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Fly Guitars Interview: Justin Meldal-Johnsen - part 4: trivia

Introduction | Gibson basses | Other equipment | Trivia


Trivia

FlyGuitarsNow on to the bonus round of silly but revealing questions

FlyGuitars Roundwound or flat?
JMJ Both

FlyGuitars Maple or Mahogany?
JMJ Both

FlyGuitars Active or passive?
JMJ PASSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FlyGuitars Mud, thud or piano?
JMJ Mud

FlyGuitars Pick or fingers?
JMJ Both

FlyGuitars Ebony, Maple or Rosewood (please do not put down Wenge)?
JMJ Maple and Rosewood

FlyGuitars Digital or analogue?
JMJ Both. At the same time.

FlyGuitars Coke or Pepsi?
JMJ Coke!

FlyGuitars Cat or Dogs?
JMJ Cat

FlyGuitars VH-1 or MTV?
JMJ VH-1 is the only one that plays videos now, right? So VH1.

FlyGuitars Meat or potatoes?
JMJ Fish!

FlyGuitars Do you treat your basses as fine pieces of furniture (coffee table) or as tools?
JMJ Tools, but furniture if the value is over $2K. :-)

FlyGuitars Internet or boob tube?
JMJ Internet.

FlyGuitars Do you like basses with figured wood (flame/ curly) or do you like them with Plain Jane grain?
JMJ Plain Jane!!!!

FlyGuitars BEAD or CBGB?
JMJ CBGB!!

FlyGuitars Teletubbies or Sponge Bob?
JMJ Tubbies! 'Cuz that's what my baby girl likes.

FlyGuitars Thank you now back to more serious issues. What is your view of the current music industry situation as far as the death of CD sales/stores due to I pods and picking choosing single songs?

JMJ Inevitable. More changes are coming, get ready. But people still like music, so I'm not horribly distressed about it. Especially live music.

FlyGuitars Do you think that with today's technology and the fact that anyone can be a musician who owns a laptop or a MySpace account, that it dilutes music, or do you think it makes music better?

JMJ Dilutes it. There's too much quantity and not enough quality. I get way to many shitty demos (or Myspace page links) these days that end up depressing the hell out of me.

FlyGuitars Bands are getting dropped right and left by their labels, what does it take to make it in today's music industry?

JMJ Don't suck, don't be trendy, and persist.

FlyGuitars Do you find LA the center of the rock music industry?

JMJ Yeah. London is its own center, though.

FlyGuitars Thanks again I hope you enjoy the site in the future.

JMJ Absolutely! You guys do a great thing.

Justin with Alex Ebert, vocalist with Ima Robot
Justin with Alex Ebert, vocalist with Ima Robot
A selection of Justins basses
A selection of Justin's basses - Wal, Fender, Guild, Gibson, Rickenbacker and Hofner are all represented
Justin the bassist
Justin the bassist
Justin at the mixing desk
... and Justin the producer

Thanks to John (Redbird) Fertig and Justin Meldal-Johnsen for another great interview

Why not check out some of these links
Justin Meldal-Johnsen homepage
Ima Robot homepage
Beck homepage
and don't forget the other FlyGuitar interviews

Gibson bass guitars for sale

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1974 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Finish | Vintage Icon

1974 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Finish | Vintage Icon

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2299

For Sale: 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass Natural Finish | Vintage Icon | Non-Original Case Included
Up for sale is a 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass in its classic Natural finish, complete with a non-original hard-shell case. This vintage beauty is in very good condition and is ready to deliver exceptional performance
Condition & Features:
Some scratches, dings, and wear on the back, adding to its vintage character
Replaced components: bridge pickup, pick-guard, and electronics. There was ... more
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Gibson Ripper Bass 1974

Gibson Ripper Bass 1974

Orland Park, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2950

This 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass with OHSC is in excellent condition!

The only thing to note is the strap button on the upper horn was relocated
to the lower horn (see pic), for a lefty player, early in its life. This does not effect it's playability and / or mojo for a 50 year old bass!

It's in full working order, set up and ready to gig!

I'm offering free U S. shipping only!
... more
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1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass - Very Clean

1977 Gibson Thunderbird Bicentennial Bass - Very Clean

Georgetown, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5200

This 1977 Gibson Bicentennial Thunderbird bass is in almost new condition. Everything is original. The pots date to 1976. The neck has not been broken which is very common on these models. The original hardshell case is included
In 1976, to celebrate America's 200th anniversary of independence, Gibson reissued the Thunderbird bass in its original early 60s reverse body shape. Production in Kalamazoo continued to 1979 and in total, only 1855 were made. There were only 841 Tobacco Sunburst ... more
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Wal Pro Bass 1e - Black, 1978 Excellent Condition, Rare. With Original Wal Case

Wal Pro Bass 1e - Black, 1978 Excellent Condition, Rare. With Original Wal Case

Palm Coast, Florida, 321**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

If you??re looking at this ad you??re probably already know what??s Wal basses are.
Here it is 1978 Wal Pro Bass 1e for sale. Serial number is 1301.
These basses were produced from 1978 to 1981 by Electric Wood Ltd.
The Pro Series was offered between 1978 and 1981. The first Wal Pro Bass had serial number PB1291.
I??ve had this bass since 2016, bought this guitar in London. The previous owner turned it to passive, but since the bass was located in England I??ve decided to send ... more
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Vintage Guild Starfire Bass Guitar Natural Wood Single Pickup 1960??s EMG Select

Vintage Guild Starfire Bass Guitar Natural Wood Single Pickup 1960??s EMG Select

Pleasanton, Nebraska, 688**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3000

Vintage Guild Starfire Bass Guitar Natural Wood Single Pickup 1960??s EMG Select

Includes everything shown??see photos
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Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar Natural Finish with Case Early 1970s

Gibson Ripper Bass Guitar Natural Finish with Case Early 1970s

Hawleyville, Connecticut, 064**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Good Working Condition
I am not a player looks to be all original but i can??t tell probably missing the tail cover
... more
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1976 Fretless Gibson Ripper 1976

1976 Fretless Gibson Ripper 1976

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 172**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2700

1976 Fretless Gibson Ripper 1976. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.... more
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"PROJECT" 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Red w /  Original Case

"PROJECT" 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Red w / Original Case

South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, 026**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$850

"PROJECT" 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Red w / Original Case
As the title stated this is a project guitar that will need a lot of work. All the hardware is missing, can't check if the electric components are working. Therefore, it's sold AS IS, for parts / repair.... more
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1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !

1965 Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass in Pelham Blue oh-so rare & cool you need it !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13495

These 2nd issue ??Non-Reverse?? Thunderbird??s & Firebird??s were so far ahead of time & very few were ever made comparatively to Fender??s P & J Basses. Most all T??bird??s were available in a Sunburst finish. But some were ordered in their select Custom Colors. This particular example was ordered in Gibson??s most luv??d optional color of Pelham Blue all over its neck & body. Very little yellowing but she??s has plenty of playtime wear. These tend to get funky from playing in ... more
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1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included

1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2299

For Sale: 1974 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
Up for sale is a stunning 1974 Gibson Ripper Bass in its classic Natural finish, complete with its original hard-shell case. This vintage bass is in very good condition and is ready to deliver exceptional performance with that unmistakable classic Gibson tone
Condition & Features:
Cosmetic Wear: This bass shows some light scratches, dings, and general wear throughout, with noticeable wear on the ... more
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Guild Starfire I Bass Guitar - Vintage Walnut

Guild Starfire I Bass Guitar - Vintage Walnut

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 468**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$700

... more
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1982 Wal Pro Bass 1E Darkbursted body & matching neck its 1 of a kind & Minty !

1982 Wal Pro Bass 1E Dark'bursted body & matching neck its 1 of a kind & Minty !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11495

This Rare Pro IE Wal Bass was made in the Uk by the legendary guitar maker and electronics expert Ian Waller and Luthier Paul Stevens of the ?Electric Wood Ltd . Ian Waller was a bass player in the 60??s Manchester Scene .He honed his skills as an electronics mastermind and woodworker in London in the 60??s and became known for for his incredible guitar making abilities. He was commisioned to make custom Guitars for John Gustafson (Roxy Music??s bass player of the time), John G Parry of Caravan ... more
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1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

1972 Gibson L6-S Bass Prototype (Ripper, Grabber) Singlecut Sunburst
 
This bass guitar is the prototype for the L6-S bass, a model that was never manufactured by Gibson. Although it is the prototype for an instrument that was not produced, it also seems to be a prototype of the Ripper and Grabber models introduced later that are constructed with the same materials (maple neck and body) and similar dimensions. The look of this one does foreshadow those later models
SETUP & ... more
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GIBSON NON REVERSE THUNDERBIRD BASS (P03047365)

GIBSON NON REVERSE THUNDERBIRD BASS (P03047365)

Spokane, Washington, 992**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1800

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Guild Starfire Bass - vintage 1972 - super clean

Guild Starfire Bass - vintage 1972 - super clean

Nolensville, Tennessee, 371**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3349

One of the cleanest ones you'll find, and it even has its original bridge cover (good luck finding another one with the cover!) It's been well-taken care of, to say the least. Comes with a newer Epiphone case, though I can't tell how old it is. There is an old, wonderful sounding set of flats on it - just what the doctor ordered!
Its sound is wide-ranging, and the factory bass boost toggle (not sure what Guild called this) will make you think you're playing
though a wall of Sunn stacks in... more
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Vintage 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Black

Vintage 1967 Guild Starfire Bass Black

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2795

Vintage original 1967 Guild Starfire Bass that has been refinished and a pickguard fashioned to it as well as other signs of work that has been done.
We don't see any cracks or repairs which is a big plus
Neck angle is good and action is good and it plays well
The pickups are original and they have a real warm and organic tone
Looks like the F holes have been enlarged a bit and the headstock re-shaped. They saved the serial number prior to sanding for a refinish and re ... more
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1978 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included

1978 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass Natural | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2799

For Sale: 1978 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass ?? Natural Finish | Vintage Icon | Original Case Included
Up for sale is an iconic 1978 Gibson Ripper L9-S Bass in its timeless Natural finish, accompanied by its original hard-shell case. This vintage beauty is in excellent condition for its age, having been carefully maintained over the years. At 46 years old, it still delivers that unmistakable Gibson bass tone that??s perfect for any genre. Rated at a solid 8 5 / 10 for condition, it??s a great ... more
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Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Bass guitar string mute From 1966 Gibson Thunderbird

Cumming, Georgia, 300**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$400

This bass guitar string mute is a must-have for any Gibson Thunderbird owner. Made in 1966, this mute is a rare find for collectors and musicians alike. It is designed to fit perfectly on your bass guitar and provides a unique sound that is sure to impress
Crafted with precision and care, this mute is made to last. It is made from high-quality materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting out, this bass guitar ... more
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1974 GIBSON GRABBER  /  RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

1974 GIBSON GRABBER / RIPPER BASS CASE - made in USA

Kaufman, Texas, 751**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$370

Good working condition, all the latches and hindge work, lots of wear around the edge see pics
... more
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Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan

Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan

New Florence, Pennsylvania, 159**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3500

Gibson Ripper (L9-S) Bass Guitar with Seymour Duncan.
This bass is in very good condition. There are a few small marks located in the pictures. Feel free to ask questions, can send more pictures. Must have at least 10 positive comments to purchase. For sale in the United States Only
... more
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