Macca basses (other than Ric & Hofner)

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revolver323
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Macca basses (other than Ric & Hofner)

Post by revolver323 »

I found these pics of Paul that show him with a Jazz bass (a lefty) and the a Yamaha. Never seen the Yamaha pic before.Image
Image
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leesh
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Post by leesh »

That is just wrong. Well, a freebie is a freebie I guess.
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Post by alanz »

Image
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Post by maplered »

Yeah, Paul played a Yamaha in the late 70's - mid 80's. He also has a Kay bass. There are several pics from the early 70's and early 80's that I've seen w/ the Kay.
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Post by grinch »

He got his first Jazz Bass (sunburst w/tortoise shell pickguard) in 1967 or 1968, and he used it on the White Album and Abbey Road.

That five stringer up there is a WAL bass.
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Post by mgauction »

Yep! A Wal MK 111 fiver. Linda bought him that one.
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Post by rictified »

He also has Bill Black's upright, Elvis's first bass player, Linda also bought him that.
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Post by leesh »

I saw him use that on his PBS special! That was great to see him play.
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Post by mgauction »

Bought in New Orleans during the recording of "Band On The Run."
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simer4001
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Post by simer4001 »

Mike, wasn't New Orleans "Venus and Mars"?

He also has a 4003/5JG and a 4004 Cheyenne.

BTW, what model Yamaha is that? I've heard BB1200 and BB1600. I've thought of looking for one, but they seem hard to find. Especially since I don't know what Zi'm looking for.
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Post by mgauction »

Oops! I stand corrected, Brian. Getting to old....
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Post by simer4001 »

Mike,

As my lovely bride tells me. "Their's no getting about it." She's a charmer huh?

Any thoughts on the Yamaha Mike?
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Post by revolver323 »

Brian: I think the BB1600 was a double pickup, P & J. The BB1100 is probably what Macca has, although his doesn't have a pickguard like the one below. Around this same time, Richard Page of Mr. Mister used a white Yamaha 5er that was very similar. I don't recall a pickguard on his bass, either.Image
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Post by mgauction »

Brian, I have not played one before so I'm not much help. Somehow Yamaha's have never steered my way. Funny, the Yamaha company was about 15 miles from where I grew up and it never piqued my imagination.
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Post by revolver323 »

I've played the newer cheap starter basses (RBX170). The finishes are great, but the tone and fit & finish -- especially of the frets -- leaves a good bit to be desired. I've seen jackplates pull out of the wood after a week, controls cease to function and dead pickups because of sloppy wiring. The attitude of the Yamaha rep seemed to be, "Well, you can fix all that ... what do you want for $200?" Actually, what I'd like is functionality and attention to detail. OLP does it, why not Yamaha? I've never felt the urge to play one of their designer models.
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