Bass tone on Stevie Wonders "Songs in the key of life"

beebassdude · #1 05-10-2011, 08:20 AM

So theres some really funky/goofy sounding bass tones on this record, just wanted to know if anybody knew what set up was being used on this recording. theres times where the bass sounds like bright nickel strings being dragged across sheet metal for that real "twangy" sound, but ive never played a set up that sounded like it.

The Mouse · #2 05-10-2011, 03:27 PM

What tunes specifically? Stevie plays some synth/ bass. Nathan Watts plays on some tracks. Nathan's tone has a nice active growl to it. He really digs-in when he's playing too..

FatCity · #3 05-10-2011, 03:36 PM

I remember reading somewhere that Nathan used a 70's era P-bass with worn in Rotos. I think he was recorded direct to the board but not positive.

engedi1 · #4 05-10-2011, 03:40 PM

I have been listening to I wish which is on this album of course, and to me it sounds like nate watts is using flats as the tone is so warm and the sustain is short. I am totally open to being wrong though...

engedi1 · #5 05-10-2011, 03:41 PM

FWIW, really worn in stainless steel strings is one of my favorite tones...

FatCity · #6 05-10-2011, 03:43 PM

This was what I had read on Musicplayer.com. I think it was originally in Bass Player mag:

“Sir Duke,” 1976 We recorded it at Crystal Industries in L.A.; Stevie rehearsed the whole band, and then we cut it live. I used my ’74 P-Bass with Rotosounds, recorded direct. Stevie had the unison line, which, when I worked it out on the fingerboard, required me to bend up the last fret to reach the highest note. Stevie let me come up with the two-feel bass line, and I cut loose a bit on the out-chorus.

beebassdude · #7 05-11-2011, 02:34 PM

ill post exact times/songs tonight of the tone im talking about. its really bright and snappy sounding, definitely not warm. its not the tone thru the whole album, but its on a few tracks.

brndn123 · #8 05-11-2011, 02:48 PM

YouTube - Stevie Wonder - I wish - Makin off

Check out 3:35. Some pretty hefty lines.

beebassdude · #9 05-11-2011, 08:01 PM

yeah so on the song I Wish, the main riff has a nice warm tone, but if you listen to the 3:20 to 3:30 minutes, theres some fill kinda licks that just sound so twangy, and way different than the main tone thats doing the main driving riff. is that tone still just a P bass with flats? cause its odd that the same bass could make two completely different tones, even with different playing styles applied.