Paperback Writer guitar sound?

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 3:12 pm

I've alway just been STUNNED with how great, punchy and crunchy (without being too 'fuzzy') the overdrive guitar sounds on "Paperback". How did they get that sound? I've been told many things (used a vox tone bender pedal), but wonder if anyone has any solid info? I'm kinda new here so i hope this hasn't been answered 40,000 times!

lawton · Post by **lawton** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 4:09 pm

Hey. This link:

http://perso.wanadoo.es/sissu/pm2.htm#3

...says that John is playing a Gretsch and George is playing his Casino. The lead part does have (to my ears at least) the tone of a P90 guitar with the weight on the bridge pickup.

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:28 pm

What exactly is a Nu-Sonic Bass?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:25 am

Burns.

spencer · Post by **spencer** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 4:37 am

It's also been said that they had a WEM 'pep rush' pedal sitting in the studio for those sessions.
On that note, I was auditioning a new pedal that I got for Chrismas - A Radial 'Tonebone' Hot british version and I totally nailed that sound with my Tennessean. So I vote for single coils and fuzz for that sound.
Incidentally, I've already returned the 'hot british' pedal for the 'classic' version (which my stepbrother got) the hot british was just TOO much.

eddied · Post by **eddied** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:01 am

I thought for sure that the lead riffs of Paperback Writer were George and his SG. There are several pictures and a video to confirm this.
Any thoughts?

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 8:07 am

You really can't go by the PW "video" as far as guitars used on the recording. For example, Paul is using the Hofner in the film, but used the 4001S on the recording.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 8:55 am

I thought that video was the Hey Bulldog video, Ed, but maybe that's a different one altogether.

On the Beatles-To-A-Tee DVDs, RobT nails the sound on the SG, but in the Anthology, George and John are using Casinos at the Tokyo concert, also nailing the sound.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:00 am

The video of Lady Madonna on the Anthology DVD is of them actually recording Hey Bulldog. You can see at one point a shot of some lyrics on a mic stand or something. If you freeze the frame there you can read the words to Bulldog.

Are we sure the 4001 was used on PPW? I keep seeing about this Burns bass being used, but it sure sounds "Ricky" to me. Where did this Burns info originally come from?

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 5:09 am

Stuart, It's funny you mention The Beatles To A Tee video. That was done by a local guy that lives in Waterford MI. Some of the instruments and amps were provided by a local store and Ric dealer, Motor City Guitar. My wife gave me that as a Christmas gift when it was first released.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 6:17 am

Oh, I forgot to post the caption that goes with that picture.

"I'm so stoned and this thing sounds bloody great!"

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:27 am

George playing the Burns bass was on a very early, unreleased take of PW, not the one we all know and love with Paul on 4001S.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:28 am

Thank God!
I would have hated to have to sell my V63 and start looking for a Burns! NOT!!!

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 7:52 am

Although I'd like to think it was George playing the riff I'm pretty sure it's John.
As for guitars, anything I hear on Revolver sounds like it could be something then I find that it might be something else.
So I kinda gave up...

My 370 on the neck position I can get a good tone for the riff, but it's certainly not the same thing...

chingnchime · Post by **chingnchime** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:07 am

Adding to my own thread here- I happened to watch the anthology last night and in a live segment where they did 'Paperback" they DIDN'T nail the record's guitar sound.Both John and George were on Casinos, and it wasn't even close!