Which Bass did McCartney use on these songs?

Kruton · #1 01-01-2007, 04:57 PM

I have searched but found conflicting answers, so I would like to know, once and for all which bass he used on:

Something
Taxman
Paperback Writer
When I'm Sixty-Four

Thanks.

Captain Simian · #2 01-01-2007, 05:14 PM

I am positive he used his Rickenbacker Paperback Writer & Taxman. Pretty sure he used the Rick on Something and the Hofner on '64.

Skel · #3 01-01-2007, 10:12 PM

From what I've read, the people at Rickenbacker gave him the ric when they played the Hollywood Bowl in '64. They told him it would record better. Again, from reading, the Hofner had intonation problems that worsened as he went up the neck. So I figure anything where he's doing the 16th note octaves like Paperback Writer, or just playing in positions up the neck like "Something" is the Ric. I could be completely wrong but that's what I think.

Sneckumhaw · #4 01-02-2007, 04:23 PM

I think a Burns on Taxman, Rick on Paperback Writer and When I'm Sixty Four and a Jazz on Something. If you're covering them, a Rick'll do it for any McCartney.

corinpills · #5 01-03-2007, 10:08 PM

I've actually spent way too much time thinking about these sort of things and have wondered about "Something". It was done in that period after "Let It Be" where he was back in love with his Hofner. It does sound like the Ric, but I'm not 100% sure. It's on my list of questions to ask him if I should ever meet him. Also: did he still have the black tapewound strings on the Hofner after "Let It Be"? I know that I've read that he used a Rick for "Come Together", but my Hofner with tapewounds sounds so much like that bass tone that it's ridiculous.

As heavily documented as "Let It Be" was (being a film and all), it can get frustrating trying to figure out what was going down on either side: the White album and Abbey Road.

musicman5string · #6 01-04-2007, 09:52 AM

Isn't there a book out that describes all these things in detail? "The Beatles Gear Book" or something like that? If not, there really should be....

cowsgomoo · #7 01-04-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruton

I have searched but found conflicting answers, so I would like to know, once and for all which bass he used on:

Something
Taxman
Paperback Writer
When I'm Sixty-Four

Thanks.

you'll always get conflicting answers... even Paul McCartney has been known to say different things.. i've come up with some good interview stuff on the other thread from Paul & Geoff Emerick on Paperback Writer and i'm convinced it's the Rickenbacker

In what Beatles albums/songs did Paul use the Ric?

here's my best guesses on the others:

Something: Fender Jazz
Taxman: Rickenbacker
When I'm 64: Rickenbacker

Kruton · #8 01-06-2007, 10:24 PM

So it seems like Something is the big mystery, huh?

Vandelay · #9 01-06-2007, 10:56 PM

Bass Player magazine says that the Ric WAS used on "Something":

http://www.bassplayer.com/story.asp?storyCode=13668

"Though he used his ’65 Rickenbacker 4001S on 'Something,' Paul attributes much of his style to the particular feel and sound of his ’63 Hofner 500/1 hollowbody bass. "

iamthebassman · #10 01-09-2007, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneckumhaw

I think a Burns on Taxman, Rick on Paperback Writer and When I'm Sixty Four and a Jazz on Something. If you're covering them, a Rick'll do it for any McCartney.

George played a Burns bass on a demo of Taxman. The recording we all know is Paul on Ric.

badstonebass · #11 01-09-2007, 11:43 AM

Why does it matter?

llamaben · #12 01-09-2007, 12:28 PM

Not sure how accurate it is, but this website is pretty detailed- with album by album, track by track instrument breakdown, artists and dates:
http://perso.wanadoo.es/sissu/aroad.htm
Hope it helps. BTW it attributes the Hofner to "Something"

Sneckumhaw · #13 01-09-2007, 02:18 PM

The Hofner on Something? That can't be, it actually sounds good!

He had major intonation problems with his Hofner, and most of the bassline is played pretty high up on the neck.

On the subject of great Harrisongs with great Paul bass and tone, any thoughts on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I can get pretty close with the mutes on my Ric, but I'm not too sure.

edit,

Oh the jazz on While my guitar...

That makes sense.

Most of the stuff on these lists makes sense (cool to see how much bass George played!), but I can't accept that it's the Hofner on Something. There really is a lot of conflicting information on that song.

tZer · #14 01-09-2007, 03:18 PM

I don't have an answer for the OP (sorry... slap my hands...)

But I am finding that to get a McCartney-ish sound - one that really get the quality of what is associated with many McCartney basslines - especially ones like "Paperback Writer", "Rain", "Penny Lane", etc... the key is FLATWOUND STRINGS and playing near the neck - with and without a pick.

For "Penny Lane" I use a pick - for "Rain" I go finger-style...

I have a real beater of a bass that has P-style pups, painfully high action - a real junker... but with flats and a pick, it sounds so much like his sound on "Rain" and "Penny Lane" that I can't stop playing it!

I also strung my MIA Jazz V with flats, but they were so tense and pulled my action so high I had to abandon that mission. I think it may have had something to do with this bass being strung thru the body... Not sure.

Sorry for not answering the OP (slapping hands one more time for good measure) - but I love that McCartney sound and when I found a way to get it, I had to share.