Paul McCartney
The Beatles
Role
Genre
Role
Genre
Bass Guitars 23
Amplifiers 40
Effects Pedals 32
Microphones 31
Pianos 10
Keyboards and Synthesizers 40
Studio Equipment 56
Software Plugins and VSTs 2
Headphones 6
Guitars 44
World Instruments 9
Modular Synthesizers 1
Upright-Basses 2
Music Accessories 8
Cellos 1
Drum Sets 7
Strings 7
Harps 1
Studio Gear 2
Studio Monitors 8
Mixers 1
DAWs 1
Flugelhorns 1
Violins 1
Snare Drums 1
Cymbals 1
DJ Setup 1
Banjos 1
Other Gear 1
Paul McCartney's Gear
All My Loving (Live At The Festival Hall in Melbourne) - The Beatles [YouTube]
It's on top of Paul's Mellotron MkII in his home studio. You can see it in a video of Paul playing his mellotron, and also part of it in this video, starting at 5:15.
It can be seen in this photo from the 1979 McCartney II recording sessions.
ARP Pro-DGX in the background. From “Tug of War” recording sessions.
There is a piano riff that can be heard on Revolution 9. The website says it is Paul playing it.
In this image, taken in 1979 from the recording of his album "McCartney II", a Space Echo can be seen on top of the Jazz Chorus
Paul playing a moog modular synthesizer during “ram” recording sessions.
In a YouTube video by Rickdd2 titled "Paul McCartney teaches bass," Paul McCartney is seen using Beyerdynamic DT 150 headphones.
McCartney is using this pickup/preamp system on his acoustic guitars. This is mentioned on Fishman's website.
In the picture you can see Paul McCartney playing Bill Black's upright bass.
In 43:45 in the video you can see Paul McCartney playing a modified Rickenbacker Lap Steel Guitar. A few seconds later he is experimenting with the tone control.
Paul McCartney is playing a sitar in this image. Maybe it is a promo-shot.
Another photo dating from the 1979 “McCartney II” recording sessions.
In the photo, Paul's seen on the classic Beatles drum set. More examples of him on drums are the first tracks to the White Album, which were recorded when Ringo briefly left the band.
Visible in this late Wings era photo of McCartney.
This is the same bass paul used with The Beatles on the 60s, During the "Get Back" sessions paul placed a "Bassman" sticker, also it used on The Beatles final show, at the Apple Corps rooftop, on January 30, 1969
A prototype was used on “I’m Carrying” and Back to the Egg, as heard on the former and as quoted from bandmate Laurence Juber in this Mr. Blint’s Attic article.
Laurence Juber writes: 'when I was in Wings, Paul McCartney had a prototype 6 string Gizmo that we used on the Back To The Egg album in 1978... on another note, I played guitar with Lol and Kev on the "Wide Boys" single and video.'
In this image, taken in 1979 from the recording of his album "McCartney II", a Jazz Chorus 160 with a Space Echo on it can be seen
“A few years ago Gibson wanted him to do a signature version of his ’64 Epiphone Casino. We ummed and ahhed, and it didn’t really take off. We saw that everyone sort of has a signature model, and to Paul and it didn’t really seem that important.”
“But, to demonstrate the quality of the guitar that they’d make for him they sent a really nice 330 from the Custom Shop. It’s only about 7 or 8 years old, and I dug that one out."
“Then there was another similar find. When I was going through the guitars I found - well, I knew we had it! - but a 1949 Gibson ES-5 lefty, which again is just so rare. It’s a really weird guitar because I think it’s a precursor to the Switchmaster.”
“It’s got three pickup controls, but only one tone, it doesn’t have the switches in it or anything. We spent a lot of time with it plugged in kind of messing with the controls trying to get the right tone out of the three pickups without any individual tone. But you get a very particular sound, it’s just warm and jazzy. Again, Paul will think ‘I want a nice warm tone’ and that’s the ES-5.”
the Rickenbacker 360/12V64 is listed in this blog
Paul McCartney is mentioned in the Hog Hill Mill Blog as using the Ludwig Classic Maple drum set.
The Hog Hill Mill Blog mentions Paul McCartney using a Ludwig Classic Kit Silver Sparkle, highlighting its connection to Ringo Starr's iconic drum set.
the MESA/Boogie Bass Prodigy Four:88 w/ MESA/Boogie Traditional Powerhouse cab is listed in this blog
Paul McCartney is mentioned in the Hog Hill Mill Blog as using the Boss CE-3 Chorus pedal, highlighting its role in his effects setup.
In the Hog Hill Mill Blog post titled "Amplifiers & Pedals," Paul McCartney is mentioned as using the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95 wah pedal.
The Electro-Harmonix Small Stone EH4800 (Phase Shifter) is shown throughout this video.
On The Product Page On Rotosound's Website It States That The Strings Where Used By Paul McCartney On Abbey Road And Let It Be.
they clearly can be seen in use on his '63 Hofner during the rooftop concert as well as on his Rickenbacker 4001s
Photo from his concert in Australia shows him using a Mesa/Boogie 2x15 Subway Vertical Bass Cab
This is a community-built gear list for Paul McCartney.
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Discography
The Family Way (Original Soundtrack Recording)
1967
McCartney
1970
McCartney (Archive Collection)
1970
Ram (Archive Collection)
1971
Band On The Run (Archive Collection)
1973
Wings Over America
1976
McCartney II
1980
Tug Of War (Archive Collection)
1982
Tug Of War
1982
Pipes Of Peace (Remastered 2015)
1983
Pipes Of Peace (Archive Collection / Remastered 2015)
1983
Give My Regards To Broad Street
1984
Album Credits
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