Why Did Paul McCartney stop using his 4001?

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:39 pm

Yeah... that Yamaha-issued pickguard was pure function, no form. Unfortunately the used BB1200 I have (which was a replacement for the brand-spankin' new '82 I originally had... don't ask me how I lost THAT one...) has four little screw holes where the previous owner had installed that pickguard. Echh.

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:15 am

How long did Paul use the Yamaha? I'm not surprised that it is a well-made bass. Goes with the company name.

Does he still use it? Is it an active bass?

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:55 am

I think he used it pretty extensively through about 1986ish. In 1987 when he was doing TV spots to promote "All the Best", he was again using his 4001. I think shortly after that the Hofner and the Wal were his main basses. I haven't seen the Yamaha since.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:48 am

My guess too Brian. Mid '79 to '86-'87 maybe. Pretty good stretch.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:26 pm

Well here is a video for those who can't decide which bass you like best. He plays his Hofner, Rickenbacker and Yamaha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VUgJo8-gzk

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 1:36 pm

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 8:38 am

Isn't there a lack of tonal options or loss of output with only one pickup? I mean all of Paul's have had two. The Wal, the Rick, the Hofner, the Jazz bass. Then this Yamaha.. it's basicly a P bass. (I'm pretty sure the people here that own one will start saying it's not a P bass.) I'm guessing this was free and Paul wanted to show off his new toy.

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:03 am

There's nothing wrong with single-pickup basses. The Precision Bass is probably one of the most recorded basses in the history of the electric bass. Actually, after years of thinking similarly to you, I'm becoming a convert to the 4001's bridge pickup by itself and the single-pickup 4000.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:09 am

Listen to Goodnight Tonight. I believe that was recorded with the Yamaha. Doesn't sound like any tonal option problems to me. I think it was a freebie Nate. I think that is why he started to use it. It is also the time in which he left Capitol Records and went to CBS' Columbia. Maybe he wanted a brand new start all around.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:20 am

"P-Bass on steroids" is how I usually describe it. A bit more hi-fi than a Fender. I've got 6 P's here, and the Yamaha is a bit different than all of them.

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 9:47 am

I just saw that link to the "Take It Away" video - I love that song! I think I bought it when it came out - the 12" single. Never saw the video before. Even George Martin is in there!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 10:39 am

At the time Harry I remember thinking it was very FM. When FM was FM. Eric Stewart from 10cc is in there as well. That guy Ringo was there as well. And John Herd was the "lonely driver out on the road".

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:47 pm

And don't forget Steve Gadd drumming along with Ringo! Learning who Steve Gadd was later on in life gave me new respect for the song.

I love the vocals at the very end - very Carpenters!

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:24 pm

I had forgotten about Steve Gadd. He was around for the follow up to Tug of War. The very boring Pipes of Peace.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 12:23 pm

Jeez, who hasn't the guy drummed with/for?! We've all been listening to him for years and probably not realized it 95% of the time.

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Steve_Gadd.html