What bass did Paul McCartney use on Yellow Submarine?

Paul McCartney used his signature Höfner 500/1 violin bass on "Yellow Submarine." This hollow-body bass was his primary instrument throughout most of The Beatles' recording career and contributes to the warm, round tone on the track.

How to get Paul McCartney's bass tone on Yellow Submarine?

The key elements are a hollow or semi-hollow body bass (like the Höfner 500/1) played through a tube amplifier with slight saturation. Boost the low-mid frequencies around 250-500Hz and use close microphone placement to capture the direct amp sound.

What amp was used for Beatles bass on Yellow Submarine?

The bass was recorded through a Vox AC100 amplifier at Abbey Road Studios. The tube saturation from this amp contributed to the slightly fuzzy, warm character of the bass tone on the track.

Who recorded Yellow Submarine bass at Abbey Road?

The track was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick. The bass was likely recorded using close microphone techniques to capture the direct sound of the amplifier.

Can you get Yellow Submarine bass tone without a Hofner?

While the Höfner 500/1's hollow body construction is key to the tone's warmth and roundness, you can approximate it with other semi-hollow or hollow-body basses. The important factors are the tube amp saturation and proper EQ to boost the low-mid frequencies.

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Tone Profile

Warm and round with a slight fuzz, this bass tone provides a solid foundation for the playful, psychedelic atmosphere of 'Yellow Submarine.' It's thick and supportive, sitting comfortably in the mix without overpowering the other instruments.

Shop This Rig

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Höfner 500/1(instrument)
Vox AC100(amp)
Neumann U47(microphone)

The Story

Paul McCartney recorded the bass for "Yellow Submarine" using his signature Höfner 500/1 violin bass through a Vox AC100 amplifier at Abbey Road Studios. The track was produced by George Martin with engineer Geoff Emerick, and the warm, slightly fuzzy tone came from the tube saturation of the AC100 amp, with the bass likely recorded using close microphone placement.

Production Credits

Producer: George Martin

Engineer: Geoff Emerick

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios

Signal Chain

Instrument: Höfner 500/1Shop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC100Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U47Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a semi-hollow or hollow-body bass to capture the roundness of the tone.
Try a tube amplifier or an amp simulator with a slight overdrive to replicate the subtle fuzz.
Use an EQ to boost the low-mid frequencies (around 250-500Hz) to enhance the warmth.
If you don't have a Neumann U47, try a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a similar frequency response.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Höfner 500/1 ContemporaryShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Höfner 500/1 violin bass

Modern reissue of McCartney's actual bass with the same hollow body construction that creates the warm, round tone fundamental to this sound

Vox AC30Shop on Reverb$1800-$2200

Alternative to: Vox AC100 amplifier

Same Vox tube saturation character as the original AC100, providing that subtle fuzz and warmth when driven

IK Multimedia TONEX Vox AC30Plugin Boutique$50-$100

Alternative to: Vox AC100 amplifier

Digital recreation of Vox tube amp characteristics including the warm saturation that gives this bass tone its fuzzy edge

Audio-Technica AT2020Shop on Reverb$100-$150

Alternative to: Neumann U47 microphone

Large diaphragm condenser that captures bass frequencies well with smooth character, offering similar detail to the U47 at budget price

Neumann TLM 103Shop on Reverb$1100-$1300