GibsonBass Interview: Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Justin explains his role as bassist, producer, and musical director for some of Americas finest acts. By John Fertig
Introduction | Gibson basses | Other equipment | Trivia

Late 90s Gibson Thunderbird, late 70s Gibson Ripper and Ampeg amp/cabs

Part 3 - Other Equipment

GibsonBass What kind of set up do you use live?

JMJ SVP-CL preamps, SVT-1600 and QSC PowerAmps, two Ampeg 8x10 cabs,

GibsonBass Any Effects?

JMJ Piles and piles of them. I have three custom boards - two for the studio and one for live.

GibsonBass And in the studio?

JMJ Basses and effects going into a B-15 or an SVT. Along with that is an amazing Divided By 13 bass rig I use as well, 200 watt, all tube with a 4 x 12 cabinet fitted with Celestions. Face melting.

Two of Justins Ampeg B-15s. Left a 1969, right a 1974. - "they're as important to me as a great bass"

GibsonBass One classic Gibson bass you don't use is an EB2, but you regularly use other hollow-bodies, like the Guild Starfire. What do you like about the Starfire over the EB2?

JMJ Starfires are balanced sounding and have room for more "finesse" playing, I feel. EB2's are too heavy in the low end for me in terms of what I use the Starfires for, though I should probably own one. The Starfire has become my sound on a lot of records, most notably on Sea Change..."Paper Tiger", "End of the Day", "Lonesome Tears", songs like that....that bass sound is Starfire >> Ampeg B-15R >> Neumann FET 47, no DI.