The German instrument manufacturer, Höfner, has initiated a search known as “The Lost Bass Project” to locate Paul McCartney’s beloved Höfner electric bass guitar. McCartney had purchased this guitar for a mere £30 from Hamburg’s Steinway Musikhaus in the years leading up to the era of Beatlemania.
This guitar holds special significance for McCartney, as he considered it his “favorite” due to its symmetrical design, which suited his left-handed playing style.
The quest to find this iconic bass guitar invites anyone with information about its whereabouts. The instrument was last seen before the Beatles disbanded over 50 years ago. It had been in use from 1961 to 1963, contributing to famous tracks like “Love Me Do,” “She Loves You,” and “Twist and Shout.”
Paul used it from the Top Ten Club in Hamburg to the band’s initial recordings at Abbey Road.
Nick Wass, who served as Höfner’s marketing manager and electric guitar developer for 12 years, expressed his enthusiasm for reuniting McCartney with his cherished bass. He emphasized the historical significance of the instrument in the Beatles’ journey.
The campaign provides photographs of the original bass and traces its history from purchase to disappearance. It also offers guidance on distinguishing between rumors and fake leads regarding the instrument’s location.
While the exact fate of the bass remains a mystery, Wass believes it was likely stolen. He remains optimistic that someone out there possesses information about the bass’s fate and its current location, encouraging them to come forward.
Paul McCartney had expressed his enduring attachment to this first Höfner bass guitar, referring to it as his “favorite” even as he continued using newer models.
In a similar vein, John Lennon’s guitar, used to compose “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” vanished during the Beatles’ Christmas show at Finsbury Park in 1963. Remarkably, it resurfaced 51 years later and was sold at auction for a staggering £1.9 million ($2.4 million).
