McCartney Rickenbacker Tone

[MaplegloMatt]

I just finished listening to the newly re-mastered "McCartney" album (loud..through headphones). Paul's tone on that album is IMHO, perfect. It reminded me that it is what made me want to play bass, made me lust after a Rickenbacker, and makes me keep mine strung with flats.
I know the 4001/3 is capable of many tones and the Squire/Lee/Rotosound tone really put RIC on the map but the sweet, mellow tone of flats on a Rick does it for me.
I'm just sayin'.......

[woodyng]

and you would be correct! i think that's one of the reasons so many ric bass owners have more than 1. i have 60's maxima flats on my 4000,for a supersmooth resononant tone that still cuts through,and DR sunbeams on my cii for plenty of toppy grind and snap. i love Macca's ric tone he got with the old maxima flats,although i don't "quite" get it with my bass not having the toaster there.

[fireglo]

Did you get the booklet that comes with the album? If so, what does it say about the Rickenbacker bass?

[MaplegloMatt]

Unfortunately I didn't have the extra cash to spring for the "deluxe" edition for $59.00. (I already felt foolish for buying this album again in yet another format!) It looks like a hardcover book with (I'm sure) an expanded booklet. I just got the basic 2 CD set. The booklet in that set does not mention Rickenbacker but I've seen a short promo clip on You Tube that appears to have pages from the deluxe edition that mention specific instruments used such as Rickenbacker bass, Martin acoustic and Premier drums. The booklet I got does at least have additional photos including a photo of Paul outside his house in London with his Rickenbacker.
And Woody, you hit the nail on the head....I need to save for a new Rick (4004?) so I can string it with some DR Sunbeams! That would also be a tone worth the quest.

[bluewhale]

I've seen more than one Beatle-era photo of McCartney playing his 4001S with the pickup selector in the down position, I assume to select the bridge pickup.

Is it known whether he recorded that way?

[nukebass]

Rumor has it that his bass may have been wired "upside down" so that the down position was the neck pickup. Someone should ask him

[johnnysain]

Rumor has it that his bass may have been wired "upside down" so that the down position was the neck pickup. Someone should ask him

Someone at RIC worked on that bass in 1975. I wonder if John Hall or someone else would know who that was?

And if anyone can recollect any details about the bass (besides the 'wood work' that Paul performed on it).

[ken_j]

Rumor has it that his bass may have been wired "upside down" so that the down position was the neck pickup. Someone should ask him

Someone at RIC worked on that bass in 1975. I wonder if John Hall or someone else would know who that was?

And if anyone can recollect any details about the bass (besides the 'wood work' that Paul performed on it).

Look here: http://www.thecanteen.com/arnquist.html

[FretlessOnly]

Great stuff, Ken.

As for the pickup switch, it is only a rumour about the wiring (as far as I know), but one listen to his tone and you know you're hearing a preponerance of neck toaster as opposed to a horseshoe.

[johnallg]

Great stuff, Ken.

As for the pickup switch, it is only a rumour about the wiring (as far as I know), but one listen to his tone and you know you're hearing a preponerance of neck toaster as opposed to a horseshoe.

That and a LOT of compression.

[antipodean]

Great stuff, Ken.

As for the pickup switch, it is only a rumour about the wiring (as far as I know), but one listen to his tone and you know you're hearing a preponerance of neck toaster as opposed to a horseshoe.

That and a LOT of compression.

And the bass channel of a Bassman or a Vox, depending upon the period.

[FretlessOnly]

Interesting that you would say that John, as I'm not at all sure about what compression really was in the days when Macca used his 4001S most for the Beatles (Wings is another story) later tracks. Let's say the latter half of '65 through the Lady Madonna/Hey Bulldog sessions in February '68. The one tune that most speaks Rick to me is With a Little Help...; that bass tone is ringing out like a piano - I get no sense of compression on that. I'm wondering what compression was in those days - certainly not a rack-mount or pedal like we see today; more likely a board adjustment. I can hear loads of compression on the 4001S on a track like Baby You're a RIch Man, but not so much on others.

[johnallg]

John, in fact Paul's basses were run through two compressors (tube based) when he was being recorded.