| Author | Message | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2003 |
I think, JJ's 76' 418 bass was series 1 with Master Volume (MV). I don't know, MV knob was fitted originally or modified. But MV position is JJ style. (close to bridge) All his basses has same position. Now the position is PU selector for regular products. 76' 418's build record info. is series 1 or series 2 ? | ||
| sfnic
Intermediate Member Username: sfnic Post Number: 127 Registered: 3-2005 |
My notes show 418 as being a Series II. It's the oldest S2 I have a record of, though I only have data on 49 instruments earlier than that one. I don't have the actual birthday for 418, but it's most likely mid-June, 1976. Btw., according to my notes Keavin's #16 is a Series I. nic | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 445 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi guys, A minor correction... Keavin's series I is #12, not 16. He has 2 threads in the series I showcase section, and confirms #12 is a series I with series II controls. Mike | ||
| sfnic
Intermediate Member Username: sfnic Post Number: 129 Registered: 3-2005 |
Ah. I'll update my notes. Thanks! | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 89 Registered: 6-2002 |
i wonder if jimmy johnson asked for the series II bass or was it just seridipity, that he was mr seriesII #1? he has a interesting place for his MV. | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 90 Registered: 6-2002 |
i wonder if jimmy johnson asked for the series II bass or was it just seridipity, that he was mr seriesII #1? he has a interesting place for his MV. | ||
| rraymond
Intermediate Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 181 Registered: 6-2002 |
I was fortunate enough to see JJ, "Mr. Economical" backing up JT this past Friday night. Gorgeous playing and gorgeous sound, ah... Then on Saturday night I was treated to Trio featuring the one and only Stanley Clarke! Wow, two mind blowing bass players in two days! Now I remember why I play bass for my own amusement and not for a living! | ||
| jseitang
Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 97 Registered: 6-2002 |
i went out and bought wayne johnson's arrowhead with flim, and i must say, i'm sooo in love with flim's playing!!!i'm considering getting a series II 5 string with a fan peghead! | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 383 Registered: 11-2004 |
I noticed in the last picture of JJ, he is wearing his belt in a different way. Maybe he has it turned around so that it doesn't cause buckle rash. Big time player and he still respects the instrument. I like this guy. Rich | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 756 Registered: 7-2002 |
You're right on the money, Rich. That's exactly why he wears the belt like that when he plays. Valentino | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 555 Registered: 1-2004 |
I've just bought all (?) 8 Flim & The BB's CD's secondhand. Got me a great deal and they should be delivered later this week: Big Notes, New Pants, Neon, Tunnel, The Further Adventures of Flim and the BB's, Vintage BB's (best of), Tricycle & This is a Recording. Very happy! Wilfred | ||
| jseitang
Intermediate Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 103 Registered: 6-2002 |
my question is this: flim's original series II bass looks like it had series I switches instead of the the cvq roller. can somebody explain this? also did he have l.e.d.s on his bass ? if so where and what color? anyone>? | ||
| tomlerner
New Username: tomlerner Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2005 |
Just in case anyone still wants to know- that James Taylor video filmed in the barn at his home is called "Squibnocket" (as is his home.) Plenty of footage of flim. Don't know whether or not it's out on DVD now as well, but I found it very enjoyable. Tom | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2194 Registered: 9-2002 |
THANKS TOM!!!! I DO wanted to know! I HAD the concert on video but one of the kids copied some chick-movie over it AAAAAU-AUGH!! Maybe it IS on DVD available! Anyway ...I enjoyed that show very much! AND JJ's work of course! Paul TBO | ||
| indybass
New Username: indybass Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
If you want to here an early recording of Jimmy, listen to "Convoy" by C.W. McCall. Steve | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 749 Registered: 12-2002 |
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?srch=104&FORM=AS4&q=%22Convoy%22+by+C.W.+McCall. | ||
| reinier
Junior Username: reinier Post Number: 27 Registered: 1-2003 |
Dear fellow Jimmy (and Alembic) fans, what a great place this club is!! I can only speak out of my own experience but the number of very special contacts via this club keeps growing bigger. Just last week I got an e-mail from another Wayne Johnson Trio enthousiast who'd found me via this thread and I was given 2 unique photos of Jimmy and his beautiful basses, I feel belong "on the wall of this club". The pics were taken in the early 80's during the recording of the 2nd WJT album "Grasshopper", which, just like their 1st album "Arrowhead", is an unsurpassed showcase of Jimmy's talent and the outstanding sound of his Alembic basses. There was a Mojazz re-release on CD in 1994, another must have i.m.h.o. (pls also see www.waynejohnsononline.com) The first pic shows Jimmy while recording with his original Alembic, in the second one Jimmy (I think with his graphite neck fretless he holds reversed in the GP pic above) and drummer Bill Berg are listening to Wayne laying down an acoustic part. Enjoy! and take care, Reinier   | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 669 Registered: 9-2002 |
I just love the bottom picture . . . even big-time guys have to WAIT ON THE GUITAR PLAYER . . . their expressions and body language is PRICELESS ! J o e y | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3433 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool pics! | ||
| jseitang
Intermediate Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2002 |
can anyone identify JJ's rig? | ||
| jalevinemd
Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 371 Registered: 12-2003 |
(Message edited by jalevinemd on March 23, 2006) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3515 Registered: 5-2002 |
Well the knobs with the red caps might be an F-2B. | ||
| reinier
Junior Username: reinier Post Number: 29 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jimmy, The rig Jimmy used at the time is described in some detail in this thread (look in the archived part on August 4th, 2005). My guess is these are his Walter Woods head and the 2 Thiele cabinets carrying a 12" EV speaker each? With his current James Taylor gig Jimmy uses in-ear monitoring so no backline needed. Reinier | ||
| jseitang
Intermediate Member Username: jseitang Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2002 |
i see the alembic preamp, but wheres the walter woods? also how do you guys think he was using the f2b? as the preamp section with the woods as the power section? | ||
| uswjtfan
New Username: uswjtfan Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2006 |
I took the photos. It was almost the same month that Grasshopper was recorded, but the above photos were live photos of the Wayne Johnson Trio. I did not memorize Jimmy's equipment, but I do know that it was two 12's that he played through. Walter Woods sounds familiar, but I can't guarantee that it was that amp. To help, I have focused in on just JJ's equipment in the scenes. Wayne had electronics on each side of the stage, since he played in live stereo sound. JJ's equipment was right behind him. His rack is below his left side, on the floor. His two 12's just to his right. I have enhanced as much as possible to help you all see if you can figure out what he used back then. This is a cool post.   BTW, for a fact JJ plugged directly in (1/4" out of Alembic into mixing board) for recording Grasshopper. I think that he did the same for Arrowhead. Peace, uswjtfan | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 3607 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Ray; thanks for the info!! | ||
| lembic76450
Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 97 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have searched around and I have not been able to find that Jimmy Johnson video, I think it was with Alan Holdsworth. Thanks, | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 649 Registered: 2-2005 |
Jimmy was backing up James Taylor this morning on the CBS morning show. Unfortunately there weren't to many good shot of him or his Alembic as he was stuck behind the backup singers. | ||
| reinier
Junior Username: reinier Post Number: 34 Registered: 1-2003 |
Kenn, On Oct 4th, 2004, our fellow JJ fan Eiji from Japan posted a reply stating that he was the lucky owner of the 1984 recording of JJ with AH in Japan, called "Tokyo Dream" (pls see the archive section of this thread). It was on video disc, the LP-sized pre-decessor of the DVD. There was also a VCR (bootleg?) cassette but as far as I can tell using the internet, both are nowhere for sale anymore. The other day I read that Mr. AH himself was far from satisfied with this recording, probably the main reason why it never came out on DVD. Eiji: do you still have that copy (and something to play it on)? As a small consolation: there's some JJ material out there on DVD. Noteworthy titles are: - "James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theatre" (1998); - James Taylor's "Pull Over" (2002); - a VCR cassette from a JT gig / rehearsal at JT's house or barn, called "Squibnocket"; - Lee Ritenour "RIT Special - Lee Ritenour Live" (1984) with JJ on a fretted graphite neck SII (the first 2 pics of this thread [see archived part]are actually stills from that DVD). Take care, Reinier | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 733 Registered: 6-2002 |
JJ is also the sole bass player on the DVD "American Drummer's Achievement Awards" honoring Steve Gadd with Rick Marotta, and Vinne Colaiuta doing several songs Steve is famous for, included Nite Sprite by Chick Corea (Anthony Jackson played on the original but JJ performs it here) and a Tom Scott tune. The "house band" for this event is JJ, Tom Scott, Michael Landau on guitar, Larry Goldings on keys, and Vinne or Rick on drums (plus a drum duet) with Will Lee singing a Joe Cocker tune and James Taylor performing a song with Steve as well. Mike | ||
| paulman
Intermediate Member Username: paulman Post Number: 171 Registered: 2-2005 |
Hey Ken I remember seeing a vid liek that, with Chad Wackerman on drums. Here was the closest I could find...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKpc-RRUtwM | ||
| paulman
Intermediate Member Username: paulman Post Number: 172 Registered: 2-2005 |
Hey Ken I remember seeing a vid like that, with Chad Wackerman on drums. Here was the closest I could find...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKpc-RRUtwM | ||
| room037
Intermediate Member Username: room037 Post Number: 139 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Reinier, Yes, I still own "Tokyo Dream". I apologize for upload. But I found these video on YouTube. These video are from "Tokyo Dream" Road Games & Tokyo Dream Eiji | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 813 Registered: 11-2004 |
I just saw a tribute to James Taylor on PBS last night. Lots of different artists with Steve Gadd and JJ backing everyone up. Not many good shots of JJ though. Rich | ||
| reinier
Junior Username: reinier Post Number: 42 Registered: 1-2003 |
Health warning: serious fun ahead! For some recent pics of JJ and his SII please go here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/449/43697.html?1190198810 Take care, Reinier | ||
| white_cloud
Intermediate Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 121 Registered: 11-2007 |
Allan holdsworth is simply a total genius..way way ahead of his time! Jimmy Johnson has done such a wonderful job in Allans band, I remember when Jeff Berlin left the band to pursue his solo career and I thought "OH NO!" Full credit to Jimmy, He has been a revelation to me! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2795 Registered: 7-2004 |
Last night's SNL was a repeat from the 90's with Steve Martin as host and James Taylor as the musical guest. Lots of shots of Jimmy and his Alembic. Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 874 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bill, A friend of mine said to me (mind that he's only seen my bass once or twice), "A bass exactly like yours was on Saturday Night Live last night!" I was a little dubious, but I guess it was basically true. | ||
| jimmyj
New Username: jimmyj Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hello Alembic brothers and sisters! Thanks for all the kind words. I'm a long time lurker here and have finally decided to jump in and join the gear chat... About the above rig, oh so long ago... The rack at that time consisted of an IN-2 "input module", an F2-B and a Yamaha P2100 power amp. I ran the whole rig in stereo, two 12" Thiel boxes (directly behind me on top of the rack in the photos) for the bridge pickup and the 2-15" cabs for the bass pickup. Also, on top of the 15" boxes is a Yamaha E1010 analog delay which I used as a chorus on the B pickup while soloing. AND, maybe only for this one gig, by my feet is an old Fender spring reverb which I can't even remember using. What was I thinking? Haha! That venue must be the "Comeback Inn" in Venice, CA. Looks like Wayne was busy developing a nice long intro in the 2nd photo! The graphite necked animal is my 1980 series I fretless. That bass is still getting a lot of use today. Best to all, Jimmy J | ||
| reinier
Junior Username: reinier Post Number: 45 Registered: 1-2003 |
A month short of this thread's 4th anniversary it's the man himself.... A 1000 questions and no words.... Welcome | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 881 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thanks Jimmy- for the explanation and all the inspiration your playing has provided over the years. | ||
| jimmyj
New Username: jimmyj Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2008 |
Yeah, took me long enough, huh? I don't know how I stumbled onto this particular thread - and don't even know how to get back here from the front page of the forum... But I've been an Alembic nut for over 30 years now and still stuck on 'em so I should probably drop in here more often... Thanks again for the kind words, Jimmy J | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 952 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thank you, Jimmy, for all the wonderful and elegant performances we've all enjoyed. I'm still immensly enjoying you and Steve Gadd on JT's October Road CD. An interview on one of his newer DVDs stated most of the album was done as a trio in the studio, then dubbed as necessary. I saw you at a drum clinic poerformance outside Chicago probably three years ago with Chad Wackerman and Allan Holdsworth. I believe you fed sound from a small box by your floor wedges, no backline per se, strraight to the house? If that is the case, do you ask that the monitor eq be flat, and "do it" on the instrument, or eq'ed for your ears in the space (leaving your instrument settings uniform)? Inquiringly humbled, Mike P.S. completely unrelated... Go Bears! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 822 Registered: 3-2004 |
So very glad to see you on the boards sir. I as well as many here have found your playing and tones a real pleasure and inspiration for many years. Your work with AH is truly wonderful as well as a lesson in tasteful playing. Continued health, success and good fortune to you. I bought the JT DVD simply because you were on it. (though I have been a JT fan since I was a young lad) Thanks for years of enjoyment from your craft. Danno | ||
| jimmyj
New Username: jimmyj Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2008 |
Thanks guys. Danno, I've also been a fan of JT - and Sklar - for many years. I can't believe my own luck! Mike, since I got into recording pretty early on I've always been a DI kind of guy. Never really enjoyed bass amps. I know, kinda weird! So I would rather play through a full range rig when I have the choice. (The exception is my tiny club rig; Walter Woods and 2x12. But even at the Baked Potato I also run through the house PA.) So when traveling LIGHT my rig is simply a DS-5 power supply and an active DI box which I have wired in-line with the 5 conductor cable... Let me see if I can attach a photo:  I run the bass outputs hot enough to drive a power amp directly. So when available, I will take the mono 1/4 output of the DS-5 and plug it straight into the power amp running my wedges. Flat, full range usually works for me. Then the PA gets the balanced output from the DI box which is padded down to normal mic level. OK, I admit it, I'm a bit of a wire-head / modifier too. But I only know enough to get myself into trouble... later, Jimmy J | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 883 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jimmy, I admire your no fuss approach to playing- I guess it's helpful to have all the tone shaping capabilities that the Series II basses offer right there on the bass. If you don't mind me asking, how much 'knob fiddling' do you do when you play? Are you constantly adjusting filters/CVQ or do you simply alter your right hand technique to get the sounds you're after? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6972 Registered: 5-2002 |
Welcome to the board Jimmy; and thanks for answering our questions about the rig!! | ||
| jimmyj
New Username: jimmyj Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2008 |
Hi again and thanks for the welcomes. Toby, I almost never move the knobs. My pickup balance (set with the back panel trim pots) favors the bridge pickup and I tend to just barely boost the Q control at the highest frequency on that pickup for some extra "air". Otherwise the pickup volume and tone controls are wide open all the time. I admire players that have multiple and unusual bass sounds to offer but that has never been my thing. I kind of have one tone - well, two if you count the fretless. It's not for everybody but I have been lucky to be able to fit it into some very diverse situations. Jimmy J | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 456 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hi Jimmy, welcome to the forum - as one of my favourite players its great to hear from you! You have one of the nicest recorded bass tones IMHO! (Im an Allan Holdsworth nut) Are you coming to Glasgow with Allan for the show at "the Ferry" in Sept? Would be great to see you over here. John. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1880 Registered: 10-2002 |
John. You'll be as disappointed as me to find that Allan has Ernest Tibbs on bass - as excellent as ernest is, he's no Jimmy Johnson. Hi Jimmy and welcome to the forum from Scotland. Like many on here, I've admired your playing for a long time - you were one of the main reasons my first Alembic (and the other two for that matter) was a fiver. Since you won't be here with Allan this september, how about convincing JT to bring his band of legends to the UK (Scotland in particular). I've pestered his webmaster to no avail ;-) Graeme |
