McCartney - Acoustic?

gflat · #1 01-10-2009, 06:51 PM

I play guitar and cello, but not bass. So this is a question for the ears of experienced bass players.

On the song "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles, off of "Magical Mystery Tour," I'm having a hard time hearing whether he's using a double bass or an electric. He’s credited as playing both on it, but you only hear one bass part. At times I think I hear the distinct attack and character of a double bass (an instrument I’m very familiar with). But it often seems to be played with the touch of an electric as well, and sounds like one. It’s very hard to tell which I’m hearing.

I’m very familiar with the complicated history of the recording of this song, so I’m really not looking for any facts that people have heard or read about it. I’ve heard and read them all at this point.

My question is this: Can I ask experienced double or electric bass players to please give this song a listen (it’s 3+ minutes) and tell me if in your opinion it’s an electric or an acoustic bass that you’re hearing (I've included a link to the song).

The link below is to a video of the Beatles recording the song in the studio, which was simultaneously being broadcast live for television. The Beatles are playing against a previously recorded backing track which McCartney played double bass on. You’ll see McCartney playing his Rickenbacker bass, but it may actually be an acoustic that we’re hearing (with the Ric being mixed way down or out completely). You don’t hear two basses. It’s one or the other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxTpsIVzzo

Thanks a lot. I appreciate you taking the time to spend a few minutes listening and giving me a player's opinion.

Mojo-Man · #2 01-10-2009, 06:56 PM

Hofner, or a Ric?

Leialoha · #3 01-10-2009, 07:50 PM

I remember watching that live. Coolist thing ever (for a teen)! According to the Beatles Recording Sessions book, the lads played live over a pre-recorded backing track that had Paul playing the "double bass". He played his Ric over that. So it's both.

gflat · #4 01-10-2009, 08:20 PM

Thanks for your response. But if you listen to the recording, it's clearly one bass tone that you hear. If both electric and acoustic made it into the final mix one of them is buried to the point of being inaudible. There's a predominant bass track on this tune and I'd love to know whether it's electric or acoustic.

If you don't own the recording you can hear it on YouTube.

Thanks again.

FrostyBubba3455 · #5 01-11-2009, 05:59 AM

as weird as it is i think i hear more electric that an acoustic...

hm, you would think someone would know, it is the beatles after all! hopefully someone who knows is on talkbass...

boombloom · #6 01-11-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrostyBubba3455

as weird as it is i think i hear more electric that an acoustic...

hm, you would think someone would know, it is the beatles after all! hopefully someone who knows is on talkbass...

According to "Beatelsongs" by William J. Dowdling the backing track had McCartney on "string bass played with a bow." John was on harpsichord and George played some fiddle. I'm going to have to go back and listen to that again.

zeytoun · #7 01-11-2009, 12:53 PM

You can judge his double bass skills/style here if you like... ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlyedkZbdvM

robgrow · #8 01-11-2009, 01:21 PM

According to Geoff Emerick, Paul hated running his bass direct and insisted on using an amp which was mic'd. His bass leaked into the other mics and the other instruments leaked into his bass amp mic, which produced a distinct sound with the sense of acoustic space even when he's playing electric bass.

gflat · #9 01-11-2009, 01:32 PM

Thanks. That clip was actually interesting. If his bass on "All You Need Is Love" sounded as acoustic as that did I'd be in good shape. That acoustic couldn't sound more acoustic. I'll say this much -- he obviously isn't playing anything complicated but his intonation sounds right on. At least I know he can play it in tune. But then playing what he plays on "All You Need Is Love" in tune is obviously another matter.

I'm still interested in getting bass player's opinions about what they're hearing after giving the Beatles song a listen.

ryco · #10 01-11-2009, 01:48 PM

Sounds like a thumpy Ric with flatwounds and the bridge mute engaged.

zeytoun · #11 01-11-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gflat

he obviously isn't playing anything complicated

It's a simplified version of the original bass line, which starts the descending walking riff an octave above where Paul starts.

Since Paul and John were obviously rockabilly and Elvis fans, I would bet that he knew the original line. So I would guess that the fact that he plays it lower indicates his limitations on the double bass.

(Not meaning this to be critical, or superior sounding - I'm a newbie after all)

Showdown · #12 01-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeytoun

You can judge his double bass skills/style here if you like... ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlyedkZbdvM

Did you notice it is still strung right handed?

Bassin' · #13 01-11-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Okay... for bonus points... which bass did Paul play on "I Will", from the White Album?

PS... Showdown... hey, neighbor.

His voice.

Showdown · #14 01-11-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

PS... Showdown... hey, neighbor.

Aloha, Bruddah!

Showdown · #15 01-11-2009, 07:29 PM

Howzit, brah?

We could do this all day......

Showdown · #16 01-11-2009, 07:55 PM

zeytoun · #17 01-11-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showdown

Did you notice it is still strung right handed?

Of course I didn't.

D McCartney · #18 01-11-2009, 10:39 PM

Oooh, I love to hear McCartney on Bass.

fenda · #19 01-13-2009, 12:04 PM

Dear gflat;
Great post, great question. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered the same thing about that song. I've never taken the time to put it into words but your post does that... and more. It sure sounds like a double bass to me

but I'd love for some other people to chime in. Maybe if your really lucky, Paul reads the forum and can post something. If not that then maybe Ringo...

I'm new to the forum as well and here's hoping we can listen and grow, along with the others.

gflat · #20 01-15-2009, 06:18 PM

I appreciate everybody who responded, but I honestly was hoping to get more players to actually listen to it and tell me what their ears hear.

Like I said, I'm not a bass player, but the person who listened and thought it sounded like a Ric with flat wounds and a bridge mute might definitely have something there. I'm not familiar with the sound of a bridge mute on an electric bass. But I do know the sound of bridge mutes on cello. And I can imagine that the effect of a mute on an electric bass with flat/tape wound strings could create the sound he's getting.

Anyway, I figure this forum has got to be filled with musicians who have had an acoustic bass under their fingers (and ears) every day for the past 30 years or more. So again, if some players could give it a listen and tell me if they think it could be a double bass, I'd be interested in your experienced opinion, and I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again.