Paul McCartney Reunited with Stolen 1961 Höfner Bass After Over 50 Years

The legendary Beatles bassist's iconic instrument was found and returned, sparking joy and gratitude from McCartney.

Paul McCartney's original 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar, stolen in 1972, has been found and returned to him after more than five decades.
The search for the missing instrument, dubbed The Lost Bass Project, was launched in 2018 and gained momentum with public assistance in 2022.
The bass was discovered in a family's attic; the family had unknowingly inherited the stolen instrument.
The instrument, valued at approximately $12.6 million, was authenticated by Höfner and returned to McCartney in December.
McCartney expressed immense gratitude for the return of the bass, which he used in The Beatles' early recordings and hits.