Paul McCartney and his Basses

[nixdad]

Not yet - we recorded our promo video about 10 days ago and it’s in the edit room right now. I may have a link in the next few weeks. We’re hoping to be ready to play a 90 minute show by the February-March timeframe as most of us have been in some form of a Beatles band previously. Vocals are the biggest challenge … no surprise there.

With the Hofner the tone is close to the pin right out of the box, especially with the pick. I’m using a heavy. I haven’t incorporated a compressor yet (I have a Line 6 Bass Pod multi-effect with a pretty good selection) or any type of tape saturation effect either, though my Ric might need some of that to sound closer to Macca.

I’m also enjoying the pick very much. I can’t believe I waited so long to get with it and pick one up. I play in a Tom Petty tribute band and moved over to a pick for most of that music (on a P-Bass). Much easier lines obviously, but it’s helping reinforce some basic skills.

Please post the video when its ready, as I'd love to see it. To assist with the harmony parts, do you guys reference the YouTube videos by Galeazzo Frudua?

I have not used a compressor, so please let me know what benefit it provides when it comes to Beatles music. I've seen a huge difference as well since I began using a pick, although I prefer a very light 50mm Tortex, as for me the thin pick does more of the work (rather than my wrist.) I'm also envious that you play in a Tom Petty tribute as well - too cool! My son is very skilled with fingers and a pick, and his cover band does a lot of Tom Petty.

Really great EVERYTHING in this performance. Instrumentation, vocals, mix, etc. Very well done.

Thanks! This was recorded directly into the board during that gig (as shown on the video.) Bass is now actually louder in the mix since I started using a pick as well (post video.)

That was terrific!! Great job, all of you!

Thanks @edmidlifecrisis! I'm very fortunate I have a bunch of buddies who can sing their tails off and harmonize well.

Here's another video recorded at the same gig.


Prior to 2017 bass duties were split between myself and my buddy Dale (playing the Hofner copy.) I now play bass 100% of the time, which gives him the ability to focus on percussion, harmonica, bongos and all of the ancillary parts along with his vocals.

 

[Skokiaan]

I didn't even know Paul could play stand-up bass, but this seems fairly conclusive. He's not doing anything terribly complex here, but he is at least playing it in tune.

He's also playing it "upside down." The bass is still strung right handed.

 

[ChrisWright]

Please post the video when its ready, as I'd love to see it. To assist with the harmony parts, do you guys reference the YouTube videos by Galeazzo Frudua?
Yes – his YouTube videos are very helpful. I only discovered him in the last six months, but what a valuable resource he has become already. Our challenge vocally is that we only have two pure singers, and our third uses a little bit of vocal processing to help him out, which does work pretty well and doesn’t sound fake. Right now I’m covering the linen and Harrison vocals, which are pretty far apart in terms of breathing, etc.

I’ll keep you posted on the compression and anything else I might do to enhance the Ric sound. I’m still trying to figure out which pic is the right one for me. I started with a very stiff felt Dunlop model and that’s pretty good for some very specific songs. It was helpful as I started to learn how to use a pic in general, as it is a bit more forgiving. I do feel like I want to graduate to something a bit lighter.

The Tom Petty band is a lot of fun and we work quite a bit. The fans are always appreciative, particularly now that he is no longer with us.

Are you playing through a Vox amp for live performance? Also – which Hoffner copy? I played a Jay Turser that I borrowed from a friend and it’s sound was terrific. I later read some reviews that said they weren’t reliable though. I don’t think you can beat the price point as I’ve seen them as low as $229.

 

[nixdad]

Chris -
Can you please repost your reply? Most of it is covered by the video.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[12BitSlab]

Chris -
Can you please repost your reply? Most of it is covered by the video.

Thanks,
Chris

Please post the video when its ready, as I'd love to see it. To assist with the harmony parts, do you guys reference the YouTube videos by Galeazzo Frudua?


Yes – his YouTube videos are very helpful. I only discovered him in the last six months, but what a valuable resource he has become already. Our challenge vocally is that we only have two pure singers, and our third uses a little bit of vocal processing to help him out, which does work pretty well and doesn’t sound fake. Right now I’m covering the linen and Harrison vocals, which are pretty far apart in terms of breathing, etc.

I’ll keep you posted on the compression and anything else I might do to enhance the Ric sound. I’m still trying to figure out which pic is the right one for me. I started with a very stiff felt Dunlop model and that’s pretty good for some very specific songs. It was helpful as I started to learn how to use a pic in general, as it is a bit more forgiving. I do feel like I want to graduate to something a bit lighter.

The Tom Petty band is a lot of fun and we work quite a bit. The fans are always appreciative, particularly now that he is no longer with us.

Are you playing through a Vox amp for live performance? Also – which Hoffner copy? I played a Jay Turser that I borrowed from a friend and it’s sound was terrific. I later read some reviews that said they weren’t reliable though. I don’t think you can beat the price point as I’ve seen them as low as $229.

 

[ChrisWright]

Chris -
Can you please repost your reply? Most of it is covered by the video.

Thanks,
Chris

It's odd - it looks like one of the messages/responses were joined together . . . as though it came from (or went to?) 12BitSlab ... here you go . . . minor edits for typos and clarity . . .

Yes – his YouTube videos are very helpful. I only discovered him in the last six months, but what a valuable resource he has become already. Our challenge vocally is that we only have two pure singers, and our third uses a little bit of vocal processing to help him out, which does work pretty well and doesn’t sound fake, but has its limits. Right now I’m covering the Lennon and Harrison vocals, which are pretty far apart in terms of breathing, tone, etc.

I’ll keep you posted on the compression and anything else I might do to enhance the Ric sound. I’m still trying to figure out which pick is the right one for me. I started with a very stiff felt Dunlop model and that’s pretty good for some very specific songs. It was helpful as I started to learn how to use a pic in general, as it is a bit more forgiving. I'm now using a 1mm plastic HEAVY and I do feel like I want to graduate to something a bit lighter as I progress.

The Tom Petty band is a lot of fun and we work quite a bit. The fans are always appreciative, particularly now that he is no longer with us. Howie was probably more of a singer than anything else in that band.

Are you playing through a Vox amp for live performance? Also – which Hoffner copy? I played a Jay Turser that I borrowed from a friend awhile back, and it’s sound was terrific, but I later read some reviews that said they weren’t reliable though, so I went with a Contemporary Hofner and love it. I don’t think you can beat the price point as I’ve seen them (Turser) as low as $229.

 

[nixdad]

It's odd - it looks like one of the messages/responses were joined together . . . as though it came from (or went to?) 12BitSlab ... here you go . . . minor edits for typos and clarity . . .

Yes – his YouTube videos are very helpful. I only discovered him in the last six months, but what a valuable resource he has become already. Our challenge vocally is that we only have two pure singers, and our third uses a little bit of vocal processing to help him out, which does work pretty well and doesn’t sound fake, but has its limits. Right now I’m covering the Lennon and Harrison vocals, which are pretty far apart in terms of breathing, tone, etc.

I’ll keep you posted on the compression and anything else I might do to enhance the Ric sound. I’m still trying to figure out which pick is the right one for me. I started with a very stiff felt Dunlop model and that’s pretty good for some very specific songs. It was helpful as I started to learn how to use a pic in general, as it is a bit more forgiving. I'm now using a 1mm plastic HEAVY and I do feel like I want to graduate to something a bit lighter as I progress.

The Tom Petty band is a lot of fun and we work quite a bit. The fans are always appreciative, particularly now that he is no longer with us. Howie was probably more of a singer than anything else in that band.

Are you playing through a Vox amp for live performance? Also – which Hoffner copy? I played a Jay Turser that I borrowed from a friend awhile back, and it’s sound was terrific, but I later read some reviews that said they weren’t reliable though, so I went with a Contemporary Hofner and love it. I don’t think you can beat the price point as I’ve seen them (Turser) as low as $229.

Even though the guys in my band have been singing Beatles songs for decades, every once in a while they’ll review GF’s videos if they’re trying to figure out a particularly challenging part. They’re definitely a great resource.

As you can see the by the videos, this band performs seated, as the goal was to create an inclusive experience for the audience. Because of this, what’s actually worked best for me are the Acoustic wedge-monitor type combo amps. Everything with this band runs through the board, so I run the amp through a Reddi tube D.I. The amp only acts as an onstage monitor for me (I get what I want from the rest of the band mix through a Mackie SRM-150 personal monitor.)

The Hofner copy Dale was using is a Rogue. Although I already have a Ric, after I took over 100% of the bass duties I decided to order a German Hofner (I owned 2 other late 60’s Hofners back in the 80’s.) For what it’s worth, I did not dig the Hofner at all, and returned it the next day. I already own a Fender Starcaster bass which I adore, so if I need more thump, I have this at my disposal (both of my basses are strung with Thomastik flats.)

Chris

 

[ChrisWright]

Even though the guys in my band have been singing Beatles songs for decades, every once in a while they’ll review GF’s videos if they’re trying to figure out a particularly challenging part. They’re definitely a great resource.

As you can see the by the videos, this band performs seated, as the goal was to create an inclusive experience for the audience. Because of this, what’s actually worked best for me are the Acoustic wedge-monitor type combo amps. Everything with this band runs through the board, so I run the amp through a Reddi tube D.I. The amp only acts as an onstage monitor for me (I get what I want from the rest of the band mix through a Mackie SRM-150 personal monitor.)

The Hofner copy Dale was using is a Rogue. Although I already have a Ric, after I took over 100% of the bass duties I decided to order a German Hofner (I owned 2 other late 60’s Hofners back in the 80’s.) For what it’s worth, I did not dig the Hofner at all, and returned it the next day. I already own a Fender Starcaster bass which I adore, so if I need more thump, I have this at my disposal (both of my basses are strung with Thomastik flats.)

Chris

Nice! Singers make it great. If only we had YouTube tutorials when we were coming up! Plus lyrics.com and quite a few other things. Of course I never forgot a vocal line after all that effort meticulously listening to the cassette and transcribing, so maybe not so bad either.

In my day we walked to school, uphill in the snow both ways.

How's that D.I. working in terms of emulating what you're looking for?

C

 

[nixdad]

Nice! Singers make it great. If only we had YouTube tutorials when we were coming up! Plus lyrics.com and quite a few other things. Of course I never forgot a vocal line after all that effort meticulously listening to the cassette and transcribing, so maybe not so bad either.

In my day we walked to school, uphill in the snow both ways.

How's that D.I. working in terms of emulating what you're looking for?

C

The D.I. works great! I've gotten good reviews, so I'm happy. Even though I purchased it used, the damn D.I. cost more than my last 3 combo amps combined.

 

[dtripoli]

Wow, with all those different basses and doubles of some, he must be doing something right to generate enough income to purchase all those basses. Not bad for a guy who readily admits he doesn't write or read sheet music.
Just chord and lyric charts

 

[ChrisWright]

The D.I. works great! I've gotten good reviews, so I'm happy. Even though I purchased it used, the damn D.I. cost more than my last 3 combo amps combined.

The D.I. works great! I've gotten good reviews, so I'm happy. Even though I purchased it used, the damn D.I. cost more than my last 3 combo amps combined.

Oh yeah – I just looked that up ... that’s an expensive chunk of electronics. Are u using the floor mounted single channel, or something more spiritual?

 

[nixdad]

Oh yeah – I just looked that up ... that’s an expensive chunk of electronics. Are u using the floor mounted single channel, or something more spiritual?

Here's a photo of the D.I. with my 50 watt Acoustic amp. I just upgraded to to 100 watt 1x12 model which has more tone controls.

BTW - The Petty Hearts sound great!

 

[ChrisWright]

Here's a photo of the D.I. with my 50 watt Acoustic amp. I just upgraded to to 100 watt 1x12 model which has more tone controls.

BTW - The Petty Hearts sound great!

Thank you! That device gets fantastic reviews across the board as I’m sure you’re aware. Did not see a picture attached.

 

[nixdad]

Thank you! That device gets fantastic reviews across the board as I’m sure you’re aware. Did not see a picture attached.

Fixed!

 

[ChrisWright]

Fixed!

VERY NICE! I was an Acoustic guy for years (sold my 370 head to a fellow talk-bassist this time last year when I modernized my gig rig for portability).

What made you invest in the Reddi? Should I assume that it was for this specific lineup that you’re in, or was it just generally desirable?

 

[ChrisWright]

Wow, with all those different basses and doubles of some, he must be doing something right to generate enough income to purchase all those basses. Not bad for a guy who readily admits he doesn't write or read sheet music.
Just chord and lyric charts

I think he made some money selling albums or publishing or something.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Certainly Sir Paul has some spare Hofners?? If the company sent him a free Hofner each year, would he turn it down? Give it away?

Not sure about Paul, but I know Sting did.. My guitar player back then had a custom white semi-hollow body bass hanging on his wall. He said his girlfriend works at a guitar company that made the bass for Sting who politely rejected taking it saying he has too many basses already.. so my ex guitar player gets the bass!

 

[nixdad]

VERY NICE! I was an Acoustic guy for years (sold my 370 head to a fellow talk-bassist this time last year when I modernized my gig rig for portability).

What made you invest in the Reddi? Should I assume that it was for this specific lineup that you’re in, or was it just generally desirable?

The Reddi has received countless glowing reviews on TB for years, so I figured I could not go wrong. Additionally, I've always been a big fan of the Ampeg B-15 (I owned one years ago as well,) and wanted a nice warm, fat tone sent to the board since I knew that that's what the audience would be hearing when we perform. I bought it for this band specifically, however, it will work beautifully for any other future projects.

I too, had owned several Acoustic amps years ago. However, I'm not so much a loyalist to any particular brand as long as I find the right tool for the job. I bought the AB50 on a whim when Guitar Center was blowing these out for about $100 bucks a few years back, and it turned out to be the right choice for this band and our unique setup. I recently upgraded to the new version B100C which is 100 watts, has a 12" speaker and much more tone shaping ability, which has worked out great for our last 2 gigs. Weight and overall portability is a major factor in all the gear decisions I make.

 

[Skokiaan]

Not sure about Paul, but I know Sting did.. My guitar player back then had a custom white semi-hollow body bass hanging on his wall. He said his girlfriend works at a guitar company that made the bass for Sting who politely rejected taking it saying he has too many basses already.. so my ex guitar player gets the bass!

According to a Hofner employee on a Hofner Facebook page, Paul has five Hofner basses. He didn't list what they are, but photos have shown these:

1. The famous '63 - his stage bass and main studio bass.
2. Another 500/1 - his backup bass on stage.
3. Jubilee
4. Anniversary Cavern bass
5. Another Cavern bass - a secondary studio bass

He also has a Club guitar, right handed.

 

[mcarp555]

According to a Hofner employee on a Hofner Facebook page, Paul has five Hofner basses. He didn't list what they are, but photos have shown these:

1. The famous '63 - his stage bass and main studio bass.
2. Another 500/1 - his backup bass on stage.
3. Jubilee
4. Anniversary Club bass
5. Another Club bass - a secondary studio bass

He also has a Club guitar, right handed.

Don't you mean "Cavern" instead of "Club"?