Paul McCartney’s legendary Höfner 500/1 bass guitar, a centerpiece of The Beatles’ early soundtracks such as “Love Me Do” and “She Loves You,” has been miraculously recovered after being missing for over half a century. The instrument, which vanished in 1972, has finally made its way back to McCartney, thanks to the efforts of the Lost Bass Project, supported by the musician himself.
A breakthrough came when 21-year-old film student Ruaidhri Guest inherited the bass and shared its discovery on social media, leading to its return to McCartney. The bass, identified by its lack of a pearloid scratchplate—a modification McCartney made during The Beatles’ 1966 US tour—has been authenticated by Höfner, confirming its historical significance and original ownership.
The recovery is the culmination of the Lost Bass Project, initiated in September 2023 with no leads or substantial evidence pointing to the bass’s whereabouts. The project, led by Höfner bass expert Nick Wass and supported by journalist Scott Jones and his wife, Naomi, succeeded beyond expectations, quickly locating the instrument that had traversed from a van in London to a Sussex attic.
McCartney, who originally purchased the bass for £30 during The Beatles’ formative years in Hamburg, expressed immense gratitude for its return. The bass, now requiring some repairs, holds not only a monumental place in music history but also a personal connection to McCartney’s early career. Fans and McCartney alike await the moment when this iconic instrument will grace the stage once again, bridging past and present in a harmonious reunion.
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