Paul McCartney
His famous bass has resurfaced after 50 years
Relief for Paul McCartney.
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Over 50 years ago, a bass guitar that Paul McCartney bought in Hamburg in 1961 disappeared. Now she’s back.
After more than 50 years, Paul McCartney (81) is reunited with his bass guitar. The instrument was stolen in 1972, and now the initiative “Thelostbassproject” announced via Instagram the return of the good piece.
Paul McCartney confirmed on his website the message and authenticity of the bass guitar. He is “incredibly grateful to everyone” involved in the search. The manufacturer Höfner has also verified that it is the ex-Beatle’s bass.
Bought in Hamburg for 35 euros today
The instrument is a Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass from 1961. It was the first bass from the traditional German manufacturer. McCartney bought the guitar in Hamburg for the equivalent of 30 pounds. That would be 35 euros today. Before their breakthrough in 1962, the Beatles played a number of gigs on the Große Freiheit in the Hanseatic city. The 500/1 was later heard on various Beatles recordings.
The Lost Bass initiative started in 2018. Höfner employee Nick Wass initiated the campaign. The search didn’t really gain momentum until May 2023, when two journalists got involved. At first, amateur sleuths assumed that the bass was lost in 1969, during the recording of “Let it Be,” the penultimate album the Fab Four recorded and the last they released.
Stolen on October 10, 1972
It was only during the course of the investigation that it emerged that the bass disappeared later. It was probably stolen from the boot of a van in the Notting Hill district of London on the night of October 10, 1972. The thief is said to have later sold it to a pub owner.
Because of the media coverage of this finding, a man in southern England remembered that he had a bass in the attic that matched the description. He gave it to Paul McCartney’s management.
The Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass is in good condition despite minor damage. It should now be made playable again.