Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I probably should have posted this in The Beatles section, but I am not a bass player.

Just listening to "GM,GM" without the lead, and Sounds Inc. horns, and I just love that bass sound.

Is that just Rickenbacker bass? Or is it really compressed?

Could some Rick bassists weigh in on McCartney's bass sound on this song?

Thoughts??? and thanks.

Hey Joe!

I just listened to that on the way to work this morning! I love the bass tone on that album!
I'm pretty sure Paul used a lot of compression, with flat strings, plugged directly to the board, and mostly played with a pick.
I was going to list some other songs with great tones, but it got too long. Some of my favorites are: With a little help, Penny Lane, Baby You're a Rich Man, Hey Bulldog, to name a few.

Does Paul's Rick have mutes? If so do you think he was using them?

It does have a mute, and I would guess he does use it here and there. On some songs the notes decay much faster than others. Off the top of my head, I can't think of an example though. I'll have to listen. I think Lucy in the sky may be one.

I always use the mute when we play "Lucy". Probably will play it tonight.

I have always loved Paul's "muted" tone, but I never heard of an acutal Rick mute until I came to this site. Can someone explain what it is? Is it like those mutes that came with old Fender Jaguar guitars?

Yep. It's a rubber pad that sits right in front of the bridge and is raised/lowered by knobs on either side.

To see what Paul played on any album. Go to The Complete Guide To The Beatles Instruments. Click on the album, and it's all there.

http://www.beatlesgear.tk/

On Good Morning, Good Morning he played his 4001S and a Fender Esquire.

George

Sorry, considering the thread topic, I should have shown this bass.

I take those sites with a grain of salt, there is usually a lot of conjecture on them, McCartney himself probably doesn't remember what bass he played on half the songs. I think he used the mute a lot.

Ronn, is that bass yours and did you do the work? That is pretty cool. I've never seen anyone with a replica of that bass. Very nice! I would love to buy the C64 and have it done up that way.

Ron and Paul must have had the same thing for lunch the day they modified their basses. Puff puff give....

=o

Boy do I feel dumb right now...I've been playing a Rick bass for 3 years now and always just assumed those wheels had something to do with adjusting the action or something!

John don't feel bad ... most people don't expect a mute on a bass ... that concept became obsolete 30 years ago ... as did flat wound strings ...

I didn't even get to count to 10 before you weighed in on that Jeff!