Justin Meldal-Johnsen: A zZounds Exclusive Interview

As a master tonesmith both on stage and in the studio, Justin Meldal-Johnsen has worked with a number of acclaimed artists, showcasing his refined sense of sound in a variety of ways. From the hard electronic sound of Nine Inch Nails and the mellow grooves of Beck, to producing pop-punkers Paramore, JMJ’s versatility and vision have established him a noted figure in the industry.

Having been a long-time Mustang Bass player, JMJ recently teamed up with Fender to create his own signature version of this short-scale stalwart. We had the chance to chat with JMJ about his signature bass at Summer NAMM in Nashville. Check out our exclusive interview as JMJ talks about his interest in “weird” basses, why the Mustang Bass works in modern mixes, and how his collaboration with Fender resulted in an instrument he can genuinely stand behind.

Justin Meldal-Johnsen’s signature Fender Mustang bass