Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Check out Paul's pickups. Was this normal?

Never noticed that before. It's definitely different but I still can't make out that configuration. Curious.

To me it looks like the bridge pickup was moved right up against the neck pickup with no space between them and a large foam mute pad mounted at an angle where the bridge pickup would be.

That's his first Hofner, the '61. He got it refinished and a new pickup surround was installed. Stolen about a year later.

Looks like the '62 500/1. I thought it had been refinished in '64, then stolen sometime after that. ???

My knowledge is sorely lacking beyond this...

dpowell wrote:That's his first Hofner, the '61. He got it refinished and a new pickup surround was installed. Stolen about a year later.

cavernbass02.jpg

I think I'm missing something. If it was stolen how could he be playing it on "Revolution"? I thought he didn't get it back. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The story goes, it was stolen after the recording of "The Ballad of John and Yoko" Video footage of that session is said to the last time the instument was seen with Paul.

This is the source of my confusion, too, Kira. Supposedly it was stolen sometime after the refinish in '64, when the bigger surrounds were put on.

Did he get a third Hofner, built to '61 or '62 specs?

Before... after the re-fin.

Only jokin'.
1964.

A bit of colour to illustrate the refinished 3 tone SB. This can't be long before it was stolen...imagine having that one stashed under the bed?

godber wrote:This can't be long before it was stolen...imagine having that one stashed under the bed?

I'm checking under my bed ASAP!!!

kiramdear wrote: I think I'm missing something. If it was stolen how could he be playing it on "Revolution"? I thought he didn't get it back. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I meant to say it was stolen about a year after that video was filmed.

The '61 served as a stage backup before he got the 4001, and he had it until the Let it Be period. AFAIK, Paul only ever owned two Hofners, although legend has it that one with gold hardware was made for him but never delivered.

dpowell wrote:

kiramdear wrote: I think I'm missing something. If it was stolen how could he be playing it on "Revolution"? I thought he didn't get it back. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I meant to say it was stolen about a year after that video was filmed.

AFAIK, Paul only ever owned two Hofners, although legend has it that one with gold hardware was made for him but never delivered.

Ah, thanks, Dan. I had always had the impression that it was stolen much earlier. Perhaps I'm confusing it with George's Rick. Thanks for the clarification.

jps wrote:

godber wrote:This can't be long before it was stolen...imagine having that one stashed under the bed?

I'm checking under my bed ASAP!!!