Clean Tone

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

The Beatles

Bassrock1960s

Original Gear

BassFender Bass VI (six-string bass, likely 1961-1963 model)

AmpVersatone Pan-O-Flex (35-watt combo amp, studio use)

PickupsThree single-coil pickups (Bass VI standard), likely all on or neck+middle for warmth

Amp Settings

gain0

bass7

mid5

treble4.5

presence4

compression3

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, Abbey Road Studios, 1969. George Harrison played the Bass VI for this track, not McCartney. Multiple takes, overdubs, and isolated bass tracks confirm the instrument and amp.

Tone Character(9)

deep and thumpyrounded low endclear note definitionwarm, vintage characterslightly muted highssupportive, melodicno audible drivestudio clarityno pick attack noise

Difficulty

While the part is not technically demanding in speed or technique, it requires melodic awareness, tight timing with the piano, and careful articulation to maintain the song's character.

Sources

Paul McCartney's Fender Jazz Bass | Page 3 "The worst track we ever had to record" – why 3/4 of the Beatles hated Maxwell's Silver Hammer | MusicRadar The Beatles – Abbey Road (Remastered)The Beatles - Maxwell's Silver Hammer (Isolated Bass)

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