12 String on Abbey Road

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:23 am

I was listening Abbey on the way to work this morning, and was wondering which, or if, it is a 12 string on "You Never Give Me Your Money". It starts around 1:30 into the song. Right when Paul sings "But, oh that magic feeling". Then is in there sporadically for the rest of the song. I honestly never gave it much thought until today, but I thought they had quit using the 12 strings by Revolver'ish.
So, 12 string, or some effect?

Thanks,
Kevin

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:37 pm

Yes from about 1:32 to around 2:11. I definitely see what you mean Kevin. It does sound like the chime of a 12 string.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:31 pm

Good question Kevin. I've always thought I heard a Rickenbacker 12-string on that part a little later in the song where it goes from C to Em to A. The 'oh that magic feeling' part does sound like an electric 12 too. I think even though they didn't want to be seen with their 'mop-top' guitars anymore, they would pull out any guitar in the studio to get the sound they wanted. Anybody else?

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:41 pm

Wow, could be!

kog · Post by **kog** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:59 pm

Hmmm, could be. I always thought it was Harrison's Rosewood Tele through a Leslie. He was real big on using the Leslie effect by that point. I've fooled people before (quite accidentally) by running a Tele through some reverb, compression and a Leslie efx , and a couple of guys with pretty good ears thought I was playing my 360-12.

However, I'd LIKE to think he hauled out his Ric for the song....

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:06 pm

I too always thought that it was a guitar going through a 'Leslie'.

There's a blues guitarist in town that goes to the trouble of hauling a big 'ol Leslie to all his gigs... huge & heavy wood cabinet and all. And that's in addition to his Fender tube combo AND Marshall tube combo! The guy's a tone freak!

Of course the sound he gets is jaw-dropping, so I guess it's worth it... for him and his audience!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:15 am

In Lewisohn's book he says about YNGMYM, quote, " George used a chiming electric guitar through a Leslie." The only 'chiming' guitar I know of would be a 12, but...

oyoyobeatle · Post by **oyoyobeatle** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:03 am

It is hard to hear the 3rd string "octave" sound there, so I think it is not 12 strings...but the sound should be Over-Dubbed sound sounds like 12 strings...Like "Words of Love"

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:40 am

Really sounds "Ricky through a Leslie" to me! More so later in the song.
Whatever it is, it fits perfectly!

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 am

Sounds like a double-tracked guitar to me.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:39 am

Atsushi's comments are well taken and we certainly cannot rule out a double-tracked six string.

Stan, not to take anything away from Lewisohn, a "chiming electric guitar" sounds like a response from someone who may not recall what instrument was used.

revolver323 · Post by **revolver323** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:40 am

I'd say a Lesliefied six string.

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:02 am

Oh, I agree Peter. I think Lewisohn knew it was an electric guitar, but what kind makes it a different story. So, failing to know precisely he just gave his own descriptive take on it.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:22 am

maybe this 12'r!

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:27 am

Sounds similar to the lead riffs on Old Brown Shoe - almost certain that's his Tele. The solo on OBS is certainly his Tele through a Leslie, apparently double-tracked in bits. Considering the time frame, this question might be answered...

if I grow up, I'll be a singer
wearing rings on every finger

such an awesome song, never tire of that one.