Lost and Found
Paul McCartney has been reunited with the original Höfner bass guitar he bought in the early 1960s that was stolen in the ’70s, the former Beatles member confirmed Wednesday. The guitar has been authenticated by Höfner, and Paul is incredibly grateful to all those involved.
The Journey Home
McCartney bought the left-handed Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass in Hamburg, Germany, in 1961. It was his primary instrument during the early Beatles’ performances and recordings until it became his backup when he acquired a new Höfner in 1963.
The Search for the Missing Bass
In 2023, three lifelong Beatles fans embarked on a journey to recover the stolen bass guitar. The team, comprising Nick Wass, Scott, and Naomi Jones, discovered that the bass had been stolen from a truck in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood in 1972.
Recovery and Reunion
After years of searching, the Lost Bass Project was able to track the bass’ movements over the years. The bass was found in an attic in a terraced house on the south coast of England and swiftly returned to Paul McCartney.
Return to Music
Although the ’61 Höfner was missing for decades, McCartney continued to use the ’63 model throughout the Beatles’ career. He returned to it in 1987 and still plays it live and in the studio to this day.