Instrument Worth $12.6 Million Rediscovered
After a five-year search aided by a husband-and-wife team of journalists, Paul McCartney has been reunited with his original bass guitar that went missing half a century ago. The distinctive violin-shaped 1961 electric Höfner, estimated to be worth $12.6 million, was instrumental in launching Beatlemania across the universe.
A Determined Hunt
The search for the missing instrument began when McCartney reached out to Höfner for assistance. Höfner executive Nick Wass, determined to solve the mystery, teamed up with journalist Scott Jones to track it down. McCartney purchased the bass for a mere $37 in 1961 when The Beatles were honing their craft in Hamburg, Germany. The instrument played a significant role in their early records and popular hits such as “Love Me Do” and “She Loves You.”
The Lost Bass Project
Scott Jones stumbled upon the hunt for the missing bass after seeing McCartney perform at the Glastonbury Festival in 2022. Spotting the sunburst pattern on the bass, Jones became curious if it was the same instrument McCartney played in the ’60s. Further research revealed that the original bass was indeed missing, prompting Jones and his wife Naomi, both journalists and researchers, to join the search. They collaborated with Wass to spread the word.
A Breakthrough
In September, sound engineer Ian Horne, who had worked with McCartney’s band Wings, reached out to the team. Horne revealed that the bass had been stolen from the back of his van in London’s Notting Hill area in 1972. With the help of a former trainee reporter, the exact date and other details were confirmed. Subsequently, a person came forward claiming their father had stolen the bass and sold it to a pub owner for a small sum.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
After connecting with the family of the pub owner, the stolen bass was finally returned to McCartney in December. The authentication process took approximately two months. Although its value is now estimated at $12.6 million, the instrument held little value during the 50 years it was missing. The thief and the Guest family never attempted to sell it, recognizing its significance.
McCartney’s official website expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the recovery of his beloved bass guitar.