| Author | Message | ||
| Wade Handy (oujeebass)
Junior Username: oujeebass Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2002 |
Heres is a good pic of John Paul Jones on his Alembic Series II  | ||
| David Burgess (dnburgess)
Junior Username: dnburgess Post Number: 17 Registered: 1-2003 |
That's great. I have only ever seen LZ live in "The Song Remains the Same" (in which he plays a Fender Jazz bass?) I auditioned for a Led Zep tribute band recently with my Series I and was told I'd have to switch to a Fender in the name of authenticity if I got the gig. At that point I had no idea that JPJ used an Alembic. A bit like the debate in classical circles about whether baroque music, say, ought to be played on period instruments. | ||
| Wade Handy (oujeebass)
Junior Username: oujeebass Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2002 |
He was quite the Alembic player. He used them from 75-80. It was to be expected because he is the type of player to appreciate the potential of an Alembic. I once saw a Led Zeppelin tribute band and they didn't play anything other than the typical songs off the first 4 albums. I was disappointed because they played some of their best stuff on the the later albums. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 151 Registered: 6-2002 |
What a great picture! JPJ was really one of my earliest and greatest influences. I think the best all around musician in Rock and Roll of his era! (And he played Alembics too!) | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2003 |
My brother an I had the good fortune of seeing LZ during the summer of '80, a few short weeks before JB's untimely passing. The sound from his bass shook the floor - Mannheim Ice Stadium. The thunder that errupted during "Achilles' Last Stand" was teeth rattling. That was when I knew I wanted to play bass. Rami, JPJ certainly was the "rock" Zeppelin was founded on. peace, Mike | ||
| keebler
Junior Username: keebler Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2003 |
Sweet pic, Wade! JPJ was one of the main reasons I wanted to play bass. (He's also the one who inspired me to get an Alembic!) His lines have huge melodic interest but never give up the main role of the bass--GROOVE! Such a fantastic all-around musician! | ||
| bigredbass
Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 100 Registered: 9-2002 |
It's certainly interesting how things go in circles. In an interview in GUITAR WORLD when he released his solo album a few years ago, JPJ remarked that those who followed after Zeppelin never quite made this connection: He and John Bonham were deeply influenced by the Motown rhythm sections. He guessed that's why later heavy bands sounded so stiff, that they lacked that connection to soul music that was a deep thread through Zeppelin's work. One more reason, kids, to go back and study Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Bob Babbitt. Any questions? J o e y | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2003 |
JPJ made the same remark in a Bass Player interview. I must confess that I didin't realize what his influences were until after the 80's. It's easy to see when you compare his tracks to the thump, thump, thump, the spandex and hair bands had to offer. One of my favorite JPJ-JB grooves is "The Crunge" (Houses of the Holy). Full of surprises, they were! Joey, thanks for the kick in the pants, its easy to forget. Mike | ||
| bigredbass
Intermediate Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 103 Registered: 9-2002 |
EXACTLY! Imagine how you could come up with "The Crunge" without wearing out LOTS of James Brown records. Add the JB Horns and James could easily have walked right into that track. J o e y | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2003 |
It's funny you mention that, didn't Bootsy Collins get his break with James Brown? Waxing nostalgic here, but we try to catch reruns of the Ed Sullivan show, especially when JB was performing. My girls, 7 and 3 yrs old will get up and boogie across the room. LOL, its a hoot, but that great backline is laying down something that moves you. Great stuff. Mike | ||
| flavofive
New Username: flavofive Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2003 |
Yep, Bootsy played with James Brown in '70-'71 before leaving and moving on to P-Funk. It was a short period, but he cut several big songs like "Sex Machine" and "Super Bad." Check out the bassline in "Give It Up or Turnit A Loose" - one of the funkiest ever and definitely one of my favorites. | ||
| bigredbass
Intermediate Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 106 Registered: 9-2002 |
And, "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" celebrated his SEVENTIETH birthday this past Saturday. God Bless James Brown. J o e y | ||
| oujeebass
Junior Username: oujeebass Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2002 |
If you get a chance, pick up as many late 70's bootlegs of Zeppelin you can ,thats where you will hear him playing an Alembic. As far as the motown influence, you can really hear it on the interplay during live performances of Over The Hills And Far Away or any extended jam that they would do with JPJ on bass. | ||
| groovelines
Junior Username: groovelines Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2003 |
I know "Physical Graffitti" took a beating by the critics, but there are some great bass lines pulling eveything together. Hmmm, I wonder if that's why dad's woofers went south? Mike | ||
| zappahead
Junior Username: zappahead Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2002 |
Heres a link to a Zep DVD thats coming out. Some of the footage is mid seventies I believe. It would be interesting to see the JPJ model in action. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008PX8P/ref=ase_ledzeppeelectmag/103-6110178-5173426 | ||
| dnburgess
Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2003 |
There is a feature article on JPJ in the July edition of Bass Player. Available on line at http://www.bassplayer.com/0703_Features2.htm No mention of Alembic! | ||
| zombierockstar
Junior Username: zombierockstar Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yeah...JPJ was and always will be one of the most incredible bassplayers ever!!! You can see him playing a couple of Alembics on the new Led Zep two DVD set during the '79 Knebworth gigs...which is totally incredible to watch. Brings back amazing memories... | ||
| oggydoggy
Junior Username: oggydoggy Post Number: 37 Registered: 3-2003 |
 Hey everone, I thought this picture would be a good addition to this thread. JPJ is my biggest influence. | ||
| eastcoastepic
Member Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2003 |
Doggy, great pic; I don't recall seeing that one before. Any date of that shot? Must be '79 or '80, considering the haircut and Triple O body shape. Ditto on the influence...I'll never forget June, 1977, Madison Square Garden, NYC.....saw Led Zep on the 5th night of seven sold-out shows. Been playing bass ever since.............. | ||
| oggydoggy
Junior Username: oggydoggy Post Number: 38 Registered: 3-2003 |
Yeah the pic must be from that era since i believe he only had it from 79-80 on tour. I actually saw this bass in person at the rock n' roll hall of fame. I went to cleveland to see family in March, so I decided to go to the hall of fame. Wow,,, I saw this 8-string, the outfit he wore during the Song Remains The Same, concert. and the organ he used on Zep IV and on that tour. That bass is the most amazing Alembic I have ever seen, it has the most intricate inlays both on the neck and the body, it would nice to get some close up shots so everyone could see. | ||
| dela217
Advanced Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 375 Registered: 6-2002 |
That bass seems pretty ornate. Is that the BecVar one he has? From the looks of it, I would say it is a 1974 or 1975 bass. It only has one screw per side on the pickups. | ||
| serialnumber12
Junior Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2004 |
LED zepplin recieves grammy nomination,JPJ with his alembic on MSN.heres link .http://music.msn.com/netcal/default.aspx?netcal=3995 | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1177 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for the link, Keavin. | ||
| bigbadbill
Intermediate Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 144 Registered: 10-2003 |
OggyDoggy, the first time I saw that 8 string was on a poster from the same tour (maybe even same gig; same hair and clothes). It started an obsession that lasted 20-odd years, until I finally got my own Triple O in 2004 (wish I could've stretched to all that inlay work!). Can't believe you've seen the real thing, I would LOVE to see that. That is my all-time favourite bass. Is that Cleveland Ohio? (wish it was Cleveland in England, it would be a bit easier for me!) I also always wondered why there weren't more pictures of that bass. It took me years to find any after that first poster, and they were poor. Does anyone have any close-ups? Mica? Susan? JP? Pretty please????? | ||
| 2400wattman
Junior Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2005 |
Man am I late on this one!, but- here it goes... JPJ did not start using Alembics 'til the album Presence in 1977,the JPJ pics shown w/short hair are from the 1980 tour in Europe & I have seen an ad in a 1977 issue of Guitar Player(I believe w/ Page on the cover), of that 8 string bass which is billed as Bec-Var and Alembic was nowhere to be found on the ad! Very strange... Could anybody offer up some history of Bec-Var? I'm very interested. Take care guys. | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 285 Registered: 12-2004 |
He is a former employee and worked @ alembic back in the day, here's one of his, well (alembics???)http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=18&viewMode=0&item=1980.544 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2763 Registered: 5-2002 |
There have been several quite interesting threads; start with this one. Then go here and scroll down to the bottom and read Val's post. For more, run a search on Becvar. (Message edited by davehouck on December 09, 2005) | ||
| 2400wattman
Junior Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2005 |
Just wanted to keep this thread fresh since Jones is such a huge musical influence. By the way his Alembics are real Killers! | ||
| lysosome
Member Username: lysosome Post Number: 54 Registered: 1-2006 |
 | ||
| eastcoastepic
Intermediate Member Username: eastcoastepic Post Number: 181 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yes, the ill-fated Germany show, where Clint Eastwood was forced to fill in for JPJ, after a minor traffic accident delayed the Led Zep bassist until halfway through 'No Quarter'.  But seriously....great pic, Jimmy, I've not seen this one before, and a classic shot it is. As I type this message, I've right-clicked on this pic, and selected "set as background", so I see it every time I power up or exit Explorer. Many thanx........ Chris | ||
| hieronymous
Junior Username: hieronymous Post Number: 32 Registered: 1-2005 |
I was thinking about JPJ and his use of 8-strings just the other day. Anybody know what Zep songs he used the 8-string on? I'm thinking studio versions... He has some great 8- and 10-string stuff on Zooma, even though it's not Alembic. | ||
| oujeebass
Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2002 |
He used it on Darlene from Coda. Achilles Last Stand from Presence. He used a 8 string live (77-80) on a few songs too. | ||
| hieronymous
Junior Username: hieronymous Post Number: 33 Registered: 1-2005 |
Cool! Thanks! I've never been a huge Led Zep fan, but I find my that my appreciation for JPJ always grows. | ||
| 2400wattman
Advanced Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 353 Registered: 11-2005 |
Upon closer inspection of the top picture, it looks like J.P.J.'s bass is a Series 1 w/ a master volume. I can't seem to pinpoint CVQ knobs on there, looks like the 3 way switches. | ||
| oujeebass
Intermediate Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 101 Registered: 10-2002 |
2400wattman: Your probably right on the Series 1 vs Series 2 thing. I thought those switches were little knobs, but that makes sense because the "tree of life" inlay probably put quite a dent in the budget, and or the series 2 electronics were a bit to much for him to recall. I have learned a lot more about those things since I posted that.  | ||
| bluplirst
Junior Username: bluplirst Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2004 |
Here's a nice shot of Jonesy's 8 string.  | ||
| oggydoggy
Intermediate Member Username: oggydoggy Post Number: 150 Registered: 3-2003 |
Glad to see this thread alive and well. Looks even better in person. -Ed | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 452 Registered: 11-2005 |
There was a guy on Ebay selling a 4 string Bec-Var but I don't think anybody hit the reserve and never seen again. Very cool bass and it would've been one I could actually use live as I've got quite a few beauties that I only get to plunk on at home. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5503 Registered: 5-2002 |
Adam, it's back up on Ebay. | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 455 Registered: 11-2005 |
saw it today, would love to get in on it but that S2 I got knocked me out of quite a few other acquisitions. Thanks Dave! | ||
| bigbadbill
Advanced Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 387 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bluplist, where did you get that picture??? I have been looking for a pic like that forever! Thanks, that is fantastic!!!! | ||
| bluplirst
Junior Username: bluplirst Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2004 |
I found it on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame site. They also have a shot of Jonesy's outfit from TSRTS. | ||
| briant
New Username: briant Post Number: 6 Registered: 12-2004 |
"I was thinking about JPJ and his use of 8-strings just the other day. Anybody know what Zep songs he used the 8-string on? I'm thinking studio versions..." All of the Presence album is played on an 8-string. | ||
| moonliner
New Username: moonliner Post Number: 7 Registered: 12-2004 |
May I ask a delicate question? Who came up with the triple omega body style? Alembic? Becvar? John Paul Jones? | ||
| bluplirst
Junior Username: bluplirst Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2004 |
 | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 377 Registered: 9-2008 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ZeZ_VO8AU&feature=related there are some nice shots of him with Becvar 8-string, great song also ~Taylor | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1075 Registered: 5-2009 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KwBEcWRBHY&feature=related Here he is with Diamanda Galas ! I recently saw her live . | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1076 Registered: 5-2009 |
Here is another with Diamanda! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0AIjnQ8t30 | ||
| oggydoggy
Advanced Member Username: oggydoggy Post Number: 203 Registered: 3-2003 |
I've always been curious about those Manson basses. Must be good if "The Man" uses em. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 378 Registered: 9-2008 |
there's a gallery of all the Manson instruments "The Man" has had made. they look pretty sweet to me http://www.mansonguitars.co.uk/JPJ%20gallery/index.htm ~Taylor | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 379 Registered: 9-2008 |
also(sorry to be off topic) Matt Bellamy of Muse has some AWESOME Manson instruments that would be INCREDIBLE to experiment with http://www.mansonguitars.co.uk/Muse%20gallery/index.htm ~Taylor | ||
| jazzbo1958
New Username: jazzbo1958 Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2010 |
I recently purchased the Manson 8 string that he's using with Diamanda Galas. I purchased it from a collector that bought the bass from JPJ. The bass is solid, and sounds huge. EMG PU's separate volume and separate 2 band active eq's. JPJ signed the back of the headstock! Cheers, Jim | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 444 Registered: 9-2008 |
please post pictures when you receive it! that's awesome though, congrats! ~Taylor |
