Now a used Jimmy Johnson model in Japan!!

[tkotmk42]

https://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop169/DS09135953/

Kurosawa is a very reputable shop.   Very nice, almost new condition, about 12k usd.




Takeo

[JimmyJ]

Nice one.  (That tiny line of text in Takeo's post is the link). 

Translated from the Japanese description is this gem:
{ Unfortunately, the LED seems to be damaged and does not light up, but it is not like "I buy it because it has an LED" }

My bet is that's something that can be remedied without too much difficulty. Unless it's a very rare failure of the inlaid LED strip itself, the circuit is quite simple; battery, switch, connecting plug.

US$12k+ seems pretty steep but what do I know, it might be great.

That's also an amazing collection of instruments hanging on the wall behind it.  Looks like a great shop!

Jimmy J

[BeenDown139]

Unless it's a very rare failure of the inlaid LED strip itself, the circuit is quite simple; battery, switch, connecting plug.

nice bass, but danger will robinson!  i have 4 bassess,  3 of which have built-ins, one uses a FretFX 

my SII has a dead LED at the 19th fret.  this drives me nuts because my MKD's all work and when i have to play the upper registers, i use that LED for a landmark. certain songs that i play in tthe upper registers require a quick mental adjustment when i swap basses or train wreck ensues.

the A-bass's upper LED string (12th fret up) only works during the hot dry months when the neck woods shrink up enough to not pinch the wiring in the neck.

both of these issues have been traced to under the fingerboard, requiring the neck to be disassembled to repair.

if issue's in the control cavity, then it's a simple repair.  if not, then you're living with an expensive repair unless you like a dark neck.  lit necks are a requiremnt in the house o'BeenDown.  myself, i wouldn't pay >$12k USD for a used bass with dead LEDs unless the seller either fixed it before shipping it to me or gave me a hefty discount.

[edwardofhuncote]

Just making the observation that there seems to be more JJ Siggys in Asia/Pacific Rim than anywhere else.

[JimmyJ]

Just making the observation that there seems to be more JJ Siggys in Asia/Pacific Rim than anywhere else.

Yeah, interesting huh?  Makes me wonder where most of the signatures went.  More MKs in the UK?  More SCs in the US?  I used to play in Japan at least once a year with Holdsworth so maybe I rang a few extra bells over there, who knows? 

Jimmy J

BeenDown, we need to take up a collection so you can fix your dang LED strips!  Don't know how you ended up with that same issue on two basses.  It can't be that common, can it? 

[tkotmk42]

I can only speak for Japanese (as I am one) that we like to pursuit deep into any subject we take interest in. 
We used to have a Bass magazine that featured a lot of 'musician's musician' on their pages, I remamber seen Jimmy featured on many times, SC was a regular, so was Jaco, Marcus, and Victor, etc.
Rarely, I saw Mark King featured, since he was considered an odd ball....  his music kinda labeled 'pop' and not really appealed to the hardcore 'bass craftsman'. 

Back in my high school days, I remember reading the CD booklet of GRP Charlie Brown anniversary album, finding out the name of the bass player's name, and seeked to find CDs that this "Jimmy Johnson" guy played on.
I didn't see that type of behavior among my american class mates.... I guess what I am trying to say is, more % of Japanese have the 'Geeky' tendencies... lol

Takeo

[tkotmk42]

Also, I think this is displayed on the tag line when the Lexus brand was launched back in 1989.   "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection"   I thought that was pretty cool description of what our value was, and resonated with me as a child.

And my apology for going off subject.  Nice bass!   One too many string for me, but I appreciate Alembic's craftsmanship and their pursuit of perfection in bass building 


Takeo

[BeenDown139]

Just making the observation that there seems to be more JJ Siggys in Asia/Pacific Rim than anywhere else.

after all these years of watching the market i've yet to see one for sale in the USofA elswise i probably would've snagged one by now.

...BeenDown, we need to take up a collection so you can fix your dang LED strips!  Don't know how you ended up with that same issue on two basses.  It can't be that common, can it

must've been the luck of the draw, along with what landed them in my hands in the first place.
 thanks for the thought but i take the holistic approach that those individual quirks are kinda what makes those baasses special, at least to me.   the only thing i wanna change on those instruments is the strings.  which i do often as i can.  the LEDs are the next owner's problem.   imho.  ymmv.  and all that rot.

[BeenDown139]

and now on brever:
https://reverb.com/item/84520406-alembic-jimmy-johnson-signature

Unfortunately, the LED seems to be damaged and does not light up, but it is not something you buy because it has an LED.

well, unfortunately that's exactly one of the reasons i'd buy this bass.  but - no LEDs, no sale, not at that price.  not to this cowboy at any rate.  <disclaimers>  imho.  ymmv.  maybe i need to get baked before i surf the net in the mronings

[jazzyvee]

Just a bit curious about the signature models. Do all of them have the same filter range or are there slight differencies between the ranges of the SC, JJ, and MK signature basses.

[pauldo]

Just a bit curious about the signature models. Do all of them have the same filter range or are there slight differencies between the ranges of the SC, JJ, and MK signature basses.

Great question.

Paul <on edge of seat>

[jazzyvee]

I know in the faq it has the ‘standard’ range for a signature bass but i just wondered if that is a general statement rather than the reality as applied to each model.

[edwardofhuncote]

I don't think there is a difference between the filter values on any non-Series or Series instruments, but I'm happy to be corrected. On the FAQ pages, both Series and Signature basses are reported at 350 Hz - 6 KHz. A big difference in how these filters respond is the Q switches. Usually an 8dB boost on Signature. I forget the values for Series Q's... it's 3-position Q-switches and it's more. I don't use the highest one because it hurts my ears.



I do seem to remember the EVH Signature basses had 3-position Q-switches.