In the movie “Let It Be”, Beatles nuts and bass players in particular noticed a small rectangular sticker on Paul McCartney’s Höfner.
Like many other Höfner and McCartney devotees, I had already removed my pickguards when Paul did so in 1966. But now we wondered just what was up with that new addition to Paul’s signature instrument.
The sticker was a simple, white rectangle with green lettering, and bears just one word, “BASSMAN” – in all caps. During the film, the sticker changes position from time to time, but is usually above the neck pickup. Of course, I had to have one!
When I got the role of McCartney in the Broadway show, BEATLEMANIA!, I convinced the managers that I needed to have not just one, but two lefty Höfner basses.
Why? Well, I argued that since I was the only lefty player in the cast, I needed a spare, just in case something went wrong with my primary bass. Also, I wanted the Second Act Höfner look more like McCartney’s pickguard-free, BASSMAN sticker adorned bass.
Since the show had a deal with Höfner, I was very happy to get the bass, and then went about the task of getting the coveted sticker. At that time, I had no idea of the sticker’s origin but in today’s instant information age the story is as follows.
In 1968, The Beatles received a huge shipment of Fender equipment. Among the many amps and guitars received, including George’s beautiful rosewood telecaster, was a Fender Bassman amp, of which John was quite fond.
John aside, Paul used the Bassman amp during the filming of “Let it Be” as well as in the impromptu rooftop concert at the end of the film. And included with that Fender amp was the curious sticker.
For whatever reason, Paul thought it was a good idea to put that sticker on his Höfner, not realizing that hundreds of thousands of kids like me would make it their mission in life to get the same sticker.
Short of purchasing the amp itself, back then it seemed an easier (and cheaper) solution to fashion the sticker myself. So, a plain white sticker and a green art pencil did the trick and I stuck it onto my Act II Höfner – check out this shot sent by a BEATLEMANIA! fan – with the BASSMAN sticker…
These days they are readily available from multiple sources including Amazon.com.
Now, about taking sandpaper to my Rickenbacker 4001…..NOT!!!