bell, Schools over]. However I do give you credit here, and you are right 100%: I really don't care about or interested in the slightest, about you eating bagels unless you was choking on the damn thing, in this case I would try to save your life (yes, I am still a good sport...) and that would be out of correcting your problem as I am correcting you now. But seriously, I did think endorsement deals are more on the side bad, than good. The Leo and Louis deal was a hard lesson, and this was my main idea on this topic. You should not be so quick to judge, for I only asked a question. |
adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan
Post Number: 1720 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 3:48 am: | |
I'll leave you to continue with this thread as you see fit. |
jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 1516 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 4:57 am: | |
Hal. If you look up musicman stingray on wikepedia, you'll see the whole history of both the company and the Bass. Specifically, it says.. "Designed by Fender(leo), Walker and Sterling Ball (Sterling was a beta tester for the instrument), the StingRay bass appeared in 1976". The only thing it has to say about louis johnson is this.."Louis Johnson was one of the first prominent bassists to use the instrument". Note they say ONE of the first users. Nowhere have I found anything to suggest the stingray was designed for him. Graeme |
white_cloud
Intermediate Member Username: white_cloud
Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 5:32 am: | |
Hi guys, I was also going to let this thread run out of steam because it was heading in the "wrong" direction for me (and probably many other members) So, my final input is this; Louis Johnson himself made the claim that he had a creative input of sorts into the stingrays conception, and that it was designed with him in mind! He made these comments during his "starlick" instruction tape about a zillion years ago! Did Louis have an overactive imagination or an inflated ego? I dont know..what the hell.... Im just going nextdoor right now to ask him |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 2755 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 7:18 am: | |
Hal: Blame it on drugs! lol Bill, tgo |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 149 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 11:42 am: | |
Now that statement was an attack on Louis Johnson (white_cloud). You missed. Ibpesq, I am not too clear what you mean't. Are you saying someone was taking drugs? If so, who. Be clear. Yeah, and... Ibpesq! what are you doing here? Now that's hilarious too bigtime! LOL!!!! Jaco, I did go to wikepedia, under Louis Johnson. Did you not read the link. [In short order (and I mean very short)] All you guys sound crazy. I am so happy you guys got together, because you'd made it much easier for me to roast all y'all and I could lump you-all "together". Great Back to Louis Johnson and Joe Fender... Why don't you just be honest guys. You find it hard for a upstanding man like Louis Johnson in his 20's to strike such a deal with the great Joe Fender. On the "flip side", you find it hard for Leo to seek the greatest bass player (Lord of the ring) in POP/R&B to sell his basses? You guys are talking sideways... Leo needed help like we need help with our US domestic trade deficit. Ibanez, Aria, BC Rich, Pevey, Kramer, Alembic, and many other mass units, were all in persuit to make their mark. Leo needed something (someone) and Louis was the man. It's just for fun old chaps' Merry Christmas my Alembicans! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 150 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 11:59 am: | |
During that same time period, Kramer pay's Stanley Clarke to promote their basses as well. Therefore, it wouldn't be such a miraculous event for Leo to offer a deal to Louis. So yeah, your music man was designed by Louis Johnson and SO WHAT! Some of you guy's have a George Forman Grill too! Now, I am just waiting 30 years later, when someone going to say that was bull too. Respect yourselves! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 151 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 12:34 pm: | |
Washburn took Bootsy's design (in a deal) approved by Bootsy, and now you can purchase a "SPACE BASS". That's a half truth too...? You got eye's and still can't see... Im done with you! |
hendixclarke
Intermediate Member Username: hendixclarke
Post Number: 152 Registered: 6-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 2:31 pm: | |
Why did Louis Johnson stop playing Alembics and most importantly, his creation (Produced by Leo Fender) the Notorious Music Man Stingray????? I have a theory... (I hope you guy's know what a theory is...) Since I can't ask Leo, (May he Rest In Peace) I believe Louis Johnson stop using the Alembic after he and Leo struck a deal with the Music Man, thus the Stingray project would be born, to creat to creat Louis signature sound. As for Alembic basses, with Stanley Clarke standing there too..., and not even Stanley Clarke had an endorsement deal from Alembic; why would Louis even bother knocking on such doors; and if he did, this would had been a very bold move. The facts of the matter is, after the Stingray was created for him, you never seen Louis Alembics on any Album covers or in his performances. What does this tell me? Louis was honoring as contract. I believe, this event, is what got him to drop his Alembic bass. Also, it was not his sound. Now, as to what got Louis Johnson to drop his ideal bass i.e Music Man Stingray basses? Maybe it was just business. Maybe the new owners of Music Man, wouldn't continue or transfer/honor the business relationship established by Leo and Louis. Louis maybe asked himself: I made this bass and I proved it's worth to millions, and and served my time and its brand toured everywhere. Like Evil Knivel and his special made Harley Davidson... That would be considered a raw deal and an insult to anyone to drop. Now that's my theory. My last word on the matter, is anyone who have a Stingray (none Erine Ball) got a gem of a bass, for EB could never re-create them. Ok, I am done here, I had enough fun until something else pops up... I am, going shopping |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 5778 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - 2:47 pm: | |
In my role as moderator, I would like to suggest that we give this thread a rest. Thanks and enjoy! |
terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc
Post Number: 389 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 1:29 am: | |
I second that!!!! Davehouck |
jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj
Post Number: 119 Registered: 6-2006
| Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 - 8:31 am: | |
geez, don't you just love people who have to have the last word...... oops, sorry |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 2772 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Friday, December 14, 2007 - 6:15 pm: | |
no (nyuk, nyuk) Bill, tgo |
|