Paul McCartney With Hofner Bass and Mic, Abbey Road Studios, 1963

NOTE: This photograph comes from the Raj Prem Collection.

Paul McCartney of the Beatles put the Hofner Bass on the map at a time when Fenders or Gibsons were all the rage. His reason for buying it was that it was symmetrical in shape and could easily be turned around to be played left-handed. More importantly, it was cheap. McCartney’s frugality led to the discovery of a famous bass tone.