Bass Street magazine, which is put out by Fender...and is a free publication has an article on Rhonda Smith on page 12. It's a q & a session with her. Favorite part...

Q- You're playing a '75 J Bass with Prince and I understand the reason is because of him?

A- It is! Not that I don't like the instrument, but I prefer the Zone Bass. The '75 J Bass is his sound. It's almost like the Larry Graham bass. Basically, there is no other bass for him; there is no other sound.

Check it out at http://www.BassStreet.com or at your local Guitar store.
Groovy pic of her on the front cover too!

-L

Nice 2 see such a deserving bass playa get some props~

Interesting. She is right. Prince´s bass is TOTALLY influenced by Graham. I never heard echoes of Pastorius, East, etc in his music.

Totally got this issue when I happened to buy my new bass guitar.