The photos from the German concerts tend to be confusing -- and we can't believe what Beatle Book Monthly always printed to be the true dates or locations unfortunately.
I always love the behind-the-stage, dressing-room photos of The Fabs during their 1966 tour because you'll see them tuning their own guitars, spread-out on hotel beds and one of those is always Paul's left-handed Rickenbacker 4000 bass. He'd already designated his Ric as his go-to studio bass (smart move - listen to the bass lines in "Paperback Writer" & especially "Rain"). But I doubt that guitar ever went any farther than hotel rooms because not one photo has emerged showing him playing it on-stage. Paul had to've known his Höfner was iconic, even by '66, as "Beatle Paul's bass" & a part of their on-stage presentation. Although any guitar player would admit the weight... the comfort... of the instrument plays a big factor. A Ric bass was twice the weight of a hollow-body viola bass, and the other viable option of the day (an electric Fender bass) was heavier than that. Imagine how it would feel having a gallon of milk hanging from a rope around your shoulder. Then needing to run, quickly, from crazed fans invading the stage. At 4-5 lbs, you'd want the viola bass.
Many professional/semi-professional American bands had adopted it by then, so much that it was already cliché. I admit I own one & it's very sporty, fun to play (although very unbalanced. When I stop playing it, with it just hanging around my neck, I need to make sure one of the tuning pegs doesn't bonk me in the eye!) I even have a photo of The Beach Boys (circa '66-'67) and Carl Wilson is wearing a Höfner viola bass.
The writing in picture 2 says that all photos were taken backstage in Grugahalle in Essen, not Munich
ReplyDeleteThe photos from the German concerts tend to be confusing -- and we can't believe what Beatle Book Monthly always printed to be the true dates or locations unfortunately.
DeleteI always love the behind-the-stage, dressing-room photos of The Fabs during their 1966 tour because you'll see them tuning their own guitars, spread-out on hotel beds and one of those is always Paul's left-handed Rickenbacker 4000 bass. He'd already designated his Ric as his go-to studio bass (smart move - listen to the bass lines in "Paperback Writer" & especially "Rain"). But I doubt that guitar ever went any farther than hotel rooms because not one photo has emerged showing him playing it on-stage. Paul had to've known his Höfner was iconic, even by '66, as "Beatle Paul's bass" & a part of their on-stage presentation. Although any guitar player would admit the weight... the comfort... of the instrument plays a big factor. A Ric bass was twice the weight of a hollow-body viola bass, and the other viable option of the day (an electric Fender bass) was heavier than that. Imagine how it would feel having a gallon of milk hanging from a rope around your shoulder. Then needing to run, quickly, from crazed fans invading the stage. At 4-5 lbs, you'd want the viola bass.
ReplyDeleteMany professional/semi-professional American bands had adopted it by then, so much that it was already cliché. I admit I own one & it's very sporty, fun to play (although very unbalanced. When I stop playing it, with it just hanging around my neck, I need to make sure one of the tuning pegs doesn't bonk me in the eye!) I even have a photo of The Beach Boys (circa '66-'67) and Carl Wilson is wearing a Höfner viola bass.
Thank you for lettin' me ramble... love to all