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I wanna hold your guitar; Instrumental to their sound: The Beatles in 1964 in the garden of Abbey Road studios. George ( holds a Gretsch electric guitar, Paul (second right) a Hofner violin bass and John a Gibson acoustic.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Charles Legge

QUESTION What makes of guitar did The Beatles favour and why? I WAS The Beatles' assistant roadie from their formation until they split up. Initially, they used various Hofner guitars simply because they were the only ones available at the time in the UK.

In Germany, John found his Rickenbacker (manufacturer of the first electric guitar), which he used throughout his Beatles span.

Paul got his Hofner violin bass in Germany and George his first of many Gretsch guitars, which he liked because they were used by Chet Atkins, Eddie Cochran and other musical idols of his.

When they got their first recording contract, John and George bought Gibson acoustic guitars which they used on stage. George bought a small Rickenbacker on his first visit to the U.S. and also had a 12-string Rickenbacker. When Paul played guitar, he used mainly an Epiphone acoustic (played upside down because he is left-handed).

But as the group became famous they were given instruments of every make Fender, Gibson, etc.

Paul's favoured Hofner didn't travel well and he started using a Rickenbacker bass on occasion.

Tony Bramwell, author: Magical Mystery Tours: My Life With The Beatles, Totnes, Devon.

QUESTIONWhy on...

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