Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[JimmyJ]

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]

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]

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

[JimmyJ]

John and Graeme, thanks for the welcome and the kind words.  
 
Yes, I'm sorry to miss Allan's UK trip later this month but you should always make the effort to hear him when he comes to your neighborhoods.  His compositions and playing is like no other!  Also, Ernest plays beautifully and I think he and Chad are a great combination so you can be sure it will be an insipring musical evening...
 
I may be part of a tour with Allan and Gary Husband in and around Germany next March.  I really hope that comes together because, well,  I'm a Holdsworth nut too!
 
And Graeme, we are hoping that James will bring the band to Europe again soon.  It would be a blast to come over with the large group, we'll keep our fingers crossed on that one.
 
Seeya,
Jimmy J

[white_cloud]

Is there any other forum like this where you could talk music with one of your biggest influences??  
 
The Alembic club is the ace of bass
 
P.S. Allan Holdsworths Metal Fatigue simply must be one of the finest recordings ever in my book. Jimmy's playing is as tasteful as always!
 
John.

[jacko]

That's one I'll have to look for John. I only have 'Secrets' and 'Sand' but do have some of Allans work on various Bruford albums.  
look out for me at the 'Ferry' I have my tickets ;-)
 
Graeme

[georgie_boy]

Anyone remember Allan when he played with TEMPEST??
I've got the album, and he was superb. Also plays violin!
 
G

[georgie_boy]

Yep-You can always be assured that Allan only plays with the best, and JJ is up there with the best ever!

[white_cloud]

Graeme, I will keep my eyes peeled!  
 
I have heard it rumoured that Allan likes to mingle and have a beer - that would be special, I for one would buy him a pint!
 
George, I liked tempest too! Aparantly Allan took his legato technique from the violin and adapted it to the guitar - its all part of his unique magic!
 
I got really switched on to Allan when he was with jean-luc Ponty and Bruford - awesome!
 
John.

[jakebass]

Hi Jimmy, I've only recently got hold of 'Grasshopper' Great sound and great playing. You have inspired many aspects of my approach to bass and I'm utterly convinced by your contribution to recorded music that simplicity and serving the music are so important. Even when ripping it up with AH you are in my view the epitome of taste and great musical choice. Thanks so much for posting here, it reminds us that great players are often great (and real) guys too.
I hope to speak with you more.
Jake

[bkbass]

Hello Jimmy,thanks for coming out of the ah...roadcase. Somewhere on the time line of having your second set of SII's built,I also had my very first Alembic being made not only was that a big deal but I also was able to customize it. A double wow for sure. I ordered it with a drop dead goregous Walnut burl top which Mica had said was the remaining piece from which your beauties where crafted. So I've always felt a kinship to you in that regard. Best of luck, health,and many,many more years of great music.

[JimmyJ]

Jake, thanks for the kind words.  Man, Grasshopper (and the above photos) were like 25 years ago...  How time flies...
 
Barry, I guess the Alembic World is a relatively small one but that's a cool coincidence...  Your bass is probably an '89 then?  I've gotten a lot of good mileage from those two basses.
 
Isn't it great to have a company that can build whatever we can think of?
Jimmy J

[rraymond]

Hi Jimmy,
 
As the other guys have said, Thanks for stopping by. Reading your posts the last few days has made me revisit the JT Pull Over DVD and Neon CD by your namesake band. Great work on those. I love the duet intro on JT's Millworker, and from Neon, your solo piece Fish Magic is absolutely amazing! Also, any chance of a Flim and the BBs reunion? The BBs are pretty darn good, too!  
 
Thanks for all the great music,
 
Reid

[JimmyJ]

Reid, thanks for the kind comments.
 
I'm sure everybody knows that Fish Magic was TWO tracks of bass despite the liner notes touting direct to two track, no overdubs.  That was a bit embarrassing.  
 
We had lots of fun doing those BBs projects but it was never a serious hitting-the-road kind of band.  No plans for a reunion but we're all still playing so who knows...
 
Jimmy J

[daveski]

I am glad i discovered this thread as i had never heard of you Jimmy J.It's great how you can 'discover' fantastic bassists.I've youtubed you and i loved what i heard,do you have an album or to you could recommended me that you consider to be your best work,as i would love to hear more.
Does anyone else have any Jimmy J must listens!
 
 cheers Dave