Nathan Watts and the Eb in Master Blaster

[fretlessman71]

At 4:06 in Stevie Wonder's Master Blaster, Nathan Watts plays an Eb below the standard open E of a 4-string bass.

I find it unlikely that he was playing something other than a 4-string bass, since the song was released in 1980.

Google's AI search claims that Nathan often tuned his entire bass down a half step to accommodate Stevie. Can anyone corroborate this?

 

[Goatrope]

I'm a big fan of Nate Watts. There are many examples on record of him tuning his bass down a half step. He's mentioned this in interviews.

One interview

Transcript

There are probably other sources if you're inclined to dig deeper. If not, just tune down and enjoy playing.

 

[DWBass]

I'm pretty sure his bass is tuned down half a step. Stevie wrote a lot of songs in Eb. He plays a 5 string bass these days.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I find it unlikely that he was playing something other than a 4-string bass, since the song was released in 1980.

For the record, 5-string electric basses with a low B string have been around since 1975.
Not widely available then, but available.

 

[pfschim]

For the record, 5-string electric basses with a low B string have been around since 1975.
Not widely available then, but available.

well, besides the high C tuned Fender V, which were also very rare, the only 5ers around in the 70's were custom Alembics or Carl Thompsons ... so very rare and very expensive. I was a full timer in the mid 70s and never saw anyone playing one. By the 80's they were definitely a more mass produced and more widely used for sure.

 

[Bob_Ross]

the only 5ers around in the 70's were custom Alembics or Carl Thompsons ... so very rare and very expensive.

Sure…but neither “very rare” nor “very expensive” would have precluded a session musician of Nate Watts’ caliber from owning one.

 

[pfschim]

Sure…but neither “very rare” nor “very expensive” would have precluded a session musician of Nate Watts’ caliber from owning one.

but also much more probable that he just tuned down

 

[Bob_Ross]

but also much more probable that he just tuned down

Oh, I don’t disagree at all!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Nate always tunes down 1/2 step. Even on his 5 strings. It’s part of his signature sound .

A lot of players did that in the 70’s and 80’s. Bobby Watson in another one.

 

[Norm Nelson]

Oh. Nowwww you tell me. {/me starts over learning Master Blaster tuned down a half step}

 

[cymbop]

Bobby Watson in another one.

Rock With You is a prime example.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Rock With You is a prime example.

Amen!!