Paul McCartney's Stolen Bass Guitar Has Been Returned 50 Years Later After Beatles Fans Organized a Search

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul McCartney playing the 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass that was lost and returned to him.Photo:David Redfern/Redferns

David Redfern/Redferns

Thanks to the “Help!” of devotedBeatlesfans,Paul McCartneyhas been reunited with his bass guitar that was stolen decades ago.

On Wednesday, anofficial statementwas shared on the music legend’s website to announce that his iconic Höfner electric bass guitar — stolen over 50 years ago — was found and returned to his possession.

The news came several months after a team offans launched The Lost Bass Projectin an attempt to track down the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar, which has been called one of the “most important bass in history” and was lost sometime after 1969.

Paul McCartney, holding the 1961 Höfner, and John Lennon.Bettmann Archive

Bettmann Archive

According toa statementon The Lost Pass Project’s website, the instrument was found with its original case and will be playable again after receiving some minor repairs.

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They shared that “the breakthrough [they] needed” came when they received a tip that the Höfner was stolen from a van in London in October 1972. The devout fans then found out that the thief sold it to the owner of the Admiral Blake pub in London and went from there.

John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles.Bettmann/Getty

Bettmann/Getty

“We suspected that the Lost Bass had probably stayed in the same family ever since,” the group wrote.

“We want to thank everyone who helped with the search, all those who sent us leads and ideas and many who just wanted to lend their support to us,” the statement continued. “Thank you all so very much. Very much indeed! We did it!”

Paul McCartney in Paris in March 2016.Pierre Suu/Getty

It was no easy task to track down the legendary bass that belonged to the Beatles lead vocalist, 81, as it had not been seen with him since late January 1969, when The Fab Four were in London recording theGet BackandLet It Besessions.

The Höfner had an incredible history when it was in the hands of its original owner. Not only can it be heard on songs like “Love Me Do,” “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout” and even earlyAbbey Roadrecordings, it dates back to when The Beatles played shows in the U.K. as early as 1961.

When members of The Lost Bass Project first united and publicized their movement last year, they shared that their sole intention was to “get the bass back to where it once belonged.” The devoted following added, “Paul McCartney has given us so much over the last 62 years. The Lost Bass project is our chance to give something back.”

source: people.com