• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Paul McCartney and his Basses

#161
ShoeManiac said:
Yeah. Around late 1968 / early 1969 all of The Beatles got this idea in their head that natural instruments without finishes would resonate better. As a result John Lennon had his Epiphone Casino stripped, and McCartney had his Rickenbacker 4001s stripped as well.
Click to expand...

George Harrison also stripped his Epiphone Casino at this time. Here it is, just to the left of George:

lucy-007.jpg


Some other Beatles instruments in the photo include:
- Hofner Club on the left
- Rocky on the wall
- stripped cherry Les Paul above Rocky
- Ric 360/12 right behind his head
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo, Toni-Louise Dillon and bluesdogblues
#166
ShoeManiac said:
Yeah. Around late 1968 / early 1969 all of The Beatles got this idea in their head that natural instruments without finishes would resonate better. As a result John Lennon had his Epiphone Casino stripped, and McCartney had his Rickenbacker 4001s stripped as well.

Another noteworthy thing about the Rick pictured above? Evidently the horseshoe pickup was getting in Sir Paul's way, so it was removed.... with a hacksaw! This photo seems to be from a time when he had effectively disabled the bridge pickup because of that little move.
Click to expand...

Paul stripped it and sanded it himself.
 
#167
BassistDale said:
although I'm not sure what he was up to when this was photo taken, it looks like he could be muting the strings with his picking hand. Maybe he was just acting up or possibly the camera angle is deceiving
Click to expand...

Look at any early live clips of The Beatles. This is how his left hand always looks. He is definitely not palm muting. If he was his pinky and ring finger would be outstretched.
 
#169
JimmyM said:
Well take it up with Paul, then, since he's the one who said he never palm mutes.
Click to expand...

Wish I could Jimmy, that would be awesome!:bassist:

Floyd Eye said:
If he was his pinky and ring finger would be outstretched.
Click to expand...

Outstretched pink and ring finger is not necessary.
Scroll down this page to the pic of Paul.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_guitar
Ok, I know it's Wiki, but look at that pic!
I want to keep an open mind about this and all topics. right now I have contradictory info so in my mind the jury is still out.
It's okay if I never have a definitive answer, it's fun investigating!
 
#173
godofthunder59 said:
Not so he took it to someone, he did however hang around and watch.
Click to expand...


Ok. I read where he had supposedly said he did it himself, but then I also see where it is claimed he took it to a dude in SoHo and had it sanded. One thing is certain, a belt sander was taken to it ( according to doc Q and the Ric dudes that restored it later) and it also a near certainty that a bunch of stoned Beatles painted their own guitars after Sgt. Pepper was recorded. The Fool painted Lennon's Rolls Royce though.
 
#174
Floyd Eye said:
Ok. I read where he had supposedly said he did it himself, but then I also see where it is claimed he took it to a dude in SoHo and had it sanded. One thing is certain, a belt sander was taken to it ( according to doc Q and the Ric dudes that restored it later) and it also a near certainty that a bunch of stoned Beatles painted their own guitars after Sgt. Pepper was recorded. The Fool painted Lennon's Rolls Royce though.
Click to expand...

From what I{ve read...he stripped the finish off himself, then later on had someone sand down the horns.
 
#177
Floyd Eye said:
Look at any early live clips of The Beatles. This is how his left hand always looks. He is definitely not palm muting. If he was his pinky and ring finger would be outstretched.
Click to expand...

I agree, and I think the presence of foam rubber under the strings of the Hofner in the Revolution video affirms this. Any muting on the Rick probably was courtesy of the mute in its bridge.

I also find it mildly puzzling that a guy who claims not to know what strings he uses would care about the finish supposedly affecting the sound of his bass.

To me, it also sounds over the last two CDs he has released that he is using either more hi-mid & treble EQ or is dialing in some of the bridge PUP on the Hofner.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back