Fender Precision Bass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Precision Bass | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Fender |
| Period | 1951 — present |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on |
| Woods | |
| Body | Alder, Ash, sometimes poplar |
| Neck joint | Maple |
| Fretboard | Maple, rosewood |
| Hardware | |
| Fretboard | Fixed |
| Pickup(s) | One single-coil (1951 — 1957); One split pickup, pieces connected in humbucking mode (1957 — present); One split "P" pickup and one eight-pole "J" pickup (2 magnets per string) connected in humbucking mode (some later models); One split pickup and one humbucker (some later models). |
| Colors available | |
| (Standard Series, as of 2007) Black, Brown Sunburst, Midnight Wine, Arctic White, Chrome Red, Electron Blue | |
The Fender Precision Bass, known as "P-bass" for short, is the first model of the electric bass designed by Clarence Leonidas Fender and brought to market in 1951.
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[edit] Background
Although the Precision Bass was first presented some 15 years after the original solid body, fretted, guitar-style electric bass produced by the Audiovox Manufacturing Company in Seattle, Washington, the Precision Bass enjoys the status of being the first mass-produced and commercially successful electric bass. In its stock configuration, it is a solid body instrument equipped with one split-coil electric pickup. The Precision Bass is the most popular electric bass of all time[citation needed], and is still being manufactured today. The Standard model P-Bass is sanded, painted and assembled in Ensenada, Mexico along with the other Standard Series guitars. The American Standard series is manufactured in Corona, California. Similar to Jimi Hendrix's effect on the popularity of the Stratocaster, the early adoption of the electric bass was in part due to Bill Black's ownership. Double bassist on the first Elvis Presley recordings, Black was beginning to use a Precision Bass during the filming of Jailhouse Rock. Fender also delivered an early Precision to noted LA session bassist and arranger Shifty Henry.
The double bass (also called bass viol, contrabass, or upright bass) is difficult to play in tune, is physically cumbersome and difficult to transport. It was becoming hard to hear in increasingly large bands or in bands that included amplified electric guitars. With electric pickups, a small body and fretted neck, the Precision Bass overcame these problems.
The electric bass produces a timbre that differs from that of the double bass: it is a more focused, harder-edged sound, with less percussive thump and a more clearly articulated fundamental tone. By bringing the sound of the bass up in a band, the bass became more dominant in its role and transformed the beat and rhythm of pop music. James Jamerson, the legendary Motown bassist, is an excellent example; the Motown sound would not have been possible without the electric bass. Overall, the electric bass has allowed driving rhythms while still outlining harmonic structures and is essential to the evolution from jump blues and swing to rhythm and blues and rock music.
[edit] Design updates
In 1954, the body design was changed from one similar to the Telecaster to more resemble that of the Stratocaster guitar, with the edges contoured for comfort. In 1957, the pickup design was changed, with a 'split pickup' or 'staggered' design being used. This design actually connected the pickups in a humbucking mode; however, Fender never emphasized this, as the Seth Lover patent on the humbucker had not yet expired. In the same year, the headstock and pickguard were redesigned. The original design, with a few updates, was reintroduced in 1968 as the Telecaster Bass.
The Precision Bass has long been a favourite of rock bassists because of its fat, punchy, driving sound, especially when combined with roundwound strings and an aggressive pick-style playing technique (where the player uses a pick to pluck the strings rather than his fingers).
Many variants and special-edition Precision Basses have been offered in recent years. Fender currently offers a 5-string version, tuned BEADG, but also offered a version tuned EADGC called the Bass V in the 1960s. It did not achieve good sales, so it was dropped and Fender did not offer another 5 string until the 1980s when 5 strings came into fashion to accommodate its enhanced role as a melodic and rhythmic instrument.
Fender have also produced several 'Deluxe' or 'Special' models over the years which feature active electronics and/or a Jazz Bass pickup or humbucker at the bridge position in addition to the normal split-coil pickup. Both of these measures are designed to increase the tonal options available to a fairly simple bass.
The Fender Precision Bass is also a favourite for customizing. A popular add-on is the Leo Quan BadAss II Bridge.
[edit] Available in other styles
1. '59 Vintage model 3-color sunburst in "full dress" with metal pickup and bridge covers and finger rest.
2. "Tony Franklin" signature model fretless version with tobacco sunburst and white fleck tortoise shell pickguard and features the regular "P" split pickup with a "J" pickup in the bridge position.
3. 5-string enhanced maple grain with aged cherry sunburst with one split pickup and a humbucker pickup in the bridge position.
4. Classic '62 model with 3-color sunburst and tortoise shell pickguard in full dress.
5. American Deluxe 5-string with split-coil and humbucking pickups in tobacco sunburst.
