Paul had two rick basses?

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:34 am

I found this webpage putzing aruond this morning. Look at the last pic. Paul with his "McCartney" era lefty Tele. Over his right shoulder, the coveted 4001S. And over his left shoulder......

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:38 am

"...And over his left shoulder......

Is a left-handed Rickenbacker 4001, probably from about 1972 or 1973, supposedly a fretless version. Some people have dated the pic from around 1978 or so, around 'Back To The Egg' time...but the bass is earlier than that due to the Grover tuners on it.

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:50 am

That's too cool. There's Paul with his "I'll try anything once" mentality. I never knew. According to Mr. Hall he has a 4001C64S but this was an interesting discovery for me. Anybody got any more picks of this rare Rick?

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:33 am

That has circulated around here before. He also has a 4004 Cheyenne a 360V64/12 and I believe a 230GF.

I believe this picture is much earlier than the Back to the Egg period. There is a Fender back there too!

winston · Post by **winston** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:52 am

Great pic. Look at the "bare" sheets of styrospan being used as baffle boards. That's amazing. It's actually great material with inherent qualities that would be very suitable for that purpose. Perhaps another innovation by George Martin and his staff that slipped by unheralded?

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:27 am

The fretless 4001MG is heard to good effect on the tune "After The Ball" on the Back To The Egg LP.

apollo11 · Post by **apollo11** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 3:38 pm

I would agree that the picture is pre Back to the Egg, maybe 73 or 74.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:11 pm

I didn't know that Fran. Cool info. How did you find that out?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:42 am

I had thought that it was an early pic too, but I think it is from a series of photos that include later Wings personnel like Laurence Juber...I may be wrong on this, but that's my recollection..

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:02 am

I'd guess it was circa London Town, based on clothes and hair, but it's still just a guess.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:20 am

I think you may be right Ethan.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:41 am

Bri, just an assumption, based (bassed?) on the obvious glisses and intonation issues in "After The Ball" . Give it a listen, especially the part leading into the "How many million miles" vocal part. That, and the fact that I haven't seen photo evidence of any other fretless in his arsenal..

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:57 am

I will take a listen tonight. Thanks Fran!

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:07 pm

Paul still makes it sound good.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:20 pm

Damned straight! It IS a good part too, just a little out of tune, kinda like how I do it!