anyone know what strings paul mccartney use?

Shai · #1 02-16-2007, 07:57 AM

or at least
how to achieve his sound
from the beatles days in 67
thanks a lot

braun-jovi · #2 02-16-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shai

or at least
how to achieve his sound
from the beatles days in 67
thanks a lot

I read where he told his tech that he used, "long shiney ones"! Not much help I know. By the way, I assume your talking about on his hofner, but he also used a ric quite a bit. I'm at work and I don't have my Beatles Gear book, but around '67 he could have been using both basses. Just a thought.

nubs · #3 02-16-2007, 08:14 AM

Bass strings i am pretty sure....

sorry i couldn't help myself!

Showdown · #4 02-16-2007, 08:25 AM

He used flatwound strings. I think LaBella. Any old school style flatwound will give you the sound (on the right bass). By that I mean LaBella, Fender, etc. Modern Flats like TI and Chromes will sound similar but not exactly the same because they have more treble and mids than the old flats had.

He also used a pick, and the neck pickup.

Get some flatwounds, a pick, and use the neck pickup on your bass and you will be on the way. A Hofner (or similar) and a Ric would help too. Then you just have to learn to play like him....

7flat5 · #5 02-16-2007, 11:17 AM

Fer cryin in the sink. Do a search. This has been talked to death.

Pyramid flats and rotosound tapewounds. Probably lots of others too.

Much of his recorded sound was due to rather unique recording equipment and techniques, also discussed a lot.

Sorry for the grumpy answer...

The Craw · #6 02-16-2007, 12:30 PM

According to Rickenbacker CEO John Hall, Paul always used the Rickenbacker flatwounds (made by the old Maxima company, not the current one) on his Rick. Even though the strings were discontinued years ago, he said they were able to keep him supplied until recently.

There has never been any evidence that he used Pyramids on his Rick, that's just speculation that started when Pyramids were reintroduced here.

milhouse · #7 02-21-2007, 08:30 AM

The literature for the RotoSound 88's claim he used them on the rooftop performance...

Mrdak · #8 02-23-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milhouse

The literature for the RotoSound 88's claim he used them on the rooftop performance...

I thought the literature claimed he used them on Abbey road.. but hey! all of these claims hold absolutely no weight IMO

fretlessrock · #9 02-23-2007, 07:42 AM

The correct answer: he uses the FREE ones. That is one area where the "literature" is 100% clear.

billbass1 · #10 12-06-2007, 08:28 AM

According to Bass Player Magazine, October 2005....................." McCartney favors La Bella Beatle Bass
flatwounds, gauged ( .039, .056, .077, .096 )

I just got a new Club Bass.
The stock strings, Which I guess are Pyramids, they
have green fabric on the ends, are all nice except the
E string was DOA.

I love TI's on a few of my other basses.
But I think I am gonna try out those La Bella's
that Paul favors.

rickfan63 · #11 12-06-2007, 09:00 AM

LaBella flats, and from what Rickenbacker CEO John Hall has said, Macca also uses TI's. Which Mr. Hall says are the most like the old Maxima's. As far as the Hofner goes, back in the 60's, it seems that he used whatever was available. Both he and Lennon were never fussy about what strings they used. I think Pyramid makes the Hofner strings, so my guess is that's what he used with the Beatles until he put the Rotosound black nylon strings on it for Let It Be, and Rickerbacker flats on the 4001S. Mr Hall has said that Macca's assistant John Hammel has searched the world to keep Macca supplied with the Ric flats over the years. But there aren't many more left.