The Beatles and their Fender Bassman Amp
The Beatles and their Fender "Bassman" Amplifier
We draw again today from "Recording the Beatles," by Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, Curvebender Press, 2008.
Although the Beatles will forever be linked to their famous VOX amplifiers, particularly the AC-30, the band used a wide variety of amps over the years including this classic.
According to the authors, 1965 was the year of many changes. One huge shift was Paul McCartney getting his first left handed Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar. The switch to this instrument had a dynamic effect on the sound of the band. Noteworthy also, was the appearance of the blond colored Fender Bassman amplifier. *Your correspondent could not find a picture of a blond colored amp so I settled on a pic of the standard black colored model.
Originally, the band used it for what it was intended for - bass guitar parts. But in short order, the Fabs starting using it as a 6 string guitar amp with great success. By 1966, the Fender Bassman would become George Harrison's guitar amp of choice and would remain so for many years well into his solo career.
According to the authors, the Bassman was so ubiquitous that it has attained the moniker of "most recorded amp" in the Beatles' recording history. Yes, even more so than the Vox amps.
Your humble correspondent has searched in vain for information on what amp Eric Clapton used at Abbey Road when he recorded the solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." But it would be a safe bet to guess that Eric used George's Fender Bassman amp to play his Les Paul through on that fateful September day in 1968.
Go and watch the "Let it Be" movie again and see Paul's Fender Bassman (black with silver/black speaker grill cloth) at his side throughout the entire movie, especially on the rooftop scene. The Fender was everywhere it seems from 1965 onward. Notice how the band's sound changed as well with the change to the Fender. *NB: I couldn't find a pic of a blond colored Bassman. Sorry.
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
We draw again today from "Recording the Beatles," by Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, Curvebender Press, 2008.
Although the Beatles will forever be linked to their famous VOX amplifiers, particularly the AC-30, the band used a wide variety of amps over the years including this classic.
According to the authors, 1965 was the year of many changes. One huge shift was Paul McCartney getting his first left handed Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar. The switch to this instrument had a dynamic effect on the sound of the band. Noteworthy also, was the appearance of the blond colored Fender Bassman amplifier. *Your correspondent could not find a picture of a blond colored amp so I settled on a pic of the standard black colored model.
Originally, the band used it for what it was intended for - bass guitar parts. But in short order, the Fabs starting using it as a 6 string guitar amp with great success. By 1966, the Fender Bassman would become George Harrison's guitar amp of choice and would remain so for many years well into his solo career.
According to the authors, the Bassman was so ubiquitous that it has attained the moniker of "most recorded amp" in the Beatles' recording history. Yes, even more so than the Vox amps.
Your humble correspondent has searched in vain for information on what amp Eric Clapton used at Abbey Road when he recorded the solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." But it would be a safe bet to guess that Eric used George's Fender Bassman amp to play his Les Paul through on that fateful September day in 1968.
Go and watch the "Let it Be" movie again and see Paul's Fender Bassman (black with silver/black speaker grill cloth) at his side throughout the entire movie, especially on the rooftop scene. The Fender was everywhere it seems from 1965 onward. Notice how the band's sound changed as well with the change to the Fender. *NB: I couldn't find a pic of a blond colored Bassman. Sorry.
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
The photo here is of a blackface Bassman, not a blonde one. Just a bit confused by that.
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