Paul McCartney Wings Over America Rickenbacker 4003s/4001s Tone

I know exactly zero about Paul's strings. But Welcome to TalkBass!!!!

 

In interviews, Paul said he used the shiny ones.

Sorry couldn’t resist.
I had my ric strung with TI Flats, but I think there’s more to it then that. Though they sounded good.

Don’t know what he used. I’m sure touch and amp come into play as well.

Good luck in your search.
And welcome

 

Well...
Near as I can tell, in the videos, he's playing a 4003, with Hi Gain pickups and the bridge p/u cover removed. A C64 Rick is a repro of his old 4001, with completely different pickups. So, no, you don't need one of those; although, it would be a very nice Rick to have...
As for the strings? Sir Paul has always been... vague.. about his stuff; especially strings. And, it's just impossible to get a clue from the videos, too. But, since I happen to have a 4003 and a 4001, if I had to guess? From the sound clips, I'd say:
- Flats of some kind, but probably not La Bellas; they're a touch too Old School thumpy. TIs? Maybe.. to be honest, the clips remind me of medium gauge Fender 9050 flats. Definitely something in the "polite" range of flats.. not too thumpy; not too bright and round wound-y; just right...
- I'd also say that he's definitely got the capacitor cut out of the bridge pickup, too; and
- Pretty sure he's playing with a pick, as well. I play my Ricks that way, too...
So, ignoring what kind of rig he's playing through, and the fact that - let's face it - neither of us is Sir Paul, I'd say that, IMO, a 4003 with Fender 9050M's and no capacitor on the bridge p/u would get you pretty close; question is, can you play with a pick...?

 

In the concert videos Paul is playing his '64 (IIRC) 4001S with toaster in the neck and hi-gain in the bridge location. Sometime since that era, the original horseshoe pickup was reinstalled on the bass.

 

The treble (bridge p/u) tone control is a push/pull pot. Push in = no capacitor ("modern" 4003 tone). Pull out = capacitor engaged ("classic" 4001-ish tone). Easy-peasy...

 

It really really helps to get that tone if you're Paul McCartney. And you're using flats.

Seriously, though, it wouldn't surprise me if Paul kept the strings it came with.

 

Rick, flats, and a pick will get you there. IIRC, Maxima flatwounds came on Rics back in the day and it’s likely McCartney never changed them. Maxima isn’t around anymore but apparently Optima RB flats are the closest thing to the old Maximas (so I’ve heard).

 

Possibly pyramid flats or labella....

 

Tone is in the fingers... or in this case, the pick. You should be trying to find out what pick he used.

 

I have zero knowledge about McCartney's gear but I believe he used pyramid flats (the same ones used on his Hofner*).

* According with an old Bass Player magazine I have.

 

Gotta agree, Jimmy, Paul has said, numerous tomes in interviews, he's nt a techie, doesn't know anything about strings, amps, probably whatever strings the Ric came with, he used

 

You beat me to it, Jimmy. That's exactly what I was going to say.
He's a right-brained (left-handed, of course) instinctive artist who has always distanced himself from technical details.

 

I'd think you'd want a set of "not too thumpy" flats to get close. Some that are a tad brighter than LaBella Deep Talkins or Chromes. I'd recommend Dunlops.

It's great to hear the bass so prominently in the mix. I guess when you're Royalty, and it's your show, you get heard. Great playing from a master.

 

Right. You will never get McCartney's tone, even if Paul gave you his Ric, strings and all. Focus on getting YOUR tone.

 

Paul used flats and usually played with a pick

 

Just putting this out there: WOA tour was May/June 1976 — were TIs (mentioned a couple times in this thread) in production then?

OP, good luck finding that Macca tone but as @RichardW said, focus on finding YOUR tone.