Why Did JJ Switch From King To Yamaha?

Driswood · by **Driswood** » 2019-10-19 5:28 p.m.

Both JJ Johnson and Jimmy Pankow switched from a King horn to the Yamaha 691.

Jimmy said in an interview he switched because the Yammy was lighter to play onstage. He still uses his 3B SilverSonic for recording.

But why did JJ switch? Weight? Sound? Did he have a falling out with King? I’ve never heard why.

Just curious.

Redthunder · by **Redthunder** » 2019-10-20 6:11 p.m.

~~[url]~~<LINK_TEXT text="https://books.google.com/books?id=p3_gN ... ha&f=false">https://books.google.com/books?id=p3_gNMUZMTsC&pg=PA229&dq=jj+johnson+yamaha&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiy3KmP7avlAhWpV98KHQY4DMsQ6AEwAHoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=jj%20johnson%20yamaha&f=false</LINK_TEXT>

I found this a while ago when trying to figure out the horn I was seeing in some of his videos, which as you indicated was a 691.

Bach5G · by **Bach5G** » 2019-10-20 6:24 p.m.

The following paragraph is interesting. I read that Larry M made JJ a horn using a French horn bell as a bit of a joke.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-10-20 8:10 p.m.

Apparently JJ couldn't really play high Fs for the majority of his career?

Goes to show you how little technical stuff like range does for you when compared to artistry and taste.

dukesboneman · by **dukesboneman** » 2019-10-25 8:44 a.m.

More than likely, Yamaha made him an offer to be a Yamaha Artist and he excepted. I think we all would if given the opportunity.

boneapart · by **boneapart** » 2019-10-26 12:41 a.m.

What would have been his "exception"?

Mv2541 · by **Mv2541** » 2019-10-29 10:07 a.m.

[quote="dukesboneman"]More than likely, Yamaha made him an offer to be a Yamaha Artist and he excepted. I think we all would if given the opportunity.[/quote]

I remember hearing a story (obviously can't prove it) that JJ wanted a new horn for whatever reason, so he went to King since he was an artist. The guy at King didn't really know who he was and said he had to pay for it, so he got mad and Yamaha stepped in and offered him a new horn and to be an artist.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2019-10-29 6:41 p.m.

Hahaha. The part that they don't tell you about that story was that he walked in to some random music shop that was a King dealer when he asked for that horn.

GabrielRice · by **GabrielRice** » 2019-10-29 8:16 p.m.

He was playing Yamaha by the time I met him in 1992. I think he switched just because the Yamaha was easier to play.

timbone · by **timbone** » 2019-12-01 10:08 a.m.

I believe that to be true also- as he was getting up there in age. I also heard him play an a F live - it was like he was splitting my head with it- I was right underneath his bell. I have never heard him play higher than a D in a recording (I think).

Thrawn22 · by **Thrawn22** » 2020-02-20 11:40 p.m.

Odd thing is that the Yamaha they switched to is probably like their Kings.

In the end money is usually the reason why people endorse the horn they play more than loyalty. Look at Allessi.

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2020-04-03 7:33 a.m.

And at the end he was playing a silver bell Bach 16

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2020-04-03 1:09 p.m.

[quote="Thrawn22"]Odd thing is that the Yamaha they switched to is probably like their Kings.

In the end money is usually the reason why people endorse the horn they play more than loyalty. Look at Allessi.[/quote]

I'm not entirely sure about that. Do you have any data to back that claim up? I know a number of artist endorsers and it seems that it is much more common to get a discount on horns rather than to be provided one, let alone be paid. Or to have certain events sponsored by the endorser's company. Seems like the Alessi's of the world are a bit of an exception rather than the rule.

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Why Did JJ Switch From King To Yamaha?