What bass did McCartney Use?

[Pimpernel Smith]

As we all know, McCartney was able to get extremely similar sounds out of his Hofner basses and his Rickenbacker bass. Many still argue over which was used on various albums.
What bass did McCartney use for The Beatles/ White album recording of
'"I Will" ?

 

[Bassist4Eris]

Is that the one where he's actually singing the bass part? I'm pretty sure there's at least one tune on the White Album like that.

 

[FrednBass]

He's singing the bass line, no eletric bass there.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

As we all know, McCartney was able to get extremely similar sounds out of his Hofner basses and his Rickenbacker bass. Many still argue over which was used on various albums.

I don't think they sound similar at all. But it depends on the track. Also some of the bass parts were George or John playing a Fender Bass VI (i.e., Back in the USSR and Helter Skelter), and Paul also used a Jazz bass on the White Album (Glass Onion, which sounds like a Rick!).

 

[bluewine]

As we all know, McCartney was able to get extremely similar sounds out of his Hofner basses and his Rickenbacker bass. Many still argue over which was used on various albums.
What bass did McCartney use for The Beatles/ White album recording of
'"I Will" ?

I don't think anyone knows for sure. I saw Paul last Tuesday Night.He was using Mesa Boogie and played one of his vintage Hofners all night. He played a lot of guitar too ( many vintage Epi's ). The guitarist fills in on bass and he always uses a gold Jack Casidy Epi.

By the way at 71 Paul is still like a 17 year old that just wnats to have fun and play well. He even has to look at his frets. He's the real deal.

Blue

 

[mcarp555]

We do know for sure, at least on "I Will". Paul sang the bass part on Tuesday, September 17th, 1968 at a session at studio 2 in Abbey Road that ran from 7pm till 5am. He also added a backing vocal and a second acoustic guitar. Paul, John & Ringo had begun the song the evening before.

 

[Phendyr_Loon]

Not with the intention to maliciously thread jack, but I've been unsuccessful in identifying this bass that Paul is playing.
I do love the tone and this clip exhibits Paul's playful technique.

 

[mcarp555]

Not with the intention to maliciously thread jack, but I've been unsuccessful in identifying this bass that Paul is playing.
I do love the tone and this clip exhibits Paul's playful technique.

Uh, Paul isn't playing bass in this clip. Photographic evidence taken around the time he recorded "Maybe I'm Amazed" would suggest it was done with the Ric.

 

[Phendyr_Loon]

Uh, Paul isn't playing bass in this clip. Photographic evidence taken around the time he recorded "Maybe I'm Amazed" would suggest it was done with the Ric.

So who is singing (besides Rod) and playing bass in that clip? Sure looks like Paul to me.

It looks like a Ric, but I can't tell what model it is.

 

[FretlessMainly]

So who is singing (besides Rod) and playing bass in that clip? Sure looks like Paul to me.

It's the late Ronnie Lane who:

1. is right-handed; and
2. doesn't really look much at all like Sir Paul to me.

Besides, Paul had been dead for nearly three years by the time that video was made.

 

[Phendyr_Loon]

It's the late Ronnie Lane who:

1. is right-handed; and
2. doesn't really look much at all like Sir Paul to me.

Besides, Paul had been dead for nearly three years by the time that video was made.

Well I guess that's my mistake. I suppose that I always identified that song with Paul and swore it was him.

 

[FrednBass]

So who is singing (besides Rod) and playing bass in that clip? Sure looks like Paul to me.

It looks like a Ric, but I can't tell what model it is.

Ronnie Lane (R.I.P.), ex-Small Faces and ex-The Faces. With a respectable solo carrer also.
Check him out.

And that bass is so far from looking like a Ric...
Invalid Link Removed

 

[Revolver]

Well I guess that's my mistake. I suppose that I always identified that song with Paul and swore it was him.

'Maybe I'm Amazed' IS indeed McCartney's song. This one you brought up is a cover version

Here you go ...

 

[lpcarter]

pretty sure he used a carvin 5er

 

[Gorn]

It's Paul singing. It sounds to me like he's singing "douhm" for each note.

 

[vin*tone]

Ronnie Lane (R.I.P.), ex-Small Faces and ex-The Faces. With a respectable solo carrer also.
Check him out.

And that bass is so far from looking like a Ric...
Invalid Link Removed

Wow.

I just thought it was an Ovation in the vid. But wow.

 

[GlennW]

We do know for sure, at least on "I Will". Paul sang the bass part on Tuesday, September 17th, 1968 ...

He should have brought a backup.

 

[BassHappy]

Just for the historians.....

Ken Scott engineered much of the "white" album for the Beatles....

And his book about it is available on Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/Abbey-Road-Zi...UTF8&qid=1374378019&sr=8-1&keywords=ken+scott

If you don't want to click the link here is some info:

Ken Scott holds a unique place in music history as one of only five engineers to have recorded The Beatles, but his experiences as a producer may be just as profound. Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust shares the intimate memories of Ken Scott s days working with some of the most important artists of the 20th century while crafting a sound that has influenced several generations of music makers. Ken's work has left an indelible mark on hundreds of millions of fans with his skilled contributions to Magical Mystery Tour and The White Album, and as a producer and/or engineer of six David Bowie albums (including the groundbreaking Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars), as well as other timeless classics from a who's-who of classic rock and jazz acts, including Elton John, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, Duran Duran, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, America, Devo, Kansas, The Tubes, Missing Persons, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Billy Cobham, Dixie Dregs, and Stanley Clarke. Funny, poignant, and oh, so honest, Ken pulls no punches as he tells it as he saw it, as corroborated by a host of famous and not-so famous guests who were there as well. Plus, you'll be privy to several exclusive stories, facts, and technical details only available in Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust. National press campaign planned around 40th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust release on June 6, 2012 Includes never-before-told stories of The Beatles, David Bowie and Elton John Many never-before-seen photographs

Just thought some of you might enjoy.....

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

[freedomryder]

Just saw him last night in Seattle. Was wondering what the SVT was doing on stage until Krist Novoselic, Pat & Dave came out toward the end. Ended up playing 4 or 5 songs.
So much fun.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Correct. Just having a little fun with younger players who might not have known about McCartney singing the bass part. Interesting, though, isn't it to hear how he makes it sound like a bass?