<P> McCartney custom - ordered a left - handed Höfner model 500 / 1 `` viola '' bass during one of the group 's early residences in Hamburg . This model , with two pickups very close to the neck and almost touching each other , was replaced in 1963 by a newer model , whose pickups were spaced much farther apart , in a more conventional manner . McCartney continued to use his early model , although very rarely , until the Let It Be sessions , when it was stolen from Twickenham Film Studios ; he continues to use his second Höfner today . In October 1965 he switched to a Rickenbacker model 4001S , during the recording of Rubber Soul ( as seen in pictures from those sessions ) , but certainly by the recording of `` Paperback Writer '' . It would be his principal choice for the remainder of The Beatles ' career . He briefly used a left - handed Fender Jazz Bass during sessions for The Beatles ( The White Album ) and again for Abbey Road . He returned to the Höfner during rehearsals and recording of Let It Be and played it during the rooftop concert . He also used his original Höfner , refinished in three - tone sunburst and with upgraded electronics . It can be seen in footage from Let It Be and in the `` Revolution '' promo video . </P>
<P> McCartney custom - ordered a left - handed Höfner model 500 / 1 `` viola '' bass during one of the group 's early residences in Hamburg . This model , with two pickups very close to the neck and almost touching each other , was replaced in 1963 by a newer model , whose pickups were spaced much farther apart , in a more conventional manner . McCartney continued to use his early model , although very rarely , until the Let It Be sessions , when it was stolen from Twickenham Film Studios ; he continues to use his second Höfner today . In October 1965 he switched to a Rickenbacker model 4001S , during the recording of Rubber Soul ( as seen in pictures from those sessions ) , but certainly by the recording of `` Paperback Writer '' . It would be his principal choice for the remainder of The Beatles ' career . He briefly used a left - handed Fender Jazz Bass during sessions for The Beatles ( The White Album ) and again for Abbey Road . He returned to the Höfner during rehearsals and recording of Let It Be and played it during the rooftop concert . He also used his original Höfner , refinished in three - tone sunburst and with upgraded electronics . It can be seen in footage from Let It Be and in the `` Revolution '' promo video . </P>
what kind of bass did paul mccartney play in the beatles
what kind of bass did paul mccartney play in the beatles
left - handed Höfner model 500 / 1
left - handed Höfner model 500 / 1