Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The bass part for George's "Something" is tabbed out in the April '06 issue of Bass Player magazine.

On of the best if not the best of all of Macca's basslines IMHO.

And, recorded using a Hofner. It certainly sounds that way, anyway. Very "woofy" if you listen closely. Great lines. Now maybe I can learn tab cause I know Macca's "Something" bass line by heart, so I'll just need to translate from the fretboard to the tab.

Paul, yes, the article mentions that even though McC was using the Ric by this time he decided to use the Hofner for "Something."
I can scan it I suppose if someone would like to see it.

Don't do that on my account, Mark. I pay for published works, and advise all to do the same. Being a magazine editor, I'm particularly sensitive about scanning and transmitting copyright material. Sir, step away from the scanner and keep your hands where I can see 'em.

Actually gentlement the article reads:
"Though he used his '65 Rickenbacker 4001S on "Something." Paul attributes much of his style to the particular fell and style of his '83 Hofner..."

If that's true then it's the first official confirmation I've seen that he used the 4001s on Something. I had always figured that was the case.

I had always thought he used the 4001 on Something too. That bass line sounds nothing like the Hofner.

Andy, thanks for correcting me. I just got the issue in the mail, and had only just glanced at it.

Mr. Boyer, sir, as stated in another thread, I am not a lawyer. But as an editor I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of “Fair Use.” Copyright case law is full of contradictions but precedent has generally shown that small portions of published works can by copied for purposes of criticism, comment, education and other uses.

Why are there copiers in libraries?

I guess this is what keeps lawyers busy. (Apologies in advance to all lawyers out there.)

FWIW, I play the 4001S on "Something" every night, I always thought it was the Ric. Great fun to play.

" '83 Hofner" ? Still sounds like the Hofner to me.

On "fair use," I agree, but fair use is NOT offering to scan and transmit a part of a current magazine to distribute to others (and here you might be talking about hundreds) who are in essence getting it for free. Yes, there are copiers in libraries, and if each of you who want this want to trundle on down to the library and copy the pages from Bass Player, I can't stop you. But If I (or you) were to copy it and either sell the copies or even offer them for free without the publisher's permission, that's just plain stealing. Look at it this way: a publisher makes money (to pay authors, photographers, designers, editors, salesmen, shippers, postage, and so on) by selling paper magazines. If half of the reader base decided to stop buying the magazine because they could get a copy from their buddy for nuttin', how do you figure the magazine can continue to exist? Yeah, you can say magazines make money from advertising sales, but ad rates are based on circulation, and if there's a significant drop in circ, advertisers will stay away in droves, too. So what may be "fair use" to you, isn't necessarily "fair" to everyone.

I think it sounds like the Hofner too. It's a great bass song no matter what it was played on!

AND, it states he tunes his E string down to a D. there's one instance where he hits the low D... i didn't think Paul put that much thought into variations like that. for the record, i always thought it was his Hofner on that one... sounds like mine. i'm sure, at that point, he could play a volkswagon and it would SOUND like him!

oh well.

Hmm. As I recall playing it in C (as is the record), the lowest note is an E (during the guitar lead), but I ain't no pro.

going back and listening to it, i guess it does have a "ricky"-ness about it. but, the Sgt. Pepper Rick tone is (i think) superior to the abbey road/let it be time period... even though its earlier.

i guess they really simplified a lot and kept various effects and compression out of the picture... focused on performance and emotion.

we could talk about him all day. (and we do!)