The Mystery Bass of While My Guitar Gently Weeps

George Harrison’s 1968 song While My Guitar Gently Weeps is often cited as one of the finest songs written during his tenure with The Beatles. But there’s a mystery buried in the track that recently has become the subject of renewed debate among Beatles scholars and fans alike: who is playing the bass part? As a fair warning, once I point this mystery out, you can't unhear this ;)
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Special thanks to the following individuals for sharing insights and materials for this episode:
Dave Rybaczewski www.beatlesebooks.com
Mark Lewisohn www.marklewisohn.net/
www.beatlesbible.com
Eli Rosen
‪@DLD2Music‬
‪@adambound7284‬
Check out my other videos:
Why Is This Beatles Song So Messy? • Why Is This Beatles So...
The Hidden F-Bomb in 'Hey Jude'
• The Beatles' Hidden F-...
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[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Happy November! I hope you enjoy this new pre-holidays episode about one of my favorite George Harrisongs. Who do YOU think is playing bass here? Let me know in the comments!

[@MikeDavid_Davideos]

I think it's Peter Cetera 🤔. Listen to Chicago's "25 Or 6 To 4", it sounds like George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" 🙂

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

@@MikeDavid_Davideos or perhaps it’s John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You! All three songs bear a striking bass line resemblance, although I’m pretty sure George and the boys got it onto tape first 😎 🎧

[@alandesmarais4341]

It's Brian Wilson. Listen to the bridge on Surfing Safari.

[@WorseReviews]

We're all wrong! It was obviously Eric Clapton who came in to play bass after all

[@indigohammer5732]

What's the document at 11:10?

[@Zero_Point_Energy1]

Lennon and McCartney are almost universally considered the greatest songwriters of all time and yet George consistently did a “hold my beer” on them.

[@MM-ll5oy]

Ya song stealers.

[@Fire_ov_Renewal]

I would heartily disagree with that. Pop rock n roll is far from the greatest music.

[@Chriswatney]

@@Fire_ov_Renewal I think it’s hard to argue. I see what you’re doing and suggesting… but to argue otherwise is pointless. Even if you interpret the claim and read the word “greatest” in terms of volume of content they created - over 300 songs in 7/8 years… and then consider the success of those songs and the legacy they’ve left behind. There’s simply no comparison. When together - they were the greatest songwriting team of all time.

[@trevors.5998]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6C4fmdqeJdppbM 😅

[@syzyphyz]

@@Fire_ov_Renewal I don't think a more influential group exists, modern pop gets huge numbers but everybody forgets about those songs within a couple years and are onto the next thing, The Beatles have that timeless power to just stick around.

[@GoldAmple]

I really love how Eric Clapton was uncredited but everyone who has heard the song knows it’s him

[@andrejlz]

Unsung hero…

[@Xogroroth666]

Yup, unmistakeably Eric.

[@mokodo813]

Eric’s guitar is recognizable in a heartbeat.

[@Xogroroth666]

@@mokodo813 Amen, brother.

[@academyofshem]

Eric + Lucy. Great solo.

[@matchrocket1702]

The excitement of hearing these songs for the first time along with everyone else in the world is almost indescribable. When the White Album was released WINS on Long Island play the whole album without any interruption. We were glued to the receiver. That was a great time to be young.

[@TrudyTrew]

Yes. I first heard it on radio caroline, fading in and out. Tantalisingly. Or was it Luxembourg?

[@0HARE]

The kids in our family were 12, 10, 9, and 5 years old when the Beatles arrived in America. Needless to say, we had every new Beatles album in our house the day it was released in America. Beatle Mania, and hearing each new album as they became available was a special treat that today’s youngsters will never know. Beatles lore is endlessly fascinating. Thanks for a super interesting episode.

[@isaiahromero9861]

I would pay good money to see a "reaction video" of people hearing revolution number 9 for the first time in '68 haha, even hearing it for the first time in like 2010 was something else

[@whingerty2949]

Klaus Voorman probably

[@Elvisknight-lu9qk]

I heard George in a Guitar Player interview on this song, describe how Paul came in after it was finished and overdubbed all the bass lines. I remember because I have always loved this bass line. Its so distorted. It makes the song.

[@NotMe-st8qc]

Paul oftentimes came in at night and overdubbed his bass lines on a song. Ever the perfectionist

[@AnitaKrings]

Ich finde nicht, dass es allein die Basslinie ist, die dieses Lied ausmacht. Es ist die Komplexität, die Einzigartigkeit (ich kenne keinen vergleichbaren Song!). Wie bei "Here Comes The Sun" oder "Something" hat George gezeigt, dass er alleine das zusammenbring, was Paul und John gemeinsam schufen (das ist keine Herabstufung der beiden, sondern eine Feststellung). Die Beatles wären noch größer, hätte George mehr Freiheiten bekommen, was aber die Egos der beiden Kollegen wohl nicht zugelassen haben. Ich finde auch, dass Georges Album "All Things must pass" Klassen besser ist als alles von Paul und seinen Wings und auch als ... John Lennons Imagine-Album. Zu diesem Song: Hören, nur hören, alles andere ist nur störend.

[@TheInselaffen]

Beatles feel burnt out: still produce two albums a year of the most revolutionary music ever.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

And singles!

[@jamescoghlan8401]

Not bad for an off day.

[@Coneman3]

Still easier than going down a mine.

[@phadrus]

Right, not even possible without ghost writers. Trust your common sense.

[@barclaybass2327]

Their musical output was fucking mind blowing, in 7 years they redefined what popular music was and could be. Amazing.

[@SarahSmith-vt3oc]

My younger brother ADORED this song! from when it first came out. He was a lead guitarist his whole life, he told me this was a masterpiece. He's gone now, I listen to this song and think of him. I will now listen more carefully to the bass.

[@chrisw4997]

I love it when a song reminds someone of a relative. I bet he was a lovely brother to you, rest in peace! ✌️

[@Manneke70]

That’s beautiful. May he rest in peace.

[@SarahSmith-vt3oc]

@@chrisw4997 Thank you! I adored him, but - life poisoned our relationship in the end (a bona fide mini Shakespearian tragedy) - - this song is a redemption eulogy of sorts. I am grateful for your kind comment. Music is so powerful!

[@frodiesel0]

Hope this song helps you find peace, but until then may you discover the hidden baseline that also drove your younger brother.

[@froglobster]

I heard this since a boy never get tired of hearing. I’ve lost some family past couple years it sucks. People say grieving is a process things will get better with time. Not.

[@suzettebavier4412]

George most definitely never got enough credit. He deserved MUCH MUCH More credit!!!

[@MOSMASTERING]

Amongst producers and engineers he is a God. I'm a producer and mastering engineer.. I have so many books about music production and stories of in the studio. There's a great book series called "Behind The Glass" which is superb! George Martin is a legend... us producers should be so lucky to a) work with such a good band b) be trusted enough with production to have free reign adding stuff.

[@suzettebavier4412]

@@MOSMASTERING Thanks for your input & info, which was interesting. I was a child prodigy singer. Have been the lead & back-up vocalist in several bands, mostly rock

[@MOSMASTERING]

@@suzettebavier4412 Do you still sing or write music? I'm always looking for vocalists or people to collaborate with.

[@suzettebavier4412]

@@MOSMASTERING I do still sing, but am unable to hit the really High notes anymore, due to my foolishness of damaging my vocal-chords

[@suzettebavier4412]

...Oh, and no, I am not a songwriter, but Know someone who Is. He was born a singer, self-taught guitarist since age 16 & is 45 now. Has written over a hundred songs, & is good-looking

[@rosslindholm1480]

From a Harrison interview in Guitar magazine, November, 1987 (as quoted in Beatlesongs by William J. Dowlding, Fireside Books 1989): "When we laid that track down, I sang it with the acoustic guitar, with Paul on piano, and Eric and Ringo - That's how we laid the track down. Later, Paul overdubbed the bass on it."

[@victorarena23]

i'll take his word

[@Nerkin610]

@@victorarena23I do agree, simply based on how the bass part sounds better than John’s style of playing. George’s word wasn’t exactly the most reliable source though, since he often misremembered things. In 1967, when asked about previous year’s recording of “Taxman”, he confidently stated from memory that John did the funny count-in. In fact it’s Paul, and it sounds nothing like John. So George’s words about recordings were always to be taken with a grain of salt.

[@MrRevilo50]

So much for the “perplexed scholars for decades” nonsense in the setup to this video.

[@therealmusician]

I think it goes without saying that Paul overdubbed the bass, he often did and here he's playing piano for the basic recording - but because some of the playing is so grooveless, I think Paul and John overdubbed together!

[@Unicorn-ST]

There is no further question, Your Honor

[@josephshigley4914]

I remember hearing an interview of John Lennon by Kenny Everett, where John was going on about playing a 6 string bass and, as he's describing the intricacies, hums the bass line of "While My Guitar......." Enough info for me to believe he was doing the 6 string. The 4 string accompanying him goes off on a tangent that's too melodic to be anybody other than Paul McCartney.

[@marcusphelan57]

If it's the interview where John is playing the fretless guitar, that was recorded three months before WMGGW was recorded.

[@DaveChristmanMusic]

John is playing a Fender VI throughout the Get Back film on Disney. Seems reasonable to assume he had it around for the White Album sessions.

[@marcusphelan57]

@@DaveChristmanMusic yes it was around for the White Album sessions, but it’s not in use here. Paul is playing a Fender Jazz on this song

[@mileswalcott7241]

I am not saying that there are two bass guitars but Paul McCartney played the basic bass track separate from piano and organ and John played also the six strings fender bass

[@marcusphelan57]

@@mileswalcott7241 I don't understand. You're saying there are not two basses but both Paul and John are playing bass?

[@roberthart9886]

The version I heard is when George tried to introduce it to the band they were ambivalent, lacking enthusiasm to rehearse it. So, QUIET George took it to his friend Eric C. Once they worked it out, George brought Eric to the studio, which flabbergasted the others (at that time EC was already famous) at which point they became fully engaged

[@robertbeermanjr.2158]

I wonder if Eric would be able to solve this mystery??

[@nana820able]

I suspected Clapton. Sounds like him and has the fabulous guitar sound heard in Phil Collins Wish It Would Rain ballad only Clapton could do.

[@georgeprice4212]

Harrison has always said that Clapton played on While My Guitar Gently Weeps, that’s no big secret. However, the story I’ve heard - and this is even in the Anthology DVD - was Harrison was at Clapton’s place, and asked Eric for a ride to the studio. On the way there, George asked Eric to come in and play on the song, which Clapton initially refused - his reasoning was that nobody else ever played on The Beatles’ records - to which George replied: “It’s my bleeding song, Eric. I want you to play.”

[@oletapowell9846]

​@@nana820able❤

[@StacheBigote]

Clapton was not just famous by that time, he was legendary. He was also in one of the biggest bands on the planet not named The Beatles.

[@mdc53]

I think the idea that John played the simpler 6-string bass pattern and Paul contributed some of the more complex runs is totally viable.

[@marcusphelan57]

Why? There's ONE bass track. This silly video speculates about the doubling in the bridges, that John perhaps played the Fender IV there, when it so obviously is the electric 12 string played by George. I advise people to listen to the complete isolated bass track, not the 20 seconds of excerpts heard in this video. It will remove any doubt that it was played by Paul.

[@barbellufo4372]

@@marcusphelan57 Do you know of a link where we can listen to the complete isolated bass track?

[@marcusphelan57]

@@barbellufo4372 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpm5q4CFpZetn80

[@MsCloudrider]

@@barbellufo4372 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaXFnIltfdKDnM0

[@user-dw6rz5rm2m]

@@barbellufo4372 Here's the Isolated Bassline: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWewk6Jndpykn9U

[@axiomist4488]

I really don't care, but it's great fun listening to you describe recording sessions and details during a wonderfully fantastic time in my life, the mid 60s (I was 20 at the time) . Thanks for the stories .

[@rickmcdonald1557]

I was also 20 in '66 and as you say it was a "Fantastic" time to be that age although the next year I was in Vietnam but still wouldn't trade those times for anything~!!😜👍✌

[@patrickdieter5389]

@@rickmcdonald1557 Glad you survived!

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

@@patrickdieter5389

[@rwaggs81]

Bass player here. Paul is essentially my favorite player, and this certainly sounds like it could be him. But the idea that, by this time, John wouldn't be able to execute this line on a 4 string bass if he wanted to, is kinda silly to me.

[@albertbernard1322]

Yeah that's where I parted company with the author: that a guitarist had to have a six-string bass to be able to tackle it.

[@ChadWork1]

@@albertbernard1322 It was a Bass VI.

[@albertbernard1322]

@@ChadWork1 A 6 string bass essentially. Burns used to make one too in the 60s. My point was that a guitarist knowing his way around the frets wouldn’t have a problem playing a 4 string.

[@scottmatznick3140]

Guitar player here. I've been playing guitar and piano for decades, and could easily execute that bass line without even putting in much effort or practice. If you understand the instrument conceptually and what to expect from it, playing it is in no way difficult. Given enough callouses on the ol' fingers, of course.

[@ChadWork1]

@@scottmatznick3140 yes it was a simple bass line that sounds a lot like what he played on bass in the next session. It also just feels like John playing.

[@mikehicks55]

Sounds like a Fender VI and once that’s established, the fact that the one they used was right handed would suggest it wasn’t Paul. And as the keeper of the Abbey Road archives, Giles Martin probably has greater insight than pretty much anyone.

[@FOH3663]

Genau

[@G8GT364CI]

Sounds like a Fender Jazz with flatwounds to me with the mute intact and a pick.

[@nahnope8581]

@@G8GT364CI even with the pick i think flatwounds and mute would provide a much warmer sound than we hear in the recording personally

[@G8GT364CI]

@@nahnope8581 Well round wounds were not very common in 1968 and I know those came with flats stock, most basses did until late in the 70's, but the sound is kind of crappy though, that I will agree with, especially when he plays the two note chords.

[@johnburns4017]

But Scott was _there._ He was the engineer who put it all together.

[@jacquelinemamahiggzhiggins2951]

Rest in love and light George 💟🙏🏼 You were a beautiful human being a beautiful soul! Thank you for your gift of music❤️

[@whingerty2949]

So true Jackie. I think that George was the only Earthling among these PrimaDonnas, well...Ringo was a sweetheart. That shows thru on the many interviews. But George broke many hearts. For the sake of harmony, he sucked it up. Then there was the time his apt was broke into and he had to fight for his life.But the streetkid handled himself!

[@taivo55]

I have always loved this song from the first moment I heard it on the radio in high school and watched it performed by Eric Clapton on the big screen in The Concert for Bangladesh. But I am glad that you rightly mentioned that the history of this song will now always include Prince's performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. The look on Dhani Harrison's face as Prince takes the song from one level of perfection to a level two steps beyond says everything.

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

Eric Clapton was so dope sick during that performance. There's a reason his skin has an almost green-ish pallor to it.

[@eudymaverickmentor]

Prince's solo was lost on the meaning of the song.

[@vicarofrevelwood]

I cannot count how many times I sat and listened to this album from the time I was 12 years old until I was in my forties. I listen to it on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD, and now sadly as a download. I'm 64 and this song will never lose its beauty.

[@michaelsigman2041]

I will still be listening when I’m 64…

[@toooldtochange6098]

Will you still need me, will you still feed me___

[@virginiacopeland108]

I am 69. I have dreamt about George twice, and each time it seemed real. He is willing to return to this illusion briefly, then his persona is put back in it's vault of time. He either had one something to say, or one small thing to give me that was symbolic.

[@777dexx]

I'm there with you brother...

[@Nina5144]

Well said. Same for me, except I’m 63!

[@BotteEnTouche]

I'm saying this from a purely emotional perspective but this is the best song ever. The type of song that still gives me the same rush as when I heard it the first time. I love your videos, storytelling and analysis. Keep up the good work.

[@victorarena23]

It's my favorite song

[@adox26]

This might be the greatest hard rock song ever recorded!

[@ianbartle456]

Where I'll agree with you is that it stood very very well indeed over time. Always been a BIG George fan.

[@mikebrownlee1417]

I've been trying to learn guitar on and off for 50 years. I'm terrible. The fact that any of the 4 of them could pick up any of the instruments around them and bang out genius level music is... is..... I lack the vocabulary but combine; amazing, sick, stunning, awesome, incredible,,,

[@flea2.0bjorgen69]

Amasickstunsomible would be the proper nomenclature.

[@objuan6]

Same shit happened to me! I admit to other more successful creative abilities, but, I can’t imagine any if those without a six-string leaning in the corner. Keep it up! There is something very satisfying about making the same noise, like, 2-3 times in a row. Happened to me, once. ROCK-ON!

[@sugarnads]

Took me 2 years to learn the guitar part for day tripper lol. I hear ya mate

[@edloyola9994]

I read a story that they traveled by bus for 3 hours just to learn a single chord. My point is, the Beatles worked on their craft.

[@bibdoylan]

Keep playing and don’t ever stop!

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

Aww; the flowers on Ringo’s drum kit after he took some time off for personal issues. That’s just so sweet & he well deserved them!👍🌸🌺🌷🥁

[@jackprice7828]

While my guitar gently weeps (original version-not the covers) is one of those Beatle songs you can listen to hundreds of times and still not tire of it.

[@paraworldblue]

That aggressive picking style that almost sounds like the player is angrily attacking the instrument is 100% Lennon. It's the way he played guitar, so it would make sense that he would play bass the same way. None of the other Beatles played so angrily.

[@ballhawk387]

Paul certainly could. he played the guitar solo in "Taxman".

[@southpawtx]

I agree that it was very indicative of John to play that way. Look at the into to Revolution for an example. Paul COULD yes, of course Paul was probably the most talented instrumentalist out of all 4 of them, but my belief is that its John. Plus Giles would seem to be the one person who would more likely know this than anyone else. And as mentioned before, that bass was a right handed bass.

[@nathanfrahm]

I agree. It sounds like John to me. Especially the slightly sloppy attack style.

[@aheendwhz1]

The melody played, and the exactness of the way he's playing, indicates that it's Paul. Listen to "Helter Skelter", there you can clearly hear that John played differently. He played rougher on less exactly. George on the other hand played the bass more cleanly and exactly. While My Guitar Gently Weeps is clearly the amount of "clean playing" Paul would do. Of course John tended to play more agressively, but that shouldn't make you assume the other Beatles weren't able to play agressivly. I think this is a similar misconception like the one regarding the guitar solos of Let It Be and Hey Bulldog, many people assume Paul or John were playing them, because they can't believe George was able to pull off these emotions. But of course he was. All Beatles were perfect at expressing any emotion. I am convinced that the Bass in While My Guitar Gently Weeps is over John's level of creating a bass melody and over his technical ability. Listen to Helter Skelter, the demo version of The Long and Winding Road or the demo version of Let It Be and you'll know what I mean.

[@Redman680]

It was Paul McCartney. John Lennon played the organ on the track. Google knows, saves the inaccurate guesses. 👍

[@damamae950]

I like this historical approach. It's detail and technical enough for serious music geeks without being bogged down by a narrator who does not really have a scholarly or articulate approach. Love hearing the bass isolated like this

[@patrickdieter5389]

This narrator sensationalized a lot of stuff, especially pushing the idea that the electric bass would somehow be a total mystery to a skilled electric guitarist. Both instruments are tuned the same, so a swap was easy and required almost no learning curve at all!

[@Fiftynine414]

I love the White Album for many reasons, one of them being that George really came to the forefront compositionally on it. Each Beatle was showcased individually. Love, love, love this whole album.

[@denniscook390]

It's easily my favourite Beatles album, next would be Rubber Soul.

[@crushtoph]

when you see how much work the beatles put into a simple single part of a song, their success is more than deserved and thats the reason why they are still famous today. its just something that moves and inspires people and makes the thing intresting that you want to dive even deeper of what surprises for the listener are around.

[@berretta9mm17]

25 takes for the BACKING TRACKS! Perfection is never easy...

[@DaveZula]

It's definitely an interesting question. It sure sounds a lot like John's bass playing on Helter Skelter. What I want to know is why has nobody asked any of the Beatles themselves in 50 years??

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

Even if we could, I'm not sure we can trust their memories 50+ years later, either :)

[@jaelge]

@@YouCantUnhearThis: Not only that we couldn't trust their memories but I wouldn't trust Paul´s answer. I'm sure if it wasn't him he´d somehow elude to the fact that it was without having to resort to downright lying about it. LOL!

[@mmjahink]

@@jaelge I dunno, I feel like Paul's recollection of events is more accurate than anyone else's.

[@jaelge]

@@mmjahink: Oh, absolutely, but like John, when it suits him. LOL!

[@QUIRK1019]

@@YouCantUnhearThis there's probably an entire video's worth of content just disproving things the Beatles have mis-remembered about their history

[@rocistone6570]

I think now of George without weeping. His sweet sitar and lovely guitar softly sleeping. In the summer of love came a gentle meeting, the sounds of two voices softly speaking. Six bars of notes softly sounding, and two lives touched and resonating. So many memories, like clear bells resounding, so much heard and understood, and remembered always. Now, my guitar smiles, without tears flowing.

[@RJLKMRD]

It's Paul's vocals to me that stand out.. Paul harmonizes like no other!!

[@miketheurich758]

😮

[@sjrisher51]

George found inspiration from many sources. In his early years he expressed and admiration for Flamenco guitar. In a poem called "The Guitar" written by Federico García Lorca - 1898-1936, the first line is "The weeping of the guitar begins. The goblets of dawn are smashed. The weeping of the guitar begins. Useless to silence it." It isn't plagiarism. But the inspiration is obvious.

[@Constriktor]

Thanks for this

[@bw_montreal5867]

Good find. Lorca influenced Cohen as well, especially lyrically.

[@59sharmanalin]

I don't see inspiration either

[@virginiacopeland108]

I heard he had randomly opened a book of Chinese mysticism and it said, gently weeps.

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

He was an incredibly average musician and average guitar player

[@procrastinator9]

I've often wondered why so many recordings obscure the bass so much that you can't hardly even hear it. I love it when you can clearly hear the bass part. Even with orchestral music, the cello, bass and low brass are so subdued. That's why I like London Symphony Orchestra recordings so much...you can actually hear the bass parts.

[@pavook]

I like the bassline in Muse - Hysteria, so prominent that it's the practically main part of song. As for an recent example, Royal Blood - Oblivion is also good.

[@heartofthunder1440]

It could have been pre-recorded and dubbed in, or you take someone with a unique way of strumming, have at least 1 string tuned differently to make it sound like a base string. Someone would have to duplicate it.

[@alexwild1435]

It’s a really tricky part of mixing to get the bass sound to come through. As it’s near the bottom of the register it gets masked by other instruments that are playing higher up. A lot of modern music (especially dance) clears the lower midrange to allow the bass part to shine.

[@hollowanimations4709]

If you like rock music then KoRn has some tasty bass. But a big t softer and Royal Blood‘s new song boilermaker, has some great base of it ✌🏼🤟🏼

[@nicktamer4969]

Bass players of the 60's (Macca included) complained a lot about the fact that their instrument disepeared in the mix. It was because of the vinyl limitation and the fact that music was mixed to be clear and loud on small radio transistor and small vinyl decks, and the way the bass was recorded. Macca's bass recording with the Beatles illustrate the evolution of technics. For "Rain" and "Paperback writers", Emmerick used a big loudspeaker as a microphone to get le low ends, but dispite the fact they were satisfied with the result, EMI forbid them to do it again, claiming it was dangerous for the equipement. Few years later, they used one of the first DI box and get more low ends. The stereo CD versions of Beatles we got from 1987 to 2009, also hide the bass guitar in the mix because it was on the same track as the drum and always put on a side. IMO, the most important thing with the 2009 Mono Boxset, is that the Bass is much more present and show better how Macca was good (same for Bill Wyman with the Rolling Stones mono boxstet).

[@hudsonbirden2928]

Just listened through the isolated bass track. The 'swoops' in the main bass track are signature Paul style bass playing, and the bass tone is definitely Rickenbacker, with a bit of overdrive. The overdub sounds like a Fender 6 played clean, very closely doubling the main bass line.

[@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia]

I saw the isolated bass track YT link below, but *where* do these tracks come from? The bass and the other isolated tracks in this video?!? I vote for Lennon aggressively picking a Rick with some distortion...can't believe Rick Rubin didn't ask Paul!

[@jjs8426]

Check yo ears

[@voidsabre_]

@@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia i believe the isolated tracks came from Beatles Rock Band

[@petehealy9819]

Finally watched this after it had popped up in my feed a dozen times, and I'm glad I did. Absolutely fascinating and rich with insight. I appreciate your channel and the huge amount of research you must do to create videos like this. Thank you!

[@swnorcraft7971]

As a teenager, I was enthralled by the Beatles. The White Album was and still is an all time favorite. Thank you for this step back into the past for a look from a different perspective. The Beatles were definitely a very talented group of individuals. I didn't know Eric Clapton played with them on this song..........definitely an all time classic!...................

[@allenf.5907]

The White Album to me is their masterpiece simply because of the depth and range of it.

[@kencrisp2588]

They could have left alot of songs off that white album ! and just had it a much better album , Abbey Road was mine . They were ALL AWESOME

[@stormboy-official7261]

The Fender Bass VI was typically advertised in pictures with tapewound strings. The isolated bass track from this song carries the distinct sound characteristic of tapewound strings, a certain 'rubbery plunking' heard in the attack and decay of the notes, as when the strings are plucked and muted. Then more commonly known roundwound strings typically used by most players have a much brighter attack, and have their own characteristic 'zip-squeak' heard when a players fingers go between notes. I'm not a Beatles expert, but I know what I'm hearing here. The type of guitar the Bass VI is is more commonly known as a baritone guitar. Even being in the same octave as a bass guitar, the strings are also still significantly thinner in diameter. Thinner strings have less mass than the thicker bass strings do, and don't carry as much boom and punch. This is also something heard very easily here.

[@domestikgoddez9823]

thank you for an in depth comment - love it.

[@johnarmstrong937]

To my ear, you are correct - the bass is using tape or flat wound strings. Roundwound strings which were popularized by Rotosound were not unknown at this time but had not yet displaced flatwounds as standard equipment on most player's instruments. Paul McCartney's sound is classic flatwound and this song reflects that. The VI - as you correctly note, what we would call a Bari today - is what's playing along in the chorus. Not sure how the Vi was typically tuned but with a 30" scale length and the thinner (yes, flat wound) strings, I doubt it was tuned much lower than B. All of this doesn't clear up who was actually playing . . .

[@LightWolf_91]

I use flatwounds on a couple Gretches and a Hofner, is tapewound to your ears sort of like flatwounds, smooth snappy, it has that plucky sound too

[@Treklovful]

The lowest note on a baritone guitar is a B. The Fender base vi (I've got one, listen to the intro of the song Berenklauw on my channel where it is dominant) lowest string is an E. So, please don't call my vi a baritone!

[@kimseniorb]

These are flatwounds

[@brunocolesse7883]

My favorite Beatles song and your comments, explanations and acoustic extracts are fabulous. CONGRATS AND MANY THANKS

[@alanshapirosongwriter]

It can be argued that this is the greatest rock song every written. Consider how many covers have been done by the most incredible guitarists playing that amazing original Eric Clapton solo. And how many amazing vocalists have sung lead on this. I have yet to hear a bad version of this song.

[@fresanegra77]

I can do a bad cover if you want (I'm a beginner musician)

[@michaelsteding7720]

Listen to Prince play the solo with Tom Petty and a few others. It's jaw dropping.

[@jennw6809]

Today I learned that this song, which is my absolute favorite George song ever, was recorded while I was being born! No wonder I love The White Album so much - it was born when I was.

[@AshleyWeech]

@RedLiver wasn't 1968 also a big year in war, politics, and chaos? Seems fitting a young guy would make changes himself when the 'whole world' around him was changing and exerting chaos. Thanks for sharing.

[@hughmungus1767]

If this truly is a longstanding controversy, I find it amazing/incredible and even unbelievable that in the 50+ years since it was recorded, no one has simply asked those who were there who played the bass part(s).

[@jonde4445]

Paul can never remember that type of thing

[@sterbus79]

@@jonde4445 He even said to Rick Rubin that he was him playing bass on Maxwell's Silver Hammer

[@aashapagann2700]

Right? but it's way more fun, to me, to do this! I am loving reading all of the theories! And I love that everyone is being cool to each other!

[@RCassinello]

Because whenever Paul is asked about anything the Beatles did that was good, he always claims it was him who did it.

[@TheJedc43]

So much for the nice comments... 😁

[@TroyQwert]

Yesterday I watched the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame clip of Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison performing the Beatles song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” during George Harrison’s induction ceremony. I was thrilled at the drums part by Dave Gohl.

[@patrickchubey3127]

Side note = I actually remember that old Bert Kaempfert song coming in over Dad's transistor radio while riding around with him in his old '48 Chevy 3/4 ton truck back in the early 60's. I've thought about listening to that old song since then but I never knew who did it, and now thanks to your video I know the artist's name and I can just look it up on KZbin. Thanks.

[@terencejay8845]

One of my Father's favourite pieces was Bert Kaempfert's 'Moon Over Naples' before it became recorded with added lyrics as 'Spanish Eyes'. It will always be 'Moon Over Naples' to me. My Mum, now 96, 40 years after Dad's death, still can't bring herself to listen to it.

[@crlguitar1]

I LOVE listening to the isolated tracks of songs I have enjoyed for decades. Of all the Beatles songs that I am still in love with, I think that most of my favorites were written by George. I was so lucky to be 14 in 1964 and be part of the whole splendor that was Beatlemania...

[@jamesbayly4181]

Old brown shoe

[@WobblesandBean]

Same. This song and "Think For Yourself" are among my favorite Beatles songs 💜

[@jamesrisolo573]

Worth noting that this was around the peak of the Beatles-Beach Boys competition in terms of production and arrangement. A lot of Beach Boys songs from around 1966 and 1967 feature a Fender Precision bass part doubled with a Danelectro bass - at least one of the two played by Carol Kaye.

[@TheHollowBodiesBand]

And often, an upright bass too

[@iloverush123]

God only knows is a p bass, a danelectro vi, and an upright. I wondered for years how they got bass to sound like that, I didn't even hear the vi til someone put up the isolated tracks

[@stanbarrington9698]

That moonlihting hussie! I thught I recognized her

[@jamesrisolo573]

@@stanbarrington9698 I hate to break it to you, but she really got around back then! (So did the rest of the Wrecking Crew...)

[@alanolney3564]

I’m about their age. I still think they were the best band ever

[@designstudio8013]

Not really. Catchy trippy songs but Geo Martin crafted them and was the true musical talent.

[@lettucekisses]

You played the bass part

[@erneliaoquickel547]

The greatest band of all times.

[@profaltman]

The moment you played the isolated bass the first time, I thought "That is a primarily guitar player, not a bass player." Then it got complicated. Fun piece!

[@malaipsanova]

I thought John played the bass in this song all my life… I didn’t know this was a mystery. I still love the explanation

[@kencrisp2588]

Im sticking with John on Bass , just my opion Ill take George Martins son as he was there and he said it was John on a 6 String right handed BASS. anyway who cares but it is an Awesome Bass fill I love it ! KUDOS to who ever it was

[@TeleNikon]

I'm with you. My vote is John on Bass VI for most of it then Paul joins on either Rick 4-string or Fender 4-string when the bass part doubles à la Tic Tac. Excellent video.

[@mickavellian]

LOL oh lord!

[@hannibalclark6111]

Unbelievable.

[@tylercady3985]

I think that makes the most sense to me. Especially because the Fender VI they had was right handed, and with Paul being lefty, I would assume that most, if not all, the 4 string basses they had were left handed. So it would make sense then, that John played the main bass line on the right handed Fender Bass VI, and Paul would be the one doubling it with the left handed Rick or Jazz bass.

[@williambault2469]

how about paul was dead and they played like he would have.?

[@TeleNikon]

@@tylercady3985 - Egg-zaggly!👍

[@virginia7890]

Phenomenal! Those of us living and growing up with artists of this time loved the musical vibes. We still do ❤

[@robmolenaar340]

Hi, I have not read all comments so forgive me if this has already been mentioned; I love the in-depth analysis and the passion from everyone in the comments! John does play the Fender bass VI, often, in the "Get back" movie (he seems to like it) and so do the others...not just as a bass but also as a "baritone" guitar. The neck is short, the strings are thin and light and it's tuned like a guitar. That makes it easy to play for a guitar player, either sounding like a "thin" bass or when playing chords, sounding like a "Low" guitar. There were and still are many bands and musicians that use those "baritone" guitars either " just to put a bass track down" that may be replaced later or added with a "normal" bass guitar because they just like the sound of it (ACDC). Danelectro has made their versions of those...forever and their brand is nearly synonymous with Baritone Bass. Fender reissued the Bass VI under the Squier brand a while back and they have had other "easy to play" basses in their line-up, like the Bronco Bass etc. You often see those instruments in a studio. When you are working together on a song, you just want to be comfortable , creative and play without a struggle. ...and sometimes you just like to play something different! Thanks for the video!

[@AdamCharlton]

Ringo said John came to his house to get him back in the Beatles. Ringo said "I feel like an outsider and it's just the 3 of you" and he said John said "What? I thought it was you 3."

[@tcmcity51]

Pretty deep

[@scottmatznick3140]

Either way, one and one and one is, indeed, three

[@stanwray5663]

@@scottmatznick3140 Got to be good-looking 'cause you're so hard to see ........

[@cleesely]

that's how gullible ringo is

[@ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

@@scottmatznick3140 Until my team is able to produce confirming evidence in the lab, your statement remains nothing but hearsay.

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

At 6:32: if these vocals don’t have the hair on your arm standing straight up, you’re simply not alive! Dang, but these boys could sing. I don’t think most people ever talk about what great harmony singers they were. Just fucking unbelievably great. And this channel, and channels like it, that are able to separate out the parts are truly a wonderful Asset. We are living in a magical time. Enjoy it while it last brothers and sisters!

[@speedoflight9005]

Absolutelly agree!! Talking about Beatles chorus is like oppening The I Ching of diversity of changes, imagination, creativity and harmony. Just to hear "Getting Better" chorus or the back vocal in "Happiness is a warm gun", or the 9 voices conforming a real chorus in Because (John, Paul & George x 3 recordings) is to enter in another "secret" Beatle world. The body of work that they brought to us, is incredible, collosal.

[@kennethmoore5458]

Amen fellow human! The background vocals are, indeed, phenomenal. The song that always blows my tiny mind is, “I’m only sleeping” off Revolver. Those sweet slides in 3 part harmony are delicious velvet dream cakes for my ears.

[@vatican6666]

What made the Beatles the amazing band they were and still are to this day was their harmonies. I still listen to them all the time but never really liked any of their solo projects because that combination of those voices just wasn't there.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

The multi part harmonies are the secret sauce on the gourmet burger! Not saying that they weren't great at stitching all kinds of styles and modes together in ways that worked well, but the vocals just put it all on another level. There are a few bands like The Mamas and the Papas who's music wasn't necessarily all that special, but their vocal harmonies just grabbed people so much, it made them famous and big sellers, and just makes people want to sing along.

[@markbarrett4440]

Beatles vocal harmonies are a thing of beauty. Pete Townshend said he'd heard some demo's and the playing was 'flippin' lousy' apart from the vocals.

[@karaamundson3964]

Loving your analyses. They're fabulous.

[@danapeck5382]

Thanks! Newcomer to your site, very much enjoying the content. Gives a sense of how much manual detail was kept in the pre-ProTools days

[@ZiCK_616]

7:56 "Here's where things get weird" and I get an ad! Perfect timing!

[@aebhosor4835]

Soon as I read this warning, a toothpaste ad showed up

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

I had a Fender Bass VI for a while and the tone on this track really does remind me of that... It's a very Fender single coil-y sound yet not as deep as a Jazz Bass with it's longer scale. I'm voting for Fender Bass VI. As to who's playing it... John seems to make sense.

[@castorkat4868]

12 string guitar

[@WisconsinWanderer]

I absolutely love this history and truly miss these times in music!!

[@7colliemac]

It was in the summer of 68 (Australia) when a friend & I bought this album.. we were blown away.. many wondered how the Beatles could top Sgt Peppers, they didn’t try, it was a smorgasbord of classic song writing & musicianship .. it had everything from sugary pop, hard edge blues, country, manic hard rock.. personally I think it topped Sgt Pepper, still one of my top 3 Beatles albums, along with Revolver & Abby Road. But this song was my favorite on the album, possible my favorite Beatles song.

[@kmarasin]

My analysis, after going back and listening to the remastered track, is that yes, there are two bass lines. I would guess that during the main take, John is playing the Fender VI and keeps it pretty basic to act as the guide. Then later on, Paul overdubs his bass. You can hear instances where the chug-a-chug of the Fender VI is left behind by more complicated smoother sounding Rickenbacker bass fills, especially during the fadeout. Band politics probably played a role in how the song was assembled. I think George wanted John to handle the bass line during the main take as he was more inclined to follow George's instructions on how the line should go. (Contrast this to the bass line on "Something" where Paul really struggles to keep his instinct to fill the space in check, space that George wanted in the song.) Having Paul overdub later forced him to follow John's initial playing more closely and reined him in, so to speak. This rift between Paul and George on whether or not one could tell the other how to play their instrument on the other's song was an example of why the Beatles couldn't play together any longer. They were just too far apart on creative vision. They needed to separate to evolve.

[@victorarena23]

This is likely and then a guitar is added by someone. Likely George

[@aquamarine99911]

I agree. The chorus bass line uses a lot of slides, which Paul was doing a lot of around this time (e.g. Dear Prudence, Come Together). My guess is that he came up with the overall bass line on J-Bass, but then they decided they wanted a chunkier sound so they doubled up with John on the VI. There's no question in my mind that John is playing it on Helter Skelter - that track is way too (appropriately) messy to be a Paul bass line. So why not here?

[@chrislastname744]

Never like the Rickie basses I always thought they sounded clunky myself. Never played a Fender VI but have played Fender P's and they always sound smooth to my ear. However if they down tuned it as said that will always produce a dull clunky sound on just about anything simply because of less tension.

[@rcbennett6592]

That makes sense since Paul was known for being the last one to record his bass guitar parts.

[@aquamarine99911]

​@@rcbennett6592 After Revolver. From 1967 on, but especially on the Pepper album, Paul's keyboards/piano was often the driving force in the songs, so he overdubbed his bass parts after. That's why the bass in, say, "A Little Help from my Friends" or "Lucy in the Sky", sounds so other worldly. Starting in 1968, George or John often played the bass on Paul's keyboard songs. I didn't realize until recently that George played that walking bass line on "Maxwell".

[@franciscosebastianfloresze3781]

I was listening to this song yesterday and paying attention to the bassline, and I thought "this is definitely a Fender VI", and looking to the Get Back documentary later I realize they got one of those guitars around in the studio. I think is very possible that John plays this part, it has the aggressive style of his right-hand attack.

[@AureliusR]

It's clearly the Fender VI; it doesn't sound like a normal bass guitar to me. I almost thought it could have been a guitar through an octaver, but I don't even know if octavers were available then.

[@onderov]

@@AureliusR According to Ken Scott, it's Paul on Fender Jazz bass. Jazz bass is capable of this sounds! Just use combination of both pickups and you have the exact sound.

[@pepperman3554]

@@onderov No, Scott says in his book that you can hear a six string bass on WMGGW.

[@MrSteveod21]

That was beautifully presented and expressed. Thank you!

[@richardoliff8182]

Absolutely brilliant. You've put into simple terms exactly what music IS and will forever BE. Thankyou!!

[@jonesian21]

Definitely John is playing, you can hear his hard, gritty style of playing.

[@Greg042869]

Certainly doesn't sound like Paul's bouncy style

[@adityaroy7616]

@@Greg042869 Also, there are barely any slides.

[@acester86]

Definitely not Paul.

[@Greg042869]

@@adityaroy7616 Or turns and going for rides

[@marksoquetjr4693]

It says Paul on bass through wikipedia

[@PunkMarioBros]

George and John are the people who inspire me the most in my songwriting, they are true legends along with Paul and, even though he only wrote 2 songs, Ringo

[@joelbaechle6892]

Thanks for the fascinating background on this. It's amazing that access was granted to these studio tracks. Two things I noticed. First, in the early George track of While my Guitar Gently Weeps, he is playing a "Nashville - tuned" 6-string - you can hear the "angel hair" high strings. I just got mine out and played it, and it sounds exactly the same. It can be heard on "Little Darling", too. Probaby on "Here Comes the Sun", also. It has all the high strings of a 12-string and is often used to "sweeten" Nashville tracks, hence the term, "angel hair". Second, during the comparison of the 4-string bass and the Fender VI, you can hear an acoustic 12-string in the background as well. Having a Framus electric 12 and an acoustic 12 myself, it's very obvious - it jumps out. Thanks again for delving into the layers of production - I enjoy this sort of thing so much more than the latest Guitar Player article on a telegenic speed metal wizard, as intersting as that stuff is.

[@steveniddon6133]

Fantastic video. Very insightful and well presented throughout.

[@WTH1812]

"The new 8-track technology." It's amazing to realize how much the Beatles and other groups of the 60s and 70s put into their music with relatively scant technology. Just reminds us given today's technology that in music more is not better.

[@oldunclemick]

One thing to remember as well is that to them 4-track wasn't half an 8-track the way we would think about it, to them it was a world of possibility beyond live to stereo recording. So an 8-track was twice a 4-track. Even in the world of 16- and 24-track this wasn't appreciated by those who hadn't experienced the earlier technology.

[@YouCantUnhearThis]

@@oldunclemick that’s a great way to put it! It is hard to believe that even an amateur recording artist today can utilize a virtually unlimited number of tracks and yet the most well-known band in the world was creating masterpieces with only 4. It’s mind-blowing, really.

[@stratcat4450]

@@YouCantUnhearThis back then an well before the Beatles these guys had to really be able to play at a professional level. More often than not now we get a lot of "artists" that maybe know a few cowboy chords and producers turn it into some computer trickery. Whatever style of music your into the real guys can pick up a entry level instrument an play a couple of notes an instantly you know its him.

[@ian1352]

It also shows how backward the studios and labels were. To them music was something to be slapped together, sold and then discarded. Eight-track equipment had been available since the 50s, but they just kept using older, less capable equipment. They would even have continued to hamstring the Beatles if the band hadn’t known about the studio finally having the equipment and demanding to use it.

[@oldunclemick]

@@ian1352 so wonderfully British to be cheapskates about it. I worked at several places where they'd eventually give in and spend the big money only to shoot themselves in the foot by cheaping out on the ancillaries required for the new kit to deliver the results! I don't understand ex-pats who cry in their beer - I'm still laughing in mine.

[@cscarpaglia]

It was John on the Bass VI, for both “while…” and “Helter Skelter.” The feel is completely different from Paul and more agressive…

[@jennw6809]

I totally agree!!

[@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros9266]

Yep, the style feels different.

[@rexterrocks]

Hey Jude is also John. He played the Fender bass VI.

[@Redman680]

Wrong. John Lennon played the organ on that track. Paul McCartney played bass. Just ask Google, rather than post falsehoods.

[@keithklassen5320]

@@Redman680 With the magic of studio recording, one person can play all the instruments. As this video proves, a simple google isn't necessarily going to give you fully accurate info every time.

[@gregbailey45]

Like almost everyone else, the Beatles are one of my favourite groups of all time, having grown through my teen years loving their work intensely. They accompanied my emotional flowering during puberty and still colour my ideas about what love is today. I'm fascinated by how ignorant I am of who they were as people and how they did what they did, and my whole life and career(s) has been involved in sound and TV technology! I find 'exposés' like this rivetting!

[@domianmartinez4024]

thank u for this video. i havent thought of george for a while.. i met him at a friends house in del mar in the late 70`s. i was a big fan. i really liked him as a person. i miss him now

[@valmarsiglia]

Well, as someone who's been playing guitar for around 40 years, it's not that hard to go from guitar to bass and vice-versa. I _love_ playing bass. Of course, someone who's primarily a guitarist probably won't have the finesse of someone who's primarily a bass player, but they're essentially the same instrument; they're even tuned the same way. And when you're in doubt, you just play the root notes and fifths until you figure out a better way to complement the rhythm and melody.

[@jimc.goodfellas226]

Great username

[@valmarsiglia]

@@jimc.goodfellas226 Thanks, lol. You too!

[@melodyvalentine8779]

I only play acoustic guitar and I'm not exactly a pro either lol but my friend plays loads of instruments and I've just moved back to my hometown and can't wait to go over there and play with his stuff. Hahaha that sounded dirty af, I can't wait to have a go on the drums, I wanted a drum kit as a kid but wasn't allowed one. I wasn't interested in the guitar even though me dad has played since he was 15. Maybe I'd he'd played music I liked I'd have been more interested but he's a blues man and I only liked a few songs. Now I'm a huge Clapton fan but back then I only knew Tears In Heaven. Anyway, my point is I'm not quite looking forward to having a go on the bass guitar. He's even got a didgeridoo but he can't even get that to make a proper sound yet so I know I won't be able to

[@mv9787]

I’ve played both guitar and bass. Yes you can play bass if you’ve played guitar, but does that make you a good bass player? Certainly not. If this is not a clear thing, then you don’t understand what I mean

[@valmarsiglia]

@@mv9787 Jesus, get over yourself, lol.

[@timlecount8690]

Thanks as always for an amazing video! I’m always impressed by your incredible research and photos to accompany your arguments!

[@restojon1]

Firstly I want to say thank you for doing this wonderful video. I'm first and foremost, a lifelong lover of metal but I appreciate all types of music and having a Dad from Liverpool means that the Beatles are kind of "in my blood" to a degree. I started playing bass,rhythm guitar and drums in my teens and got a job in a music shop in North East London back in the 90's. I was probably not the best salesman but, the customers *air quotes* that came through those doors were some of the most interesting, intelligent, varied and inspiring people I've ever met. This video reminded me of the sorts of conversations I used to have in that shop on the quiet days when these musicians and former techs/roadies etc would stop by and we'd have a lovely chat over a coffee and a cigarette (back when you could still smoke indoors).

[@Maffo__]

While this mistery has been stuck in my head for about three years, it has ti be said that this is one of the coolest basslines in their catalogue, so I guess this led me to believe it was Paul's composition, since he wrote so many amazing bass parts over the years

[@baselinesweb]

I hear John's personality on that bass part. Reminds me of his Abbey Road guitar work (I want You, Medley, etc)

[@annameadowshelvie5714]

Same opinion here.

[@debomb721]

Johns pretty good at bass for someone who doesn’t play bass, very impressive

[@johnconnor4630]

I think John played the 6 string bass very well here, and the style is very different then George's play style.

[@gordons-alive4940]

A very rhythmic part with a lot of repeating notes, so I think John could play it. And it sounds like his style.

[@Redman680]

It was Paul McCartney playing the bass, Lennon played the organ on the track. Just ask Google, if you haven't got any clue. 😉

[@Biozeminado]

As an owner of a Bass VI and knowing what a Jazz Bass sounds like, that definitely sounds like John on a Bass VI. The chunky aggressive sound is a staple of the whole Bass VI sound. A Jazz Bass would sound a lot less plucky/little less chunky. Not only that, but using full power chords alternating with single notes sounds like something a rhythm guitarist (John) would do. Edit: subconsciously mixed up the Jazz Bass' sound with something else. Above paragraph has been corrected already.

[@Vincentlpp08]

In my opinion the opposite. The Jazz sounds more chunky and aggressive to me probably due to Paul's bass having bridge mutes, and the VI sounds more plonky and bassy, almost Hofner like

[@televinv8062]

You nailed it my friend. UNLESS, Paul could play right handed or, it was re strung, no pic exists of the Beatles using a left handed Fender VI. I'm going with John, I agree. 👍

[@Biozeminado]

@@Vincentlpp08 Argh I just listened to a demo of the Jazz Bass and I guess mixed up the sounds with that of a Precision Bass or something. So I'll give you that, BUT I still think that a VI was used on the song.

[@jerryc8978]

@@LeviBulger Where are there triplets?

[@riogrande163]

@@LeviBulger What about the melodic parts in the bridges? I highly doubt john would have cared enough to come up with such a melodic bass line on a song that wasn't his.

[@exdj1955]

I’ve always believed that John was playing the bass part I can always tell Paul’s playing. And John was a damned good guitarist. His wrists made his rhythm playing vitally important to the early recordings, as he could strum at double speed a lot of the time. Just watch how fast he plays Dizzy Miss Lizzie. And his acoustic playing on Julia is phenomenal (that’s his picking on the solo part)

[@BMeanies]

I believe it’s John Lennon playing the Fender VI bass and I also seem to remember it was an overdub. The Fender VI has a very distinctive sound and it’s all over the White Album. The backwards guitar version was actually a finished recording and was mysteriously not included on the super deluxe edition

[@victorarena23]

I want that

[@mitchellwallace5654]

Truly outstanding reverent and thoughtful examination which exhilarates and breaths life anew into another Beatle Masterpiece with a “who done it” twist. As a left handed bassist I ve always searched for A Fender VI and when located were priced beyond my need to own one. Same for the John Paul Jones 5 string Fender. Great series! God Bless the Beatles and fans all around. Thanks

[@brbadge]

Squier makes one for around $500. Don’t know if it is available left handed

[@brbadge]

Squier makes one for around $500. Don’t know if it is available left handed

[@brbadge]

Squier makes one for around $500. Don’t know if it is available left handed

[@brbadge]

Squier makes one for around $500. Don’t know if it is available left handed

[@brbadge]

Squier makes one for around $500. Don’t know if it is available left handed

[@Lessontobe]

I don't know how I knew but I have always known it was John playing bass on this song. It sounds like his style more that it sounds like Paul's. Nice video with good information.

[@erikknezevich3619]

It’s absolutely the classic Fender Mark VI. And, yes, it is much easier for a traditional guitar player to manage his way through what is in essence a guitar meets short scale bass guitar. The instrument has been mostly ignored by musicians since those days, but found new acclaim with bands like The Cure and New Order using them extensively. I personally love mine and use it heavily in recording. I think every guitar player should get one.

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

That incredible riff on Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" (imo their best record) is played by Joe Perry on a Fender Mark VI.

[@patrickdieter5389]

There are very few modern bassists who still play a 4-string. 5 or 6 strings is just more convenient.

[@Gavin79746]

I once read an article of George complaining about Paul overplaying the middle eight line and trying to sound like Jack Bruce because Eric was there. I'll see if I can scrunge it up

[@fishhookism]

That's hilarious.

[@christopherheckman7957]

Ah, but did Ringo try to play like Ginger Baker? 8-)

[@RedArrow73]

Interesting that JB was known at one time for using his own Bass VI.

[@chriscampbell9191]

@@RedArrow73 And Jack Bruce recorded with it as well, although I don't remember which tracks. I'd always read Jack used a Danelectro on Fresh Cream (although Jack Bruce's website states that he used his Fender VI on Fresh Cream), EB3 on Disraeli Gears and afterwards. None of Cream's early recordings have bass sounding anything like what we hear on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I always assumed While My Guitar was Paul on his Ricky, treble cranked, slamming out some chords along with the single notes. As we know (Chris Squire, Lemmy) Rickys are capable of a trebly punch. Turns out it's a VI -- just goes to show ya -- ya learn something new every day. :-)

[@Allan-et5ig]

Please do. Never heard that.

[@RemasteringMcCartney_AndreyM]

I find it funny that it always involves Paul and George when there's an unknown player for an instrument. First instance I read about the two was 5 or 6 years ago wherein they don't know if George or Paul played the harpsichord on Fixing a Hole.

[@DrSpaceman69]

Well they played more instruments than Lennon and ringo so

[@elirosen1391]

George played lead on Fixing a Hole. Paul and George Martin both played harpsichords.

[@scalzmoney]

I think their playing styles overlapped a lot. Paul's solos on things like Taxman and Good Morning were played to sound like George. I swear that's Paul on the heavy solo on the album version of Let It Be. So, anything's possible.

[@elirosen1391]

@@scalzmoney the heavy solo on Let It Be doesn't sound like a Paul solo to me.

[@DrSpaceman69]

@@scalzmoney nah Paul’s solos are much more angular, with more exotic note choices (like his wonderfully choppy, dissonant solo on taxman) whereas George plays much more fluid even when overdriven. The 3 solos in The End really showcase their differences. Anyway the let it be solo is 100% George.. audible chocolate 🤤

[@mitchellpittsley7049]

I heard the bass for the first time, consciously, while listening on some studio headphones tonight. And then this popped up in my recommend, thank you.

[@roinerov9348]

You should always write down in a journal what is going on in the studio; date, hour, studio room used, who plays which instrument, what effect-boxes used by the guitars, how many takes etc.

[@minermike61]

I was going to comment on the Beatles aspect of the video since this is a video about them however, you solved an old song mystery I have had for decades, when I could remember it. Bert Kaemfert performing A Swingin Safari. My mom had about four of his records and that was where that sound got stuck in my head but, within maybe a few years she didn’t play her records much and the memory slipped over the years. This might not seem noteworthy to some but to have identified a song from my youth, long forgotten, is unique and important to a now old geezer. The only thing I want to say about this song is Prince. He gave it something akin to Stevie Ray Vaughn playing Hendrix. Nobody can play Hendrix better than Stevie.

[@fenderjag114]

"Swingin' Safari" was ubiquitous on "adult" radio in the '60s (i.e. the kind of music your parents would listen to in the car), so it's ingrained in my memory from those days. I was listening to it a couple of years ago and it suddenly dawned on me that the inspiration for it was clearly the Tokens' hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", which had been released a year earlier in 1961 (and of course went on to immortality through numerous covers and its use in The Lion King). Listen to the two tunes back to back and it will be obvious -- listen especially to the high vocal toward the end of "Swingin' Safari". "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was in turn based on the Weavers' 1950s hit "Wimoweh", which was itself taken from the earlier African hit "Mbube" by Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds. (Pete Seeger of the Weavers heard the group singing the word "Uyimbube", which means "You are a lion" in Zulu, and thought they were singing "wimoweh".) It took many decades and a ton of legal work, but Solomon LInda's heirs eventually received royalties for the huge worldwide success of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". As a side note, Bert Kaempfert even does "Wimoweh" on the "Swingin' Safari" album, but bases it on the Weavers' version rather than on "Lion Sleeps Tonight". Pop music is endlessly fascinating.

[@minermike61]

@@fenderjag114 I didn't expect such an excellent reply. I listened to them back to back and I see your point. How did I not hear this all these years? I was watching a film about the Wrecking Crew and the guitarist who was so well known in studio work (Tony ?) said he basically played the same riffs over and over but changed the tempo or key to suit the song. I laughed hard when I heard that because he demonstrated it and while I think he was making a bit of a self deprecating joke, I could see what he meant. For me there is a special feeling associated with my memories of 60s radio. Maybe magical even. Cars still came with AM radios. No FM or cassette because they just weren't that popular yet. A cassette recorder for general use would run you well over $100. In the 60s that wasn't chump change. A car only cost a little more than a grand. AM was king even in the 60s and mom and dad made the radio selection. Back then you would hear any number of styles on a pop station and all of that became ingrained into my musical tastes along with what my dad used to play on the Hammond. I know a lot of very old music but couldn't name half of it, even though you would hear much of it on the radio even in the 60s. My brother can name names and usually play it on accordion as well. As you might imagine, he was a huge hit with older people at get togethers. I am not opposed to newer music per ce but there is no question that the music I heard in the 60s regardless of when it was written, left an indelible mark on my character.

[@bobcabo4509]

As I remember it, from the Beatles Monthly book Oct or Nov, '68 Mal Evans gave a rundown of each song on the White Album. For this song, he had Ringo and Eric with George on acoustic guitar, Paul on piano and John on Hammond organ. The bass would be added later by Paul. That's been my memory for 53 years and I'm going to have to stand by it, because these are the kind of things that I remember well.

[@evertvdb000]

Somebody must scan Beatles Monthly and put it on the internet in pdf

[@bartramsey6449]

Mal Evans could also make mistakes. Sounds more like John's bass on Helter Skelter.

[@donna25871]

@@bartramsey6449 I think I’ll go with the first person recollection of someone who was there in the studio at the time over your quasi musicology.

[@bobcabo4509]

@@bartramsey6449 Yeah, Mal who was there every night. Sure...right

[@Allan-et5ig]

Well Bob, I'm going with Giles Martin memory when he remixed the track three years ago...

[@duhluth]

May I also point out that the practice of doubling bass tracking goes back to at least "Think for Yourself" on Rubber Soul (which has Paul playing rhythm bass on a Hofner and crunchy fuzz melody on a Rickenbacker)...which was probably also the first commercially recorded occurrence of fuzz bass

[@aamontalto]

Really well researched! Impressive content.

[@darkdirk]

According to Mark Lewisohn’s exhaustively researched and detailed book The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Paul played the bass. This was on Friday 6 September, overdubbed onto take 25 - the same session in which Eric Clapton played the solo, George added additional organ, Ringo added percussion, and George and Paul recorded lead and backing vocals.

[@maychow2634]

Thank you! George played the organ part that this guy is giving credit to Paul. John played electric guitar.

[@admiralbob77]

I dunno. That bass sounds like the Fender VI - which Paul would not ever play (he's left handed.) No bass Paul is known to play can get that guitar-like tone (not the Hofner, not the Rickie.) Even though Back in the USSR has a heavy tone too, it isn't guitar-like. But this is - that'd make it either George or John on the Fender VI, the only ones to ever play that instrument.

[@analytics8055]

Good evidence you're presenting here. But the audio part that makes me say its not Paul is 1) Its played with a guitar pick and Paul in known to have used a felt 'bass pick'' . And 2) It sounds like a guitar player playing a bass track. Believe I know what that sounds like. Its a mystery

[@richsackett3423]

@@analytics8055 No mystery. John on the Bass VI, Paul on the Jazz. It could not be more simple and straightforward. Felt pick? Whered you hear that silliness? .

[@jaydenwhitlen1489]

@@admiralbob77 Sounds more like the jazz bass which Paul was using on the heavier tracks at the time. If you actually listen to clips of John playing the Fender VI around the Let It Be recording (plenty of footsge in the Get Back series) it has a really dead thuddy sound similiar to Pauls Hofner while the Jazz Bass had that trebly aggressive sound that Paul used on Glass Onion, Piggies, Yer Blues and I believe Helter Skelter although it is speculated otherwise which I disagree with.

[@BillDerBerg]

I love tic tac bass especially with the 6-string bass. Glen Campbell playing Carol Kaye's Danelectro Longhorn bass comes to mind

[@MIB_63]

According to McCartney himself in the 3,2,1 documentary he plays bass on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Mystery solved.

[@victorarena23]

i didn't hear that

[@MIB_63]

@@victorarena23 There's a section in the video where McCartney takes credit for the unusual bass playing on While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I guess you will need to rewatch it then.

[@understone]

The timeframe of these songs continues to amaze me. A year after recording this they recorded Here Comes the Sun.

[@reliefmusic7940]

Actually Paul talks about his bass line in the documentary "McCartney 3,2,1" with Rick Rubin. He says a session musician would have been far more sensible with the bass line than he actually was. His aggressive tone is quite unusual. Brilliant scene!

[@brandonkew9122]

Got the answer right from the very source. Perhaps this will put the debate to an end.

[@stikcler]

Paul did the Jazz Bass and somebody played a Fender Bass VI. 0:54 _IS_ a goddamn Bass VI. "nO It'S aN AgGrEsSiVe jAzZ bAsS." I _OWN_ a Jazz Bass _AND_ a Bass VI and that _IS_ a VI. _Maybe_ Paul played the VI in a lefty position ( with the strings still strung rightie. Quite a few lefties do just that).

[@BlazinRiver1]

@@stikcler Ever hear anything about John playing bass on Hellter Skellter?

[@marcusphelan57]

@@stikcler No it's Paul, it's the Jazz and it's distorted. John played organ on the bridges, that's all.

[@TheCapedWanderer]

@@marcusphelan57 there you are haha

[@ewetoo]

While it's true that John clearly used the VI on more than one occasion on the album, the problem I have with the bass in this song is that the verses could be John but the middle eight cannot. That's very much a George idea. I think it's George on the bass.

[@wjm52358]

What interesting is that they're played in unison on the same track, and very similar, but not identical. I would guess it's George on 12 string, but who is playing along with him? I would be skeptical of John being willing to learn a part like thag

[@john-brady]

Fantastic analysis. Very cool and new to me, thanks!

[@kerrykitterman4602]

Thanks, Enjoyed it 😊 these cool details are Endless .

[@Dragineez774]

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for George Harrison. The first rock concert I ever went to when I was 13 during his "Dark Horse" tour. Opening act was Billy Preston - the guy playing the organ during The Beatles famous rooftop session.

[@lonepilgrim83]

Definitely John. John is incredibly underrated as a bass player. Even on “Let It Be” and “The Long And Winding Road” where he gets criticized for lack of subtlety and leaving too much space between notes, this actually sounds astonishingly modern and ahead of its time to my ear.

[@slimkickens]

Didn't Paul redub those?

[@marcusphelan57]

Yes Paul overdubbed the Let It Be bass. John’s horrible Long And Winding bass was buried in the mix, overlaid by the orchestra. It’s Paul on Weeps.

[@TheEscapeEngine]

Oh yes. The criteria for talking shit is unless you were in the Beatles you can not.

[@bassesatta9235]

the “leaving too much space” between notes was something paul told him to do in the get back doc. but then again, his style in Let it be is nothing like what it was in WMGGW

[@johnbarry1965]

Ian McDonald states that Lennon Intentionally sabotaged his bass playing on "Let It Be" and "The long and winding road" which I think is rubbish!!

[@SharkEatFish]

I wish he would upload more, I can only rewatch these videos so many times

[@thatgirlofyoutube]

As a Beatles' fan...this channel is such a treat :)