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Vail Johnson

#26
Dr. Cheese said:
I haven't read the amps thread, but I'm not surpised that a world classs player is not up on all the latest gear: he's too busy actually getting paid!

It's bedroom bassists and part timers or people who are just gearheads who take the time know all the minutia about every bass, amp, and cab. Always remember what Marcus Miller said about picking your gear quickly and getting it out of the way so you can actually get good at the music!:bassist:
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Evidently, being a highly paid pro affords him the time to squeeze his rag out on TB when the inevitable boredom(s) of being on the high road sets in.

BTW, it's the gearheads, part timers, and bedroom bassists who have purchased a lot of the product he is involved in. They are supporting him. It's his business though, if he's willing and choosing to bite the hand that feeds him.

Actually, it's very entertaining! After all, with a gig like KG you've got to be as much an entertainer as a musician.
 
#27
MR PC said:
Evidently, being a highly paid pro affords him the time to squeeze his rag out on TB when the inevitable boredom(s) of being on the high road sets in.

BTW, it's the gearheads, part timers, and bedroom bassists who have purchased a lot of the product he is involved in. They are supporting him. It's his business though, if he's willing and choosing to bite the hand that feeds him.

Actually, it's very entertaining! After all, with a gig like KG you've got to be as much an entertainer as a musician.
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Although this thread is about Vail Johnson, I think it is important to note that not just big time pros, but most bassists of all sorts do not follow gear like most TB regulars. I think anyone who is holding down a major gig, or any gig, knows enough or they wouldn't be holding down the gig.;)
 
#34
Munjibunga said:
OK, we picked on Vail over in amps, but that's not to say he doesn't have some major chops. Here he is with ... who else ... Kenny G. Check it out, and click on a couple other of his YouTube clips while you're there.

BTW, this is in my neck of the woods ... Humphrey's by the Bay is one of the coolest venues going.
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Man, a name from the past...

But he had to play with Kenny G??? Does that mean he gets time in jazz purgatory???
 
#35
Dr. Cheese said:
Although this thread is about Vail Johnson, I think it is important to note that not just big time pros, but most bassists of all sorts do not follow gear like most TB regulars. I think anyone who is holding down a major gig, or any gig, knows enough or they wouldn't be holding down the gig.;)
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Excellent point! But Vail seems very proud of the fact that he's been to a bizillion NAMM shows during the course of his career, and has spent about another gawd-zillion hours testing gear. That makes him the Godzilla of gearheads.
 
#36
MR PC said:
Excellent point! But Vail seems very proud of the fact that he's been to a bizillion NAMM shows during the course of his career, and has spent about another gawd-zillion hours testing gear. That makes him the Godzilla of gearheads.
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Maybe he is so busy endorsing his gear, and flashing his chops that he doesn't get out and check out amps like Markbass, Ibanez Promethean, or the smaller Genz Benz combos.:confused:
 
#37
I just read the amp thread, and man, that was the most entertaining read I've had in a long time. I spent a good portion of the '90's doing guitars and backline for some big acts. I have to say, most of the players (bass and guitar) I dealt with at that level were a lot like Mr. Johnson.

The moment they would try a new piece of gear, they knew if it was right for them or not. From picks and straps to guitars and amps, the most common response was "that sucks" or "that's perfect". So the thought of him cruising through NAMM, plugging into every amp for about 30 seconds, and then making a snap judgement, sounds completely believeable to me.

As for his response about the Kenny G stuff, I'm not touching that with a 10 foot pole. IMO, YMMV, and all that stuff.
 
#40
Jazz Ad said:
I can't listen to Kenny G for more than seconds. It sounds like bubblegum syrup to me, sort of the jazz equivalent of Justin Bieber.
Now he's successful, people like him and he's got a cool bass player. What's not to like, as long as you don't force me to listen to it?
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I picked the link in the OP because it's not typical of the multitude of musical curlicues he usually does. It's not half bad.
 

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