Short scale = Beatles?

[Bredian]

Posted a couple of weeks ago about my borrowed Hofner making me fast "like" Sir Paul.... somewhat joking, but seriously, the shorter scale is noticeable. Normally I'm playing a Fender Precision Lyte (they have Jazz sized necks).

Watching a Let It Be video last night, started looking for the bass player.... its John.... looked like he was playing guitar, but its a 6 string "baratone" Jaquar style bass they used alot. Saw another video with George using it. Also a short scale.

Fender Bass VI, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Danelectro.

 

[FretlessMainly]

The question of who played what bass in the Beatles catalog is somewhat complicated. Up to Rubber Soul, it's McCartney on either of his two Hofners. Rubber Soul saw the introduction of the Rick 4001S on several tracks. Revolver through Mystery Tour is almost all McCartney on the 4001S except possibly for She Said She Said, which is likely George on a Burns Nu-Sonic.

The White Album sees the introduction of both the Fender Bass VI you describe for both John and George as well as a lefty Fender Jazz that McCartney used on tracks such as Guitar Gently Weeps, Glass Onion and a few others. John played the Bass VI on Helter Skelter and there's evidence to suggest that Back in the USSR has three bass tracks - one from Paul George and John each. Video evidence indicates George on Bass VI on Hey Jude, but the final recording may or may not be him (it could be!).

For the Get Back Sessions, Paul went back to the Hofner (the '63, I believe) and Abbey Road is a mixture of Hofner and 4001S.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the mish-mash of hazy memory presented in various forms out there in the literature. My ears and my brain tell me that what I've written here is largely true, but there is enough disagreement in various sources to suggest some level of uncertainty too.

 

[Tom Howland]

I have a 1960 Gibson EBO.
It has La Bella "Beatle Bass" strings on it. (short scale)
It nails the Beatle tone.
Great with a pick.
I think the short scale makes it easier to play some of Paul's crazy lines.

But a Ric, 4001 would be nice too.

 

[Bredian]

Practice today. Playing some lines at teh end of Let It Rain, and my fingers are stretched from the 4th to the 7th frets to keep from sliding and it would of been nice....

What I noticed on the Hofner, is the shorter scale, AND your hand is usually 2-3" closer to your body (4" shorter scale).

As I build my collection, I'm jonesing for a short scale, maybe the Fender 6 string, a normal 5 or 6, maybe an 8 or 12 string (al la Cheap Trick) to really bring different capabilities, beyond a backup.