OK, bottom line, which bass on "Abbey Road"?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:45 am

As we enter into rehearsals of "Side Two" of "Abbey Road", I'm wondering if I have to/need to/get to buy a new bass, it's gotta be correct ya know.

I've heard the 4001S, the Hofner, and the Fender Jazz, but which one was it really, or does anyone know for sure? Or perhaps he used more than one.
I NEED TO KNOW!

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:06 pm

A little known bit of 'Abbey Road' trivia: It was actually Ringo playing most of the bass parts. Paul was busy trying to master the hammer and anvil parts for 'Maxwell'. In the end (ha ha), Paul's main instrumental contribution to the album sessions was limited to several inspired cowbell solos. George Martin always wanted more cowbell...

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:17 pm

wow....that was almost helpful

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:19 pm

My vote is: More than one bass.

Definitely the Rick on 'Here Comes the Sun' but as for the others... I don't know that anyone knows for certain which bass is on which track.

I have a Hofner, and I could see (or, hear, I guess) it potentially present for a number of songs on side one, but side two is trickier to my ears. Since most of side two is a medley, though, I'd be tempted to just go with the Rick, partly because 'Here Comes the Sun' is among Paul's very best sounding, best recorded basslines and, for me, an example of 'ideal' Rick tone.

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:00 pm

Ronn, if your ear cannot discern the difference and I submit that you would be an "expert" judge, then no one else in your audience will know the difference either. If it were me that had to decide, I would just play whatever instrument seems right for the part.

Randy I did not know that Ringo could play bass. He has always been high on my list of great drummers but that revelation has put him very very high on my list. I knew that he played guitar quite well BTW.

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:53 pm

Brian: It's a little known fact that Ringo played many of the toughest lead guitar bits (i.e. 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'). I think that Ronn is simply looking for an excuse to buy another bass. I've seen a picture that he once posted, and it had enough guitars and basses to outfit several bands. But then a guy like me with thirty-something guitars shouldn't pretend to be the voice of sanity.

Ronn: Just buy another bass. It'll make you feel better!

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:14 pm

It never occurred to me that Ronns post was an excuse to buy another bass Randy. LOL

Ronn, take Randys advice and just go buy the bass that you want for the job. That way you'll alleviate the pressure on your system and you won't blow a gasket thinking about it.

maplered · Post by **maplered** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:34 pm

Come Together is definitely a Rick. There are photo's from the session w/ Paul and is refinned Rick.

Most of the album sounds like a Rick to me. Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight is George on his Jazz Bass. There are photo's floating w/ George playing a 66 jazz bass on Abbey Road and he is known to have played bass on this song.

I want You could be a Hofner. That song was rehearsed during Let it Be and the bass sound is very close but its tough to tell.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:53 pm

Maxwell's sounds like the Hofner to me...kind of a tubby sound, and during the let it be rehearsals Paul was playing it, and it sounds the same as that sound to my ears.

I always thought that I Want You was the RIC, with all the gyrations he is playing on it, the Hofner wouldn't have stayed in tube very well....plus it just sounds like a RIC to me.

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:18 pm

Ronn: I still have to vote Hofner on a few tracks on Abbey -- notably the "She's So Heavy" part of "I Want You." Slightly out of tune ala the Hofner in earlier recordings. But then agin he DOEs play all that high stuff. So maybe the Ric. You force me to go listen tonight. One thought: we know that the Hofner was rolled out for "Let It Be" sessions -- maybe in keeping with the "Get Back" theme. However, "Abbey" was recorded after "Let It Be" with the intent of "doing it right," if George Martin and others can be believed. That makes think that Paul brought back the Ric again because he knew it would play better than the Hofner. Geoff Emrick is putting out a book on his Beatles sessions soon. Perhaps the answer will be in it. Has Paul ever been asked about what bass he played? Would he remember? Judging from the "Anthology" footage, he, George and Ringo seem to have forgotten who played what on many tracks. Maybe we should ask Will Lee? Maybe we should all buy new basses! BTW, if you want to hear a Hofner recorded to sound like a Ric, listen to MArk Hudson's playing on Ringo's "Chooose Love" CD.

glass_onion · Post by **glass_onion** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:24 pm

Ringo played on WMGGW? No way? which parts? and any other songs that anyone knows of that he played on?

maplered · Post by **maplered** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:29 pm

The bass on Maxwell's Silver Hammer sounds almost like the Bass VI. George was playing that in the Let It Be movie. Kind of sounds like that on record, too.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:16 pm

Clear as mud, Ronn! Just go get another one, or use the 4001S!

fireglo · Post by **fireglo** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 9:31 pm

I have heard George say that he played bass on "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window". I can't remember where I heard this though. It might be on the anthology DVD.

rickinroma · Post by **rickinroma** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:30 pm

http://perso.wanadoo.es/sissu/aroad.htm
most of people here know this website... even if it might be incorrect in a few details it's a starting point...