Did Paul Mcartney muffle his picking...

[AGCurry]

Flip that 45 rpm over and listen to the other side "Paperback Writer" it shows up there really well too.

Er... the flip side of Paperback Writer is "Rain."

 

[Fab4ever]

Unbelievable bass on both Paperback Writer and Rain.... the way Paul and Ringo worked together on the latter is really amazing. Rain is perhaps the best b-side in history, or at least of the Beatles' discography.

Another amazing Paul bass line is Something. Crank up the bass next time that one comes on.... truly inventive work on that ballad.

 

[mrmope]

I don't think Paul ever pickled his muffin.

 

[Supercreep]

Hi!
I am a professional bassplayer and I play bass for nearly 30 years now. The answer to your question is: Paul used a Rickenbacker 4001/s bass for "Taxman" and for example "Penny Lane". The sound came from using a bassguitar pick, and the Rickenbacker bass has small sponges (not kidding...!) glued on metal plates that you can "switch on" by using a screwdriver and let tthese sponges touch the bass strings from underneath.
I used this sound a lot in a beatles cover band, too. Without any question, the "Taxman"-sound is NO Hofner Violin Bass, its a Rickenbacker 4001/s. Paul used this bass with the beatles only in the studio (never live) and you can see this bass on the videos of "Hello Goodbye" and "I am the walrus".

Yep, the Ricky 4001s has the adjustable felting pad underneath..