The hofner and John’s black rickenbacker. Those two are a tie for me.
EDIT: I’ll add why as well. Most other other guitars they had were also used by other popular artists. Eventually, the black/white Rick has been associated with other guitarists, but there was a long period where those associations were Beatle only. Even 60 years later, the hofner just shouts “Beatles”.
I’d say that even today, whenever people see a black/white Rickenbacker 325 (or 350) they think of John Lennon. Which other artists are associated with that guitar?
I think John Fogerty played a red one… but even that I’m not sure of. That black and white Rick was seen live by 70 million…
I haven't ever seen Roy with a Rickenbacker. To me, he is a Gibson or Gretsch guy. Do you have any picture of him with one?
Lennon got his Rickenbacker in 1960, inspired by Jean Thielemans.
what was that bass McCartney played on Magical Mystery Tour? Looked kind of like a Fender of some sort. Man that was good bass work on most all of those cuts, better than Sgt Pepper’s. Take a listen to the bass in the title cut again it’s fantastic
Yes Paul was a frugal and unwealthy fellow (and a reluctant bassist initially) who got something affordable that would not look odd, as a left-hander, played upside-down. The main problem with it was that it wasn’t perfectly in tune as he played higher notes up the fretboard, but later iterations solved that problem.
Yes Paul bought his Hofner violin bass in Hamburg. I think Stu gave his larger right-handed Hofner bass to Klaus Voormann and after a couple of sell-ons it’s in the Hard Rock Cafe in London now.
It's a good bass for its price. And I find it unendingly charming that Macca is not a huge gear snob like so many pros. I love stories of top pros (nonetheless icons like Macca) who play inexpensive instruments.
Tom Petty and the Byrds play Ricks. and susanna Hoff and of course Beatles. That chiming, jangling effect they got with them they all got from Rickenbackers was distinctive and elevated their “sound” to something more than just rock.
Half a mil to 10 mil is quite the jump lol. John's 'Imagine' piano only sold for 3.5 mil (adjusted for inflation). I could see Paul's Hofner selling for more since it's probably THE most iconic Beatles instrument, but 10 mil is really a lot. It would have to be someone like Bezos or Musk with more money than they know what to do with to spend a sum like that.
Gilmour's Black Strat sold for four million and Cobain's Martin D18E for six... Paul's Hofner is more iconic than both IMO, 10 million is possible (but the question is moot, since it probably won't ever be sold)
I’d buy the George Harrison signature rosewood Tele if it wasn’t so insanely expensive. Over 3,000 dollars!!! They made a rosewood stratocaster for Hendrix, but he died before he ever got it.
I was thinking John's Rick, but he only used that for the first half of the Beatle's time together. Then I thought of the Sheraton, but he only used that for the second half of the Beatle's time.
Definitive answer: Paul's Hofner. Synonymous with the Beatles (that model, and anything else that resembles it, is referred to as a "Beatle's Bass"), and used throughout his time with the Beatles (and after).
There is no other choice.
Actually paul retired the hofner during rubber soul and switched to a rickenbacker bass, which was his main bass (no hofner!) until the get back sessions. If you watch at the beginning of the film he makes some comments about how he “dug it back out” or something to that effect. He actually brought both hofners out and had his original hofner ( the one you’re talking about is from 63 and was his second) refinished and refurbished right around this time. It was stolen after the filming stopped.
But most of the most iconic beatles bass lines are actually the rickenbacker, however they didn’t really appear on camera much at all during this era so everyone imagines the hofner. “paperback writer”, “come together”, “something” “taxman” are all rickenbacker
During wings he kept using the ric, eventually switched to yamaha until in the 1980’s elvis costello asked/talked him into using the hofner and paul fell in love with the instrument again!
George is considered to have single handedly Gretsch when he appeared on Ed Sullivan with the Country Gentleman, so that’s definitely in the running.
John and George basically put Rickenbacker on the map, as did Paul with the hofner bass, so they are definitely up there.
But considering all three of them famously played Casinos for much of their peak period, it’s kind of hard to say anything else can top that.
I’m giving it to the Casino.
It's so weird reading this thread because almost no one else has mentioned the Casino, which I think is definitely their most iconic instrument after the Hofner bass.
Yeah, George’s gretsch might not be the most iconic in terms of looks but he when it comes to the way it sounds it’s all over those early Beatles records and a big part of their early sound.
1. Hofner bass - this is the most recognizable and distinctive instrument that is associated with Paul as a Beatle.
2. Epiphone Casino - John, George and Paul all played one. Paul still plays it along with his Hofner.
Not a guitar but certainly iconic - Ringo’s Ludwig drum set. The Beatles drop T logo on the bass drum says it all.
Stripping and staining a guitar body isn't that hard. I stripped my Strat maybe 12--13 years ago and stained it walnut and then sprayed it with a few coats of polyurethane. It's held up extremely well and still sounds like a dream.
Me too. All three guitarists played the Casino, sometimes together. Paul first had a 1962 version. It was John's main guitar in the second half of their career, and later in his solo career. The Beatles singlehandedly renewed the popularity of the Casino, which continues today, especially with Lennon using his on Get Back.
I’d vote George’s Rickenbacker 360/12, his use of it on (and in) A Hard Day’s Night was iconic enough to make the jangly 12 string a defining sound of the ‘60s
The Hofner is definitely the most iconic and the Casino is fantastic but George’s rosewood Tele at least deserves to be on the list and is my personal favourite
It's the Casino, which arguably did more, in the Beatles' hands, to shift their sound and musical direction. They harnessed up those hollow-bodied jazz-oriented guitars and rended them to their artistry, wherever it happened to lead them. Mainstream pop music? No problem. Psychedelia? You bet. Bone-crunching hard rock? Step right this way! The Casino had it all.
In terms of sheer look, the Hofner is certainly the most recognizable, although in terms of quality, I think that PM's Rickenbacker was eminently superior.
Rick bases have such a thick, rich velvety tone. And the Ricks need to be picked to fully harness their greatness too , so I think they were the perfect bass for Paul. I get why he switched back to the violin bass though, the Ricks are super heavy and hofners are light as a feather
It goes beyond that- in recording techniques from the pre-sgt pepper phase mics didnt milk bass amps the way we're accustomed to. They miss a ton of beautiful overtones and innate definition on the bass side.
It definitely wasnt planned, but for the technology of the time the Hofner's mid range punch and short scale afforded mccartney more definition and speed on the neck at a time when the early beatles were all sharp, staccato textures. If he was using a ric in 1963, it wouldnt have been as beneficial, as songs like when i saw her standing there and taxman had a very fluid, riffy bass.
I'm a guitar player....and I love the look of all the Beatle guitars. I want to mention George's 12 string Rick is probably the most important Beatle guitar. I'm not going to count the bass...the Hofner is pretty darn important. But as a guitar yahoo...it is completely ridiculous to not mention Ringo's Ludwig set. I would say Ringo playing a Ludwig did more for that company than any other Beatle playing any other instrument did for any other respective instrument manufacturer. That Ludwig set with the deep snare and the Beatles bass drum head...is the defining font of anything Beatles. That instrument is probably as important as Paul's bass without question.
John’s Rickenbacker or Paul’s Hofner.
If someone plays that guitar, you can presume the person is Beatles fanatic. A Fender Stratocaster? Well, if it painted like George’s then surely. However, it feels like a very obscure reference.
However, anyone who plays a Casino guitar isn’t necessarily a Beatles person. A Telecaster? Well, maybe if it is that exact same model George had. But many other people play Telecaster guitars because of other artists. Half the guitarists that play an SG did it because of AC/DC.
Paul’s psychedelic bass a very obscure reference.
That early guitar of George’s is also quite obscure.
Hands down it has to be Paul’s Hofner, that bass is so iconic. Although I have to admit George is the reason the first “real” guitar I ever bought was a hollow body Gretsch
1. Epiphone Casino. Paul, John and George all played them. It's the definitive Beatle guitar.
2. Hofner 500/1. ...If we're counting Paul's Basses.
(Honorable mentions to George's Gretsch Country Gentleman and Paul's Rickenbacker 4001S).
If we’re talking six string guitars, The Beatles and Epiphone Casinos are synonymous in my mind. When you plug in a Casino, it immediately sounds like an early Beatles record. It’s hard to mimic that sparkly, jangly sound with a solid-body guitar.
For bass, obviously Paul’s Hofner takes the cake.
110% the Hofner bass. No other Beatles guitar comes close. I’ve seen other people in other bands play Rickenbacker guitars/basses or Grestch Country Gents or Epiphone Casinos etc, but the Hofner bass is quintessentially ‘Beatles’.
10000000% the Hofner bass. Without question.
John's Rickenbacker often conjures images of the Beatles. His Casino also, although less so. The Country Gentleman is *far* more associated with other acts than the Beatles.
But no one will ever see a Hofner violin bass and not think "McCartney" or "the Beatles". Literally **0%.**
For me it has to be the Epiphone Casino because all three guitar-playing Beatles had one, and used them for more than half the group's recording career. I don't think any guitar has had more of a profile boost from its association with the Beatles than the Casino.
George's 12 string Rickenbacker is the most iconic for me.
Paul's violin bass and John's little 325 Rickenbacker are next. Then those hollow body Epiphone's John and George used.
My favorite Beatles' guitar is George's rosewood Fender Telecaster, that is a beautiful guitar.
I feel like among casuals the Hofner. That’s such an iconic Beatles thing, that little violin shaped bass.
For more than just casual Beatles fans John’s sanded down Casino and Rickenbacker. John basically played the black and white Rickenbacker on stage for the entirety of their time as a touring band and it was the guitar he used at their most famous concerts: Ed Sullivan, Washington Colosseum, Shea. When you think of Beatlemania era John, you likely picture him playing the Rickenbacker. Then when you picture the final years of the band you picture John with the Casino. That’s the guitar he used for the Hey Jude/Revolution videos, Dirty Mac performance, and the Rooftop concert. The Epiphone Casino is a very popular guitar but when you see one stripped down you immediately think of John.
Definitely the casinos In the mid to later years.
They are the reason I got one.
Than macca’s hofner bass.
Johns rickenbacker.
These are in the order I’d like to buy/own them in.
The Epiphone Casino. It’s the one used by the most Beatles. George and John got identical ones and George had a Bigsby tremolo added to his. Paul bought one as well and plays it to this day. He says it’s one of his favorites because the sound is so good. John used his religiously and inspired the natural wood version. It simply covers more ground than the other instruments. The Hofner and Rickenbacker bass were almost exclusively Paul’s, the black Rickenbacker was mostly John’s, George was the only one to really play a Duo Jet, and John didn’t really like the Stratocaster as much as George did. The Casino comes out on top, as it’s the only guitar all 3 guitar players liked and played frequently.
It is funny thinking about this, because I think the images formed in our heads of them (especially non gearheads) are of the early days when they made all the tv appearances. The most iconic songs (imo) are from later on and have totally different instruments.
For example, many people just imagine a rickenbacker into a vox ac30 as how to get beatles guitar tones - but that was over by 1965.
The most iconic tones would be a casino into a ul730 vox or the 6g6-b bassman, followed by a twin reverb or other blackface fender.
George kept switching guitars, but basically from 1965 on was the rocky strat alternating with either the “lucy” formerly goldtop 1957 les paul or the 1964 SG - it is also funny he is so associated with the rosewood tele. He basically received it and was checking it out while they were filming get back, and decided he didn’t really care for it right after filming ended, but for some reason used it on the roof so it’s iconic!
I think for consistency, lennon’s casino is the beatle guitar for me. It became his only choice for electric guitar in 1965, and stayed that way until after his imagine solo album era. The longest guitar relationship in his life!
When I’m trying to get beatle tones, I play a blackface 1966 fender pro reverb with either a paf les paul or my es330.
Hofner is the obvious answer but personallt, the Gibson j160. Might not have been their most used guitar but it appears in all era's, especially post Beatles.
George’s 12 string Rickenbacker.
All those jangle-y sounds of the 60s can be traced to that. Roger McGwyn of the Byers said he was inspired specially by George to use a 12 string guitar.
If you walk down a busy street and show pictures of the Hofner to people you pass I guarantee that most would say "get out of my face", "I don't have any money" or "I don't have any money. Get out of my face". A few might say "The Beatles!" or "The Beatles! Now get out of my face. I don't have any money".
The Ed Sullivan and Hard Day's Night guitars are the most iconic and Beatle-y: John's little black-and-white Ricky, George's Country Gentleman and Ricky 12 and of course the Hofner. I'd throw in the Gibson acoustics, too. In the end, though, it's the Hofner that is the most easily recognized and identified with the band.
The hofner and John’s black rickenbacker. Those two are a tie for me. EDIT: I’ll add why as well. Most other other guitars they had were also used by other popular artists. Eventually, the black/white Rick has been associated with other guitarists, but there was a long period where those associations were Beatle only. Even 60 years later, the hofner just shouts “Beatles”.
I’d say that even today, whenever people see a black/white Rickenbacker 325 (or 350) they think of John Lennon. Which other artists are associated with that guitar? I think John Fogerty played a red one… but even that I’m not sure of. That black and white Rick was seen live by 70 million…
Susanna Hoffs is the other artist who's known for playing one. And Lennon's death is what directly prompted the formation of The Bangles.
Kevin Parker uses a 1967 Rickenbacker 335
tame impala person yeah?
Yes sir!
Guy Picciotto of Fugazi used the same rickenbacker
Tom Petty and Roger McGuinn
Lennon played a 325, Petty played a 620, and McGuinn a 360, right? In my mind thats like strats vs. teles vs. jazz masters, don’t you think?
I think Joe Walsh plays with one of those from time to time. Both for slide and soloing.
Can't believe no one mentioned Johnny Marr. He's a Rickenbacker god
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I haven't ever seen Roy with a Rickenbacker. To me, he is a Gibson or Gretsch guy. Do you have any picture of him with one? Lennon got his Rickenbacker in 1960, inspired by Jean Thielemans.
I hate the Richenbacker twang but it's certainly iconic.
George states they turned the treble up and the others down to get it
A lot of bands followed suit. The 80s band The Romantics comes to mind.
I was just coming to say those two as well!
what was that bass McCartney played on Magical Mystery Tour? Looked kind of like a Fender of some sort. Man that was good bass work on most all of those cuts, better than Sgt Pepper’s. Take a listen to the bass in the title cut again it’s fantastic
Rickenbacker 4001S, was painted by Paul using aerosols and nail polish
Paul’s Hofner comes to mind first for me, and if I try to think of anyone else playing that model, it’s a tribute to Paul/Beatles.
people call them Beatle Basses, it's def the Hofner
Was going to say this. If you have not played a Hofner bass, good for you! lol
Just bought one lol
For 190 bucks to be fair
I sold mine to buy a car and beer. Biggest regret
Wasn't it a very inexpensive guitar but all Paul could afford early on? I know the company gave him a fancier one later.
Yes Paul was a frugal and unwealthy fellow (and a reluctant bassist initially) who got something affordable that would not look odd, as a left-hander, played upside-down. The main problem with it was that it wasn’t perfectly in tune as he played higher notes up the fretboard, but later iterations solved that problem.
Did Paul buy the Hofner bass? For some reason I thought when Stu left the band he handed Paul his bass on the way out.
Yes Paul bought his Hofner violin bass in Hamburg. I think Stu gave his larger right-handed Hofner bass to Klaus Voormann and after a couple of sell-ons it’s in the Hard Rock Cafe in London now.
Sounds like something from a bad movie. Did you watch any of the movies about the Beatles early on?
What are they not good?
It's a good bass for its price. And I find it unendingly charming that Macca is not a huge gear snob like so many pros. I love stories of top pros (nonetheless icons like Macca) who play inexpensive instruments.
I own one and it's fantastic value for money. It cost 300€, sounds great, and plays super smoothly.
I posed with one in a neighbors basement ;-; that’s the closest
This.
The Hofner I’m pretty sure Paul is singlehandedly responsible for keeping Hofner in business
I have a 64 Hofner. It plays and sounds great.
It’s also a beauty. Nice, sleek lines. Sweet tone.
Johns rickenbacker or Paul’s Hofner bass
Tom Petty and the Byrds play Ricks. and susanna Hoff and of course Beatles. That chiming, jangling effect they got with them they all got from Rickenbackers was distinctive and elevated their “sound” to something more than just rock.
Think of which one would bring the most at auction. Clearly, Paul’s bass with the last Beatle concert song list still taped to it. Million$
Yeah, George's 1962 Rickenbacker, which was nowhere near as iconic, sold for $657k a few years ago. The hofner would bring $10mil easy.
Half a mil to 10 mil is quite the jump lol. John's 'Imagine' piano only sold for 3.5 mil (adjusted for inflation). I could see Paul's Hofner selling for more since it's probably THE most iconic Beatles instrument, but 10 mil is really a lot. It would have to be someone like Bezos or Musk with more money than they know what to do with to spend a sum like that.
Gilmour's Black Strat sold for four million and Cobain's Martin D18E for six... Paul's Hofner is more iconic than both IMO, 10 million is possible (but the question is moot, since it probably won't ever be sold)
It’s the bass Paul has played his whole life. I can see it easily going for $10 million
If it came up for sale, Jim Irsay would definitely be the one to buy it.
The first Hofner that went missing during the Get Back sessions might go for more. 😲
George’s brown tele might not be one of their most iconic but it’s so freaking pretty. One of the greatest looking guitars imo.
The Hofner bass is the most iconic, but the Rosewood Tele is the one I'd want the most.
It’s a tie between the tele and Lucy for me
I’d buy the George Harrison signature rosewood Tele if it wasn’t so insanely expensive. Over 3,000 dollars!!! They made a rosewood stratocaster for Hendrix, but he died before he ever got it.
Have you played one? They're crazy heavy.
Bought the Korean knock off version and love it
Yeah. It’s not iconic per se, but it’s my personal favorite. So cool.
The rosewood tele was a gift from Fender. Jimi Hendrix was supposed to get a rosewood strat, but died before he could pick it up.
Paul’s Hofner bass
I was thinking John's Rick, but he only used that for the first half of the Beatle's time together. Then I thought of the Sheraton, but he only used that for the second half of the Beatle's time. Definitive answer: Paul's Hofner. Synonymous with the Beatles (that model, and anything else that resembles it, is referred to as a "Beatle's Bass"), and used throughout his time with the Beatles (and after). There is no other choice.
>Sheraton He used a Casino!
Yes, you are correct. Thanks!
Actually paul retired the hofner during rubber soul and switched to a rickenbacker bass, which was his main bass (no hofner!) until the get back sessions. If you watch at the beginning of the film he makes some comments about how he “dug it back out” or something to that effect. He actually brought both hofners out and had his original hofner ( the one you’re talking about is from 63 and was his second) refinished and refurbished right around this time. It was stolen after the filming stopped. But most of the most iconic beatles bass lines are actually the rickenbacker, however they didn’t really appear on camera much at all during this era so everyone imagines the hofner. “paperback writer”, “come together”, “something” “taxman” are all rickenbacker During wings he kept using the ric, eventually switched to yamaha until in the 1980’s elvis costello asked/talked him into using the hofner and paul fell in love with the instrument again!
While my guitar gently weeps is John on Fender Bass VI
George is considered to have single handedly Gretsch when he appeared on Ed Sullivan with the Country Gentleman, so that’s definitely in the running. John and George basically put Rickenbacker on the map, as did Paul with the hofner bass, so they are definitely up there. But considering all three of them famously played Casinos for much of their peak period, it’s kind of hard to say anything else can top that. I’m giving it to the Casino.
It's so weird reading this thread because almost no one else has mentioned the Casino, which I think is definitely their most iconic instrument after the Hofner bass.
If not iconic, the one we hear most on their music
The trouble with the Casino is that there are a million other guitars that look like it. But with the Hofner bass, it's unmistakable.
Yeah, George’s gretsch might not be the most iconic in terms of looks but he when it comes to the way it sounds it’s all over those early Beatles records and a big part of their early sound.
paul’s hofner is the most iconic and it isn’t even close
1. Hofner bass - this is the most recognizable and distinctive instrument that is associated with Paul as a Beatle. 2. Epiphone Casino - John, George and Paul all played one. Paul still plays it along with his Hofner. Not a guitar but certainly iconic - Ringo’s Ludwig drum set. The Beatles drop T logo on the bass drum says it all.
Nailed it!
fun fact, Ivon Arbiter (the guy who came up with the dropped T logo also invented the fuzz face
The Hofner bass or the Rickenbacker
When I think of iconic Beatles guitars, I think Epiphone Casino.
Namely John’s with the finish sanded off. I want to do it to mine but I can’t bring myself to do it.
Stripping and staining a guitar body isn't that hard. I stripped my Strat maybe 12--13 years ago and stained it walnut and then sprayed it with a few coats of polyurethane. It's held up extremely well and still sounds like a dream.
Me too. All three guitarists played the Casino, sometimes together. Paul first had a 1962 version. It was John's main guitar in the second half of their career, and later in his solo career. The Beatles singlehandedly renewed the popularity of the Casino, which continues today, especially with Lennon using his on Get Back.
I’d vote George’s Rickenbacker 360/12, his use of it on (and in) A Hard Day’s Night was iconic enough to make the jangly 12 string a defining sound of the ‘60s
That guitar and Bob Dylan’s lyrics defined The Byrds
And their vocals - esp Crosby's harmonies
12 string Rick.
Paul’s Hofner. Instantly recognizable to many, even if you don’t know anything about guitars.
George Harrison rainbow guitar that thing is a beauty
Rocky!
The Hofner is definitely the most iconic and the Casino is fantastic but George’s rosewood Tele at least deserves to be on the list and is my personal favourite
Paul's Hofner and the Ricks they used on the Ed Sullivan Show
It's the Casino, which arguably did more, in the Beatles' hands, to shift their sound and musical direction. They harnessed up those hollow-bodied jazz-oriented guitars and rended them to their artistry, wherever it happened to lead them. Mainstream pop music? No problem. Psychedelia? You bet. Bone-crunching hard rock? Step right this way! The Casino had it all. In terms of sheer look, the Hofner is certainly the most recognizable, although in terms of quality, I think that PM's Rickenbacker was eminently superior.
Rick bases have such a thick, rich velvety tone. And the Ricks need to be picked to fully harness their greatness too , so I think they were the perfect bass for Paul. I get why he switched back to the violin bass though, the Ricks are super heavy and hofners are light as a feather
It goes beyond that- in recording techniques from the pre-sgt pepper phase mics didnt milk bass amps the way we're accustomed to. They miss a ton of beautiful overtones and innate definition on the bass side. It definitely wasnt planned, but for the technology of the time the Hofner's mid range punch and short scale afforded mccartney more definition and speed on the neck at a time when the early beatles were all sharp, staccato textures. If he was using a ric in 1963, it wouldnt have been as beneficial, as songs like when i saw her standing there and taxman had a very fluid, riffy bass.
Yeah, but I really wish we could’ve heard the rick on Something
The Hofner.
Paul’s Hofner by a mile
I'm a guitar player....and I love the look of all the Beatle guitars. I want to mention George's 12 string Rick is probably the most important Beatle guitar. I'm not going to count the bass...the Hofner is pretty darn important. But as a guitar yahoo...it is completely ridiculous to not mention Ringo's Ludwig set. I would say Ringo playing a Ludwig did more for that company than any other Beatle playing any other instrument did for any other respective instrument manufacturer. That Ludwig set with the deep snare and the Beatles bass drum head...is the defining font of anything Beatles. That instrument is probably as important as Paul's bass without question.
Beatles did wonders for Gretsch.
The country gentleman was probably the best looking of all.
Came here to say this. Also, the list should include acoustic guitars.
Where’s the Bass VI???
John’s Rickenbacker or Paul’s Hofner. If someone plays that guitar, you can presume the person is Beatles fanatic. A Fender Stratocaster? Well, if it painted like George’s then surely. However, it feels like a very obscure reference. However, anyone who plays a Casino guitar isn’t necessarily a Beatles person. A Telecaster? Well, maybe if it is that exact same model George had. But many other people play Telecaster guitars because of other artists. Half the guitarists that play an SG did it because of AC/DC. Paul’s psychedelic bass a very obscure reference. That early guitar of George’s is also quite obscure.
I feel like you’re using obscure a bit flippantly. Paul played the rickenbacker for a while, even in his solo career
Only hardcore fans of the band will recognize that bass. Doesn’t it sound obscure?
I think that even casual fans would recognise it, especially if they’re musicians
Go ahead try it lol And I don't say it in a bad banner. Just curious tbh
The right-handed red Burns Nu-Sonic Bass George used on She Said She Said
Fuck. Yes.
Good choices ! I wanna say the rick along with the violin bass but maybe johns Lennon’s epi
Paul’s Hofner bass, the average person sees it and thinks “Beatle Bass”, they don’t even need to know the brand.
Hands down it has to be Paul’s Hofner, that bass is so iconic. Although I have to admit George is the reason the first “real” guitar I ever bought was a hollow body Gretsch
It's either John's Rickenbacker 325 or Paul's Hofner. It's tough to say which one is more iconic.
Rickenbacker(s)
Paul’s viola bass for sure
1. Epiphone Casino. Paul, John and George all played them. It's the definitive Beatle guitar. 2. Hofner 500/1. ...If we're counting Paul's Basses. (Honorable mentions to George's Gretsch Country Gentleman and Paul's Rickenbacker 4001S).
1. Paul's Hofner Bass 2. Epiphone Casino 3. George's Rickenbacker 360 12 string 4. John's Rickenbacker 325
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If you want then yeah, you don’t have to pick from any of these it’s just what came into my head
Don't know if a lot will agree with me, but it's "Lucy" (George/EC's Les Paul)
As a bassist most band members just ask “oh you play a Paul bass?” so gonna say Hofner.
If we’re talking six string guitars, The Beatles and Epiphone Casinos are synonymous in my mind. When you plug in a Casino, it immediately sounds like an early Beatles record. It’s hard to mimic that sparkly, jangly sound with a solid-body guitar. For bass, obviously Paul’s Hofner takes the cake.
I want to say Johns Rickenbacker, but anyone who sees a Hofner bass, or one that looks like a Hofner bass refers to it as a “Beatle Bass”.
The Hofner but the Rick is a biggie too The 360/12 not being on here is a shame, literally defined an entire era’s sound
RICKENBACKER!!!
110% the Hofner bass. No other Beatles guitar comes close. I’ve seen other people in other bands play Rickenbacker guitars/basses or Grestch Country Gents or Epiphone Casinos etc, but the Hofner bass is quintessentially ‘Beatles’.
10000000% the Hofner bass. Without question. John's Rickenbacker often conjures images of the Beatles. His Casino also, although less so. The Country Gentleman is *far* more associated with other acts than the Beatles. But no one will ever see a Hofner violin bass and not think "McCartney" or "the Beatles". Literally **0%.**
Tie between the Hofner and Rickenbacker. If the Beatles never played those both companies probably would have gone out of business.
For me it has to be the Epiphone Casino because all three guitar-playing Beatles had one, and used them for more than half the group's recording career. I don't think any guitar has had more of a profile boost from its association with the Beatles than the Casino.
George's 12 string Rickenbacker is the most iconic for me. Paul's violin bass and John's little 325 Rickenbacker are next. Then those hollow body Epiphone's John and George used. My favorite Beatles' guitar is George's rosewood Fender Telecaster, that is a beautiful guitar.
I couldn't believe the omission of the rosewood Telecaster. It's gorgeous.
I feel like among casuals the Hofner. That’s such an iconic Beatles thing, that little violin shaped bass. For more than just casual Beatles fans John’s sanded down Casino and Rickenbacker. John basically played the black and white Rickenbacker on stage for the entirety of their time as a touring band and it was the guitar he used at their most famous concerts: Ed Sullivan, Washington Colosseum, Shea. When you think of Beatlemania era John, you likely picture him playing the Rickenbacker. Then when you picture the final years of the band you picture John with the Casino. That’s the guitar he used for the Hey Jude/Revolution videos, Dirty Mac performance, and the Rooftop concert. The Epiphone Casino is a very popular guitar but when you see one stripped down you immediately think of John.
Most iconic? Paul’s Hofner bass.
Don’t know why some of these are such bad quality Edit: also you don’t have to pick from any of these, they’re just the ones that came into my head
I would have to say the epiphone casino, but my personal favorite is the Rocky Strat
So many yo choose from. How about the 12 string Rickenbacker?
Probably Johns Casino
Definitely the casinos In the mid to later years. They are the reason I got one. Than macca’s hofner bass. Johns rickenbacker. These are in the order I’d like to buy/own them in.
George’s SG or Tennessean
George Harrison’s Gibson SG
It’s not in your list. It’s George Harrison’s rosewood Tele, of course.
Hofner, Casino, Tele, then the Ricks
The Epiphone Casino. It’s the one used by the most Beatles. George and John got identical ones and George had a Bigsby tremolo added to his. Paul bought one as well and plays it to this day. He says it’s one of his favorites because the sound is so good. John used his religiously and inspired the natural wood version. It simply covers more ground than the other instruments. The Hofner and Rickenbacker bass were almost exclusively Paul’s, the black Rickenbacker was mostly John’s, George was the only one to really play a Duo Jet, and John didn’t really like the Stratocaster as much as George did. The Casino comes out on top, as it’s the only guitar all 3 guitar players liked and played frequently.
John Lennon: Gibson J-160E, Rickenbacker 325, Fender Stratocaster, Epiphone Casino, Framus Hootenanny. Paul McCartney: Höfner 500/1, Rickenbacker 4001s, Epiphone Texan, Epiphone Casino, Martin D-28 George Harrison: Gretsch Duo Jet, Gretsch Country Gentleman, Gretsch Tennessean, Gibson J-160E, Epiphone Casino, Fender Stratocaster, Rickenbacker 360/12
The guitar/bass prototype with revolving neck that Mal brought in by Magic Alex in the Get Back documentary.
Easily the Hoffner imo
**George's Lucy**
Paul’s Hofner. Followed by John’s Rickenbacker
John epiphone for me If bass is included than Paul’s hofner
If they played it, it became iconic. Simple as.
I love Geege's Rosewood Tele. Paul's Hofner is way too iconic though.
The stripped, white Lennon Epiphone for me as far as guitars go. Basses; of course the Hofner...
The Hofner and George's rainbow strat
Paul's Hofner bass for sure.
I think Paul's '63 Hofner or John's sanded down Casino.
Paul's 2nd Hofner (Not shown here for some reason)
What about John’s Gibson J-160E?
It is funny thinking about this, because I think the images formed in our heads of them (especially non gearheads) are of the early days when they made all the tv appearances. The most iconic songs (imo) are from later on and have totally different instruments. For example, many people just imagine a rickenbacker into a vox ac30 as how to get beatles guitar tones - but that was over by 1965. The most iconic tones would be a casino into a ul730 vox or the 6g6-b bassman, followed by a twin reverb or other blackface fender. George kept switching guitars, but basically from 1965 on was the rocky strat alternating with either the “lucy” formerly goldtop 1957 les paul or the 1964 SG - it is also funny he is so associated with the rosewood tele. He basically received it and was checking it out while they were filming get back, and decided he didn’t really care for it right after filming ended, but for some reason used it on the roof so it’s iconic! I think for consistency, lennon’s casino is the beatle guitar for me. It became his only choice for electric guitar in 1965, and stayed that way until after his imagine solo album era. The longest guitar relationship in his life! When I’m trying to get beatle tones, I play a blackface 1966 fender pro reverb with either a paf les paul or my es330.
George's Rocky, John's Casino, Paul's Hofner
His Epiphone
The Casino and Hofner Bass. Necks crossed. That’s the Beatles.
For me, the Hofner.
Yes probably that one as far as 6 strings go, but I think Paul's Hofner bass guitar is the most iconic instrument of The Beatles.
As a kid, I really like the looks of John's black Rickenbacker. To me it was by far the most iconic instrument.
Hofner is the obvious answer but personallt, the Gibson j160. Might not have been their most used guitar but it appears in all era's, especially post Beatles.
Did they actually ever use the whammy bars in any songs?
Idk if its iconic but i like that one part of the touring years where john and george both had epiphone casinos
The one you didn’t show…
Anytime I see someone play a Hofner I think of the Beatles so that the one
hofner bass
>tfw no George Harrison rosewood tele
The one that John used. You know the one.
Rocky and Paul’s Hoffner bass!
Woahhh there is a certain telecaster missing from this slideshow. The exact instrument that got me into playing guitar.
A Gibson Blablahblah made in 1983 I believe
George’s 12 string Rickenbacker. All those jangle-y sounds of the 60s can be traced to that. Roger McGwyn of the Byers said he was inspired specially by George to use a 12 string guitar.
Gotta be Paul’s bass
Hands down hofner bass for me.
gotta say epiphone because Paul and John both used it.
I'm not a musician, so I'm going solely by looks. Paul's Hofner bass and John's black & white Rickenbacker.
Paul's Hofner. Easily the most identifiable Beatle guitar. It looks completely out-of-place in the hands of anyone else, especially a right-hander.
If you walk down a busy street and show pictures of the Hofner to people you pass I guarantee that most would say "get out of my face", "I don't have any money" or "I don't have any money. Get out of my face". A few might say "The Beatles!" or "The Beatles! Now get out of my face. I don't have any money". The Ed Sullivan and Hard Day's Night guitars are the most iconic and Beatle-y: John's little black-and-white Ricky, George's Country Gentleman and Ricky 12 and of course the Hofner. I'd throw in the Gibson acoustics, too. In the end, though, it's the Hofner that is the most easily recognized and identified with the band.
it’s not the most iconic but Rocky is the coolest hands down
Maybe Paul's ricken backer with the red paint or the violin bass
Paul's Hofner
Great question! Probably the hofner and the Rick 360 12 string
HOFNER!!
Rickenbacker and probably epiphone casino
Paul’s Höfner violin bass, and George’s first 12-string fireglo Rickenbacker
I’ve always wanted a Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar like the one that George Harrison played in the early 60s.
Definitely the one in the last photo here.
The Hofner, definitely.
The Rickenbacker’s for sure, Lennons Casino and I think probably Harrison’s Rosewood tele tops the list
Hofner. Ric. Casino.
Its a no brainer. Johns rickenbacker
Easily the hofner but johns rickenbacker is pretty iconic too, but non beatles fans might not recognise it.