The TRUE Story of Paul McCartney's LOST Bass | Friday Fretworks

The true story of Paul McCartney's LOST Hofner Violin 500/1 Bass.
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Key points:
0:00 Intro
13:20 Friends Reunited
1:04 How Paul got it
2:30 Return to Liverpool
3:08 The replacement
3:34 '61 refinish
4:09 The bass reappears!
5:10 Where it actually went
5:57 The first piece of the puzzle
6:56 Paul's finally reunited
7:19 A big discovery
7:43 What next?
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[@VeniceKing1]

Come for Chris Buck the guitar player, stay for Chris Buck the historian!

[@tonkageorge]

100% agree

[@applerecordsltd]

Never apologize for any great Beatles info especially when it come to their musical equipment!

[@sjazzp]

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.

[@randelcross]

Great story, Chris... love how articulate and passionate you are... amazing research photos... Cheers!😊

[@kevinwest657]

That was fun! Who doesn't love it when a good mystery is solved?

[@jurgengosch3915]

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.

[@Birkguitars]

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.

[@worshipgeek]

As far as guitarists are concerned, this is the greatest love story ever told.

[@HeathFoley]

Love happy endings with regards to stolen instruments, thank you Chris!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I’m glad to see that the Bass has been found and returned. It is the iconic instrument for Paul. Thanks Chris.

[@Jason.Brayshaw]

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.

[@stickman55100]

An absolutely fantastic tale!!! Thank you so much!

[@ckelly5141]

Great FFW Chris! Such an intriguing story.🎸👍

[@luvcats4132]

If it was true.

[@MashaT22]

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.

[@CorbCorbin]

(Paul’s first bass remix)

[@scottyruss1990]

Got to say, your knowledge and care of delivering information is truly fantastic. Honestly a pleasure to listen to.

[@pierheadjump]

⚓️ Thanks Chris 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@PhreddCrintt]

Excellent Chris. Thank you so much for bringing this 'disjointed' story together into something cohesive.

[@stephenfoskett4633]

Good piece Chris, very well done. Well researched and put across !

[@kevinmac59v2]

Chris!! I am so exited that you are coming to Omaha!!!!! Hope to shake your hand!

[@tomwhalen8400]

Great story, Chris! Thank you. The only thing missing was your intro and outro playing :)

[@ToddTheJoker]

Thanks Chris! I find these types of stories quite intriguing as well!

[@habeascorpus1]

At last, a clear intelligent presentation of this subject!. Thank you.

[@limpeacock573]

Great story. Thanks for sharing the details!

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Love it Chris! Best coverage yet!

[@jumpingjack55]

Great stuff Chris...well presented as usual.

[@Crinkle65]

Nice job Chris.

[@TheGuitarCurator]

Thanks for this! I really enjoy the guitar history lessons!

[@lancecampbell1677]

Fantastic story! Thanks Chris!!!

[@jeremythornton433]

Just awesome!

[@okgo8315]

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.👍✌️🇬🇧

[@Zavijava1]

Too good a tale not to tell, thanks Man!

[@chrisshaw6451]

Lovely episode Mr. Chris (Sherlock) Buck! 👍❤️

[@Strotophonic]

Straight up INCREDIBLE reaserch Chris!!!..............I wonder if you do a follow up on John's Sonic Blue Strat!!!???

[@stevegroves]

fascinating story, great detail made this a really enjoyable vid :)

[@ArtistsOnlyMusic]

Thank you Chris - this was Brilliant !

[@John-the-Bass]

Thanks, great info

[@JuddLofthouse]

Excellent post Chris I enjoyed that 👍great story

[@lukasschliepkorte3019]

You are an incredible story teller. I've been following the project and you have wrapped it up perfectly! Greetings from Höfner land Germany.

[@luvcats4132]

The lost bass project found nothing didn't even have a lead lying fuckers.

[@RoyGBiv144]

That was awesome! Thank you.

[@lancelange9377]

Thanks for summing it all up so eloquently.

[@mikeedwards2621]

Another Chris Buck bullseye episode…Thanks!

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Chris! Great story.

[@chickenlickin3820]

at least half that much thanks Chris x

[@rogerbranton1752]

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. 😃

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Lovin' it!

[@snapfinger1]

The mock formality of the Beatle Bow & a bass guitar that looks like a classical instrument are essential parts of Beatlemania.

[@sebastianmaharg]

Excellent vid. Thanks.

[@secularZoo]

They found it?!? No way! They've been looking for that Hofner for so long

[@luvcats4132]

The lost bass project and nick wass found nothing

[@TheGateway37]

Original JPM up to 1966 and Billy from late '66 onwards.

[@simonhall2682]

Don’t worry Chris there are loads of Beatles nuts who love this stuff!!

[@hoodywayes6526]

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...

[@foujj]

Great video dude.

[@calebbhawkins]

Cool!

[@GazP23]

Fantastic! Just need to find that Clapton Burst now. Maybe one day.

[@samj.6867]

Cool story!

[@markharrison2302]

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 "KZbinrs" 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!!!

[@luvcats4132]

Fake story

[@markharrison2302]

@@luvcats4132....???? What is a "Fake Story"?

[@miguelestrada9788]

Thanks for this great story. Let’s hope that one day we will be able to see Eric Clapton reunited with his Beano Burst

[@JEDiTV]

Fascinating story, thanks for sharing all the details.

[@luvcats4132]

Fake

[@GregRichards-vv4bj]

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!

[@Ziraffe2]

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

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

The pic of those two newspaper accounts. WOW!

[@erikadegroot1774]

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 😁👍🏼

[@luvcats4132]

A load of absolute shite

[@mikemayer7360]

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 ! :)

[@IamMagPie]

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.

[@steveoneal5257]

Thanks for that infornation Chris now atleast we know the true story

[@Mr3DBob]

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.

[@bassnyc1]

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.

[@tomokra]

No, no, this was great!

[@nascargas]

Stories like this are epic. Self indulgent? Nah. Awesome? Yes.

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit]

So Paul had to play the bass he borrowed right handed? That's bloody impressive. I can't even play open strings left handed

[@ungmd21]

Is this the bass on early recordings like I SAW HER STANDING THERE and I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND and SHE LOVES YOU ?

[@SeltaebEht]

3:13 apparently THAT bass wasn't made for Paul, but for a guy called John Bunning.

[@MrLucky1967]

Paul's '63 500/1 was given to him as a present from Hofner.

[@vayabroder729]

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.

[@CR0SSJ]

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.M.Guitar-Nerd]

Let's hope Sir. Paul gets right on that public apperance with his newly found bass!

[@drebatista]

Now lets find the funk machine

[@dw7704]

Also Randy Bachman and his Gretsch

[@westfield90]

Clicked on this video so fast

[@yinoveryang4246]

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?

[@tsunami6082]

Hooray

[@truthinesssss]

👍

[@OzziePete1]

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.

[@robt5818]

This was not "self indulgent". It was brilliant! Can you imagine Paul's excitement at being reunited with such an important part of his history?

[@corkbour7708]

I’d think Rory Gallagher’s missing and later found Strat is one of the better stories

[@ksharpe10]

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??

[@markrushton1516]

Hope some money changed hands. Be nice to see it used live if only on selected shows where it can be hand delivered.

[@latheofheaven1017]

On a bit of a tangent - apart from the bridge and nut, what's the difference between a right and a left-handed Hofner violin bass?

[@richardclark.]

control, pick-guard and jack placement for starters. side inlay dot orientation, headstock logo, strap button location, etc...

[@grahamnunn8998]

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...

[@thiccchungus588]

No JAM! segments? :(

[@stratjed]

The new Epiphone violin bass is awesome for the money.

[@edjefferson9175]

Imagine - one of the world's most valuble instruments in your attic...

[@CorbCorbin]

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.

[@AndrewBuck86]

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.

[@noelmcmahon4566]

Lesson for all bands...don't leave gear unattended in vans.

[@classicraceruk1337]

Nah not self indulgent Chris, it was an interesting story……

[@grahamtruckel]

Oh no! So what's the bass I've been keeping under my bed all these years?

[@BobPerrone]

Would be nice if somebody would put the screws to Joe Bonamassa since he claims to know where Clapton's Beano Les Paul is...

[@sam_uelson]

Dont leave instruments in the car

[@ianclevenger9714]

This gives me hope for Eric Clapton's beano burst