| Author | Message | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3653 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jonathon. You're surely not suggesting Julie Andrews couldn't punctuate ? :-) Graeme | ||
| muller1007
Advanced Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 203 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jimmy, I called Carré to make sure: theatre opens at 07.00pm, doors to the stage usually open between 07.15 and 07.30, as soon as everything is ready to go. Hope to see you there. Btw: just bought my tickets to Steve Gadd's 70-Strong tour at the Boerderij!! That's definately something fun to look forward to! Enjoy Amsterdam! (despite the weather) Duncan | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 6019 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hey Jimmy, my wife and I just watched you on AXS TV on a 2006 tribute to J.T. I'll bet it was a blast playing with all those musicians performing James' songs. Bill, tgo | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 568 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Bill, That must have been the MusiCares thing? Nice to work with all those talented folks but it was a tricky show to put together. All songs we knew but not in the keys we knew them so there was a lot of prep involved. I don't know if they were able to included Springsteen's version of Millworker but it was heavy. Thanks, Jimmy J | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 6020 Registered: 7-2004 |
Yes, it was the MusiCares tribute. Millworker, played by Springsteen on a 12 string, was definitely one of the highlights. But what was Cheech Marin doing there? (Though that may be our six degrees of separation as I have jammed with Tommy Chong). I can relate to the key changes. I have a Veillette Gryphon - an 18.5" scale 12 string. Since it's tuned in high D (equivalent of the 10th fret of a standard guitar) I have to change keys up a whole step to play with others. Good exercise for the mind. Bill, tgo | ||
| muller1007
Advanced Member Username: muller1007 Post Number: 204 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hey Jimmy, Hope you've had a nice short break. Thanks again for the hearty greeting at Carré! Bente and I had such a wonderful time. It was her first JT show and she loved it. Tomorrow I'm joining a friend to go and see you guys again in Utrecht, ha! Rare opportunity to go twice. I'm looking forward to it.  Have fun! Duncan | ||
| eddievig
Junior Username: eddievig Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2009 |
Jimmy, Just heard one of the "teaser" tracks from Allan Holdsworth's "Tales From the Vault" project via PledgeMusic with you and Virgil Donati... Ferocious is the adjective that comes to mind! I can't wait until the full release (and my AH coffee mug will be a nice touch as well)... Best, Ed V | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3663 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Jimmy. Received Gadd's '70 strong' a week or so ago and it's not been out of the CD player since. I'm loving the playing - it seems a little more laid back than gadditude but that may just be my imagination. As ever, your playing holds the whole thing together - I love your track 'Desu' and I'm glad you weren't tempted to turn it into a Clarke-esque bass solo thang :-) The only thing that'll get this album off my player will be the new JT album when it arrives in June :-) Keep up the good work (and get Gadd to bring the band to Scotland) Graeme | ||
| jos
Member Username: jos Post Number: 87 Registered: 4-2009 |
Nice Videos!!! Jimmy RULES!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjuyZhL46g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez7IzH0Gd90 | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 569 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey friends, Ed, thanks for that. We anxiously await the work of our favorite genius Mr. Holdsworth, hoping he can get something finished and out for everybody to enjoy. The poor guy seems to have been stalled on this project for ... 15 years or so. He's got some amazing tracks in the works and we just hope he can finalize something soon... Stay tuned for that. Graeme, thanks as always for supporting the team. The Gadd thing is yet another lucky experience for me which falls somewhere between my two musical extremes of Taylor and Holdsworth. It's a joy to play with Steve and these cats in ANY situation! This record may be slightly calmer than the first but some fun grooves and great playing by all. "Clarke-esque"? HA! If I could do that I probably would! I'm just a melody guy in the end. Ha!! Best to all, Jimmy J | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2363 Registered: 11-2004 |
As ever Jimmy you are just too humble and modest and if we were all a quarter as good as your playing we would all would be very happy! | ||
| eddievig
Junior Username: eddievig Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2009 |
I'm glad I stayed awake through Fallon last night; it was great to hear the new tune live! Wish I could say the same for the "Seesaw" bit...but I guess I still miss Carson ;) | ||
| eddievig
Junior Username: eddievig Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2009 |
Jimmy, Just got the new JT (Target expanded version)...great stuff! BTW..."tempo intervention"...Can I borrow that? Best, Ed | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 575 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks Ed. I'm proud to have been a part of this new JT record. Great songs, production, singing and playing by all. And we're happy for James that it is being so well received. All good! Of the 8-billion hours of video they shot during the "making of" it's just silly that they chose that clip. Ha! Cheers, Jimmy J | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 1233 Registered: 11-2004 |
I just watched a "Palladia" channel show about the making of JT's "Before This World". Made me happy to see lots of shots of Jimmy. Rich | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 431 Registered: 6-2014 |
Hey there Jimmy J... looks like you're in the thick of a tour with JT. Especially since it falls on the way to a gig I have in further western N.C. on Saturday, I'm hoping beyond hope to make it to the Greensboro N.C. show on Friday, 7/31. Would love to shake & howdy with you... and of course gossip about Alembic 5-strings. =) Only if you have time of course... wouldn't want to hold up a guy when he's workin'! Any idea how your schedule might look that evening? | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 516 Registered: 5-2005 |
I am attending the JT concert this Saturday in Hartford CT. The new CD is terrific. It will be awesome to hear your tone again during a live show. I hope to catch you either before or after the concert, if possible. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3685 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm still waiting for mine to arrive :-( Graeme | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 577 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks pals, Gregory, you know I can't offer any tix but if you DO get to that show let me know where you end up sitting. Perhaps I can find you before we start... If you make it I hope you enjoy it and then have a good gig on Saturday. Steve, same thing, let me know where you'll be sitting. Thanks for the comment on the record, it came out mighty good. And not to toot MY horn but to toot the TEAM's horn; last week the #1 album on Billboard's Top 200 was ALL ALEMBIC in the bass department. Ha! Of course #1 doesn't mean exactly what it did a few years back, but it still means something. Graeme, what's up with the Royal Post? Hope you like it once it arrives. Some nice new JT songs! By the way, you can also buy 96/24 hi-def audio versions on HDTracks and Pono. I think of that as an encouraging trend! All the best, Jimmy J | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1901 Registered: 10-2006 |
Indy's the closest to Chicago??? Bummer. Have a good tour. Peter | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 434 Registered: 6-2014 |
Oh no, I'm good on tix! The only hitch is coordinating travel plans so as to get at least a few hours sleep, and not miss my rehearsal or soundcheck Saturday. I'll touch back here when it gets closer. :thumbsup: Have a great tour, and safe travels! ps - Go team Alembic. =) | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 518 Registered: 5-2005 |
Our Tickets are row PP, Section 400, seats 427-430. Hope to see you in Hartford tomorrow nite. | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 583 Registered: 8-2008 |
OK Steve I'll try to find you. Either way I hope you enjoy the show. Jimmy J | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 584 Registered: 8-2008 |
Steve, I hope you and your gang were able to make it to the show last night, I'm sorry I missed you. I know you weren't there before 8pm because I was sitting in your seat until then! But I suspect traffic and / or the "Whey Station" macaroni & cheese food truck line may have slowed you down. All good! If you were there I hope you all enjoyed it. If you have any questions about the gig, the music, the production, mysterious bass notes, etc, post them here. And thanks for supporting the tour! Jimmy J | ||
| jos
Member Username: jos Post Number: 89 Registered: 4-2009 |
….Great video!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9XAh0vH_pM | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11892 Registered: 5-2002 |
That was nice! Thanks for posting; put a smile on my face. | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 586 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks friends. A very silly song, complete with an almost musical train-wreck. HA! Always big fun playing with those guys! Jimmy J | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 496 Registered: 6-2014 |
Hey there Jimmy J... I finally got all my travel plans hashed out, and hoping to catch up with you tomorrow evening in G-boro. *Strictly if you have time*, I'm in Section 115 Row MM Seat 11, but I could meet up with you just about anywhere or anytime after they let us in... of all reasons to be early, I'm coming to Greensboro earlier in the day to look at a Craigslist vehicle, (could be my next gig-mobile!) so I should be near the front of the lineup. ps - FWIW, I listened three times and though I couldn't spot the almost trainwreck, there are some terrifyingly sudden transitions in that tune. Looks like you guys are having a ball on that gig! (Message edited by edwardofhuncote on July 30, 2015) | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 587 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Gregory, Good luck with the vehicle search. It's a 7:30 downbeat so doors are 6:30. If you head for your seat I'll try to find you there and we can hang for a bit. I have other guests tomorrow but can search for them later. Thanks for supporting the team, hope to see you there! Jimmy J | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 498 Registered: 6-2014 |
Yessir, will be there asap. Thanks JJ! Look for the Alembic t-shirt. =) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11895 Registered: 5-2002 |
Greg; my guess on the averted trainwreck is 5:00 in; the transition out of the bluesy guitar solo. Go back a ways so that you get the feel of the tempo. Jimmy's leading the band through the tempo changes, and on that one they weren't quite with him. One of the highlights for me in this video was the transition from the keyboard to the guitar solo; very nice change of speed and feel. And I loved the guitar solo. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11896 Registered: 5-2002 |
After I watched that one last night, I watched this one, Way Back Home. At 2:36 Jimmy does this really cool rhythmic thing on top of Gadd's beat leading into a delightful exchange of licks with the guitar player. The whole tune was fun, but I really enjoyed that part. This is a great band; I'm loving what all the players are doing. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 499 Registered: 6-2014 |
Saw that later this morning Dave... I'm familiar with the "bass player looks at drummer and grins" clue that something just about crash-landed. The way the rhythm of that tune switches up is *really* tricky... I thought the guys made a great save. =) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11897 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm more familiar with the "was that you or me that just completely lost the beat" grin. | ||
| eddievig
Junior Username: eddievig Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2009 |
Jimmy, Just got the AH "Earth" track from PledgeMusic with you and Virgil Donati...WOW! Like I said before...ferocious! Ed V | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 589 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks Ed, That means you were a pledger so thank you for helping support the original suffering Artist: Allan. Everybody has been asked to NOT share the track in any way and I hope they will comply. It's meant to be a "private" release to those who pitched in to support the man. Eventually ... maybe ... he will finish the album and it will be available to all. (Still shouldn't share it but don't get me started on that subject!!) Kind of a bizarre piece of music - a Virgil composition originally intended for his own record, so it's a bit of a drum-a-thon. Several parts of this bass solo are me playing to Virgil's crazy rhythms. But Allan, in his amazing way, rewrote much of the harmony and then put a lovely musical solo together. I am extremely happy and relieved that he was able to pull it off because I wasn't sure he could in is current not-very-healthy condition. It's great to hear his beautiful unique solo voice again on something new! Take it easy, Jimmy J | ||
| edwardofhuncote
New Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2014 |
Hey there Jimmy J, enjoyed that Alembic mini-meet-up last month! Man, you guys sounded tight. I (somehow!) had no idea Andrea Z was in the band, and that was a nice surprise. Met her one time back in my Nashville days... monster singer & fiddler, never struck me as someone who was caught up in that whole clique-ish side of the music scene, just did her thing better than everybody else did. I'll share this with our little circle here... Turns out sometimes they *do* recognize the bass player. I was sitting in the stands with JJ hashing out the finer details of 5-string Alembics when this lady a couple rows over recognizes him. Being the good sport he is, Jimmy posed for a picture, and made quite an impression on her. During intermission, she apologized profusely for interrupting our conversation, and I assured her it was totally cool, we were just hanging out for a minute before the show. We exchanged emails and I've heard from her a couple times since... she and her husband (I guess?) are big music fans, and are now following the groups I play in. Next time we meet up, remind me to tell you about the crazy guy I played that gig for the next day. Wow, what an adventure, and a sad day for banjo-philes everywhere! Safe Travels! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4647 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've probably read most of your threads over the years Jimmy and your posts have always been informative and with a lot of experience behind your comments. Have you ever thought of publishing a booklet in conjunction with alembic of Series II Tips, Tricks & Traps. :-) | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 590 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hey Gregory, Yes indeed, nice chatting with you in Greensboro, glad you could make it. And I look forward to stories from your next day's gig, that had great comic potential! Cool that you knew Andrea - she really is great. And also nice that you made a connection with a local there. James puts out a friendly vibe and usually the audience goes with it. I say "usually" because there were a couple funny moments... Jazzy Vee, Thanks but I'm no authority! I've just been playing these particular basses longer than most of you guys have been alive. Ha!! Everybody has their own way of setting up and using their gear. How you reach the end result is an individual thing which is part of the creative process. Whatever method YOU use to make the sound you want to hear is the correct one. I don't know everything about these axes, I'm still learning. But I'm happy to jump in and share my experiences if I think I can add anything to a thread. All good! Jimmy J | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 1004 Registered: 5-2007 |
Mister Johnson, Please tell us about some of the modifications to the bridges of your Alembics VMG | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 591 Registered: 8-2008 |
VMG, The bridge itself is stock on my fretted basses. Odd bits include the aluminum bridge blocks - which came about accidentally (another story) - and my "quick change" tailpieces. I change strings often and wanted it to be as easy as possible. This design probably saves me, oh, 3-seconds per string? But hey, those seconds add up. HA!! Really, both of these ideas were from way back in '75 when we built my first custom 5-string. I thought that bass was so successful that I stuck with these design ideas through the years and onto the current basses. Detail (ha!) pic below of my live axe. Now let me see if I have a picture of the fretless rig - which is quite odd! Jimmy J  | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 592 Registered: 8-2008 |
Oh yeah, here you go! This is quite crude by today's shop standards but it was a custom piece built for my 1980 graphite-necked fretless. My initial idea was that the bridge and tailpiece could be combined and together represent the end of the vibrating string instead of the bridge being, well, just a bridge. (Keep in mind I have no idea what I'm taking about when it comes to instrument design!) Combined with my choice of RotoSound SuperWound bare-core strings which slip into an endplate with tiny J cuts. The whole thing is somewhat ridiculous! As you can see the string tension is doing its best to pull the double-size block right out of the bass. And the brass backplate with the cuts in it is bowing under pressure. But somehow it has all held together for ... 35 years! And I do LOVE the sound of this bass so won't be altering it anytime soon - unless it actually does explode one day. Jimmy J  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4457 Registered: 5-2009 |
I like that Double Size block ! It is giving me design ideas . Wolf | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 266 Registered: 8-2013 |
Wow I had no idea this existed, thanks for sharing! I have an FBASS 5 string fretless that uses the same type of exposed core string but they go thru the body instead of a tailpiece holding it in place. Hoping to replace it with an Alembic custom fretless down the road. Is there a sound or string tension advantage to using this string and bridge design? | ||
| jimmyj
Senior Member Username: jimmyj Post Number: 593 Registered: 8-2008 |
I hope Mica doesn't kill me for showing it to you guys. HA! The point is, if you can imagine it Alembic can build it. That's the kick of having a custom instrument made. And they've put together some crazy axes over the years so pay attention to their guidance as you expound your creative plans because they will tell you if you go awry. They're game to try almost anything but it can get expensive because they never compromise on parts or build quality. Brian, I have no idea what effect this bridge has on the sound or string tension because I didn't do any experimenting with alternatives. The whole "bearing angle / distance beyond bridge and nut / effect on string tension" is beyond my grasp. The biggest factor in the tone, sustain and "pre-compression" of this fretless bass is most likely the thick-walled graphite neck. (Congratulations on your new bass - that's a beauty!) Wolf, if you're thinking about a double block on a Series machine you'd better also think about relocating the battery compartment. Cheers! Jimmy J (Message edited by jimmyj on September 04, 2015) | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4458 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hello Jimmy, Thanks for your response. Lately , on my Series Instruments I have removed the batteries anyway and just use a power supply. It is possible that there would be no battery compartment in my future custom build. ( that is still in my dream stage) Wolf | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 1005 Registered: 5-2007 |
Thanks Mister Johnson I always wondered what was going on with your bridges/tail-pieces | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 268 Registered: 8-2013 |
Thanks Jimmy J! Looking forward to dialing in some hopefully unique tones so I don't sound like you and Stanley too much, lol! I should be able to do something with those added Bass and treble Boost/flat cut switches for each pickup Keep up the fantastic inspirational work you do as well as the much appreciated information and stories you share so graciously here. Best, Brian | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 85 Registered: 2-2010 |
On the 1980 fretless with the bridge doing a very slow somersault, I have some suggestions based on my extensive background in guitar repair. You could cut an omega in the end with a sawzall and that would create room to slap a couple C-clamps on that puppy (stop tightening when you hear the wood crack, is my rule). Another option is the "Cletus method:" drill a couple holes through the bridge and swipe the U-bolt from the universal joint on your neighbor's tractor to put in there, and swab bondo over everything. Here is an example of the Cletus method used to secure a neck:  It's hard to tell where the repair was, isn't it? Don't worry about missing frets. You don't want to be playing that high on the neck anyway. That's for jazz. On the other side, you can whomp the hell out of the U-bolt until it lays over flat and steal some turnbuckles from your neighbor's cyclone fence to crank everything into place right proper. Bondo some more and paint everything yeller (that way your neighbor can't prove anything).  That's just one suggestion, and probably differs somewhat from "official" methods. We're here to help. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2436 Registered: 9-2002 |
Jimmy, since you've been a GHS user for years (me too!): Have you had a go with any of their new Round-core, Big-core, or Coated Boomers? All the best, Joey |
