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Hey Bulldog

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:24 pm
by flyingpenguin
Hi, Can anyone tell me what bass Paul used on "Hey Bulldog" and where i can get the tab or music for that bass line? I'm freakin hooked on it!
Thanks
Tom

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:09 pm
by mrmstrd
That is his Rick, no doubt. A real round, deep sound with a bit of top end for bite... if you want Beatle Bass lines, get "The Complete Beatle Scores". It has both tab and notes. By far the best transcription of Paul's lines.

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:11 pm
by squirebass
I don't even think Paul McCartney could tell you what bass he used on that song, but to me it sounds like a Rick 4001 with flatwounds. I'm hooked on that song too, and I think it is very underrated as a Beatles song.

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 4:13 pm
by flyingpenguin
Thanks Guys, I'm trying to learn it by ear and my ears just ain't what they used to be. Neither is my poor P-bass.I'm trying to get a Ric 4003 Turqoise just ain't got the doe now. "Long Distance Runaround" is another one I can't wait to play on my future Ric.

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 5:43 pm
by squirebass
I hope I'm not the bearer of bad news, but
if you want a Turquoise 4003, you'd better act fast, they discontinued that color this year...

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 5:55 pm
by mrmstrd
Musician's Friend supposedly still has plenty of Turquoise in stock, some have to be well over a year old now.

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 7:09 pm
by walrus
If memory serves me, I recall reading something that indicated that the Lady Madonna promotional film was done while the Beatles were recording Hey Bulldog. In the film that was released, Paul is playing the RIC.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:43 am
by rickde
You can find the guitar tab on www.tabcrawler.com That should help figure out the bass.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:12 am
by loendmaestro
Just gotta weigh in on this subject & say that I agree that it is such an underrated Beatles song. That was the opening cut on many a compilation CD for my friends & loved ones.
The remastering job on the Yellow Submarine Songtrack is amazing...

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:21 am
by marty
It is a great bass line isn't it.

On the subject of Beatle bass lines 'Something' is an absolute corker!

Sounds like the ric with the mute on.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:22 am
by iamthebassman
I play bass in a BTB and we always play "Something" and often play "Hey Bulldog". Both are great fun on bass. On HB I love the sliding bass in the "You can talk to me" part. Both songs definitely the Ric.

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:41 am
by mrmstrd
That slide thing that Ronn is talking about is suprisingly hard to emulate. I could listen to that part over and over again and I always am amazed by Macca's tone. As much as I like the Rick "clank", that low-mid power and treble overtone is what drew me to Rick basses. And the neck, oh my, these necks were made for my hand...

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:16 pm
by bassduke49
Now, I think that Something was done on the Hofner. It just sounds muddy compared with work on Sgt. Pepper. Same for I Want You/She's So Heavy. Just muddy. Others have suggested that Here Comes the Sun and the Golden Slumbers were done with a Fender Jazz, but they sound Rick to me. If they were done with a Jazz, was that a left handed Jazz that Paul had? I know they had one in the studio and that George may have played it, but then it would have been right handed, eh?

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:45 pm
by flyingpenguin
I think that slide is what hooked me! I've really learned to respect Pauls bass lines. I listened mostly to Chris Sqire,Geddy Lee,Victor Wooten.Now Pauls right up there with 'em. I'm rediscovering my guitar playing after about fifteen years of being too busy.It'amazing how much I've forgotten!
I hope I can get one of those turq's before they're gone!

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:45 pm
by marcinkus
In my opinion, there's no RIC bass in Abbey Road, I think that the entire album is played with a Fender Jazz bass.