George Harrison played a number of different guitars throughout his time with The Beatles, and his choice of instrument often varied from song to song. For the 1966 track And Your Bird Can Sing, Harrison played his 1964 Rosewood Telecaster guitar, which was given to him by Fender. This was one of Harrison’s main guitars during the mid-1960s and can be heard on many Beatles tracks from that era.
George Harrison and The Beatles
George Harrison first rose to fame as the lead guitarist of the legendary rock band The Beatles. Along with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Harrison was part of the Fab Four that took the world by storm in the 1960s. As a guitarist, Harrison provided instrumental textures, melody lines and legendary solos on a long list of Beatles classics. His chime-like guitar sound became an integral part of the band’s iconic sonic formula.
Harrison joined The Beatles in 1958 at the age of 15. At that time, the group was still known as The Quarrymen and was formed by Lennon the previous year. After going through several name and line-up changes, the band settled on the name The Beatles in 1960. When Beatlemania hit in 1963, Harrison was instantaneously thrust into the spotlight as part of arguably the most famous and influential rock band in history.
The Beatles’ Studio Years
Between 1963 and 1970, The Beatles released 12 studio albums and evolved immensely as songwriters, musicians and recording artists. They began primarily as a rock and pop band playing cover songs, but soon developed their own sound and style as Lennon and McCartney emerged as prolific songwriting partners. Harrison also began contributing his own compositions, including Taxman and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Musically, the band explored an increasingly eclectic range of styles and instruments, incorporating elements of psychedelia, Indian classical music, reggae, hard rock, folk and more.
During these prolific years in the studio, Harrison developed greatly as a guitarist, exploring new guitars, effects and playing techniques. He started out mainly using Gretsch and Rickenbacker guitars in the early Beatles days before switching to Fender instruments in 1965. His guitar evolution can be heard across albums like Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver and Abbey Road. By the end of the 1960s, Harrison was highly accomplished and innovative on the guitar, leaving an indelible mark on rock music forever.
And Your Bird Can Sing
And Your Bird Can Sing is a John Lennon-penned song that appeared on the Beatles’ landmark 1966 album Revolver. Credited to Lennon-McCartney, the track features driving guitar riffs and a twin guitar melody line that was likely crafted by Harrison and McCartney together in the studio. The upbeat, jangly sound of the song exemplified the Beatles’ transition toward more psychedelic and electric guitar-based material.
Lyrically, the song appears to mock materialism and praise spirituality and inner enlightenment. Typical of Lennon’s lyrical style, it features tongue-in-cheek phrases like “you say you’ve seen seven wonders” and ironic lines such as “you think you know me but you haven’t got a clue.” This abstract, humorous approach was innovative and set the Beatles apart from other popular music of the era.
Sonically, And Your Bird Can Sing showcases Harrison’s guitar abilities with its intricate riffs and countermelodies. His bright, cutting tone drives the track as he adeptly shifts between lead lines and rhythmic accompaniment. The guitar interplay between Harrison and McCartney creates constant motion and interest throughout the song. Harrison’s technical finesse and developing psychedelic style are on full display.
Harrison’s 1964 Rosewood Telecaster
For recording And Your Bird Can Sing in April 1966, Harrison used his 1964 Rosewood Telecaster, a gift from the Fender company in 1965. Fender gave both Harrison and bandmate John Lennon new Telecasters around this time, marking the start of a shift toward Fender guitars for The Beatles.
Harrison’s Rosewood Telecaster had a solid rosewood neck rather than the traditional maple, giving it a warmer, darker tone. It soon became one of his main guitars and can be seen during the Beatles’ final concert in San Francisco in August 1966. Harrison also used it to record other Revolver tracks like I’m Only Sleeping and Doctor Robert, as well as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour in 1967.
Specifications
Here are the specifications for Harrison’s 1964 Rosewood Telecaster:
- Model: 1964 Rosewood Telecaster
- Manufacturer: Fender
- Woods: Alder Body with Rosewood Neck
- Pickups: Two Single-Coil Telecaster pickups
- Controls: One Volume and One Tone knob
- Hardware: ChromeTuning Keys, Bridge with Individual Saddles
- Special Features: Rosewood Fingerboard and Unique Dot Inlays
The rosewood neck gave the guitar a smooth feel and enhanced sustain. The Telecaster pickups and hardware delivered Harrison’s signature biting tone, heard on And Your Bird Can Sing and other mid-60s Beatles tracks.
Harrison’s Guitar Collection
Throughout his career, George Harrison played a wide variety of different guitars across various brands and models:
| Guitar Brand | Models Used |
|---|---|
| Gretsch | Duo Jet, Tennessean, Country Gentleman |
| Rickenbacker | 425, 360/12 (12-string) |
| Fender | Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Rosewood Telecaster |
| Gibson | J-160E, SG |
His first decent guitar was a Gretsch Duo-Jet, which he bought second-hand in 1961. By late 1962, he had acquired his iconic Rickenbacker 360/12 12-string guitar, which defined his jangly rhythm guitar sound in the early Beatles hits. After receiving the Telecasters from Fender in 1965, Harrison switched primarily to Fender models like the Stratocaster and Jaguar. The Rosewood Telecaster became a staple during 1966-1968 before being retired after the band’s trip to India.
Other Notable Guitars
In addition to the Rosewood Telecaster, here are some other iconic George Harrison guitars from his Beatles years:
1962 Gretsch Country Gentleman
This hollow-body Gretsch was Harrison’s main guitar during the Beatles early live shows and early recordings in 1963. It can be seen in the band’s debut TV appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. Harrison used it to record classic songs like She Loves You, Can’t Buy Me Love and A Hard Day’s Night.
1963 Rickenbacker 360/12
With its distinctive jangly sound, Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker 360 provided the signature guitar tone in hits like A Hard Day’s Night, Ticket to Ride and Help! Its ringing chords embellished tracks like These Days and I’ll Follow the Sun. Harrison’s use of the 12-string influenced bands like The Byrds.
1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Nicknamed “Lucy,” Harrison’s Les Paul was his preferred guitar during the Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour era of 1967 – 1968. Heard on tracks like Good Morning Good Morning, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Long, Long, Long. Harrison refitted it with a Bigsby tremolo arm and had it repainted in 1967.
1961 Fender Stratocaster “Rocky”
Known as “Rocky,” this Strat became Harrison’s workhorse guitar from 1968 – 1970 after his trip to India. Used extensively on The Beatles (“The White Album”) and Abbey Road. Its bright tone and smooth tremolo arm lent itself well to Harrison’s late-Beatles lead playing.
Legacy
George Harrison’s guitar work was a key element throughout the Beatles’ astonishing career. His technical skill and versatility with different guitars, amps and effects gave the band an array of sounds to draw from in the studio. From punchy riffs to jangly textures to psychedelic ambience, Harrison’s playing complemented the Beatles’ songwriting and helped forge their innovative sound.
Harrison embraced the role of team player within the Beatles, but would also emerge as an accomplished soloist and songwriter in his own right. Tracks like And Your Bird Can Sing and While My Guitar Gently Weeps showcased his burgeoning talent and foreshadowed his highly successful solo career after the band’s breakup. Along with mentors like Chet Atkins and rock contemporaries like Jimi Hendrix, Harrison brought rock guitar to new levels of artistry and inspiration.
The 1964 Rosewood Telecaster heard on And Your Bird Can Sing captured an important point in Harrison’s evolution. His guitar playing matured greatly during the mid 1960s, with his new Fender instruments and increasingly psychedelic style. The Tele expanded his signature tone palette and helped cement his status as one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
Conclusion
George Harrison’s guitar playing was integral to the Beatles’ legendary catalog of music and his choice of instrument varied song by song in the studio. For the Revolver track And Your Bird Can Sing, he played his 1964 Rosewood Fender Telecaster – a gift from Fender that soon became a staple during the mid-1960s. The rosewood neck gave it a smooth, warm tone that perfectly suited the track’s bright, jangly riffs and dual guitar lines. Along with other iconic guitars like his Rickenbacker 360 and Gibson Les Paul, the Rosewood Tele captured an important period in Harrison’s development as an innovative rock guitarist and helped cement his enormous influence.
