Louis Johnson basses and bass mods

[dlb1001]

Ah, 1970s prices, my old Rickenbacker was $445 new!

I think that's what I paid for mine, in '78!
LJ was major badass, when it came to slapping!

 

[dlmx21]

Good post. Louis also mentioned in his instructional video for bass that his stingray sounded really heavy. It would cost too much to make production models like his. I met him once, his thumb was a hammer!

 

[murphy]

 

[murphy]

 

[murphy]

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I miss his playing . Still one of my most influential and favorite players.

 

[dlmx21]

Yes sir! You can hear.that hallow.Saber sound...

 

[Deleted member 96522]

Louis Johnson: Awesome bass player, even better human being. Respect and RIP.

 

[ac100X]

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I love the pocket protector. My wife wanted me to use one after I kept putting marker pens in my pocket but I would forget to put the cap on first. It just drain out on to the shirt. After I took my shirt off, I would have a black stain on my chest.

 

[daveonbass]

Wondering what this black PJ is/was:

 

[daveonbass]

Another look at that video from youtube. Just can’t make out the headstock:

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

He allso used a red Yamaha.
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Yamaha BB series basses in the 80s were amazing funk basses. They had a natural compression and a nasal tone that really worked well. I had a BB1600 for 25 years.

If you read the Bass Player Magazine Louis Johnson Tribute Cover/article , it states that Yamaha asked Louis to consult on designing the original Yamaha BB basses. He did this on his Trekker and Louis Johnson line of basses.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Another look at that video from youtube. Just can’t make out the headstock:

This looks like a Louis Johnson signature model. It has his name on the headstock .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

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I’m going to have to do some research on when this model was produced. I’m curious to know if it predates the Lakland model and if the rear pickup is located in the StingRay sweet spot .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

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Another look at that video from youtube. Just can’t make out the headstock:

These headstocks look the same. They have the Louis Johnson name. Same bass with different pickup options.

One is a J/MM. The one you posted is a P/J.

 

[jimmydean]

I was offered his MM bass with the original neck ( changed to graphite) for my Steinberger and $200.00 from a guy I knew out in Denver . Sometimes , I wish I had made the deal .

 

[daveonbass]

These headstocks look the same. They have the Louis Johnson name. Same bass with different pickup options.

One is a J/MM. The one you posted is a P/J.

I posted two videos of the same performance - one from Instagram, one from YouTube - it’s the black P/J he’s playing that I’m curious about…

 

[daveonbass]

These headstocks look the same. They have the Louis Johnson name. Same bass with different pickup options.

One is a J/MM. The one you posted is a P/J.

ok - if you look at the J/MM bass it has his name on the headstock but the headstock itself is like an “upside down” fender style. The black PJ seems to have the same “Louis Johnson” name and lettering on it, but it’s a more traditional “Fender” looking headstock…

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I was offered his MM bass with the original neck ( changed to graphite) for my Steinberger and $200.00 from a guy I knew out in Denver . Sometimes , I wish I had made the deal .

WHAT? Are you saying you were offered Louis own bass? If so you need to pm me this guy in Denver’s info .

 

[daveonbass]

WHAT? Are you saying you were offered Louis own bass? If so you need to pm me this guy in Denver’s info .

I was wondering the same thing. His personal bass would most likely be somewhat valuable…