Beatles Bass Comparison | Rickenbacker vs Hofner vs Jazz Bass

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Relax that elbow! I'm getting shoulder pains just watching

[@emilericsson4234]

Diet Guitar soooo true 😂

[@SprunkCovers]

Lmao, true, maybe he finds that way comfortable, I don't personally lol

[@brokowska420]

@@SprunkCovers it looks like some one who didn't play bass animated someone playing bass

[@lundsweden]

All three are great sounding, my favorite is the Rick.

[@CrisSkyTube]

Cool video! The Hofner sounds great! Very underrated bass in my opinion, but it does seem to be getting more popular as of late.

[@skylark183]

That cheap little Hofner sounds best to me. I don't know why you play with your elbow up in the air but to each his own, just looks painful.

[@skooterbrah]

Love seeing bass videos with flatwound strings! Belive it or not, not all bass players use roundwounds!

[@avega2792]

I really like flat wound strings. My favorite bass was a PJ with flat wound strings. I’ve had many bass guitars but that one had such a sweet tone.

[@joeychiarolanza6310]

Kind of what I expected, tone - wise, however that hofner ignition bass sounds much better than what I thought it would.

[@airworthy777]

Jazz Bass: Sound so American Rickenbacker: Are you British? Hofner: BEATLES!

[@georgemartin813]

Rickenbackers are American too

[@devlintaylor9520]

@@georgemartin813 omfg for some reason i thought they were german like hofners, idk why

[@johnhareiel5118]

I always thought Rickenbacker was a German made guitar being its design always reminded me of a German Luger pistol

[@matthewhanafin770]

​@@devlintaylor9520they are

[@devlintaylor9520]

@@matthewhanafin770 they are american wdym?

[@nerkoids]

A bit of a flaw with your comparison - you should have plucked or hit the strings on both the Jazz and Ricky bass closer to the neck for a more fair comparison with the Hofner bass.

[@conterber]

He totally missed the sweet spot on the Rickenbacker....

[@olliteirikko]

Even then I would definitely pick Rickenbacker. It just has the sound.

[@TonyJ1776]

Noticed that immediately as well. Also that isn't a german hofner, the trussbar cover has the run/serial number stamped in it. German hofners do not have this.

[@pumpdumpster]

Olli Teirikko With only drums, I agree, but with drums and guitar, the Hofner was best. The cheap chinese made Hofner!

[@possibly8180]

There's nowhere to rest your thumb on a hofner, unless you like playing really really close to the bridge.

[@riccardoragni3304]

Rick bass shines with bridge pickup and pick. For everything else, Fender

[@apexjoe4769]

Great sound comparisons! Paul's bass is a little deeper than the other two.They are all enjoyable Thank you.

[@monkeymindmatters]

They all sound great. Amazing sound from that little Hofner!

[@MrSparks54]

I agree with the Rickenbacker being the best sounding, at least with the way he played them. I have a 4001 Ricky and a newer Jazz bass. I put in Aguilar humbuckers in the Jazz bass, needed some balls on the bottom end. I choose which one to play depending on what kind of music. For classic rock, the Ric all day long.

[@davidp419]

The comparison would have been more effective if: a) you played Beatle bass riffs more b) used a pic consistently across all comparisons instead of just a few. In any event it was interesting

[@christopherrusch]

i gotta be honest. all three sounded wonderful. i heard the strengths in all of the

[@Flex-sf1me]

Probably why paul used all three :)

[@granthostheflatulent]

Recently got a Hofner Ignition series bass on a whim. I've had a Precision copy and a Steinberger bass for years, but as soon as I put the rather expensive LaBella flat wounds on the Hofner it immediately become my favourite - I play a lot of guitar and sometimes bass in the band so the slightly shorter scale and low action of the Hofner make it an absolute joy to play and suit me perfectly - just hope the hollow body doesn't feed back at working volumes - if we ever get back to playing live...

[@fredpearson5204]

I agree--I LOVE my Ignition (with LaBella flats) the best: nice and light, great tone, thin neck/fingerboard. Easy to play and sounds great!

[@gutbucket260]

Got the exact same Ric bass with the bridge pickup bezel instead of the cover. Putting LaBella low tension flats on it now. Rics sound great with flats.

[@cammarc]

I have to agree, although I want to get a different set of flats because mine's a bit too boomy with the strings I've got on it right now. Imagine all the people who claim Rics lack low end hearing that...

[@possibly8180]

@@cammarc those blokes are telling you that a bass with a pickup jammed right up the neck somehow lacks low end? Bruh, the pigeonholing is strong with this one.

[@howinsightful2391]

You should play the Hofner more man it’ll be easier on your cartilage

[@petelebu]

Rickenbacker by landslide

[@joedecker3900]

All a matter of taste

[@fredpearson5204]

@@joedecker3900, agreed. Personally, as someone who has both, I GREATLY prefer the Ignition (with LaBella flats)--lugging around that Rickenbacker (which weighs a ton and is unwieldy) takes the joy out of playing it, and overpriced to boot!

[@glamsky3257]

Rickenbacker sounds the best to me.

[@speek5175]

Well if you compare price the ignition series are way cheaper than the rick or the fender jazz bass

[@jabohonu]

1- Hofner 500/1. 2- Fender jazz bass 3- Rickenbacker 400q

[@plinkbottle]

If the guitar in the background was in tune with the bass, the bass would blend better. When a bass comes right in tune with a guitar, the bass note will suddenly grow stronger, it doesn't need to force its way thru.

[@conterber]

I miss the sweet spot on every pickup. Ric's neck pickup sounds fuller when you play near it. Same for the jazz. Curiously, you played in the right spot for the Hofner, and it sounded great!

[@rickhenry8760]

The Hofner would be a bit more natural with your settings. (IMO) The Rhythm button should be UP (on), The Bass On should be OFF (down), The Treble should be ON (up) for optimization to get that natural sound. I know we all have our preferences. Round Wound vs Flat Wound strings ? Flat wound Hands Down. Playing all three since the early 60's through present, the Hofner still rules.

[@joedecker3900]

Solo should be up as well as Bass and Treble

[@StamatisStabos]

Amazing video!

[@louierubio]

thanks for the comparison!

[@Dustiliciousz]

Cool shootout. But one thing, though, not the Ignition! Not a fair comparison, as the Contemporary or “standard” 500/1 are of way better quality.

[@MoopiesMusic]

I know, you're right... but the thing is, we don't have enough money for it... sorry!

[@pat8437]

How is it not fair? They’re in the same price range?

[@josefranciscoherrerabalcor2198]

Emperor Elephant not at all, Fender Jazz Bass and the Ricky ones are more expensive basses, the Hofner Ignition it's a very very cheap bass. It's great, but as they said, it's not a fair comparison.

[@pat8437]

Thought he was saying “not the ignition” as in it wasn’t an ignition, but rather a contemporary.

[@pat8437]

I want a ric so bad

[@RussellMorash-m8w]

I have the hardest time adjusting to my short scale hofner since my primary bass is a fender precision i put flat wounds on my p bass but I've always found it to be a very comfortable bass to play it's a reissued 54 single coil p/u but i put a three quarter pounder in it i love the look of it and it sounds great it was made in japan but many experts I've talked to say the Japanese fenders are better than the american ones they get real high quality wood and of couse there known for there electronics they say that alot of the relic basses are made over there mine has the best tobacco sun burst I've ever seen and i love a mapple fret board i can't stand the look of rose wood the telecaster head stock makes it very unique looking and to me it has a beautiful tone

[@mitchmcturtle6890]

Dude nice choice of notes

[@KRW628]

I think the Fender was slightly louder. The Ric was softer, crisper and a little punchier. The Hofner was kinda muddy; but how would a German-made Hofner sound?

[@goodandbadtimes]

The Hofner held its own until the very last jam with the Guitar. It then sort of got lost at the "low-end". Perhaps just the mix? Once again, it's all so subjective. At the end of the day, you are paying and playing... what makes you happy is all that really matters. Make your own sound.

[@maurocoimbra9624]

Excellent idea! Thanks

[@rodrocolodro]

why you play the hofner at a different right hand position? would be a better comparison, anyway... thank you man; some day i will buy a rick (hope soon)

[@SergeiSilver-h5v]

Defenetly Hofner is my favourite tone out of the three.

[@alexhudson3574]

the hofner is a far east version , are the others american made ? the hofner sound best though for what is being played

[@fredpearson5204]

I have a Rickenbacker 4003 (with Thomastik Infeld flats), a Hofner Mersey 500/1 (with Hofner flats) and a Hofner Ignition (with LaBella flats)--hands down my favorite to play (and the sound I like best) is the Ignition bass. Go figure.

[@mikodelosreyes9883]

The Hofner Bass is surprisingly unique and sounds quite better than the jazz and rickenbacker! With its airy tone, it does the bass burp differently, I choose the Hofner bass.

[@MrChriswren]

i have a hofner contempt and a rick i really love my hofner sound. i just got the rick so I'm still tweeking it

[@hmkzpdpmgwap1829]

やっぱりポールといえばリッケンバッカーなんだよなヘフナーも好きだけど

[@georgemartin813]

Second song?

[@johndogwater]

Cool comparison, I have to agree with lots of folks that Hofner sounds surprisingly good. How does the Rickenbacker feel to play compared to the Jazz?

[@allrequiredfields]

I have absolutely no idea why people are saying this - to me the Hofner sounded harsh, thin and nasaly in every example.

[@BassmanSkye]

Hey, owner of a Ric 4003S and a Jazz Bass here. The Rickenbacker has a much wider nut width (almost 43mm) than the jazz bass(38mm). The Ric also weighs over 9 pounds, while my jazz weighs exactly 8 pounds. Also, unless you plan to take the pickup cover over the bridge pickup off, you end up playing the Ric a bit differently than you would a jazz. The jazz bass also has deep contours for your tummy and forearm, while the Ric is mostly flat with some beveled edges around where your body and thigh rests against the bass. The Ric has a 33.25" scale which is a tad shorter than the jazz bass' scale length of 34", so to me, the Ric is slightly more comfortable to play due to that. I've been a fan of Rics for years and have played a handful, but it wasn't until I finally owned one that I felt just how different they were compared to most basses. All that being said, I love them both, however I do tend to favor my Ric over my jazz! 😜

[@johndogwater]

@@allrequiredfields You are totally right, but sometimes that's what people want, I actually really like klanky very present guitars with no sustain... but then I also love harpsichords. It ain't for everyone, that's for shaw.

[@johndogwater]

@@BassmanSkye Oh hey thanks a lot, that's all really helpful! I'm quite surprised the Rick has a wider nut width, I thought thy were notorious for skinny necks like Mosrites. It's hard to compare tones sometimes on youtube, Are Rickenbackers inherently as rattly and gnarly as they often sound?

[@ianjohnson4987]

Great video - thanks

[@connorpark2744]

If only you had a Fender Bass VI than you'd all the Beatle Basses

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Connor Park yea

[@silentgd]

Plenty of Squier models out there that I'm told are truer in sound to the 60s Fender model than the new Fender VI.

[@Vincentlpp08]

Burns Nu Sonic crying in the corner

[@grahamdouglas1]

It would have been a fairer comparison if you had plucked the strings in the same place, particularly using flats towards the neck is where you get the true sound. Are you using the same brand of strings?

[@nunoharris]

Hi. What brand of Flatwound strings are on those 3 basses ? Thanks

[@Wazio]

Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@ytb917]

great comparison!

[@ado3169]

ピックで弾き比べも見たいです！

[@thenewyorkpauls]

Paul’s Jazz Bass has roundwounds. He used it on Sun King and Mean Mr Mustard, always a little overdriven.

[@aidanfl]

thenewyorkpauls where did you learn that? I’ve known it to be flat wounds, the pyramid ones

[@DanielS10291]

Don’t think rounds existed ?

[@allrequiredfields]

There are exactly zero Beatles recordings with roundwounds on any bass. And if you think Sun King had rounds on that bass, you can't tell the difference between flats and rounds. It DOES have a bit of amp distortion which may lead you to think they're rounds, but that tone is unquestionably flatwound.

[@---yb1pb]

Ignition Bassに使用してる弦はどこのですか？

[@andresr7769]

I have a hofner ignition and it sounds pretty good compared to a "contemporary Hofner" (the latter is not hollow as the hofner beatle, however the ignition is, so it is the most similar in terms of beatle bass sound. that's why I'm left with the hofner ignition! because it sounds better and it's hollow like the beatle bass hofner 500/1

[@josefranciscoherrerabalcor2198]

Andres R but how about quality? I have an Ignition too, but I feel like it was a toy. And some people says that there is a worl of difference between the Contemporary and Ignition series. Idk if it's true or people only overstate.

[@andresr7769]

What do you mean by quality? to the sound (because that's what matters most?) or is it how the instrument is made?

[@user-me7on8kb5u]

I have a ignition and a CT but I prefer the CT. I also prefer the contemporary sound because is more warmer.

[@fredpearson5204]

@@user-me7on8kb5u, why do you say the Ignition is like a toy? It all comes down to personal tastes--I have a Rick 4003, 500/1 and the Ignition, and I'd take the Ignition all day long over the other two--it's hardly a toy, just because it's the least expensive. Just my opinion.

[@user-me7on8kb5u]

@@fredpearson5204 By the term "toy" I did not mean that the ignition is a poor bass, but that it is such a light bass that it looks like a toy, but I have nothing to say about its quality, indeed I find it a fantastic bass both in terms of sound and as external beauty.

[@jgsheehan8810]

I was surprised by the Hofner

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

Fender VI?

[@jimmoore6905]

Indeed! It's a fine sounding bass that was used periodically by some British players in the '60s. David Ambrose (Brian Auger and The Trinity), Eric Haydock (The Hollies) and Jack Bruce (Cream) played it. John Lennon played one on the Beatle tracks Dig It, The Long And Winding Road and Let It Be. George can be seen miming with it in the David Frost Show clip of Hey Jude. I wish I owned one. It's a bass that can also be played like a baritone guitar. And it looks cool, too.

[@yoshiki7219]

明らかにリッケンバッカーが弾きづらそうで草

[@aimanhakimalhamd5747]

The first one is so catchy. It came from which song?

[@aldojosue3210]

Sound like Taxman

[@normt6226]

If i could only have one bass (i have only one bass) it would be a Fender Jazz...(I own only a Fender Jazz) but roundwound...

[@damned1444]

Jazz bass is really one step above all other. Especially the rick i've found closed and unatural...

[@LeeRenthlei]

I want Hofner 500/1 so bad

[@jimmoore6905]

That 1961 500/1 Cavern-era bass with the pickups close together up by the neck absolutely ruled. This model is now known as the H500/1-61-0. It produced he finest, fullest bass sound of all the early Beatle records.It can be heard on the Please Please Me album. After that Paul switched to the iconic 1963 500/1 bass you're referring to which, in my opinion, never recorded as well as his first bass. I'd love to try them both out side by side. The prettiest Hofner violin basses were the mid-50s models with the black plastic pickup covers and ovoid control knob fascia. Understated, yet stunning.

[@fredpearson5204]

Save your money and buy the Ignition (and put LaBella flats on it).

[@themartykus]

No pick?

[@davidmorel373]

Hofner absolutely floored the other 2. Crazy.

[@jerk5959]

And it is the budget Chinese version.

[@pedrolarenas]

but fender made in japan is not a real fender

[@Potatoskinman]

What brand of strings were used here? And while I'm asking, what amplifier?

[@MoopiesMusic]

We used la bella strings(760FL and 760FHB2). And all basses were recorded only with a DI.

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Potatoskinman the shiny silver ones

[@goopvvizard3973]

You seem kinda small for those basses

[@murattaner7384]

I d love to hear them with Optima Golds, then I could decide :)))

[@EK-tb6ui]

The "fenderer" the brighter.

[@williampeckham9838]

I couldn't put flats on those.

[@enzofariabaixista]

Hofner>>>>>

[@viniciuscomacento]

jazz bass for sure. jazz bass with flats rocks

[@justanotherrandomcrit8115]

If I were to compare Paul McCartney’s basses I’d do the Yamaha BB instead of the Jazz Bass.

[@joestarr05]

Paul did use Jazz Bass before.

[@nickwass9700]

You used a good Fender, a Ric but the cheapest model Hofner. Hardly a proper comparison is it?

[@joedecker3900]

Price don’t mean shit

[@Junebu99ie]

Rick wins hands down

[@Rick_Cleland]

Thanks.

[@HarryPotter-wf5zm]

Rick Cleek Haha

[@chlindh1]

Elbows down

[@xdproductions3087]

i feel like the hoff has better low end tone, the ric gets a better "growl" and twang, while the precision is kind of a nice inbetween.

[@gutbucket260]

What Precision?

[@jazzman1954]

Good bass player. Flats rule. The Rick interests me.

[@ramirocayrasoto2230]

If you say "Beatles" we expect their songs, not just their Basses

[@kentconklin7294]

Should use a pick like Paul

[@KitsuHitsuyy]

1- Hofner 2- Rickenbacker 3- Jazz

[@bolivianprince7326]

hofner sounded better except for the last riff where rickenbacker sounded better

[@LarryRickenbacker]

the Hefner (Excuse my phonetic spelling) definitely has a softer sound.

[@pitotoiii]

you are right ...complete name is Hoefner with dieresis in O turns to Hofner ... sounds Hefner ....

[@BassicVIC]

None of these basses are Beatle. Höfner Ignition is a cheap version of the good stuff. That’s not the kind of Rickenbacker bass The Beatles used. And most definitely NOT the Fender bass they used either. (Fender VI)

[@jimmoore6905]

Yep. The Fender Jazz was used on some White Album tracks and on Abbey Road. There are pictures of Paul and George during the Abbey Road sessions playing identical Jazz basses, left-handed and right-handed models, respectively. That's George playing bass on Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight ( That flat low A on Slumbers still bugs the shit out of me!). Paul later used a reversed right-hand Jazz on the Band On The Run sessions. I've always wondered if it was the bass George had used on Abbey Road. I'm sure there's a story there. The Fender VI was definitely used by John during the Let It Be sessions (Dig It, The Long And Winding Road, and Let It Be) and George is seen miming with it in the David Frost Show clip of Hey Jude.

[@Richoutandtouch]

@@jimmoore6905 it seems George plays the VI on Two of us as well

[@AllbeeHivezChristianAllbee]

Picky, picky, picky

[@atustoth1985]

Both PU: Hofner wins! - Neck PU: Ricky wins! - Bridge PU: Hofner wins! - What a surprise!!! :))) Where is the Fender?? :))))

[@codymeng1580]

ooh what if we replaced the neck with a seymour duncan mini bucker?

[@richardpalladino9169]

Hofner ignition is great for the money , have a German Hofner , not much difference!

[@ignatiusjk]

Interesting

[@powerlordminoas376]

Fender has the best sound......

[@don8635]

I feel pain

[@ItsWelchyMF]

Hofner bass sounds heavier, imo

[@totalrobot]

Accompaniment tracks are too loud. Stand up while playing. If you've got to sit to play these licks you're in trouble partner.

[@Studio1215]

Kleenex, he is now complete after your anal-retentive evaluation. Maybe you could've mentioned that he did a nice job playing too?

[@plinkbottle]

Hofner has less presence especially on the E string

[@reny_shimazu]

バイオリンベースは最強

[@tazsnuts99]

More bass less background noise

[@bobsbigboy_]

wtf are you doing with ur elbow

[@emilianohernandez8762]

you seem uncomfortable dude, chill that arm plz

[@たくわーーん]

いや、肘上がっとるのがだせぇ

[@sh-oy2dl]

さすがに口悪すぎだろと思ったけどダサすぎた

[@ashishpanwar909]

Atleast could have played a Beatles' song. Smh

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Ashish Panwar at least something easy like I saw her standing there

[@abird6217]

Ashish Panwar This isn’t about the Beatles

[@ashishpanwar909]

@@abird6217 BEATLES BASS COMPARISON. Yeah it's not about the Beatles.

[@abird6217]

Ashish Panwar Yes, it’s basses that the Beatles used, but he’s not going to demo each beatle song with each bass. It’s not about the Beatles bass lines with each bass, just the basic sound of each one

[@PillsBuryDoughBoy_]

Stirling Studios it is about the Beatles tho

[@ianjohnson4987]

Excellent video - thanks