Hey Joey,
 
With JT I use in-ear monitors and have gotten used to the good and bad of it.  One of the goods being the ability to keep the overall level low even if I'm standing right next to the drums, trying to get many more years out of these old ears.  Also, the less bass you have flying around onstage leaking into vocal mics, etc, the cleaner the bass sound is in the PA.  James uses Clair Brothers on the road, they're great soundies.
 
I don't have a specific power amp preference although if I tested a few it might become apparent.  When I am doing that direct to power amp to monitor wedges thing, I think the speaker cabinets are the biggest variable. In those situations my goal is only to be able to hear myself over the drums so even a pair of relatively low-end self-powered wedges can work.  Even in a tiny club I am not trying to fill the room with sound from my position onstage - I count on the PA to do that.  I'm just using what I have next to me to hear what I'm playing.  So, as it's just a monitor for me I might be less specific about it's sound and confident that the bass sounds good in the house.
 
Yes, the clam buffet - been there.
Jimmy J

Rewinding back thru the length of this thread, I'm struck by your chasing one tone, evidently arrived at by you with the fewest items (amps, cabs, effects) inline between you and the wedges:  Would you mark this down to growing up around an upright player, the type of guy(s) that chase a single tone from the right acoustic instrument?  I understand you've even stayed with Boomers all these years, again in a way reducing new variables to a minimum.
 
I, too, have always chased one tone in my head.
After way too much money spent, I still sound like me, it's in my damn hands and between my ears.
 
I s'pose the mutiple instrument/tone thing is not as widespread among electric bassists, though there are several session guys here in NashVegas who show up for sessions with quite a selection . . . although I always wonder if it's really for tone or playing the dog+pony show for the today's producer-de-jour.
 
Been a hoot to visit with you, hope to meet you one day.  My best to you and yours.

Joey,
 
My dad was also a piano tuner and I think it was hanging out under the grand piano while he used his karate chop on the bass notes that might have altered my brain.  Ha!  No kidding, I think it's more of a acoustic piano thing for me.  Having wound up here with a wide open Alembic tone has allowed me to fit into several different musical scenarios because the sound is not very electric-bass-like, its more like an acoustic instrument.  My sound seems to get along well with piano or acoustic guitar.  Any Quiet Riot or Billy Idol appearances must be considered purely accidental - that's not really where I live (fun visiting though).
 
I also got into commercial recording work pretty early on and at that time, in the studios I was working in, DI was the thing.  So I got used to it.
 
Yeah, it's wild, everybody sounds like themselves pretty much regardless of their gear.  I've seen this played out over and over again.  But the gear changes DO make a difference to the player.  Moves that seem subtle to others may be huge to you, and there is always room for improvement.  Just like there is always some new combination of notes to discover on the instrument.  And I'm saying that after plunking away on it for about 40 years!  Yikes!
 
Thanks man, seeya somewhere,
Jimmy J

Jimmy,
 
I just found out that James Taylor (and Band) are playing the Puyallup Fairgrounds on Saturday.
 
Will you be there?
 
Bradley

Oops, pardon the late reply Bradley.  
Yes, it was a nice night at the fair - cool but no rain.  Good crowd.  Great fried anything on a stick.  Under the grandstands next to the taffy, kitchen gadgets, roofers, and tool salesmen, the local distributor for Eminence Speakers had a booth set up...  State fairs are full of surprises.
Jimmy J

No sweat.
 
Next time?    I'll buy you a Fisher scone.
 
Bradley

Jimmy,
 
Is this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naUdueljRas&feature=related) as much to play as it sounds like it would be?  I'm guessing by the smile on your face in the video that it must be.  I love this track and listen to it a couple times a week... just had to get your opinion on it.

Tony,
Yes, a great song with a great groove - way fun to play.  It was originally recorded for New Moon Shine in '91, Danny Kortchmar producing that track with Steve Jordan on drums.  Jordan has an amazing feel, especially with this kind of in-between straight and swing vibe.  The clip you linked to was from a Beacon Theater show in '98, the first gig we played after Carlos Vega's passing.  Jordan was kind enough to join us for that and part of the tour that followed.
Cheers,
Jimmy J

Just putting in my humble and heartfelt endorsement for Allan Holdsworth Group Then! (Live). Got it on iTunes and it is a thrilling recording. Thanks Jimmy!
1. Zone I (4:08)  
2. Proto-Cosmos (5:42)  
3. White Line (9:39)  
4. Atavachron (4:42)
5. Zone II (5:30)  
6. Pud Wud (8:05)  
7. House Of Mirrors (4:26)  
8. Non-Brewed Condiment (5:44)
9. Zone III (7:39)  
- Allan Holdsworth / guitar, baritone guitar
- Steve Hunt / keyboards
- Gary Husband / drums
- Jimmy Johnson / bass

Thanks Danno.  
That recording includes some very serious blazing by Allan and Gary in particular.  I feel lucky to have been along for the ride.  Recorded live in Japan in 1990, the tapes sat around for a dozen years before Allan decided to mix and release it.  We're glad he did!
Jimmy J

Hey Jimmy.  
By sheer coincidence I've just had an email notification of Allan's upcoming European tour. I don't suppose you know who'll be in the band and how far north they'll be coming ?  ;-)
Don't worry if you're not allowed to say, sometimes anticipation is half the pleasure. hah!
Graeme

Hi Graeme,
 
I think what you're hearing about is an April tour of the Bozzio / Mastelotto / Levin / Holdsworth project, and I believe it's mostly Central EU.  This is a group that Terry put together and not meant to be advertised as a Allan's band or music.  In fact, there is NO fixed music as such.  It's an evening of free in the moment performance by these talented guys listening and playing off of each other.  I have yet to hear the band but any of these individuals would be worth hearing in person so the combination is likely to produce some very interesting moments.
 
Cheers,
Jimmy J

Thanks for the update Jimmy, the email from holdsworth's website didn't give any details. If they come close enough I'll most likely try to see them, Tony Levin is another of those 'must see' bassists that I need to tick of my list ;-)
 
All the best
 
Graeme
 
edit: Just checked Terry Bozzio's site and it doesn't look like they'll be coming any further west that Germany. bummer ;-(
 
(Message edited by jacko on February 16, 2010)

Jimmy, I've just been enjoying your work on JT's Covers and Hourglass albums. I've picked up the bass again after a many-year layoff to play in our church ensemble which plays many moderately complex arrangements. Your work is a fine example of how to craft rich and tasteful basslines. I especially like your use of thirds and other tones to substitute for the tonic creating a natural progression. With your experience, are you able to do this on the fly or do you usually study the score and work out your part before recording? And when is the Jimmy Johnson bass primer coming out?!

Hey Doc (hope that's an OK usage),
 
Welcome to the Alembic forum.  Glad to hear you have found an opportunity to bust out the bass and play again, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
 
Thanks for the kind words, I'm proud to have been a part of those two records.  As I've said before, almost all the notes I play with JT are simply doubling what he's playing on guitar so that makes creating the bass lines pretty easy!  
 
Generally speaking bass parts are worked out at the recording session, but it varies.  Occasionally somebody will send a chart in advance or even an audio demo, but I am usually fine-tuning the bass part right up until the final take.  Sometimes even after the final take - as an overdub!
 
I've never had much interest in teaching, writing or talking too much about what I do (except for all my blabbering here in this forum...).  Maybe because I never studied bass or maybe because I'm not sure what I'm doing!  I've been at this a long time, playing these same instruments, and am happy to share some of my experiences with friends here.  But don't hold your breath for any how to manuals.  My only suggestion is to listen to all kinds of music and then play and see what comes out.
 
Jimmy J