One of the most iconic musical instruments in history belongs to one of the most iconic musicians in history –Paul McCartney and his Hofner 500/1 Violin bass guitar.
Sir Paul first bought the bass while the Beatles were in Hamburg, Germany in 1961 for £36. Stu Sutcliffe quit the band and Paul, formerly one of the band's guitarists, was appointed as the new bass player in The Beatles. Paul bought the bass because it was “cheap and looked symmetrical” for the left-handed musician.
The Hofner quickly became McCartney's signature instrument, using the '61 on performances and Beatles recordings until Paul acquired another one in 1963. The '63 is the bass that Paul used on countless classic recordings and live performances, until The Beatle's last show at Candlestick Park in 1966.
The '63 Hofner was brought back for the Let It Be project in 1969, during which time Paul's first Hofner was stolen. McCartney then kept the '63 Hofner in retirement until 1987. Paul has used it on all of his live concerts and most of his recordings since then.
During the 1990s, Paul decided it was time to get the bass repaired and have the priceless instrument insured. It is said that the ex-Beatle sent trusty friend and guitar tech John Hammel on a Concorde flight from England to New York to get the violin shaped bass tended to at the Mandolin Brothers music store in New York. The cost to fly the bass? £45,000!
Better safe than sorry, Sir Paul?
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