The Beatles | While My Guitar Gently Weeps | Instrumental Cover

Here is my cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, featuring my new Squier Bass VI! I’m really enjoying playing this so far, so what better song to introduce it on. Hope you enjoy! Please subscribe for more videos and comment what you’d like to see next.

The Beatles entered EMI studios on July 25th 1968 to begin recording George’s latest composition ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. It appears that George and Paul were the only members present at the time, which prompted them to record an acoustic take of the song. This featured George on vocal and acoustic guitar, and Paul playing a harmonium.

It was eventually decided that the song needed a full-band arrangement, and three weeks later, the Beatles recorded a second version. The new lineup for the backing track featured Paul’s bass, Ringo on drums, John playing organ and George’s electric guitar. Another two and a half weeks passed before returning to the song, and after recording some sessions at Trident Studios, it was decided an 8 track tape machine also was needed at EMI. The next few instalments of Gently Weeps involved transferring the current 4-track tape to the new 8-track machine, and recording several overdubs. One of which was a backwards guitar solo from George. This version however was soon scrapped, and sadly has never surfaced on any bootlegs or official releases.

The third and final arrangement features guest guitarist Eric Clapton, playing lead on the iconic Gibson 'Lucy' Les Paul. 28 takes were recorded, with number 25 deemed the best. The rest of the band were as follows; Paul playing piano, John still on organ, Ringo's drums, and George's acoustic guitar and vocal. In an attempt to make Eric's guitar sound more 'Beatley', it was supplied with a heavy dose of ADT. The following day, the group returned to the studio for overdubs. This would include a snare-tapping beat and tambourine from Ringo, George's double-tracked vocals, and bass.

There is a lot of debate as to who is playing the bass in this song, but to me it sounds the most like John playing the Fender Bass IV. In the choruses, I think this is doubled with Paul on his Jazz Bass, and George on the Guild 12-string. The White Album box set credits John on bass, and that along with the playing style and driven power chord tone, makes me think it's John. I could be wrong on this, but we'll never know for sure. Regardless, I think I got a pretty close sound.

Instrument List
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Cherry Red
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson J45
Squier Bass VI
Rickenbacker 360/12V64
Axiom 4001 Rickenbacker bass copy
Tambourine
Xpand2 Upright Piano Preset
DB-33 Organ VST
Coffee Table