User:BlueEyedBuzzard/sandbox

Development of the Bass Guitar

Prior to the invention of the bass guitar, the upright, or double bass was the go-to instrument for low-end accompaniment. A member of the viol family, the double bass stands at about 6 ft.(2m) tall making its transport impractical for most.

The first electric bass guitar was first invented in the 1930's by American Inventor Paul Tutmarc. His early versions of the bass guitar featured a shorter scale-length, a single-pickup and were never mass produced. In October of 1951, the Fender company began production of Leo Fender's new Precision Bass (P-Bass) Design. The P-Bass revolutionized life for professional bassists as it made travelling to and from venues much easier than before. With the addition of frets, it also allowed easier transition to the instrument for guitar players. In 1960, Fender began production of the Jazz Bass (J-Bass) Design.