McCartney's Cavern Bass On "Revolution"

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:19 am

What is that block that's between the pickups and the bridge on McCartney's Hofner Cavern bass? This is the one he's using on the "Revolution" video.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:53 am

A chunk of foam IIRC.

(You wouldn't want your Hofner w/ flats to sustain too much, now would ya!)

wayang · Post by **wayang** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:10 am

You're sure it's not hashish?

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:46 am

It could be! I wonder how that would affect the tone?

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:12 pm

That's the bass that was stolen shortly thereafter. Sadly, it's doubtful that it will ever reappear again.

larrywassgren · Post by **larrywassgren** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:14 pm

Was that supposed to mute the strings and give it a more thuddy(?) sound? Where it's placed it would seem to make the bass not play right(in tune). I certainly would like to see that Cavern bass surface again. I know who took it but I'm not certain who has it now.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:22 pm

I think that is exactly what it was supposed to do Larry.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:10 am

"I know who took it but I'm not certain who has it now."

Larry,

I hope you can keep my name out of this!
Oops! D-oh!

greg_feo · Post by **greg_feo** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:22 am

BUMP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6-55I14bVQ

(though the quality is not great)it shows the 'Cavern' Bass being used during 'Let it Be'

studiotwosession · Post by **studiotwosession** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:40 am

It could turn up. Woudn't be the first time a famous heisted axe turned up decades after it was snatched.

Macca should put out a reward for it.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:05 am

When he refinished the Cavern Bass he had a mounting plate installed to keep the pickups from popping out.

The bass was swiped from Twickenham in 1969 while they were filming what became Let it Be

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:08 am

Why wouldn't they just not plug it in? Yes, there's some acoustic sound from the Hofner, but it shouldn't be loud enough to interfere with a directional mic. Hmm.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:39 am

I don't think the foam was placed there for that particular performance. Paul definitley had a propensity for mucking about with his basses. This is my favorite picture of his 4001. What a mess.

blazer · Post by **blazer** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:28 am

But according to the Beatles Gear book, Macca actually played his Rick on "Revolution". He used the Hofner on that mimed performance because it's much lighter.

Note also that while he does have a bass cab behind him, he doesn't have an amp head.

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:46 am

You're correct Wouter.