Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone know for sure exactly Which guitar Clapton used on this song? One source said it was Clapton's psychedelic painted SG. Another said
a Les Paul. What's the Truth??

I'm pretty sure I read it was a Les Paul. I believe it may even have been the Les Paul that Clapton gave to George, and George later had stolen and returned in a weird swap.

Hello Dr., I quote George Harrison from the Nov. '87 Guitar Player magazine interview - pg. 92-93 -"...and that was the time that Eric gave me that Les Paul guitar. And that gets back to the story of "Guitar Gently Weeps": It was my guitar that was gently weeping - he just happened to be playing it."
And this from an article by Bob Mytkowicz in the same issue - pg.106, "In August '68 Harrison received a special gift from his pal Eric Clapton, a Gibson Les Paul that he named Lucy. Clapton used this Les Paul for all the lead work on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and George featured it on "Cry Baby Cry" and "Sexy Sadie."

This might be the guitar George used in the Revolution video (video?). A red Les Paul, pictured in the Bacon/Day Les Paul Book.

From what I have read/heard this is who was on the recording and playing what;
George Harrison -Gibson J-200 with tun-o-matic bridge (stock)
Eric Clapton -Gibson Les Paul
Paul McCartney-piano and Hammond
John Lennon -Fender Bass VI

George Martin may have a hand in the playing Keyboards) ...but I doubt it .There is nothing in his style.

It could be the 'Revolution' guitar,Eric did give it to George .

By the way ...whenever Eric is seen playing with George ,he always uses a Les Paul to play this song .
The one time he did not was at the Bangla Desh shows.

Paul didn't play bass on that song? Doesn't sound like Lennon to me. Sounds like the Macca's Ric.

Around this time, a Fender Jazz Bass crept into the Beatles' inventory of instuments, so it very well could be a Jazz Bass..My ears (or whats left of them) tell me what ever was used on 'Helter Skelter' was used on 'Guitar Gently Weeps'......

Whatever bass it was (could be either- I'd like to believe it was the Rick it really sounds like a Macca bass line. Listen where he does the slides at the end. Very 'Paul-ish'. The same with 'Helter Skelter'. I think John may have played bass on the original bed, but my guess is the Paul re-did it later. I should point out that I wouldn't be surprised if I'm WRONG. Has anyone else noticed in bands that have played together for a long time (and The Fabs are a prime example) that the players take on the other's style and characteristics? e.g. Paul's drumming on Dear Prudence is classic Ringo fills.

Yeah, that's a great point. Dear Prudence used to be my favorite Ringo moment and Paul does capture his spirit it seems. Lewisohn must have the answer on "Gently Weeps". The bass line is very clever - Lennon's bass playing often seems very rudimentary. Anyone know the answer?

I could swear I'd read somewhere that Lennon wasn't even present at this session. It was mainly Harrison on rhythm guitar, Clapton on lead guitar, McCartney on bass, organ and piano. George Martin may also have added the piano. Comments anyone?

George Harrison has always said Paul was the one that came up with the piano part .

I agree that the bass sounds typical Beatles ,but except on the Let it Be sessions ,where did John play bass?

I will pull out the George Guitar Player and see if this is answered there or if it is in" All You Need is Ears" the G.Martin book

Lennon played a Fender Bass VI on "Back In The USSR" and also supposedly played bass on "Helter Skelter". I don't have my books handy as I'm doing this from my work but there might be a couple of other tracks he played bass on.

As well as John on Fender bass VI, there is a regular bass as well. It makes sense if you listen to the drums. No Ringo, and it shows. Of course, Paul could play (a lot like Ringo- see my earlier post) but if you listen, the drums are terrible on this track! Surprising that the song holds together so well. John is apparently playing bass on 'Long and Winding Road'. I remember reading in Ian McDonald's book ('Revolution in the Head') how terrible the bass was. I couldn't really pick it out, but truth be told, it's one of my least fave Fab songs.