The Best Recording of Paul McCartney's Original Höfner Beatle Bass

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In this video we look at the song which we think is the best sounding bass recording featuring Paul's original 1961 'stolen' Höfner bass and the inspiration behind its composition. We also dig deep into its elements to find out exactly why it sounds so good. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Links to the CDs & vinyl mentioned in this video on Discogs (not sponsored):
CD - The Early Years (Polydor/Spectrum): www.discogs.com/release/6174731
LP - The Beatles Early Years Vinyl (Contour 'street' cover): www.discogs.com/release/1645283
LP The Beatles Featuring Tony Sheridan (Contour 'Balloon' cover): www.discogs.com/release/816250
KZbin links to full versions of songs featured in this video:
The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow: • Cry For A Shadow (Anth...
The Shadows - Apache: • Apache (Mono) (2004 Re...
The Shadows - Man of Mystery: • Man of Mystery (Mono) ...
Elvis Presley - Wooden Heart: • Wooden Heart
Neil Sedaka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen: • Happy Birthday, Sweet ...
Helen Shapiro - Walkin' Back To Happiness: • Walkin' Back to Happin...
Link to other videos related to this presentation which you may enjoy:
The Truth Behind The Legendary Beatles Star Club Tapes: • The Truth Behind The L...
10 Great British Albums of the 1960s: • 10 Great BRITISH Album...
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Thank you!

[@Mrvictorfernandes]

There's a wonderful moment in the Get Back documentary where Paul is adjusting his Hofner bass during a jam session at Apple Studios. George Harrison asks him "Where's your Rickenbacker? Isn't that much better?" to which Paul replies "No, I like this one cuz it's much lighter" while cradling it. The love that emanated from Paul's voice says a lot about the blood bond he had with his instrument. Truly heartwarming.

[@brenthooton3412]

The first concert I went to was his Flowers in the Dirt tour, where he had resurrected it, had a tribute section of photos in the tour book, showed how it had the 66-era set list still taped to it as though it had been flash frozen in time. I remember him talking about the Hofner the same way, that he had forgotten how much fun it was to play and how much easier on account of its lighter weight.

[@rainblaze.]

@@brenthooton3412 It was elvis costello that got him to use it again. Saying it was like chaplains cain .. how "you just expect to see it". I find this particularly ironic as he always struck me as pops Harold Lloyd and would personally have the same view on his specks ...no pun intended

[@user-cd3ld3dc7u]

And yet, Paul returned to Rickenbacker on "Abbey Road".

[@WaterShowsProd]

There was a VHS tape that was released at the time of Flowers In The Dirt which including footage of McCartney jamming with Costello and he talked about how Costello requested him to use the Höfner on "Veronica" which they had co-written for Costello's (fantastic) album "Spike". In the video McCartney says he found it strange at first but was moved that people still wanted that old sound. He also said that working with Costello was the closest he'd felt to that feeling of writing with John Lennon.

[@TheHutt]

​@@brenthooton3412He even had the Höfner (out of focus) on the Trippin' the Live Fantastic cover.

[@garyslogan]

OMG how do you do this? The research, attention to detail, and storytelling is insane!! Thanks once again

[@Parlogram]

My pleasure, Gary. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@williamhild1793]

EXCELLENT choice with "Cry For A Shadow"! That would NEVER have occurred to me. There really is a special "something" that Paul's bass adds to the song.

[@mauricerevelle8451]

I own Hofner and people are shocked when I play it to hear sound of it..The tones from treble to deep bass are brilliant and it's light weight makes it so comfortable...But don't take my word for it..Just ask Paul McCartney he'll tell ya.. All the best from North London ❤

[@RothkoFridgeMagnet]

I'm seriously considering changing to a short scale bass, and at the moment it's a decision between a Hofner and a Mustang.

[@ThaiThom]

You won't regret the Mustang.

[@RedVynil]

I've got one, too but, nearest I can tell, it doesn't work. I plug it in, turn it on and I get no sound out of it! I bought it used from a music store that fixes the used gear they sell before they sell it so, no idea why it's dead. For the $300-some dollars I paid for it, it SHOULD work!! When I first joined my band in 1980, the bassist we had then had one, too.

[@Dwightpower88]

I'm a lefty and a huge Beatles fan. I feel like I need one but I also feel like I'll be disappointed. I tend to like the stingray sound. Although I have a fender jazz with flat wounds that is a blast to play.

[@maleake56]

Although I have a Fender Precision bass, I also have a Hofner and often reach for it in my home studio when I need to overdub bass. It's fun to play, has an interesting sound and its light weight is a big plus.

[@michaelhiatt7377]

Just when I think you've covered all the bases, no pun intended, you continue to delight and marvel you're fans. Thank you so, so much for your dedication and expertise!

[@Parlogram]

My pleasure, Michael!

[@thomasswietlik1315]

Don't "pardon the pun"; EMBRACE it! 😉

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I’ve always been knocked out by the bass tone on It Won’t Be Long from Meet The Beatles - when I heard this when first released on CD the bass sound was superb - full, deep and quite forward in the mix.

[@thomasswietlik1315]

As well as being a "roit ravah!" :-)

[@paulbadoo9326]

He should record the follow up to 'I saw her standing there' with it. "Well she was just 70 , you know what I mean..." ☺

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Now it would be..."When I saw her standing there...with her walker"!

[@dot18]

“When I saw her sit--t--ing down -dah,dah,dah,dah!!”

[@BassicVIC]

Andrew’s videos are the toppermost of the poppermost of ALL videos about the Beatles and their recordings on the whole of the internet. ☺️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@tambourineman17]

Great job by Andrew calling attention to this overlooked gem of a song. I love Paul's bass playing on the early Beatles recording "Ask Me Why." At this point, Paul was such a superior talent on the instrument that his bass on this track sounds like a cat purring.

[@ginghamt.c.5973]

George - 81st birthday today - surely concurring with this choice!

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Oh boy that story of Paul’s bass had me teary-eyed in the end. Great video!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mallorga1965]

Another greatly documented and well made video. Thanks!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jmcortesl80]

Lovely video, Andrew. Another hit.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@adyhartmusic]

Superb as ever Andrew! Thank you!! 🙂 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Parlogram]

Thanks Ady. Glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@conorfurlong]

Your videos are always a Sunday highlight :-)

[@Parlogram]

Glad you like them!

[@LychkovIA]

You make the most fantastic little documentaries on The Beatles! I enjoy them so much. Thank you!

[@Parlogram]

Thank you! Glad you like them!

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Thanks very much for this Andrew. Not enough people give Bert Kaempfert credit for his great "ear" for pop music, regardless if it was rock and roll or not. His studio productions were always beyond clean, and the Beatles were produced accordingly under his watch. Interesting to note as well that Kaempfert's own records didn't feature electric guitar as the main instrument. But, they did always feature a very prominent electric bass guitar, so Bert's technological skills as producer met up with one of the world's best bassists in McCartney.

[@fnjesusfreak]

"Bert Kaempfert's got the mad hits" 😜

[@martinneumann7783]

Fascinating! Always something new for me on this channel. Thanks for the research work, Andrew. Last week I had the pleasure to rescue six Beatles mono singles, waiting completely naked in the 1-Euro-section of the record shelf. Now they have a save place at home, stored in new sleeves. I’m very happy to have them… See you soon - Martin 😊

[@Parlogram]

Congratulations!

[@jglasernyc]

I enjoyed this video, very well researched. I now have to go pull out my copy of the Hamburg recordings.

[@Neal_Schier]

Outstanding episode Andrew! This was really a fun one. Chapeau bas!

[@Parlogram]

Thank you, Sir!

[@_-_Michael_-_]

You are legend. Never though I will see someone give this mutch attention to Cry fo a Shadow. I’m currently restoring later version of Futurama, which was called Resonet Grazioso in Czechoslovakia, later Jolana Grazioso and I’m enjoying playing Cry for a Shadow on it, despite it’s not exact same guitar George used, the body shape and general sound is so much similar. Also very glad Pauls bass was found, it is one of the most impoertant bass guitars in world!

[@michaelcarpenter2498]

I can see why you would say this. The bass on that song is incredible and shows where Paul would take his playing later. Hearing Harry Lime theme made me remember one of the best movies ever made Carol Reed's the Third man. This was truly a lot of info I either did not know or just skimmed through. Thank you for a wonderful episode Andrew.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

[@thanks5009]

Andrew, I love your videos since the first one I saw, please continue making videos for ever! 🫶 I was so happy when I saw that the Horner was with Paul

[@marcellolomele4247]

Thank you Andrew! This is for me in The top 5 of your episodes! Thank you!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks Marcello. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

“Mushroom Heads.” Ouch. 😖

[@montag4516]

😅😅😅

[@richardleclear]

Cheers Andrew! Interesting content yet again.

[@beatleboy0195]

Always thought Paul should do this live as a tribute to George & John

[@ziccuj]

Excellent video again, thank you so much Andrew! I'm also glad you pointed out that it's indeed Höfner, not Hofner. Long live the umlauts! 😊

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Interesting information as always. Thank you for your content. Happy to see you feeling better.

[@michaelmiller641]

Yes, I did find that interesting and fascinating! Thankyou for that!

[@nandokinks]

Great video my dear friend!!! Just love the sound of the first Hofner from Polydor sessions till Please Please Me! Sounds really amazing. Best regards, my friend.

[@48musicfan]

Once again, an outstanding episode! Thank you, Andrew. - Roger

[@Parlogram]

Thank you, Roger!

[@J_alex_day]

Hi Andrew, an awesome video! Cry For a Shadow was a track of my teenage years! I love ❤️ the tune and the bass really grabs you! Glad Paul and bass were reunited...................Cry For A Shadow is also on anthology 1!

[@jimcabezola3051]

Ah///I miss my old "The Beatles with Tony Sheridan" album I bought in 1979. Why did I let that one go? "Cry for a Shadow" was my favourite track on it, too. Mahalo for bringing back that pleasant memory!

[@beyondobscure]

Proud to own a 45 of this one. It sounds amazing.

[@BeatlePete910]

Wonderful history lesson (as always), Andrew! As with most things Beatles, I've been "pleasantly obsessed" with this particular bass. And yes, it did start with hearing the Polydor recordings. I 100% agree with the assessment of Cry For A Shadow as the best recorded bass tone of Macca's career and arguably one of the best productions in the entire Beatles catalog. My Bonnie is not too shabby either. The only EMI recording that comes close to this enveloping low end is the original stereo mix of Baby You're A Rich Man, which, of course, is the Rickenbacker. I'm proud to say that, as a bass player that specialized in playing Beatles music, that I have my own versions of both the factory issue '61"Cavern" bass and a customized version of the refurbished version that Sound City did for him, authentic right down to those questionable radio knobs! I have other authentic Hofner Macca basses as well, but this first iteration still sounds the best!

[@brianhall9859]

😮

[@arminzink1925]

Great video, as always. Thanks a lot Andrew!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@igorb2908]

Hamburg sessions is the very best stuff by the Beatles! And they looked like Gene Vincent back then, the best look possible!

[@FandersonUfo]

timely content sir - ty

[@SpikeAsks]

George's Birthday Show! Fab! ☮🤍🎸🕉🎂🌍

[@oscarcuevas2456]

I've always likes that track, and i agree with you, is one of their best sounding recordings, specially the brightness in John's rift is crazy , but I have never looked into the bass, and indeed is spectacular!!, thank you for pointing that out!!, cheers from Mexico.

[@radiotvhistory]

What an amazing episode Andrew! Absolutely loved it! Thank you! Now I‘m off to play my original Contour pressing of „The Early Years“!😁 Edit after listening to the song: Oh wow! you‘re absolutely right! This „Cry For A Shadow“ bass is the deepest I ever heard on any Beatles record! Amazing clarity and depth!😮

[@westfield90]

Great video as always Andrew 👏👏👏

[@Parlogram]

Thanks 👍

[@edwardrussell5989]

Great video Amazing choice of song Just played it and li agree

[@eddiewilbury1666]

Hello! I've also always thought that Cry for a shadow has one of the best bass sounds in rock in general. I was fourteen when I bought a booklet of Salvat's "The History of Rock", which included a Vinyl of The Beatles with Tony Sheridan. When I put it to play, every time the F note in particular sounded, the speakers boomed cleanly and intensely; a beautiful sound. Greetings from Mexico, I love your channel.

[@luis_e_saavedra]

Great video! I didn’t know the original one was stolen. “Cry for a shadow” it’s one of my favorite Beatles song, it was always on my playlist while driving.

[@SimonJohnNoble]

Excellent video Andrew. Loved it!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Simon!

[@hmoffatt1389]

Absolutely spot on ! Cry for a shadow is often overlooked , and I have to agree , it is one of the best tracks the Beatles ever recorded. I bought it on a Polydor EP back in '65 or '66 and even today it sounds brilliant , the bass line is superb!

[@nicknikipediacaulkin5943]

A fascinating video about the McCartney 1961 Hofner bass, Andrew! There was so much here that I didn't know. I have the Beatles/Tony Sheridan LP on the Contour album and it sounds great. I also have the Ain't She Sweet single on Polydor.

[@christiansemeraro2987]

Hi, Andrew! Great video as allways. Totally agree to the song you choose. I have "Cry for a Shadow" in a 45 RPM and the bass is stunningly recorded, and is a true stereo in Germany recording at that times.

[@jimc8186]

Another great and informative video Andrew. Before I watched the video I was thinking about Paul’s bass playing on Birthday.

[@rayl6901]

I always marveled at how good those recordings were as compared to the Beatles "official" recordings. You are right, this may be the absolute best recording of his bass. There is a cleanness to it; it isn't washed out or a muddy mess that often happens. Great video! :-)

[@jeffh8803]

A lot of those early and even later EMI records do sound pretty awful. I recently compared the Smoky Robinson version of “you really got a hold on me” to the Beatles version and it is sooo much better in sound quality

[@adrianmorris2628]

I had just purchased a cup of tea and a well known chocolate bar a few moments before your video dropped Andrew! So I'll watch it now! Serendipity indeed!

[@videoplusdvd]

I had the Bulgarian Polydor “Битълс” edition, which overall was mind-blowing in sound quality. Kaempfert had an amazing ear and the “live” atmosphere really shines.

[@tomgray6093]

Fascinating as always Andrew, a great piece!

[@Parlogram]

Many thanks, Tom!

[@stevebiesiadabada6669]

Great video , the story is so interesting, I listened recently to the full story, search for Paul’s bass, that was fantastic, on how the search, who they talked to, and then greatest find ever, can’t wait for your next video Beatles Forever. thank you Steve🎸

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Steve!

[@albertochalico7906]

Me encanta tu canal porque nos das información increíblemente interesante, ¡¡gracias y larga vida al canal Andrew!!

[@Parlogram]

Gracias Alberto. ¡Me alegra que te guste!

[@MarkmanOTW]

Great stories there, Andrew. I saw the McCartney bass had been recovered, and fascinating to hear the background to 'Cry for a Shadow', and although mentioned, Bert Kaempfert was very influential on musical output in the 60s into the 70s creating the 'Easy Listening' genre carried forward by his orchestra member and protege James Last . BTW It's also George Harrison's birthday today 😊.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Bert and his dreamy, slow Wonderland by Night, was the first tune that I ever slow-danced with a girl, at age 13...Some moments you never forget! I have that recording on a personal CD compilation of my youthful favorites--it never fails to move me!

[@MarkmanOTW]

@@curbozerboomer1773 👍😊

[@Our__Earth]

Agreed. This has always been one of my favorite songs… And the bass playing is amazing. Thank you

[@mapo69]

Very interesting Andrew ! I never noticed that "Cry for a Shadow" had a more prononced bass on the recording. I've just gave it a listen and the Hofner has a fuller sound than on the first recordings in EMI Studios. Cheers from Quebec Canada !

[@Vespanation]

I just freakin' love this channel!!!!! I learn SO much!!! - Paul, USA

[@Parlogram]

Thank you, Paul!

[@moondogaudiojones1146]

Great episode Andrew! This period of the Beatles recordings has always left me wondering why the bass was so prominent on these recordings and not on the early EMI recordings. Shouldn’t George Martin have known about the German recordings? I don’t remember a deficit of bass on the Shadows recordings. I’ve also noticed how over the years the “walking” bass on Can’t Buy Me Love has become prominent and cleaner. Love these “technical” episodes. Thanks for the update on how Paul’s bass got returned. Sad but bittersweet story.

[@Parlogram]

Thans Brian. Glad you liked it!

[@elvisoddballaka4806]

100% agree - have always loved the sound of the bass on that track - you can smell the heat of valves mixing with the dust and the tweed amp casings in that sound……

[@trelard]

Apache is such a legendary song. My dad's a fan of The Shadows, so I was brought up hearing them quite often.

[@californiahiker9616]

What a fascinating story! I had no idea Paul got this instrument in Hamburg. That shopkeeper should be so proud of himself! Great documentary, well told!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Sp33gan]

Thanks as always, Andrew, for the work and research you put into your channel. I was about 16 when I found a sealed copy of the Polydor balloon cover. I loved some of the tracks but felt a very mixed reaction to others. It's still in my collection so it's time to pull it out again for another listen. I can remember the two tracks that really stood out on that first time I put needle to vinyl. My Bonnie with those growling vocals and that fantastically wild solo, whether that be George Harrison or Tony Sheridan. I've heard and read differing opinions. The second was Cry For A Shadow and, you're spot on, Paul's bass sound is superb. Full and thick, it more than accommodates for the lack of Pete's kick drum, to a point where I never even noticed that missing part of the kit until learning of it decades later, from you. Our bass player, in my band, plays a Hofner copy which he calls his Mockner. The slim body and violin shape looks tiny for him as he's 6'7", with hands that could grip your head like a basketball ..... and then he picks up his mandolin .....

[@therealestatecuracao4441]

Great video Andrew. Greetings from 🇪🇸

[@Stonecutter334]

That was great Andrew. Really enjoyed that. I have a suggestion for a topic. On a few Beatles LPs,during their original release time, other countries changed their covers. To me that seems insane and not even legal. How and even more baffling why did things like that happen? An example would be the Italian back cover for Rubber Soul. See you next time.

[@RingoStarr39]

It was a whole different ballgame back then. Each international branch of EMI had their own rules as far as artwork was concerned. Congruency between countries wasn't important then either. As long as it sold and fit the market, that's all that mattered.

[@andy57167]

German DMM - Glass onion I dont know what bass he was playing but I just had to comment,,i you can literally hear his pick striking the strings ,,and it really reproduces his almost piano -like sound so its most likely the Rickenbacker when I first heard this it blew me away,,,never heardhis bass and playing sound so defined

[@Bottled-Soap]

It’s fender jazz bass, treble boosted I believe

[@micolsen9824]

I wish "Cry for a shadow" was included on the new RED album. Wouldn't that blow some tops 😅

[@nazfrde]

"This Is Where It Started" is the first "Beatles" album I ever got. I bugged my parents to buy it for me at K-Mart. I was VERY disappointed when i got it home and listened to it, of course.

[@jstevo]

Well, I didn't see that coming! Off the top of my head I have always thought the bass on 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' was Paul's best work on bass. I have the 'Beatles First' LP, bought in Petticoat Lane in 1967, and can remember the excitement of playing it and hearing those early songs. I thought 'Cry for a Shadow' was 'OK' and still do. I'm going to have to listen to it again from this new perspective of bass 'presence' not just musicality. Thanks for another stimulating video.

[@igorb2908]

Amazing story, Andrew! Love this track since I heard it first on Anthology I. Thanks a lot!

[@vincehall]

Im only sleeping is my personal favourite bass recording.

[@crlguitar1]

I was so happy to hear that Paul's old Hofner was recovered....It belonged to him physically and spiritually too...

[@richardsisk1770]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@Parlogram]

Thanks Richard. Glad you liked it!

[@bobbrunn2622]

💯. The bass sound quality on the polydor sessions were terrific.

[@riccardociofi3162]

A top-notch video, as usual. Thank you.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Riccardo!

[@anthonyvigliotti6560]

Excellent topic and excellent video. And thanks for showing some love for the sound of those German recordings. That German engineering is excellent. I play bass and have both a vintage Hofner 500/1 and also a 1975 Rickenbacker 4001/S. Both awesome basses (although I personally prefer the Ric).

[@djhrecordhound4391]

Excellent as usual, Andrew! As you'd previously name checked "Very Together" as one of the best versions, it's going to make a good loud spin of my copy even sweeter!

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Wow, your pick of Cry For a Shadow blew me away. Interesting. Will listen after this. Great video, had to watch it twice. I thought it was cool when they wanted to use their own amps instead of the new ones. Great pic of George at 6:08. ☮ I'm extremely happy for the return of Paul's bass. As far as the Rick goes, I love it on Juniors Farm...

[@Freidlon7]

I thought you were going to say ‘Love me do’, wasn’t far out on the timeline. What blew my mind watching the Get back movie (along with practically every scene in the movie) was how incredible this bass sounds through the Fender bassman. Just stunning. And the other day I was listening to the Analogues performing Abbey road in Abbéy road studio itself on headphones and again when he switched from the rickenbacher to the Hofner! Just an unbelievable warm woody punchy sound. My favourite bass sound ever.

[@murilohumbertocmcb]

i love the fender jazzbass, is soft like the hofner, melodic like the rickenbaker, but with a hell lot of PUNCH

[@matiasbarrios9365]

Wow Andrew, as usual, specially for the details of the bass story at the end of the video! In the Anthology version of Cry For A Shadow the bass sound can't be as much appreciated as in the original recording. Thanks for the heads up!

[@NLKINK]

Very nice story. The first time I heard the 'Hamburg' recordings was approximately 45 years ago. The album cover was different from the ones I saw in your video and had four umbrellas on the front cover. Among the songs was also a track called Nobody's Child which George re-recorded with The Traveling Wilburys. Cheers!

[@Hectix_]

Great video!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks!

[@TheHutt]

Wow. Another fan of the Polydor recording. :)

[@jrdlabs]

Always liked the bass sound on "I Saw Her Standing There".

[@michavandam]

To me, the most interesting part of this video starts at around 12:00, when it's about different record releases. Above all, it's great to learn about the Höfner restauration! I never understood how Paul McCartney's same first bass seemed to look different at early and later photos.

[@jesserussell7242]

I recently discovered my Bonnie the one where Tony Sheridan sings in German when I first heard it I absolutely loved it I love both versions of it the song is great. since that version is available on KZbin it’s a really great song.

[@jordielias]

Very Entertaining

[@stevedale616]

1:10 was listening to Cry For A Shadow today for George’s birthday!

[@almason253]

Ahh! Bert Kaempfert. I listen to his "Holidays for Bells" every Christmas.

[@janiceastets5425]

This was interesting! Good info, as well. I have the 45 single of Tony Sheridan singing, "My Bonnie" somewhere in my collection. I'll have to look for it just to check it out, as I haven't looked at it in years.

[@ericthefish01]

The lady's attic the bass was found in is actually in Hastings East Sussex, only ten miles from Paul's house.

[@kevindoran9389]

Woah really!??? I grew up in Hastings, now live in Ireland, any idea where in the town it was found?

[@ericthefish01]

@@kevindoran9389 No, just a terrace house attic in Hastings.

[@johnnyW1966]

The pub in Ladbroke Grove where the bass was sold to the landlord is (if it's the one in the photo you used) The Admiral Blake, which is famous for being used in Al Murray's sitcom "Time Gentleman Please".

[@curbozerboomer1773]

IMO...The Beatles were so driven, so powerful during their first few years, by the excellent bass playing of Paul!...George was very good on lead, and John was also good mostly on rhythm guitar. But Paul's strong bass, on tunes like I Saw Her Standing There, just nails you to the wall!...There was nothing as stunning being produced by other groups back then...I was 15 when they hit the charts, and now at 78. I am still mightily impressed by the freshness and power of those earlier recordings.

[@NeatBeatZone]

Cry Me A Shadow...I nearly fell off my chair haha. And the best ever of the Hofner-bold statement. So much so that I had to give the track a few spins before I finished this vid. I'd always quite liked it and...ok the bass does indeed sound pretty cool actually. But the statement at 8:55 might be the boldest ever. Great vid as ever. 😀

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@boblehman1726]

Thank you Andrew! As soon as you uttered "the only song credited to John Lennon and George Harrison", my mind instantly thought "Cry For A Shadow???" - which you of course confirmed in your next breath! As an American, I had put up with the generally poor quality of the Capitol releases (unaware at the time of how much better they COULD be), and the execrable quality of the bootlegs that were available in the 70s or late 60s (such as the Decca audition recordings). The later availability in my area of UK, German and Japanese imports of the "canon" albums were so refreshing (including getting to hear "From Me To You" for the very first time [on the UK's "Oldies But Goldies], after they'd already broken up!). When I later discovered the Polygram LP of Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers, I was expecting something like the Decca audition bootlegs, or worse, given that those German recordings were even older. But the packaging was professional (unlike the bootlegs), so I took a chance on it. Wow, was I shocked - fantastic sound quality AND real stereo AND even two tracks without Tony Sheridan - just The Beatles (the other being Ain't She Sweet, sung by John)! Thanks also for the extra background on Paul's lost and found Hofner bass.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Octavian7771]

I just listened to Beatles 'Cry for a Shadow' and I agree, you can really hear the tambour of the Hofner! I can understand why, both pickups are at the neck position, which picks up the more low-end, and you can really hear the hollow body.