Paul McCartney and his Basses

[ChrisWright]

Ah! Was oblivious to the timing. Thanks for the update.

That understood (definitive list for every song), is there a reference that is fairly close to the pin that you would recommend?

 

[mcarp555]

That understood (definitive list for every song), is there a reference that is fairly close to the pin that you would recommend?

Not that I'm aware of. Most of what we know (or think we know) is based upon photos and chronology. For example, we know he used the '61 Hofner for the Please Please Me album as it was the only bass he had. The '63 Hofner was probably used on every following album until Rubber Soul, when the Ric was debuted. It was probably the main bass used until 1968 when he was photographed with a LH Jazz during sessions for The Beatles (the White album). You can hear some tracks that are obviously a Jazz, but not all. Then it's a hodge-podge until Let It Be which shows the Hofner again.

After that it was probably exclusively the Ric until he got the Yamaha in the mid-70's. We know he used a Wal for Free As A Bird. Now it seems he plays only the Hofner again. But trying to pin it down track by track is hopeless. Bear in mind that he may use a bass in a video that was probably not the bass used in the recording, such as Revolution and maybe Junior's Farm. So don't take all the videos as gospel.

 

[ChrisWright]

Not that I'm aware of. Most of what we know (or think we know) is based upon photos and chronology. For example, we know he used the '61 Hofner for the Please Please Me album as it was the only bass he had. The '63 Hofner was probably used on every following album until Rubber Soul. when the Ric was debuted. It was probably the main bass used until 1968 when he was photographed with a LH Jazz during sessions for The Beatles (the White album). You can hear some tracks that are obviously a Jazz, but not all. Then it's a hodge-podge until Let It Be which shows the Hofner again.

After that it was probably exclusively the Ric until he got the Yamaha in the mid-70's. We know he used a Wal for Free As A Bird. Now it seems he plays only the Hofner again. But trying to pin it down track by track is hopeless. Bear in mind that he may use a bass in a video that was probably not the bass used in the recording, such as Revolution and maybe Junior's Farm. So don't take all the videos as gospel.

Great points all - appreciate it. So I guess the notion of whether he used a pick (further divided into heavy felt or heavy plastic/nylon) or finger-style is really out of the question ??? (LOL!!)
JK - but a home JT of curiosity there too. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen/heard him NOT using a picker...
Thanks for the help.

 

[mcarp555]

In some instances, he's seen using his thumb, but obviously that would be a whole other rabbit hole to plumb.

I was sitting here just now, and remembered the video for Take It Away from Tug Of War, where Paul is filmed using three basses:



But he almost certainly used only the Yamaha in the actual recording. It's a good example of how relying on your eyes can be deceptive.

And the bass part on I Will from the white album is actually his voice - no bass played at all. Add in John and George doing various basslines on the Fender VI or the right-handed Jazz and it's a mess.

 

[ChrisWright]

Fantastic! Now that you mention it, I have seen him using his thumb on occasion as well. Thank you.

 

[Skokiaan]

Some shots of Paul playing with his fingers and thumb:

 

[ChrisWright]

Very nice and appreciated. I’m in a Beatles band that is focused on the later years (68-70), well after touring had stopped. I’m keeping it to the Hofner and the Rickenbacker for performance purposes, but very helpful to know when finger technique might have been applicable. Although I’ve been playing for a long time, I just started using a pick in the last 3-4 months specifically for this project. Learning curve aside, it’s actually going quite well ... although a little break may be appreciated! It seems that some riffs (such as those in the verses of BITUSSR) actually play better (for me) with fingers but I’m trying to be true to the original when possible. Naturally someone will chime in now that he used a pick on that one (but all input is appreciated, so that’s cool)!! BTW - I have seen him use a pick when playing that song live in the later years, but he’s not playing the verse riff and just substituting 16th notes instead. Thanks for your insight.

 

[mcarp555]

It seems that some riffs (such as those in the verses of BITUSSR) actually play better (for me) with fingers but I’m trying to be true to the original when possible. Naturally someone will chime in now that he used a pick on that one (but all input is appreciated, so that’s cool)!! BTW - I have seen him use a pick when playing that song live in the later years, but he’s not playing the verse riff and just substituting 16th notes instead. Thanks for your insight.

Actually, that track has three bass parts, and the first one was recorded by John (who almost certainly would have used a pick). Two more parts were added the following day, and probably both of them were Paul.

 

[ChrisWright]

Actually, that track has three bass parts, and the first one was recorded by John (who almost certainly would have used a pick). Two more parts were added the following day, and probably both of them were Paul.
Wow! Very interesting. I can visualize two of the three - I suppose 16th notes to the main chord changes and the riff that we hear behind the verses… what is the third part? Thanks!

 

[mcarp555]

Wow! Very interesting. I can visualize two of the three - I suppose 16th notes to the main chord changes and the riff that we hear behind the verses… what is the third part? Thanks!

I honestly don't know. It's documented in the sessions that they would add parts that I can never hear. It might have been replacing older parts or just bits and pieces here and there. For what it's worth, John, Paul and George all played drums on that track as well (Ringo had temporarily quit the band). I assume Paul played the brunt of the drumming, but exactly what the other two did is uncertain.

 

[ChrisWright]

I honestly don't know. It's documented in the sessions that they would add parts that I can never hear. It might have been replacing older parts or just bits and pieces here and there. For what it's worth, John, Paul and George all played drums on that track as well (Ringo had temporarily quit the band). I assume Paul played the brunt of the drumming, but exactly what the other two did is uncertain.

Cool. Thanks for the scoop!

 

[Craig4003]

Now it seems he plays only the Hofner again.

Not only the Hofner, no. He is known to have used his Rickenbacker on at least one track on his New album from 2013. I imagine he uses whichever bass will give him the sound he wants for a particular song, or even a particular part of a song. I have yet to see anything about what basses were used on his new album Egypt Station (which is good, btw).

 

[mcarp555]

Not only the Hofner, no. He is known to have used his Rickenbacker on at least one track on his New album from 2013. I imagine he uses whichever bass will give him the sound he wants for a particular song, or even a particular part of a song. I have yet to see anything about what basses were used on his new album Egypt Station (which is good, btw).

I don't doubt he uses a variety of instruments on every album, but as usual, it's difficult (if not impossible) to document what's used where. I just checked my copy of New and there's no specific info on makes & models.

And yes, Egypt Station is a fantastic album; his best since Flaming Pie in my opinion.

 

[ChrisWright]

Not only the Hofner, no. He is known to have used his Rickenbacker on at least one track on his New album from 2013. I imagine he uses whichever bass will give him the sound he wants for a particular song, or even a particular part of a song. I have yet to see anything about what basses were used on his new album Egypt Station (which is good, btw).

For sure ... The Hofner is his preferred bass on stage due to its light weight, it’s been reported. The studio’s a different situation - sitting, etc. I was curious about the new album. A bit disappointed that he has a track called “FUH Me” - I don’t think our guy needs that kind of cheese. But I haven’t gotten a good review on the entire album. I’m sure I’ll buy it anyway.

 

[mcarp555]

For sure ... The Hofner is his preferred bass on stage due to its light weight, it’s been reported. The studio’s a different situation - sitting, etc. I was curious about the new album. A bit disappointed that he has a track called “FUH Me” - I don’t think our guy needs that kind of cheese. But I haven’t gotten a good review on the entire album. I’m sure I’ll buy it anyway.

The lyric of Fuh You makes me cringe, but the track has grown on me. Almost every song has that Uber-catchy McCartney thing he used to do so well. The album is like Paul from the 80's but updated with a modern sound. It's by far the best thing he's done in this century. I didn't like New at all. Driving Rain, Chaos & Creation In The Backyard and most of Memory Almost Full are instantly forgettable as well. Egypt Station has also gone into the Billboard album chart at #1 - his first since Tug Of War in 1982.

 

[Craig4003]

Driving Rain and Memory Almost Full weren't that great (I can barely remember anything from either of them), but I really like Chaos and Creation and New. Those are Paul's best albums of this century. Egypt Station is good but I wouldn't quite put it at the level of those two, though it may grow on me.

 

[ChrisWright]

The lyric of Fuh You makes me cringe, but the track has grown on me. Almost every song has that Uber-catchy McCartney thing he used to do so well. The album is like Paul from the 80's but updated with a modern sound. It's by far the best thing he's done in this century. I didn't like New at all. Driving Rain, Chaos & Creation In The Backyard and most of Memory Almost Full are instantly forgettable as well. Egypt Station has also gone into the Billboard album chart at #1 - his first since Tug Of War in 1982.

Yes – the FUH Me track sounds like a gimmick that other, fleeting, artists might use - but not something you would expect from one Paul McCartney. That said – I would agree that the album does seem to have a refreshed sound. I did catch “come on” – (or something like that) on either Saturday Night Live (or maybe it was Fallon?) and I thought that despite it’s somewhat shallow lyrical content, the overall tune was catchy and quite good. Nice to see that it’s debuting at number one.

 

[Skokiaan]

The lyric of Fuh You makes me cringe, but the track has grown on me. Almost every song has that Uber-catchy McCartney thing he used to do so well. The album is like Paul from the 80's but updated with a modern sound. It's by far the best thing he's done in this century. I didn't like New at all. Driving Rain, Chaos & Creation In The Backyard and most of Memory Almost Full are instantly forgettable as well. Egypt Station has also gone into the Billboard album chart at #1 - his first since Tug Of War in 1982.

The actual lyric is "I just want it fuh (for) you." There's nothing actually cringe worthy here.

 

[ChrisWright]

The actual lyric is "I just want it fuh (for) you." There's nothing actually cringe worthy here.

That’s a pleasant relief. Thx.

 

[Skokiaan]

Not only the Hofner, no. He is known to have used his Rickenbacker on at least one track on his New album from 2013. I imagine he uses whichever bass will give him the sound he wants for a particular song, or even a particular part of a song. I have yet to see anything about what basses were used on his new album Egypt Station (which is good, btw).

Besides the famous '63, Paul also known to use a reissue Cavern in the studio. It can be seen in this studio shot in the background, partially obscured by the tripod.

Here's a better shot of the bass: