Bobby Watson on MJ's "Rock With You" -- P or Stingray?

[Tusec]

The song:



I thought it was a P, but then I saw some talk on the web that it was a 'Ray.

Anybody know which it was?

 

[pbasswil]

I always assumed it was a P, but I'm no tone expert. Love it, though!

 

[Rano Bass]

P bass for sure.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It was most likely a P-bass. I know he used them with Rufus, and he had one when I saw him live back in the day. The only other bass I ever saw him use was a Rickenbacker 4001.

 

[Tusec]

Okay, so probably a P then. Thanks.

And yeah, isn't a nice line? It's one that I didn't fully appreciate until I started playing bass.

 

[mikeswals]

It was most likely a P-bass. I know he used them with Rufus, and he had one when I saw him live back in the day. The only other bass I ever saw him use was a Rickenbacker 4001.

There's a video on the 'tube of him in Rufus with a block neck burst Jazz.
He seemed to own alot of stuff.

I always thought Rock With You sounded like a Ray.

 

[Woodchuck]

It does have a 'Ray tone. I saw them back in the day, and he had a Ric and a P.

 

[Tusec]

I always thought Rock With You sounded like a Ray.

I can see that. To me it sounds like a P in the main part, but has a Ray quality in the fills. That's part of why I thought it seemed plausible that it was Ray.

 

[narud]

i hear zero ray in that song

 

[mikeswals]

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

i hear zero ray in that song

I don't hear a P. I've always thought it was a 'ray with the highs rolled off. The 'eveness' of the notes and the harmonic 'sweetness' is a dead giveaway IMO.

 

[ModuMan]

Huh, I wondered why I couldn't quite nail that sound with my Ray.

What a great line and that bridge is pure smooveness with that little chord after the horn hits (2:05).

 

[joeslam]

Can't help, but one of the most beautiful basslines in pop music.

The fills on the second stanza floor me everytime I hear them. So musical.

 

[Dave Siff]

According to the July 2005 issue of BP:
"Rock With You" starts in the key of Eb; Bobby tuned his P-bass down a half-step so he'd be able to use open strings.

 

[tdizzle]

I'm gonna go on ahead and say it is a P. Perhaps the talk of it being a Ray is confusion with the songs on the album that Louis Johnson plays on. Like Get on the Floor, that's DEFINITELY a Ray! Hear for yourselves.

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

I stand corrected

 

[Tusec]

Pretty cool pic of Watson with a P:

 

[LaBassGuy]

To me it sounds like a Stingray.

 

[Tusec]

I sent a message through his website asking which it is. Maybe he'll write back and settle the issue.

 

[narud]

theres tracks on the rufus stuff that has way more audible bass that that doesnt sound like a ray or a p either. ill be curious to hear what he used