Author Topic: Jimmy Johnson Balance K SII (My dream bass) (Read 246 times)

bassman2277 · « **on:** June 30, 2008, 07:23:27 PM »

Hey there,

I'm new to the list and I'm seriously thinking about commissioning a Series II Superb Walnut 5 string.
My question is about the woods and the Balance K Feel.

I'm used to playing a Lakland five string and I was wondering about the weight and the reach to the low C. Is it a real stretch? Am I going to need a Chiropractor after every gig? Does the 34 scale neck really compensate for the low B?

Now, about the woods. I really love the neck recipe for the Dragonfly Bass. Would that, combined with a superb walnut top make the bass too dark? I like a really round bass tone with plenty of bottom, but with sparkling highs for slapping. Would this recipe work for that kind of playing? BTW, I love JJ's tone! He's a totally underrated bass player IMHO.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

David

bassman2277 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2008, 07:40:01 PM »

Hi All, I found a benchmark for the top I want. It's on a MK signature standard that I saw online at Guitar Resurrection In Texas. Unfortunately, they sold it before I could get the loan signed! :-( I think that the Dragonfly neck recipe would look KILLER with this kind of top and SOUND killer with the series electronics. All the best, David Fantastic Top.....

Fantastic Bass!

tbrannon · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2008, 07:44:05 PM »

David,

You'll get some informed opinions around here before long, but I'd also suggest giving Alembic a call- or one of the dealers. I have a custom being built and I got TONS of helpful info from the dealer I ordered from (Will Gunn).

If you want to hear Charles' Dragonfly Series II there is a link to some song clips in the gig section- click on Scott Little Band. Charles also linked the same page at the end of his showcase thread on his bass. You can have a pretty good listen to his bass there.

From what I've always read here, on a neck thru bass the neck woods are going to be the most influential in terms of tone- then I believe it's body wood followed by top wood... but I could be wrong on the top/body wood order.

stay tuned for some more informed opinions!

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:05:40 PM »

Hello David,
Excellent start to your posting career here. I don't have a Series bass or a balance K, but I got to handle the original once a few years ago. It's not a small bass (I'm 5'7), so I'd try one out before committing. I 'm pretty sure all balance K's are the same size body, although Alembic will build some amazing variety into every instrument they create.
Ah, Jimmy Johnson If you haven't already, check out the Artists and their Instruments thread in the Showcase section.

Welcome to the club.
Mike

bassman2277 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2008, 09:06:01 PM »

Thanks for posting guys.

Toby,

Thanks for the links to the sounds. I like it very much. If that's what it sounds like coming off a live soundboard mix, it must be excellent in the studio! I like the darker sound, but it seems that the electronics still allow a high frequency sparkle to come through. Now if Mica has another book-matched pair from the same slab of walnut as that MK bass, I might be in business!

Mike,

I'm not a small person (6'1.5 with quasi-gorilla arms) but I found the original series long scale basses to be a little uncomfortable to the low F position. If I wore my bass side saddle like JJ does maybe I'd have better reach, but that would change my whole playing posture. I was just wondering if the placement of the horn on the balance K body makes the reach more accessible to the first position. Weight-wise I'm hoping that the series basses with their hollow cavity would keep a finished instrument in the 9-11 pound range. Maybe I should think about the aluminum bridge block too?

Thank you both for the welcome. Glad to be here. :-)

David

tbrannon · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2008, 07:39:21 AM »

David,

I have a CD that Charles sent me of the Dragonfly and that bass just kills- he gets an incredible range of tones- which is exactly what you would expect with a Series instrument.

There are ALOT of really nice instruments coming out lately that are the Balance body style and with the series electronics. Check out the Factory to Customer section to see some of the build threads...

Here are a few- excuse me for simply posting the URL's:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/40196.html?1213247442
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/37230.html?1209231330
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/48670.html?1203264862
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19070.html?1197981945

Just a few of the many- if you were real ambitious, you could probably wander through those threads, identify the owner and then pull the email accounts out of their user profile. I've found that the majority of posters on this forum are MORE than willing to talk shop with you and discuss their basses via email and even by phone. I usually just send an email with 'Alembic' in the title field- some get snarfed by the spam filter, some probably get ignored, but I'm sure you'll get a few responses.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2008, 01:06:31 PM »

Hi David; I've played a 34 six string Balance K, and it balances wonderfully. And the low C is no problem. Completely different feel from the Standard Point body.

bassman2277 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:58:46 PM »

Dave, thanks for the input!

This is the one thing I'm really uncertain about. I guess I'll have to make a pilgrimage to a dealer that has one in stock so I can try it. If it plays OK, I'll start the process.

MICA: Do you have some wood in stock?

Thanks,

Dave

Bradley Young · « **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2008, 02:56:54 PM »

I can confirm that a six string Balance K will balance wherever you want it (even 1 o'clock) if you have a 4 suede backed strap. Haven't tested it with other straps (it's 13.5 pounds-- anything less would be masochism).

A 5 string should be less weight overall, and less proportionally in the neck. If you want the true JJ vibe, consider a Fan Headstock (like Pinot)

bassman2277 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:49:26 PM »

Hi Brad,

Yes, the fan headstock looks Ok, But I think I'll probably go with a cone headstock instead. I like the compactness of it and to me it looks like it will compose better aesthetically. I'm looking ovr all the customs here I'm starting to get excited!

Thanks for the input on the balance K body!

Dave

bassman2277 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:49:57 PM »

Hi Brad,

Yes, the fan headstock looks Ok, But I think I'll probably go with a cone headstock instead. I like the compactness of it and to me it looks like it will compose better aesthetically. I'm looking over all the customs here I'm starting to get excited!

Thanks for the input on the balance K body!

Dave