Did The Beatles use a Fretless Guitar in 1968 ?!

In 1968, Kenny Everett interviews the Beatles at Abbey Road. The interview captures John Lennon playing a fretless guitar. What was the fate of this guitar? Did it end up on any Beatle recordings? Eastwood Guitars is currently making a replica, you can support it and own one here!

Big thanks to Eastwood Guitars for letting us tryout a fretless for these comparisons!!

[jaydenwhitlen]

This video wasn’t expected but certainly appreciated

[ianprescott]

I think it's pretty believable on Helter Skelter and Happiness because both solos have really unnatural "bends" that don't really sound right when played normally

[johnpaulsmajda]

I was pretty skeptical first but listening to your playing made it pretty convincing

[paranormal]

"A fretless guitar. Nobody's got it."

[whatspadethinks]

As a second generation Beatles fan (born in 1975, my Pop who turned me on to them as a 6 year old kid was born in 1950), I take pride in the fact the band influenced me to become a musician (first a drummer, then to guitar, bass, keys, etc). I am extremely deep in the minutea with the pages of Lewisohn's books & the Recording The Beatles tome reread hundreds of times. When I was 19 I was the roadie/soundman for a Beatles tribute act and while at first a blast it taught me that while being a huge fan was great, if I continued up the Beatles rabbit hole ONLY, to the exclusion of my own musical journey, development, songwriting, etc. I would be doing myself a disservice. I still dig the band more than ever, the 50th anniversary box sets were incredible, and after close to 40 years of fandom I hear new things in the music to this day.

I say all this to congratulate the Ably House guys on their incredible Beatles research and excellent videos, with the caveat that they don't forget themselves in their musical journey. You cats have real talent, keep writing songs and creating new sounds as well as looking back to 60's and the music therein.

With that said: This video was incredible- I think the fretless is on several tracks (Helter Skelter, Monkey, etc.) and your demonstrations are spot on. Eastwood was very cool in letting you guys have access to a fretless. Be cool brothers, all the best...

[plugscranson]

I had no clue this was an ably house video until 1:10.

The versatility you guys have in video making is insane. Keep it up

[miltonacosta]

There's always something new about The Beatles. This is awesome!

[alastairmackay]

I love obscure Beatles questions like this

[transtremm]

This single video will be responsible for a sudden increased demand in fretless guitar purchases worldwide.

[rokym]

This fretless guitar has such a distinctive sound. As soon I heard it I thought: that's it! That's the white album guitar sound! All those bendings sounded so strange to me. Now it makes sense. But... let's ask Paul!🤣🤣

[SymphanyinSorrow]

Any chance we could just ask if they did?

[joshscus]

Wow what a killer video!! Just when you think you know it all, you guys unearth some more fascinating stuff! Beatle Archaeologists!

[ericmendoza]

This is the best in depth video about The Beatles. I’ve imagined videos like this where you talk about the history, the theories, and actual instrumentation of The Beatles. Please more of these. I like hearing you explain your POV love your videos

[TheFourNobleTruths]

Also important to consider the fact that g strings on electric guitars were still manufactured as wound strings during this time making some of the bends demonstrated very difficult

[alanshewitt]

You’ve made a believer of me. But how tf, with all the scholarship on the Beatles and the minutia of their process and gear, both from primary sources and forensic, is this new information, just now being unearthed?? Incredible.

[lupefedasilva]

I don't post comments commonly, but i must say that this video is a masterpiece! Your research is wonderful! Congratulations by making an awesome video!

[evanstair]

You convinced me that a fretless guitar was used on several songs, especially Happiness is a Warm Gun and Helter Skelter. When you think about McCartney's perfectionist streak, he would have spent a lot of time working these out to where the fretless sounded in tune (or should it be on tune?). You also have convinced me that you guys are incredible musicians with an eye to recreation. Just a fantastic video. Thank you!

[westfield]

Great video. Love hearing your analysis. It seems spot on.

[ALF-Tupper]

The White Album has recently been independently reviewed by one of the world’s leading fretless guitar experts. Dr Richard Perks, Lecturer in Music Performance at Kent University. He is confident that fretless can be heard and was used on Warm Gun, Helter Skelter and Savoy Truffle. This is also the view of Kenny Jenkins, lecture on Music Performance and production at Leeds Beckett university.

[jaydenwhitlen]

George said in an interview that he never played slide with the Beatles. That may just mean that either Paul or John played the slide in Helter Skelter, or it could mean that maybe George played the fret less. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. Looking forward to some more analytical type vids like this one.