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Paul McCartney and his Basses

I never would have thought in a million years Maxwell's Silver Hammer had George on bass.

It's documented as such, but I agree with you 100%, as it sounds way too much like Paul.

Oh yeah, I've learned to not argue with those type of books, they have obviously used other sources besides their ears:laugh:. Looks like George picked up some tips from Paul.
In the film Let It Be, George is (was) often seen playing a Fender Bass VI while Paul played guitar or piano. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen the film — since anybody has seen the film, for that matter — but Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Two of Us stand out in my memory as songs that I believe featured George on the Bass VI.
 
In the film Let It Be, George is (was) often seen playing a Fender Bass VI while Paul played guitar or piano. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen the film — since anybody has seen the film, for that matter — but Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Two of Us stand out in my memory as songs that I believe featured George on the Bass VI.

I have it on DVD but can't remember either but I'm sure the book must be accurate.
 
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You also shouldn't ignore the fact that Lennon could play a bit of bass too and do it proficiently.

He does chordal stuff and even gets a little funky.

Bad example, IMO. Lennon mangled The Long and Winding Road. I've read that Spector laid on the strings and choirs specifically to cover up his atrocious bass work, but I could hear it at age 14 in 1970. I can't think of any Lennon bass lines that were proficiently played, though Helter Skelter somehow works in the mix.
 
Lennon mangled The Long and Winding Road. I've read that Spector laid on the strings and choirs specifically to cover up his atrocious bass work

I play in a band that does a lot of Beatles. We even used to do the whole tribute thing. I learned that line note for note just to irritate the BL. (He's a huge John Lennon fan, and I'm an a$$4o1#) :eek::banghead::thumbsup:
 
In the film Let It Be, George is (was) often seen playing a Fender Bass VI while Paul played guitar or piano. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen the film — since anybody has seen the film, for that matter — but Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Two of Us stand out in my memory as songs that I believe featured George on the Bass VI.
Paul used to record his bass parts last, so I believe George filling in on bass during certain rehearsals was no uncommon. I can’t wait to see Let It Be when it’s re-released as well - it’s been decades since I’ve seen it.
BTW, I believe George played his part on “Two of Us” on his Rosewood Tele.
 
I’m pretty sure that all of the Beatles,Ringo included, could play multiple instruments. I saw Paul playing a Mandolin a while back. George Harrison was a player and collector of Ukulele’s.
What ever was needed I’m 100% sure that any one of the Beatles would have gotten the job done.
 
I’m pretty sure that all of the Beatles,Ringo included, could play multiple instruments. I saw Paul playing a Mandolin a while back. George Harrison was a player and collector of Ukulele’s.
What ever was needed I’m 100% sure that any one of the Beatles would have gotten the job done.

I'm not saying Lennon wasn't a competent musician. But he was known to hate having to play bass, and between his disinterest and heroin use, his limited bass work on Let It Be was particularly poor.
 
In the film Let It Be, George is (was) often seen playing a Fender Bass VI while Paul played guitar or piano. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen the film — since anybody has seen the film, for that matter — but Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Two of Us stand out in my memory as songs that I believe featured George on the Bass VI.

Lennon is playing the Bass VI in Let It Be, not George. I don't recall seeing George on bass anywhere in the movie, while John plays it on "Let It Be," "The Long and Winding Road" and jams like "Dig It."
 
I’m pretty sure that all of the Beatles,Ringo included, could play multiple instruments. I saw Paul playing a Mandolin a while back. George Harrison was a player and collector of Ukulele’s.
What ever was needed I’m 100% sure that any one of the Beatles would have gotten the job done.

If you want to hear Lennon attempt to play sax, pay attention to the squealing in the later sections of "Helter Skelter." It's him on sax, while the other noise is Mal Evans on trombone.
 
Lennon is playing the Bass VI in Let It Be, not George. I don't recall seeing George on bass anywhere in the movie, while John plays it on "Let It Be," "The Long and Winding Road" and jams like "Dig It."

John did play bass on "Let It Be" in the movie but Paul overdubbed the bass on the released recording at the behest of George Martin
.

- Steve
 
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