Why Did Paul McCartney stop using his 4001?

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:45 am

Wow, interesting posts. Lots of different input.

Is Paul on interview anywhere saying he tired of the sound of his 4001?

Surely not

Still mad at Geddy Lee for abandoning his 4001!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:20 am

Carmen,

Let's not confuse video's with recordings. Now he may have recorded with his 4001 for Back to the Egg, but studio photographs I've seen show him playing his Yamaha and on his ill fated 79/80 tour he also played the Yamaha. As for "Off the Ground", I believe that photograph is at least 5 years old in that collage. Paul is good at using old pictures. On the "World Tonight" video it shows a still photo of him that was also used 11 years earlier in the "Press to Play" press kit.

I'm not sure why he doesn't play it as much. I quoted here on another thread what Paul said from the "Here, There and Everywhere" book in response to a question from a reporter on why he doesn't use his Rick. I'll have to look at his answer again.

I concede the ROCKESTRA theme. I have a picture of the entire gang at Abbey Road, and he does have his 4001 and I'll tell you this, it looked great in action with all those musicians. It's an awesome shot.

Anyway, someday he may turn back to it. Maybe when he's too old to stand with a bass and it won't be so hard for him to play sitting down with it.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:08 pm

I referred to "Here, There and Everywhere", I meant "Each One Believing". Sorry about that.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:27 pm

I can tell you that it was used on "Driving Rain" because he called me from the studio and asked me to bring him a bass (which was actually a C Series prototype). He'd left his original at home and was desperate to get "the" sound.

musicfan37 · Post by **musicfan37** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:33 pm

That's very cool! Thanks John.

paulv63 · Post by **paulv63** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:35 pm

Paul pulled the Hofner out in 1980. He used it for the "Coming Up" promo. At that point he started switching around. I have an interview somewhere... he mentions pulling it out of the case at which time he fell in love with it all over again. Saying it was like a toy.

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:25 pm

Great Guitars and Basses, Mr. John Hall.

I love my 4003 FG and it gets massive compliments on sound and looks.

Now why that Paul M. doesn't use it as much anymore, I'm at a loss!

A Wal bass??? Doesn't even have a proper bass manufacturers name. Sounds like a contractor's name. A Hofner has a cool sound and is a pretty instrument, but the Ricky's better in both departments.

Long live RIC!!!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 3:36 pm

WAL's are absolutely fantastic basses. Incredible growl!

JH, I knew that he used a C Series bass on Driving Rain. Spinning on an Axis to be exact. Someone had mentioned it was his original bass, but I had read or heard that you stopped by the studio with it. Is that true.

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

A good friend saw McCartney in Seattle during this last tour. Sir Paul played "the" Rickenbacker 4001 for all but four songs, according to Randy. He used the Hofner for the others.

(you Tele-heads will know the aforementioned friend as TeleTubby from the TDPRI.)

Wal basses are beautiful, unusual things- I just did a neck refinish, fretboard resurface, and refret on a 4 string Mach III.
The Wal basses have marvelous pickups, preamps, and ergonomics. The company was originally named "Electric Wood", but with the passing of the founder, Ian Waller, the remaining builder, Pete Stevens, renamed the company in honor of his late friend and partner.

They're not cheap, nor cheaply made. Wait time is 9-18 months and the cost is well above $3000 a copy.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:56 am

Strange Corey. All the pictures i have seen of the Seattle show document him playing his Hofner only. I would love to see if any photographs exist that show him playing his 4001.

Longer than that for WAL's Corey. They aren't even taking new orders.

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:37 am

I saw Paul last year (Sept.) and the Rick was nowhere in sight.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:52 am

John,

Does Paul still have the proto-C or did he give it back?

Thanks,
Kevin

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:29 pm

Give it back? Ha ha ha! Good one Kevin.

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:29 pm

Let's be realistic here.

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:14 pm

As I've said in a previous post, I saw Paul last Oct. @ MSG. No Rick. Upsetting to say the least. Hey Brian, how do I get this "Linda McCartney Story?" BTW, according to the Driving Rain "liner notes" is states That Paul played "Rickenbacker Bass" on Spinning on an Axis. So my original assumption that he played his old 4001S appears to be an incorrect one.