Top Ten Guitar Models Used by The Beatles

Paul McCartney bought his first Hofner bass while the Beatles performed in Hamburg, Germany. He liked it because it was lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and perfectly symmetrical.

Easily one of the most iconic bass models ever.

George Harrison received the second Rickenbacker 12-string ever made, and he frequently used it during the "Beatlemania" years.

John Lennon bought his first Rickenbacker while also in Hamburg. His first Rickenbacker was blonde and later painted black. The company later gave him an updated 325 with a better truss rod.

John Lennon bought his Rickenbacker 325 also while The Beatles were in Hamburg, Germany. It was originally blonde but then he painted it black.

George Harrison used a Country Gentleman from 1963 to 1965. One of these guitars fell off their equipment truck and was destroyed, while the other ended up in the hands of Ringo Starr.

Paul bought one in 1964, a right-handed guitar which he strung upside down. John and George bought theirs a year later and used them frequently. John later sanded the finish off his guitar, inspiring George to do the same because "it sounded better."

Paul McCartney received his 4001 from Rickenbacker in 1965 and used it on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's, The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be. He used it during his time in Wings and stopped using it in 1978.

Rickenbacker gave Paul a 4001 bass, which he used frequently on Revolver and Sgt. Pepper. He said that the Rickenbacker had a much thicker bass tone than the Hofner.

Paul bought a right-handed Texan and strung it upside down. He used it most famously on "Yesterday."

Finally, a guitar that looks like a guitar...

Mal Evans, their roadie, bought John and George two identical blue Stratocasters in 1965. George gave his Stratocaster a psychedelic paint job two years later and named it "Rocky."

George Harrison used an SG in the studio until 1968, when he gave it to Pete Ham of Badfinger.