When did McCartney sand off the points on the "horns?"

[RobW]

I had always thought when he sanded off the fireglo finish on his 4001, in the process he smoothed those points on the "horns" like in this photo:



But then there's this picture, I think from the White Album sessions, that clearly shows the points on the horn, yet with the "stripped" finish:



Did he own a second 4001? Or did he later have those points sanded down for a reason?

[jps]

Here is another photo of his pre horn sanding 4001S.

[jps]

...did he later have those points sanded down for a reason?

More drugs?

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

from a poster i have...

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

and another...horrible...

[johnallg]

I though it was for Wings, and it was a machismo thing.....

[simer4001]

Here is another photo of his pre horn sanding 4001S.

This photo is from the first sanding. The first sanding took place sometime during the Let it Be sessions. Paul took it to a guy in Soho. The second sanding took place between Ram and The 1972 European Tour. That is when the horns were shaved down.

[RobW]

The second sanding took place between Ram and The 1972 European Tour. That is when the horns were shaved down.

Why, though? Did he ever explain it?

[Keef]

I've always wondered the same thing... why sand the points off. I guess it boils down to that's just what he wanted to do. Clearly he didn't have a problem altering his instruments. Maybe the point sanding was a way of starting over....

[aerome]

Interesting question, something I never thought about. I'll ask when I run into him and report back.

[weemac]

I get it! The smoother the horns get, the longer the Mullet gets!

emac.

[RobRick]

It could be something as simple as McCartney saying, "Let's shave the horns down on my Rick bass so people will have something to think about and talk about over and over again in 40 years!"

[iamthebassman]

I get it! The smoother the horns get, the longer the Mullet gets!

emac.

I concur, clearly for Mullet Enhancement.

[pag]

Simple explanation,
Just over enthusiastic sanding...it is only wood after all and not cast iron.
The guy in Soho...Sam Li (or Lee)?
If it was I think thats the guy that did Chris Squires re-fin.

[tinman 1967]

Simple explanation,
Just over enthusiastic sanding...it is only wood after all and not cast iron.
The guy in Soho...Sam Li (or Lee)?
If it was I think thats the guy that did Chris Squires re-fin.

Over enthusiastic? Boy! I would say! Thats a whole lot of meat to be sanded off,.. looks like he was going for broke there.

Is it me? correct me if Im wrong, but does the 4001 C-64 S look like it has more wood at the horns, than Pauls sanded bass? His looks a bit "too sanded" for me. I wonder where RIC came up with thier dimension on shaving horns on the C-64 model? Did they actually use Mc Cartneys bass as a template?



Am I really bored to be getting so involved in the shape of Pauls bass here?