Paul McCartney’s long lost bass found

The original 1961 bass guitar, which featured in some of the most iconic moments in music history, went missing in 1969 but has finally been reunited with its owner and is now worth up to £10 million

Paul McCartney with Höfner Violin Bass 500/1

The Beatles Apr 1963

George Harrison
Ringo Starr
Producer George Martin
John Lennon
   
ORIGINAL 1961 BASS
Left-handed, made to order

Before 1964: Mother-of-pearl pick guard

Maple back and sides

One-piece flat back

Apr: Four-month residency at Top Ten Club, Hamburg

Jun: McCartney becomes bass player after Stuart Sutcliffe quits band – buys bass guitar from Steinway shop for £30

Jul-Dec: Beatles play 173 UK gigs, many at Liverpool’s Cavern Club

Pick guard removed in 1964 repairs

Three-part sunburst respray

Two diamond logo pickups, no poles, mounted on black wood block

1963 Höfner gifts replacement bass

1964 Well-worn ’61 bass sent for repairs

1968 Seen in video for single, Revolution

1969 Last seen during filming of Get Back

1972 Stolen from van in Notting Hill, sold to pub owner

2024 Stayed in family for 51 years. Found in Hastings, south east England

Van Gent “rugby ball” tuners
Solid spruce
Controls
         
Source: The Lost Bass Project Pictures: Höfner, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS