Can you play Beatles without a Hofner?

[roffe]

I played a custom quilt-top 5-string Jazz when I was in a Beatles cover band. Neck pickup with the tone rolled down a little bit. Not aesthetically correct but it worked fine, and no complaints from the guitar player, who was the most hardcore Beatles fan.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Can you play Beatles without a Hofner?

You can, but there are fines and prison sentences involved.

Obviously, I'm kidding. I haven't played any Beatles covers in a long time. I've never been a fan (well ... when I was five or six years old).

When I did play Beatles covers, I used whatever gear I happened to have at the time and worked my tone through the amp, the instrument, and muting techniques.

I did come to bass from playing guitar. So, pick playing is a bit more natural for me than it is for others.

Good luck!

 

[comatosedragon]

Once I was practicing 'Come Together' at home, alone, on a Reverend Triad.

About halfway through the song, the ghost of Marvin Hamlisch appeared before me and told me he would eat my soul if I played one more note on the wrong bass.

So no, I don't think it's allowed.

 

[bigswifty1]

Play whatever you like. Going from the interviews I've read and articles, it sounds like Sir Paul was far less concerned about basses and tone than any of other bass players playing his songs.

 

[Ekulati]

As one who's played in Beatles tribs, few things:

-Before I ever actually did, I could always get a decent close enough sound from any of my basses.
-Most people don't realize that over 50% of their recorded catalog was Paul playing his Ric, which he got in the fall of 65. (He still played the Hofner on the 66 tour and of course on all the get back/let it be stuff. As well as the Revolution promo video.)
-All that said, the Hofner is still more iconic simply because there are/were more iconic PHOTOS of him playing it. And maybe due to the sheer mojo of their early years.
-That's why you see it most of the time in Beatles tribs. It's mostly visual.

So are you guys an actual tribute or are you a band that plays some Beatles tunes? If the latter, then you play any bass you wanna play.

 

[dave64o]

My band does a few Beatles songs and we’ll likely add two more for our next gig. I play them on a pair of five-string Stingrays or an L-2500. With my fingers. If anyone in the crowd has ever been offended, they’ve never said anything to us, nor have they ever posted anything negative about it online.

Come to think of it, our guitar player usually uses one of several headless Steinbergers. No negative reports about that, either.

We’re a cover band, though, not a tribute band. Playing in a tribute band would have different requirements.

 

[swink]

Let's ask the experts:

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

In one of the bands I am part of, we play "jazzified" versions of some Beatles tunes. I use a Precision with flats and a mute, and I come quite close to McCartney's sound (even though we do not have to)...

 

[sikamikanico]

Perfect excuse to get a Hofner! This is TB, of course you need another bass

Or, you can fashion a cardboard cutout of the Hofner and attach it to your Rick

It all depends on how much you and your band are committed to authenticity. What does it mean to you to do the rooftop concert? How close do you wanna be? Would you settle for an “alternate history” version of the event with other period-correct gear? Even band member-correct gear in your case?

 

[marchone]

It’s been reported McCartney gave up playing his Hofner by the 1980s. Wings mostly saw his Rick used. He collaborated with Elvis Costello in 1987, 1988 when Costello told him he needed to have the Hofner because it’s his iconic image. He’s used it onstage ever since.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Will Lee says yes with the greatest Beatles Tribute band of all time - The Fab Faux

 

[Hevy T]

You could use a freaking BC RICH Warlock if you wanted! They do have the same notes on them, but would defiantly look out of place lol

 

[Slevage]

I’ve played Beatles songs in bands that didn’t even have a guitar.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Play a bass because somebody famous plays one? I think not.

 

[elberon]

I can't figure out why so many people think the key to playing like another artist is all about the instrument. It isn't, it's about how the player plays the bass part. Not the bass, strings, pick guard, amp, cord, strap or anything else. You could put pretty much anything in Paul's hands and it would sound like him playing bass.

 

[MrB64]

Of course you can.

 

[JC BASS 91]

If you are just playing Beatles songs, then yeah. Sure you can. I don't think it matters what bass you are playing.

If you are doing some kind of full on Beatles tribute band where you are ONLY doing Beatles songs and are trying to emulate the band as if you ARE the Beatles, then yes, I think for the purposes of passing yourself off as the real deal for the experience, then you should have the proper bass (basses).

For the most part, I would say the 'viewing public' watching your shows will never know the difference one way or another.

 

[marchone]

If you are just playing Beatles songs, then yeah. Sure you can. I don't think it matters what bass you are playing.

If you are doing some kind of full on Beatles tribute band where you are ONLY doing Beatles songs and are trying to emulate the band as if you ARE the Beatles, then yes, I think for the purposes of passing yourself off as the real deal for the experience, then you should have the proper bass (basses).

For the most part, I would say the 'viewing public' watching your shows will never know the difference one way or another.

I'm not sure I'd call what The Fab Faux and The Analogues do is emulating The Beatles. I'd call them concert performances. Both bands use period-correct equipment where needed. It's no different than classical performances with period-correct instruments.

 

[JC BASS 91]

I'm not sure I'd call what The Fab Faux and The Analogues do emulating The Beatles. I'd call them concert performances. Both bands use period-correct equipment where needed.

I'm not familiar with either group. Do they actually dress the part? With the Beatles hair cuts and all?

There is a group in Branson, MO (can't recall their name right now) that goes all out with the same clothing and hair styles and correct instrumentation and amps. While I have never seen them, I know people who have and they have stated that it is a weird feeling because you feel like you are actually watching the Beatles perform, even though your mind tells you that you aren't.

 

[marchone]

I'm not familiar with either group. Do they actually dress the part? With the Beatles hair cuts and all?

There is a group in Branson, MO (can't recall their name right now) that goes all out with the same clothing and hair styles and correct instrumentation and amps. While I have never seen them, I know people who have and they have stated that it is a weird feeling because you feel like you are actually watching the Beatles perform, even though your mind tells you that you aren't.

No. They are not costume bands. There's a picture of The Fab Faux above in this thread. Look up both of them on Wiki and YouTube.