BABY'S IN BLACK: BASS
Stuart Sutcliffe's Hofner 333 bass, seen below in a photograph by Astrid Kirchherr. Sutcliffe's Hofner bass is often mislabeled as a President Bass, a model name that would appear later. According to the excellent book, Beatles Gear by Andy Babiuk, Sutcliffe's original bass is now owned by the Hard Rock Cafe. Many auction reports are listed on-line, but the amount of the sale is hard to confirm.
When Stuart left The Beatles, Paul borrowed his 500/5 bass until he could buy his own Hofner, the iconic 500/1 violin bass (below). Word has it that Paul wasn't allowed to restring Stu's President bass (he's left-handed) and had to play it upside down.
When Stuart left The Beatles, Paul borrowed his 500/5 bass until he could buy his own Hofner, the iconic 500/1 violin bass (below). Word has it that Paul wasn't allowed to restring Stu's President bass (he's left-handed) and had to play it upside down.
