Alto Music’s Guide to “Rubber Soul for Today’s Players”
The Electric Guitars of “Rubber Soul”
Fender
Completely different from any guitar the Beatles used before, the unmistakable sound of the Fender Stratocaster permeates Rubber Soul. The recently acquired pair of 1961 Rosewood “Slab-board” Strats (one each for John and George) became immediate favorites (especially by George). On Rubber Soul, the Stratocaster is featured prominently on Nowhere Man and Drive My Car and appears on 8 of the 14 Tracks.
Setting your sights on a genuine vintage 1961 Strat can set you back close to 6 figures. In a rare Custom Color (if you can find one), expect to pay double. Fear not. Fender offers vintage reissues in a wide range of options and prices that give you the vibe you seek. (see examples below)
-
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster - 3-Color Sunburst
Shop NowCheck out the American vintage series (or Custom Shop range for the truly dedicated)
-
Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster - Olympic White
Shop Now -
Fender Vintera II '60s Stratocaster Electric Guitar - 3-Color Sunburst
Shop NowOr more affordable and outstanding Vintera series
-
Fender Player II Stratocaster - Rosewood Fingerboard, Birch Green
Shop Now
Rickenbacker Guitars (and Basses)
Since the early days, the Beatles have been known for choosing Rickenbacker guitars. John Lennon and his 325 Capri have been inseparable from the beginning, and Harrison’s use of the 360 12-sting electric on “A Hard Day’s Night” started a sensation. Paul got into the act on Rubber Soul, frequently using his newly acquired and now infamous Rickenbacker 4001s.
George’s newly acquired 2nd Rickenbacker 360/12 is featured prominently on “If I Needed Someone. John’s early years staple and live performance mainstay “short-scale” Rickenbacker 325 on “Wait.” Paul explores his new Rickenbacker 4001 bass on 9 of the 14 songs on Rubber Soul—the first recordings he’s done with anything besides his Hofner Basses.
Rickenbacker produces contemporary versions of the 360 model in 6- and 12-string versions, plus reissues with the same appointments as their “Beatle era” counterparts.
-
Rickenbacker 360/12 12-String Electric Guitar, Fireglo
Shop NowThe modern “button-top” pickup version 360/12
-
Rickenbacker 360/12C63 12-String Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Fireglo
Shop NowThe “Toaster Top” pickup, flat top Reissue 360C63 (Hard Day’s Night Era)
-
Rickenbacker 325C64 ‘Miami’ Electric Guitar - JetGlo
Shop NowJohn Lennon’s “Short Scale” Reissue 325C64 Capri
-
Rickenbacker 350v63 Liverpool Electric Guitar - Jet Glo
Shop NowThe 350V63 is an excellent choice for guitarists who desire the look and sound of the priceless vintage counterpart with a full-sized neck scale.
-
Rickenbacker 4003s Reissue Fireglo Bass w/ Hard Case
Shop NowThe 4003s is the contemporary version of the Bass Paul first used on “ Rubber Soul.”
-
Guild Starfire I-12 12-String Newark St. Electric Guitar, Cherry Red
Shop NowFor guitarists who seek the 12-string electric guitar sound in a more budget-friendly package, the Guild Starfire and Danelectro ‘59/12 are outstanding choices.
-
Danelectro ‘59 Vintage 12-String Semi Hollow Electric Guitar in Black
Shop Now
Epiphone
Epiphone (made by Gibson) played a considerable role on the Rubber Soul album. Most notably, on the intro and solo parts for Drive My Car, Paul McCartney used his Epiphone Casino model for every 6-string guitar part he contributed to the album. John Lennon and George Harrison were so impressed with the guitar’s sound that they each added a Casino to their guitar collections for the Beatles' final tour, “Revolver” sessions, and beyond.
-
Epiphone Casino (USA Collection) Electric Guitar in Vintage Sunburst
Shop NowToday’s Epiphone offers a USA-made Casino
-
Epiphone Casino Hollow Body Electric Guitar - Vintage Sunburst
Shop Now...and more affordable options:
-
Epiphone Casino Left Handed Hollow Body Electric Guitar - Vintage Sunburst
Shop Now
Hofner
Paul McCartney got his Hofner 500/1 before fame and fortune came to the band. Unquestionably, the symmetrical “violin”-shaped body was part of the appeal for the southpaw bassist. Sixty years since the start of Beatlemania, Paul continues to rely heavily on his Hofner 500/1 for its deep tone, lightweight comfort, and nimble playability. Without question, it’s the bass guitar that is most closely associated with the Beatles and Paul McCartney. The deep tone of Paul’s 500/1 is used with excellent results on Michelle and five other tracks on Rubber Soul.
Hofner continues to make several versions of the 500/1 “Violin Bass,” including a “broken-in” factory-aged version and others.
Gretsch
The Gretsch Country Gentleman and Tennessean (and Duo-Jet) dominated the early Beatles sound in the hands of George Harrison. Although moving on to different sounds, after 1965, there is no mistaking the single coil twang of Harrison’s Tennessean, featured prominently on the track “What Goes On.”
The Acoustic Guitars of Rubber Soul
Acoustic guitars are a large part of the Rubber Soul sound. Many songs are arranged for acoustic guitar only or acoustic guitar-dominant songs with added electric guitar parts. Unlike earlier Beatles songs (like “I Feel Fine”) that feature the Gibson J160E plugged-in into an amp, the acoustic guitars on Rubber Soul were captured unplugged for a far more natural sound. John Lennon and George Harrison used their J160Es for all their 6-string acoustic guitar tracks, with Paul McCartney using his flipped for lefty Epiphone Texan. Both models are virtually identical "slopped shoulder jumbos” (Dreadnought) size guitars featuring a spruce top with mahogany backs and sides.
Because the Gibson J160E is essentially a J-45 fitted with a P90 pickup and a layered top to reduce feedback, Alto Music recommends using the J-45 to recreate the acoustic sounds heard on Rubber Soul (and so much more).
Gibson and Epiphone
-
Gibson J-45 Standard - Vintage Sunburst
Shop NowTwo contemporary styles of the all-purpose “workhorse” and extremely popular J-45
-
Epiphone J-45 Studio Solid Top Acoustic Guitar in Vintage Sunburst
Shop Now -
Epiphone Masterbilt Texan Acoustic Electric Guitar in Antique Natural Aged
Shop NowThe contemporary USA version of McCartney’s Epiphone FT-79 “Texan.”
12-string and Classical Guitars
A capo-equipped 12-string guitar (John Lennon’s Framus “Hootnanny”) can be heard prominently in George Harrison's hands in the instrumental part of “Girl.” While no exact contemporary model of this guitar is available, the sound can be obtained easily without scouring vintage shops.
Here are some of Alto Music’s 12-string acoustic guitar recommendations:
...And let’s not forget the Sitar!
The Sitar
The sudden trending demand and step-leaning curve it takes to play the Sitar led to the electric sitar--something the everyday guitarist could pick up and play right away. This new variation on the electric guitar produces just enough of the Sitar's buzzing charm to do the trick. Although out of production for over a decade, the Danelectro/Coral Electric Sitar is back.
The Amps of Rubber Soul
Vox
Since the pre-fame days of gigs at the dank and tiny basement Cavern Club, through Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park, the Beatles sound was driven by Vox amps. Throughout Rubber Soul, John Lennon and George Harrison exclusively used a pair of the latest versions of the AC30 Top Boost (recently delivered by Vox as replacements for their road-worn touring amps). The AC30 sound permeates the electric guitars of Rubber Soul with its bell-like highs and throaty midrange, especially pop on the heavily compressed dual guitar solo on Nowhere Man.
Modern “Korg era” Vox amps do an outstanding job recreating the 60s “Jennings era” Vox sound.
Fender
Throughout Revolver, Paul McCartney used his Vox AC100 touring rig to record the bass tracks but tried something new for his 6-string guitar overdubs. Paul McCartney opted for his newly acquired Blonde Fender Bassman Head and Cab. It’s the first time anything other than a Vox amp appears on a Beatles recording. The amp was a hit with the entire band and was used frequently by Paul, George, and John on future albums.
The 1963 Blonde Tolex covered head and cab configuration is no longer in production, but the Fender sound and “Bassman model” girth can be closely approximated with some outstanding contemporary choices. Here are a few of Alto Music’s picks.
FX
Although always looking for new sounds, the Beatles used pedal effects surprisingly sparsely. However--Rubber Soul’s many highlights include one of the first examples of “Fuzz Bass” ever recorded and some brilliantly unconventional use of the Volume pedal.
Since “Rubber Soul,” the Fuzz effect has been used by more Rock bands and made by more manufacturers than can be counted. At the time of recording in late 1965, Fuzz was nearly unheard of, and few choices were available. Preceding even the world-famous Fuzz-Face—The Beatles used a Vox Tone Bender prototype on “Think For Yourself.”
Although the original Vox Tone Bender is long gone, Its unmistakably raspy sound in all its distorted glory is just a click away.
For volume swells (as an effect), the volume pedal is far more expensive and easy to operate than the volume control on your guitar. The trick is to use a passive (non-boosting) foot-controlled volume regulator, as Harrison did on “Wait.”
-
JHS Bender Legends of Fuzz 1973 London MKIII Tonebender Replica Pedal
Shop Now -
Keeley Fuzz Bender 3 Transistor Hybrid Fuzz Pedal
Shop Now -
Behringer Fuzz Bender Vintage 60s Style Fuzz Buzz Pedal with Custom Bias Mod Switch
Shop Now -
Vox V860 Volume Pedal
Shop Now -
Ernie Ball VP Jr. 250K Volume Pedal
Shop Now
Drums
*Ringo’s new 1965 Ludwig Super Classic kit, finished in Oyster Black Pearl with 3-ply Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany shells (14x22 Bass drum, 16x16 floor tom, and 9x19 rack tom). The Snare drum is Ringo’s all-time favorite 1963 Ludwig 5.5" x 14" Jazz Festival snare drum (used with every kit Ringo played in his time with the Beatles). On songs without a complete kit, Ringo used maracas, a tambourine, the bell of his cymbals, and a cowbell (but not too much cowbell…)
*Unless otherwise noted, the ’65 Ludwig Super Classic is the only kit Star has used on the entire record.
Additional instruments:
Mannborg Harmonium, Piano (Steinway Grand) and Vari-speed “studio-treated” Piano, Pianet electric piano, Hammond and Vox Continental Organ--and for the first time on any Pop/Rock album, the Classical Indian Sitar