What songs did Paul McCartney use his RIC bass?

augustus · Post by **augustus** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 6:24 pm

Does anyone know... in which song did sir Paul McCartney use his RIC bass?

the only song that I know...which was play by RIC bass was "all you need is love"
are there more...?

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 9:06 pm

Many more, the first ones were "Paper back Writer" and "Rain", (that was a 45 rpm single, a double sided hit). after that he used it on many songs, Probably all or at least most on "Magical Mystery Tour" A lot on the White Album, like "Yer Blues" "Helter Skelter", and "While my guitar gently Weeps" just to name a few. If you listen to the albums you can pick many more out. On "Octopuses Garden" it sounds like the treble pickup soloed, which is on Abbey Road, some on Sgt. Peppers Lonely hearts club band, etc. on and on.
One of my favorites is: Baby You're a Rich Man" Magical Mystery tour.

gpatt5762 · Post by **gpatt5762** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 5:10 pm

From Rubber Soul:

You Won't See Me
Nowhere Man
Think For Yourself
The Word
Michelle
What Goes On
I'm Looking Through You

All of Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, MMT.

Most of White Album, though USSR is thought to be GH on a Jazz.

Hope That Helps. BTW, I have nailed Lucy in the Sky with my C64 with mute up and my thumb. It can be done.

Garry

eddier · Post by **eddier** » Sun Jun 08, 2003 6:35 pm

Garry:
Did Sir Paul use the Ric for the "fuzz-bass" on Think For Yourself? Stu Cooke of CCR called that track the best fuzz bass sound on record.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 5:31 am

I think the liner notes of Rubber Soul mention Paul on Fuzz Bass

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 7:16 am

I thought Paul started using his Ric after Rubber Soul?

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 7:55 am

Bob: McCartney first used his Rickenbacker 4001 on Rubber Soul.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 10:36 am

According to Ian MacDonald's Revolution in the Head, The Beatles Recordings. "McCartney received his 4001 at The Beatle's Hollywood Bowl show in August of 65 from FC Hall. He used it only sparingly during the November sessions for Rubber Soul - e.g., the tracked fuzz bass on Think for Yourself - but, from Paperback Writer, he favoured it over the Hofner" FYI, Paperback Writer was recorded on April 13 and 14th of 1966.
The fuzz box used was a Gibson Maestro Fuzztone, the same model that Keith Richard used on Satisfaction just a month prior to Think for Yourself being recorded.
Cheers,
JC

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 12:38 pm

I love the bass on Paperback writer and especially Rain, that song really stuck in my brain.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 1:57 pm

I've not read any of my Beatle books lately, but on "Rain", I recall reading they recorded the music tracks with the guitars tuned a little high, and the tape sped up, and played fast, so that when the tape was slowed to normal speed, the song was in the key it was supposed to be, but the instruments (particularly drums)had a fat, fat tone. I don't know whether the bass was tuned higher in this process, or that Mac just played in a different key than the rest. They then overdubbed vocals. Ringo once said on TV this was his favorite Beatle Drum performance.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:32 pm

Did he play along with the guitars, or did he overdub as he did a lot? If he overdubbed it was probably in the right key if it was slowed down. And yeah the bass and drums are right together on that song. Or was the point of slowing it down to produce the fat sound of the rhythm section? (with everyone playing)

maccaguy · Post by **maccaguy** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 4:38 am

Hello all, newbie here!
In a interview with Sir Paul, he said 'some of the bass on Paperback Writer and Rain was the Ric.' That leads me to believe that a little overdubbing was done to 'spruce up' the Hofner's sound in those recordings, but George has said that Think for yourself was the first time Paul used the Ric on a Beatles song, so opinions still vary, even among those who were there.

Don't for get paul used the Ric on a lot of the Wings stuff, but by the 70's, he had aquired quite an arsenal of basses, including a fretless 4001!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 6:54 am

Hi Brian, welcome! Overdubbing in 1965 was crude, I only hear one bass in those recordings, I don't hear the Hofner at all, and there is a distinct difference in the sound of those two basses. Hofners sound muddy to these ears. I had one many years ago. Rics jump right out at you. I suppose anything is possible though because George Martin was an unbelievable producer.

maccaguy · Post by **maccaguy** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 1:39 pm

Hi Bob! I've listened to those songs many times myself, and I'm with you, but I just remember being caught by how Paul phrased his statement. I play a Ric 4003S and a Hofner, and there is a very opvious difference even live, but remember that the Abbey Road staff had strange recording methods in the early to mid-60's, and they had four creative people telling them to 'make it sound different'. IMHO, Geoff Emerick and George Martin should get a third of the Beatles creative credit!

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 7:44 am

I've recently listened carefully to the Abbey Road album taking particular note (heh, heh) of the basslines. To me, the first two tracks, Come Together and Something, sound like the Hofner -- kinda muddy, even though Something has probably the best bass line of all Beatle's tracks.

Two that really jump out as Rickenbacker are Here Comes the Sun and the Golden Slumbers/The End medley at the end of the B side.

I've got my Rick and a Hofner now, and am considering putting Hofner round-wounds on it to give it some punch. I bought the Deluxe 5000 with the birds-eye maple back and sides. Sure looks pretty!