McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass

The documentary was released in cinemas on April 2 and 4, 2026. It was then broadcast for the first time on BBC2 on April 11, 2026.

From McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass | In Cinemas 2 & 4 April:

For over 50 years the disappearance of McCartney’s original Höfner bass has been one of rock ‘n’ roll’s enduring mysteries. McCartney: The Hunt for the Lost Bass tells the extraordinary story of this iconic instrument, and the fan powered quest to find it.

The journey of McCartney’s beloved Höfner bass – one of the most famous instruments of the 20th century – is a portal to the past. Bought in Hamburg for £30, it was by Paul’s side through the birth of The Beatles and bore witness to their extraordinary rise to fame. When it vanished in the 70s it was thought lost forever.
 

This rock ‘n’ roll detective story features exclusive interviews with McCartney, his brother Mike, Klaus Voormann, Elvis Costello and the roadies, journalists and fans who embarked on a mission to track down and restore the bass to its proper place in music history and to Paul. It’s a story about fandom, creativity, love, loss, memory and the transformative power of music.

Passion Pictures Production in Association with Footprint Media Partnership

Story originated by NAOMI JONES SCOTT JONES

Consultant NICK WASS   Graphics DINNICK & HOWELLS   Composer TIM ATACK   Music Supervisor GARY WELCH

Camera Assistant JACK BROPHY  Director of Photography JOHANN PERRY    Associate Producers NAOMI JONES & SCOTT JONES   Head of Production CHARLOTTE HOWARD-VAN GOOL    Executive Producer for Fremantle CEIRE CLARK

Executive Producers for the BBC SUZY KLEIN MARK BELL    Archive Producers KATE GRIFFITHS MIKE GRIFFITHS

Production Manager MARIANNA PETRILLI    Senior Production Executive TOM CROSS

Executive Producers EMILY JEAL & HAMISH FERGUSSON    Editor PAUL CARLIN    Producer KATHERINE ANSTEY

Directed by ARTHUR CARY 

The Lost Bass documentary.

This is almost completed. It’s been some time in gestation and production, but it’s almost completed. I know it’s been many months but it’ll be worth waiting for I hope.

I’ve seen the first “rough cut” and next week I will see something close to the final cut. For me, it’s looking great, beautifully filmed and put together.

If your expecting an investigative account full of dates and places and technical stuff then it’s not this. No, it’s more about the journey of this bass with Paul. I am happy because that was always my suggestion to the production company.

As far as I know it’ll first be shown on the BBC in March as part of the Arena programme series for their 25 anniversary. After that it’ll go worldwide, but with which streamer is yet to be contracted.

It’s going to be a very beautiful film, superb photography and lovely locations and people.I hope you will sit back with a glass and enjoy when it comes to you.

Nick Wass – From The Last Bass Project – From Instagram, January 15, 2026