Musical instruments are more than just object to possess to a musician…they are a part of the family; items to be treasured.

In the early days of The Beatles, a young Paul McCartney bought a 1961 electric Höfner bass that was shaped like a violin.  He paid 30 pounds (around $37) for the instrument.  The left-handed McCartney fell in love with the instrument as soon as he saw it; saying, “because I was left-handed, it looked less daft because it was symmetrical.  I got into that. And once I bought it, I fell in love with it.”

Sir Paul used the bass on the band’s first two albums and while in Hamburg, Germany.  It later disappeared and was assumed stolen.

For the past five years Höfner executive Nick Wass and journalists Naomi and Scott Jones and his wife tracked down the instrument that is estimated to be worth some 10 million pounds ($12.6 million).  Ultimately, it was found in an attic.

Sir Paul received the instrument back in December but it has taken the past two months to authenticate it.

It was announced on Sir Paul’s website that he is “incredibly grateful to all those involved” in finding and returning the instrument.