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Which bass did Macca play on Birthday (White Album)?

Beedster

By Beedster,
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EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1317228197' post='1388415']
The answer to this question will remove a lot of stress from my life :)
[/quote]
There are some rumours that the bass is George.

If so it could be the Burns Nusonic or the Fender Bass VI.

Edited by EssentialTension
Hobbayne Mentor

Hobbayne

Posted
Posted (edited)

I believe its a 1966 Fender Jazz, Macca used that a lot in 68 and 69.
Theres a good book called [u]THE COMPLETE BEATLES RECORDING SESSIONS[/u] which details all that sort of thing.
Incidently, the piano part was played by Chris Thomas of the Sex Pistols and The Pretenders producer fame! :)

[url="http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/birthday/"]http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/birthday/[/url]

Edited by Hobbayne
Delberthot Veteran

Delberthot

Posted
Posted

According to [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_%28The_Beatles_song%29"]Wikipedia[/url] it was a 6 string bass played by George.

I'd take a guess that it'd be a Fender Bass VI as they were more available than the Rickenbacker 4005/6 or Gibson EB6

EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1317306724' post='1389308']
According to [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_%28The_Beatles_song%29"]Wikipedia[/url] it was a 6 string bass played by George.

I'd take a guess that it'd be a Fender Bass VI as they were more available than the Rickenbacker 4005/6 or Gibson EB6
[/quote]If it is Harrison then Fender Bass VI is likeliest, although he is in photos with a Burns Nusonic but they look slightly earlier than the White Album.

Beedster Grand Master

Beedster

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  • Author
Posted

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1317316511' post='1389452']
... and why did you need to know?
[/quote]

I really like the tone on that track, and I read somewhere - TB I think - that it was the Hofner, which didn't seem right or proper, especially given I'd just bought a Ric c64 :). Your first (unedited) post made me laugh Dave, it appeared to suggest that the bass that Macca played on the track was George!

discreet Grand Master

discreet

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1317396227' post='1390368']
Your first (unedited) post made me laugh Dave, it appeared to suggest that the bass that Macca played on the track was George!
[/quote]

A bass called 'George'. That's what I thought too. :)

EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1317396227' post='1390368']

I really like the tone on that track, and I read somewhere - TB I think - that it was the Hofner, which didn't seem right or proper, especially given I'd just bought a Ric c64 :). Your first (unedited) post made me laugh Dave, it appeared to suggest that the bass that Macca played on the track was George!
[/quote]
[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1317396587' post='1390372']

A bass called 'George'. That's what I thought too. :)
[/quote]
Oh dear, I must inprove my use of English.

EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1317397141' post='1390382']
I doubt you could have strung George up with La Bella Jamerson's, I reckon he'd only tolerate light Slinky's :)
[/quote]
So it must have been the Bass VI.

Beedster Grand Master

Beedster

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  • Author
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[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1317397300' post='1390388']
Oh dear, I must inprove my use of English.
[/quote]

I would simply improve it Dave, inproving is such a hassle

Clarky Grand Master

Clarky

Posted
Posted

It would be hilarious - if chronologically impossible - for the answer to have been a Ritter 'Eye of Horus' bass. Can you imagine Beedster's apoplectic face? :)

[attachment=90466:4.jpg]

Happy Jack Grand Master

Happy Jack

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1317302966' post='1389264']
So not the Hofner then?
[/quote]

Oh no - that sounds nothing like a Hofner (to my ears, anyway). Doesn't sound like a Ric either. I could believe a Bass VI but I wouldn't be surprised to find it was a Jazz.

EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1317398811' post='1390410']
It would be hilarious - if chronologically impossible - for the answer to have been a Ritter 'Eye of Horus' bass. Can you imagine Beedster's apoplectic face? :)

[attachment=90466:4.jpg]
[/quote]
He wouldn't be the only one.

EssentialTension Grand Master

EssentialTension

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1317399059' post='1390413']

Oh no - that sounds nothing like a Hofner (to my ears, anyway). Doesn't sound like a Ric either. I could believe a Bass VI but I wouldn't be surprised to find it was a Jazz.
[/quote]
That's a bit radical isn't it Jack, actually listening to the track to figure out what bass it is? Why can't you just guess like the rest of us?

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