Overview

• Paul McCartney's original 1961 Höfner bass, missing for half a century and valued at $12.6 million, has been returned to him.
• The search, initiated by McCartney and supported by a husband-and-wife journalist team, spanned five years and involved the instrument's manufacturer, Höfner.
• The instrument, played on The Beatles' first two records, was rumored to have been stolen in 1969 during the recording of 'Let it Be.'
• A breakthrough came from a sound engineer who revealed the bass was stolen from his van in 1972; the thief later sold it for a few pounds and some beers.
• The bass, which had been passed down through the family of a pub landlord, was authenticated and returned to McCartney, who expressed his gratitude to all involved.