The Waterboys – Modern Blues

Discussed in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview about Hood's work on The Waterboys' Modern Blues. Note that the Skyline 44-60 is the current name of the 4-string Joe Osborn model.

What basses did you use on the album?

I was playing a Lakland Joe Osborn model with flatwound strings. It’s like a real good vintage Fender Jazz Bass, the one with stacked knobs. I think I used that bass on everything except for one song, “I Can See Elvis.” They needed a thumpier sound on that one. I used a ’57 Fender Precision, a workhorse and a great bass that looks like crap. That bass has flatwound strings, and I put some foam rubber in front of the bridge.

Is the Lakland Osborn your main bass these days?

I think so. It didn’t start out to be. At a NAMM show, Dan Lakin said to me, “Come up to the hotel. I want you to meet Joe Osborn.” I thought, Wow, he’s one of my heroes. So I go and meet Joe, and we’re talkin’ and he’s playing, and when it was over, Dan said, “Would you like to take that bass with you?” It was a pink bass, and I thought, Pink? I don’t want a damn pink bass [laughs]. He said, “It’s not pink, it’s Burgundy Mist. It’s a General Motors color.” My wife was with me, and she nudged me and said, “Take the bass.” So I took it.

I didn’t play it for almost two years. I didn’t really like the sound of it; I thought it was too bright. But after two years, I finally realized that when I turn the treble back on both pickups a little, it has a really nice sound. It’s got nice Lindy Fralin pickups. I just cut the treble and play with my fingers, and it’s got a warm, rich sound. I’ve fallen in love with that bass ever since, so I have been using it quite a bit.

It is also mentioned in this May 17, 2013 Bass Player interview.

From 1976 to 1988, he played an Alembic; he also occasionally plays a Kubicki Factor and a 1957 Fender Precision. (Hood’s Jazz Bass was stolen during the Traffic era.) He uses flatwound strings on the Lakland Osborn and the Precision, and roundwounds on the rest.

Another mention is made in this February 20, 2014 No Treble interview.

I’ve gotten a good sound with a Kubicki X-Factor bass and then I’ve got some Lakland basses that I really like… one of them is a Joe Osborn model. It’s the closest thing to my first jazz bass; it’s got the stacked tone controls and the neck feels like the neck that was on that Jazz. It has the sound I want and it plays well for my hands.

On the "Bass FAQ" page of Hood's official website, he states that the Joe Osborn is "[o]ne of the best jazz style basses I’ve played."

Used on The Waterboys' "I Can't See Elvis", as mentioned in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview about Hood's work on Modern Blues.

What basses did you use on the album?

I was playing a Lakland Joe Osborn model with flatwound strings. It’s like a real good vintage Fender Jazz Bass, the one with stacked knobs. I think I used that bass on everything except for one song, “I Can See Elvis.” They needed a thumpier sound on that one. I used a ’57 Fender Precision, a workhorse and a great bass that looks like crap. That bass has flatwound strings, and I put some foam rubber in front of the bridge.

It is also mentioned in this May 17, 2013 Bass Player interview.

From 1976 to 1988, he played an Alembic; he also occasionally plays a Kubicki Factor and a 1957 Fender Precision. (Hood’s Jazz Bass was stolen during the Traffic era.) He uses flatwound strings on the Lakland Osborn and the Precision, and roundwounds on the rest.

On the "Bass FAQ" page of Hood's official website, he states that the '57 Precision "[h]as a great neck and a classic P-bass sound."

Used for The Waterboys' Modern Blues, as stated in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview.

EQUIP

Basses Lakland 44-94, Lakland Joe Osborn, Fender 1957 Precision

**Rig **Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550, Gallien- Krueger RBH410 4x10 and 1x8

Other Demeter Tube Direct Box, TC Electronic Polytune tuner

It is also listed under Hood on the official Lakland artist page and visible in this photo of Hood. On the "Bass FAQ" page of Hood's official website, he states that the 44-94 is a Deluxe and is "[his] favorite bass for playing live because of its great looks and sound."

Used for The Waterboys' Modern Blues, as stated in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview.

EQUIP

Basses Lakland 44-94, Lakland Joe Osborn, Fender 1957 Precision

Rig Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550, Gallien- Krueger RBH410 4x10 and 1x8

Other Demeter Tube Direct Box, TC Electronic Polytune tuner

Used for The Waterboys' Modern Blues, as stated in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview.

EQUIP

Basses Lakland 44-94, Lakland Joe Osborn, Fender 1957 Precision

Rig Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550, Gallien- Krueger RBH410 4x10 and 1x8

Other Demeter Tube Direct Box, TC Electronic Polytune tuner

It is also mentioned in this May 17, 2013 Bass Player interview.

For amplification, he favors a Gallien-Krueger head driving two Ampeg cabinets, each of which has two 12" speakers.

Another mention is made in this March 1, 2019 al.com interview.

His amp for live gigs these days is a 500-watt, four 10-inch speaker Gallien-Krueger setup.

Used for The Waterboys' Modern Blues, as stated in this August 12, 2015 Bass Player interview.

EQUIP

Basses Lakland 44-94, Lakland Joe Osborn, Fender 1957 Precision

Rig Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550, Gallien- Krueger RBH410 4x10 and 1x8

Other Demeter Tube Direct Box, TC Electronic Polytune tuner

It is also mentioned in this May 17, 2013 Bass Player interview.

For amplification, he favors a Gallien-Krueger head driving two Ampeg cabinets, each of which has two 12" speakers.

Another mention is made in this March 1, 2019 al.com interview.

His amp for live gigs these days is a 500-watt, four 10-inch speaker Gallien-Krueger setup.