Topic: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

In the CD cover, Joe says its the "biggest" tone hes ever gotten on record. I personally think its the best tone Ive heard from him. I wonder how much more of the bassman used to produce this tone we will be seeing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od8Sx9MKlvM

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

whole lotta mojo going on there  - my favorite tones from that album.  Big huge thwack when he hits the strings going into it...

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

That's why I love my old Bassman...It's so much like an older Marshall and it breaks up so sweet!  I was surprised at the amount of gain on tap in one when you are playing a humbucking guitar through it cranked.  One of my favorite tones on the album as well.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

Glad I'm not alone.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

Yeah I noticed that, also, the tone on the riff for 'Story of a Quarryman' is one which I desire to achieve myself.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

That's why I love my old Bassman...It's so much like an older Marshall and it breaks up so sweet!  I was surprised at the amount of gain on tap in one when you are playing a humbucking guitar through it cranked.  One of my favorite tones on the album as well.


I brought my Ceriatone OTS over to a local guys house last night for a looksee - he had a pair of old Bassman's (Bassmen????), they sounded awesome.  He had done a gain mod on one of them, the other was stock.  Fantastic amps.  there's a few on my local craigslist that need a good look wink

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

That's cool man, you can usually pick them up for peanuts.  I got mine for $300 a few years ago.  It's the best money I've ever spent for an amplifier dollar for dollar.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

There are a couple of Old bassman heads for sale in the UK on ebay? 70's one I think. How much should I expect to pay for one?

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

No more than $500, whatever that translates into British Pounds... I picked mine up pretty cheap but then again it looks like the amplifier version of SRV's #1 Strat!  I know there are a few different Bassman circuit models that are around from the early Blonde heads (like what Joe used on BOJH album), to the Blackface era Pre-CBS, Post CBS Blackface, and Silverface.  I bet they all sound good but undoubtably tone snobs will tell you that the pre CBS ones are "the best".  I don't know what specific model mine is (though it is a '64 or '64 end Pre-CBS early CBS Blackface) but I love the tone.  I didn't read up about it when I bought it...I just dug the sound.  Anyways make an offer for both because you should be able to get both for under a grand and that is a LOT of amplification for the money!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

Jockey Full of Tone!

Any more information on the guitar sound in this song?  I've always loved the tone on this song, but can't place my finger on WHAT it is about it that is so good?!  You guys mentioned a Bassman, can anybody elaborate?  Paired with anything?  Is it the Microphone placement that is giving us, the listeners, the perceived warmth?  Thanks. -S.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

The tonal spectrum of Joe's guitar tone on the John Henry album (and the quality of the songwriting) is superior to anything he's done before or after (so far). Black Rock doesn't quite get there and BCC is something completely different except 'Song of Yesterday'.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

helrazr84 wrote:

Jockey Full of Tone!

Any more information on the guitar sound in this song?  I've always loved the tone on this song, but can't place my finger on WHAT it is about it that is so good?!  You guys mentioned a Bassman, can anybody elaborate?  Paired with anything?  Is it the Microphone placement that is giving us, the listeners, the perceived warmth?  Thanks. -S.


From what I've gathered on a magazine interview with Joe regarding that track from BOJH, Jockey Full of Bourbon was:

Les Paul---early/mid '60s Bassman head----Xotic X blender---unspecified chorus (probably TC SCF)---Maestro Echoplex.  The X Blender was used to add a nice blend of wet from the Echoplex/Chorus without taking over the sound.  I got a chance to play Ken's Carol Ann OD2 and that amp plus his Analogman Chorus absolutely nails the Jockey Full Of Bourbon/Last Kiss tone.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

Bluesbreaker wrote:

The tonal spectrum of Joe's guitar tone on the John Henry album (and the quality of the songwriting) is superior to anything he's done before or after (so far). Black Rock doesn't quite get there and BCC is something completely different except 'Song of Yesterday'.

I agree - BoJH is just a fantastic-sounding record.  His tone on every track sounds great, as do all the other instruments.  Great mix, great production.

Re: Joe's tone on "Jockey Full of Bourbon"

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

Jockey Full of Tone!

Any more information on the guitar sound in this song?  I've always loved the tone on this song, but can't place my finger on WHAT it is about it that is so good?!  You guys mentioned a Bassman, can anybody elaborate?  Paired with anything?  Is it the Microphone placement that is giving us, the listeners, the perceived warmth?  Thanks. -S.


From what I've gathered on a magazine interview with Joe regarding that track from BOJH, Jockey Full of Bourbon was:

Les Paul---early/mid '60s Bassman head----Xotic X blender---unspecified chorus (probably TC SCF)---Maestro Echoplex.  The X Blender was used to add a nice blend of wet from the Echoplex/Chorus without taking over the sound.  I got a chance to play Ken's Carol Ann OD2 and that amp plus his Analogman Chorus absolutely nails the Jockey Full Of Bourbon/Last Kiss tone.

Hey thanks.  So we're talking just a straight bassman head, and effects, nothing else?  That tone is THE definite mofo of all tones!