Paul's Yamaha bass
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Whatever happened to his Yamaha bass? First seen in 78(?) , then last I remember seeing it, was him working out No More Lonely Nights w George Martin in a docu.
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He uses it during the Press To Play Sessions In 85/86 Ive seen pictures not sure whether its been used much since
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I just bought a Yamaha BB1200 bass very similar to Paul's (only right-handed). Here are a few photos of Paul with his (mine is the one on the left). I love that "Coming Up" live bass line which came from that bass. I was wondering if anybody out there knows what kind of strings Paul had on the Yamaha. Were they flats? Gonna take a shot in the dark that someone on this board may know...
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Not sure what brand of strings, but as far as I know, McCartney has only used flat wound strings on his basses.
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RMartinez:
Not sure what brand of strings, but as far as I know, McCartney has only used flat wound strings on his basses.
Thanks
. I had a hunch, but wanted to be sure. -
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Didn't he say at the time he only started using it because the special left handed Yamaha was gifted to him? "I'm always getting free guitars."
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moptops:
Didn't he say at the time he only started using it because the special left handed Yamaha was gifted to him? "I'm always getting free guitars."
I know that's the story of the Rickenbacker, as well. Paul McCartney probably hasn't paid for a new bass in over 50 years.
I can only imagine how large his personal collection truly is - from basses to acoustics, electrics, ukes, etc. -
LetMeRollIt89:
moptops:
Didn't he say at the time he only started using it because the special left handed Yamaha was gifted to him? "I'm always getting free guitars."
I know that's the story of the Rickenbacker, as well. Paul McCartney probably hasn't paid for a new bass in over 50 years.
I can only imagine how large his personal collection truly is - from basses to acoustics, electrics, ukes, etc.I agree for the most part - but I wonder about that 1989 era 5 string bass...I get the feeling that was something he was specifically looking for and not just a gift (not that this means he had to pay for that one either...LOL) Probably not too many guitar makers are going to tell Paul McCartney 'if you want a guitar from us, you have to pay for it'...LOL
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rich n:
LetMeRollIt89:
moptops:
Didn't he say at the time he only started using it because the special left handed Yamaha was gifted to him? "I'm always getting free guitars."
I know that's the story of the Rickenbacker, as well. Paul McCartney probably hasn't paid for a new bass in over 50 years.
I can only imagine how large his personal collection truly is - from basses to acoustics, electrics, ukes, etc.I agree for the most part - but I wonder about that 1989 era 5 string bass...I get the feeling that was something he was specifically looking for and not just a gift (not that this means he had to pay for that one either...LOL) Probably not too many guitar makers are going to tell Paul McCartney 'if you want a guitar from us, you have to pay for it'...LOL
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
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RMartinez:
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
It looked and sounded great in his hand .
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Ammar:
RMartinez:
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
It looked and sounded great in his hand .
Was that around the time he started commenting on the weight of the Hofner compare to his other basses (including the Ric) and why he uses the Hofner exclusively when performing live? Or was it at some point during this 'My band' (i.e post 2002) era?
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rich n:
Ammar:
RMartinez:
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
It looked and sounded great in his hand .
Was that around the time he started commenting on the weight of the Hofner compare to his other basses (including the Ric) and why he uses the Hofner exclusively when performing live? Or was it at some point during this 'My band' (i.e post 2002) era?
McCartney started using the Hofner again around 1987 or 88 because Elvis Costello asked him to, for the song VERONICA, I believe. Then he played the 5 string WAL for a few songs to start the 89/90 concerts, then played the Hofner the rest of the night when playing bass. And it has been the Hofner ever since.
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RMartinez:
rich n:
Ammar:
RMartinez:
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
It looked and sounded great in his hand .
Was that around the time he started commenting on the weight of the Hofner compare to his other basses (including the Ric) and why he uses the Hofner exclusively when performing live? Or was it at some point during this 'My band' (i.e post 2002) era?
McCartney started using the Hofner again around 1987 or 88 because Elvis Costello asked him to, for the song VERONICA, I believe. Then he played the 5 string WAL for a few songs to start the 89/90 concerts, then played the Hofner the rest of the night when playing bass. And it has been the Hofner ever since.
Exactly - but there was some point in time where he blamed the weight of his other basses for his choice to use the Hofner exclusively...Just trying to recall when he made that declaration
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rich n:
RMartinez:
rich n:
Ammar:
RMartinez:
Actually, the 5 string Wal bass from the FLOWERS IN THE DIRT period and that Paul used on the 89-90 tour was a gift from Linda. He stopped using it live by 1993, when he only played his Hofner on stage for the New World Tour.
It looked and sounded great in his hand .
Was that around the time he started commenting on the weight of the Hofner compare to his other basses (including the Ric) and why he uses the Hofner exclusively when performing live? Or was it at some point during this 'My band' (i.e post 2002) era?
McCartney started using the Hofner again around 1987 or 88 because Elvis Costello asked him to, for the song VERONICA, I believe. Then he played the 5 string WAL for a few songs to start the 89/90 concerts, then played the Hofner the rest of the night when playing bass. And it has been the Hofner ever since.
Exactly - but there was some point in time where he blamed the weight of his other basses for his choice to use the Hofner exclusively...Just trying to recall when he made that declaration
Never read about it. but always felt that this is the main reason for switching back. I love the hofner, but I believe he gets more creative bass player with WAL and other bass guitars in studio and even on stage.
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Ammar:
I love the hofner, but I believe he gets more creative bass player with WAL and other bass guitars in studio and even on stage.
Yeah, I love watching him work the Rickenbacker in Rockshow during Wings Over America. He does some brilliant, intricate work. A lot of that work gets watered down these days on the Hofner. I love the Hofner as much as any Beatle/Macca fan, but the Ric is my favorite, and the Yamaha has an awesome sound too. Even if it doesn't get live exposure anymore, I'd enjoy seeing him in-studio on one of the other basses.
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LetMeRollIt89:
Ammar:
I love the hofner, but I believe he gets more creative bass player with WAL and other bass guitars in studio and even on stage.
Yeah, I love watching him work the Rickenbacker in Rockshow during Wings Over America. He does some brilliant, intricate work. A lot of that work gets watered down these days on the Hofner. I love the Hofner as much as any Beatle/Macca fan, but the Ric is my favorite, and the Yamaha has an awesome sound too. Even if it doesn't get live exposure anymore, I'd enjoy seeing him in-studio on one of the other basses.
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RMartinez:
Not sure what brand of strings, but as far as I know, McCartney has only used flat wound strings on his basses.
I know Paul mentioned using Ernie Ball strings on his 6-strings, and I used to use Blue Steels on my bass, so I assume he mentioned using those but I am not positive about those.
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I wonder how it compares: how many Beatles songs were recorded on Hoffner and how many on Rickenbacker? I'm sure the best ones were on Rickenbacker
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Ymaginatif:
I wonder how it compares: how many Beatles songs were recorded on Hoffner and how many on Rickenbacker? I'm sure the best ones were on Rickenbacker
Not sure how many songs. but the Hofner is the one he used the most. 1963 - 1966 Hofner 1967 Rickenbacker 1968 Fender Jazz bass 1969 Hofner/Rickenbacker
