If I Needed Someone - The Beatles - Full Instrumental Recreation (4K)

Only The Beatles could parody another band's sound this well. The Byrds, meet the Beatles!

And what a great George Harrison composition. Such a power pop song. It has everything - chimey guitars, an aggressive Lennon rhythm part, a hypnotic bassline, and a propulsive Ringo beat.

I have only a few notes here for musical stuff:

I concluded that the Rickenbacker 12 was overdubbed at least for the intro, solo and outro. I absolutely hear two guitars playing. I know some folks who released covers have the Strat playing underneath the intro, but you can clearly hear the Strat enter after the intro. I'm fairly convinced George simply overdubbed his own playing, possibly for the whole song. Definitely thickens the sound of the 12.

That McCartney bassline is incredible, but I have a feeling it might've been the Hofner. I went with my fans and I intend to cover all Rubber Soul-session songs with the Rick, but man, to me that booming A-string really sounds like the Hofner. Just speculation! The Rick still sounds glorious.

Ringo, as usual, absolutely crushes it. He drives the entire song forward. Incredible playing.

After talking to my friend ManWithNoExpression, I decided to layer a hidden harmonium underneath the solo and outro. I absolutely hear SOMETHING in the outro, whether it's a harmonium or overtones from the Strat, I'm not sure. But I added it here and buried it as an easter egg. Interesting speculation!

The song was recorded on October 16 and 18, 1965. Another rushed session, the group only finished one take to completion, take 3. You can tell - once again, the tempo slows noticeably in the second half. Still rocks, though!

Instruments:
2007 Fender Classic Player 60's Sonic Blue Stratocaster (strung w/Pyramid .10 flats)
2018 Rickenbacker 360-12c63 (strung w/Pyramid .10 flats)
2018 Rickenbacker 4003 (Pyramid flats)
60's Ludwig No. 980 Super Classic Outfit 9x13 / 16x16 / 14x22 kit (Black Oyster Pearl)
8Dio Harmonium VST

Recording Equipment & Miscellaneous:
Beatles Drop-T #4 drumhead courtesy of Russ Lease (beatlesuits.com)
Vox Valvetronix VT100X Guitar Combo Amp
PreSonus Studio 1824C Interface (6 microphones used)
Cad Audio Stage7 7-Piece Drum Microphones (toms, snare & bass drum)
MXL V250 Condenser Mic: drum overhead mic & acoustic guitar
Drums recorded and mixed with PreSonus Studio One
Shure SM57 (under hi-hat, bass)

Waves Abbey Road Plugins used on this track:
Abbey Road RS124 Compressor Stereo
Abbey Road Plates Stereo

Video Equipment:
Camera: Canon M50
Edited with Adobe Premiere Pro on HP Envy 32'' All in One

Feel free to leave comments, I'll respond to as many as I can.