Such a great episode and narrative. Paul McCartney had said jokingly that this bass probably was in a cabinet in some German castle while the story was completely different. It’s a nice addition to Beatles and music history.
Your Beatle episodes are fantastic, Chris. Hopefully they'll find George's 'lost' 12-string Rickenbacker i.e. the one he used on Rubber Soul and the '66 World Tour. It has to be somewhere.
Well done, Chris! Whenever Paul talks about his first bass and looking less daft due to its symmetrical nature, I always want to remind him that he ordered a lefty version. At any rate, thanks for sharing the accurate details. This is the best telling I've yet heard.
There is always a different perspective when a musician talks about a lost instrument. Not many journalists would have shown any interest in it having a domed back. Love the nerdery. Great video.
So glad you did a deep dive on this story! I was thrilled to hear several weeks ago that the ‘61 bass was returned to Paul McCartney’s rightful possession. Kudos to the organization that spread word all over the media and the family for returning it. Btw, of course the Trever Project was directly involved in the return of the bass. Had the family not seen the interviews the organization was doing during a heavy media push to spread word, as well as digging up new leads about who lived on the block at that time that may have had access to an ambulance, the family never would have figured out that they had Paul’s bass sitting in an attic - what a silly thing for the family to say that the Trever Project didn’t play a direct role. Anyway, I am hoping Hoefner and Paul will film the restoration of this historic bass and its return to the stage to document the story and process (looks like they also have to start making their McCartney signature models with a carved back, lol). I’m almost sorry this all didn’t happen in time for The Beatles final recording with the help of AI because using it would have been really cool to have Paul’s beloved bass on that track. No doubt that Paul will go back to using it on stage as soon as possible once restoration is complete.
Aaaaahhhh Sound City, what a great shop. In the 60's my mate Jack Brand was the manager and played a Hofner violin bass in my very amateur band. Great story Chris, i also know a great story about Keith Richards stolen Black Custom LP, once belonged to Steve Marriot who told me the story in 1978.👍✌️🇬🇧
Next McCartney gig (at the "New" Cavern, perhaps?). Voiceover by Paul, re-telling this story. Spotlight fades up on the bass. And Paul McCartney enters center stage, hoists the Hofner and plays...
With the amazing life that a former Beatle must undoubtedly have, I love the idea that Sir Paul had this recent highlight! I think the story of the Hofner's return kinda warmed all our hearts. 😃
No, not self-indulgent at all (also, it's your channel in the end) 😌 A good mystery, a remarkable reunion, and a beaut of an instrument. I enjoyed this episode a lot 😁👍🏼
Hi Good Chris - almost miraculous that the violin-B was refound. And that P is around to witness'n'enjoy it. But let's not forget another long gone clazzik : Donovan's approx 1964 cherry J-45 - I'm sure U know it. Sounded nice didn't it. . Cheers
03:40 - I never understood why Paul didn't send the bass back to Höfner for repairs. 05:20 - I can't understand that Paul didn't instruct his staff to bring the instrument inside a house for safekeeping, especially if it meant that much to him. I never leave my Höfners in my car unattended at any time. Also, I can't understand why Paul never offered a lot of money for the person returning the bass to him. A million is not a lot for him, but I'm sure those who held the bass would have been tempted to return it for that much money. Anyway, I'm happy he has it back. Hope to see him take it on tour.
Great bit of history Chris! Strange animals the 500-1. Less is more & some would say they are horrible dogs of basses.... I'm a massive Beatles fan, so each to their own I think. Fab episode Chris Bach!
Very interesting story Chris! Looking forward to see you in Austria this week! :) Concerning to your international fans: maybe it would be good to speak a little bit slower. As a "not mother tongue listener guy" it's quiet heard to follow your fast talk. Greets ! :)
It seems significant, that the original bass had both pickups so far toward the neck. I can only imagine it would be more bassy from that. I have a Harley Benton Beat Bass, which is a pretty close copy, and It's none too trebly, even with the more modern pup spacing. It goes the same with the Hofner Ignition Club Bass, which has the same hardware, but a more ergonomic shape, that deals with the notorious neck dive.
In the official "Now & Then" video, Paul is seen playing his '63 Hofner but behind him is a few other guitars. One of them looks like the original' 61 bass. I noticed it the first time I watched the video but assumed it was a replica. Now with this news, maybe it was the original since we now know that this happened in September, 2023.
Finally!! Chris, I must say that you nailed this report getting all the "facts" right and in the correct order! I can not tell you how many "Lost Bass" reports from other "RU-vidrs" who just read crap off the internet without checking it. Also, the fact that you used actual footage of the '61 Hofner bass in question and compared it to Paul's '63 Hofner bass really added to your report and gives anyone watching and listening the right timeline along with the right visuals. Oh, and as one previous person posted, "...never apologize for any great Beatles info"!!! Well done you!!!
Some "notoriously light-fingered" person, probably had the worry of its discovery on his conscience for years. Took a strange turn of events to reveal it though. More of an intriguing question is, if you've got a knackered old Hofner bass in your attic, how on earth didn't it occur to you that this was a possibility?
Let's hope the Beano Guitar can be returned/found too. I think I heard/watched from some video that apparently Joe Bonamassa might know where it actually is.... Probably an urban myth, but it'd be great to see the guitar be resurfaced.
I understand Sir Paul wants to get it back in playing condition but not planning a restoration; from the photos I’ve seen it is not in bad condition so maybe just needs some TLC and setup and I believe the electronics need work as well.
This is great news. I bet Paul is very content now as he nears his 80s.. So we've seen the Hofner returned to Paul, the 3 pickup Les Paul (Phenix) returned to Peter Frampton, Jimmy Page's Les Paul Custom & Marc Bolan's - T-Rex Gibson Les Paul found. All that's left is Eric Clapton's mythical Gibson Les Paul (1960?) from the Beano album era to be found and returned... Some folks believe it is in the hands of a known collector, kept away from educated eyes who may recognise it.
I am kind of suspicious about the reappearance of this bass around the time of a Guitar Player article on lost instruments. It does seem McCartney has a way of getting himsself into the news every few months...
What I would like to know is where did george harrison's gibson 345es go to, it was used real short time on tour supposedly, and a couple promo videos. Then seemed to disappear. I had also heard some story that it was on Loan from Sounds uncorporated BAND who they toured with at the time. That is a detective story in itself for sure. And now that we sort of have the Tennessean serial number where did it Go??
Paul is about to set a record for the highest price paid for a guitar, if he does auction it off. He’s the only bass player, who could accomplish that feat.
I thought Chris Buck is going to play another masterpiece of his art. ❤ Another improvisation, another music poetry with his guitar. His unique style. 😢to bad.
