History of the Fender Precision Bass | CME Gear Demo | Marc Najjar

Our resident bass aficionado Marc takes on a phenomenal tour of the creation and evolution of the venerable Fender "P Bass." From the instrument's notable transition years to the latest and greatest standout models, no bass has stood the test of time or affected the trajectory of music—from rock 'n' roll to r&b and more—like this one. Take a listen to some of our favorite models and the songs that inspired us.

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The double bass, as a very large instrument, is often regarded as physically cumbersome and difficult to transport compared with smaller instruments. It was also becoming hard to hear in large bands or those that used amplified instruments, and it requires specialised skills to play that are distinct from those required to play the guitar.

The Precision Bass was designed to overcome these problems. The name "Precision" came from the use of frets to play in tune more easily than upon the fretless fingerboard of the double bass. The electric bass, however, lacks the distinctive acoustic qualities of the double bass, offering a more solid, harder-edged sound with more sustain. The bass guitar became more dominant and transformed the beat and rhythm of pop music from jump blues and swing to rhythm and blues, rock, soul and funk.

Acceptance of the electric bass was initially slow, as upright bassists looked at this new instrument with similar contempt, as guitar players did with its solid-body sibling, the Telecaster. It was vibraphonist/drummer Lionel Hampton's band that was among the first to incorporate the new instrument, with subsequent help by the endorsement of Elvis Presley's bass-player Bill Black, who was beginning to use a Precision Bass during the filming of Jailhouse Rock. It was reputed that Black became so frustrated over his initial inability to get used to playing it, he angrily threw it on the floor. Fender also delivered an early Precision to Los Angeles session bassist and arranger Shifty Henry. Monk Montgomery became the second jazz player to popularize the "Fender Bass"; first, while playing with Lionel Hampton; and then with his brother, guitarist Wes Montgomery. By the end of the 1950's the "P-Bass" was finally gaining acceptance with both rock 'n roll and country bassists, as well as guitarists who would double on the instrument; most notable, was Carol Kaye, a jazz guitarist, who as a bassist, became best-known for her work as part of the consortium of L.A. session musicians, known as The Wrecking Crew.

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Riffs:
"New Year's Day" by U2/Adam Clayton (0:00)
"Message in a Bottle" by the Police/Sting (3:32)
"Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs/Donald "Duck" Dunn (5:50)
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/James Jamerson (6:53)
"London Calling" by the Clash/Paul Simonen (8:28)
"I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops/James Jamerson (9:09)
"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by GC Cameron/Boyz II Men (10:29)

Gear Used:
Fender 1953 Precision Bass
Fender 1957 Precision Bass
Fender 1958 Precision Bass
Fender 1960 Precision Bass
Fender 1976 Precision Bass
Fender 1983 Precision Bass (’62 Reissue)
Fender American Standard Precision Bass
Fender American Professional Series Precision Bass
Ampeg B-15N Fliptop 1969 w/ Changed Transformer

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[chicagomusicexchange]

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[och]

The 1958 P-Bass with the gold anodized pickguard might be my all-time favorite. So gorgeous.

[hughes]

The Precision is the best bass ever devised. Hell, and It doesn't even need batteries to sound good!!

[andrewthehiphoper]

Great video!
Would love to see Jazz Bass history tour.
If possible — add more information: the active and passive pickups, nut and wood history. I know it's not easy to produce such complex video, but it could be a great literacy company.

[patrickhunter]

I want every one of these basses. Fantastic video as always, guys!

[kraigompls]

You failed to mention that the split P pickup is in series, so it retains a lot of the single coil high end on the strings but really enhances the low end. Brilliant!

[GregStallion]

I love how Adam gets to have his bass-work be featured in the very beginning of this video. Such an underrated bassist.

[coachgb]

All the demos are so stylistically spot on! Bravo, y’all!

[supraphonic]

Hell, I'm a drummer and I found this fascinating. Great work by all involved!

[digitalbrand]

Used to have a ‘54, ‘62 and now I have a few 60’s and 70’s P-Basses. My favorite is the ‘62 through the Ampeg B18. Favorite bassist, yes, James Jamerson!

[sunderjirahim]

I am so happy I bought my Fender American Performer Precision Bass with both the P and J pickups last year. I also bought it’s sister...my Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS. Both in Tri-Colour Sunburst. The bass plays through an early 2000s Fender Bassman 200 and the guitar plays through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe V2.

[ireneruthfox]

Thanks, This is great....As a bass player myself, it took me years to find out what you showed in this 11 min. video.
I'll take the 1957, the 1958, and the 1976 please ?

[AnimusInvidious]

I have an epiphone p-bass from the 90s and i absolutely love it. The tone crushes many much more expensive basses. That thumpy attack.

[DriveCarToBar]

Although if you want true to Jamerson tone, when you're playing that '62 reissue from the 80s, you need to rest your hand on the pickup cover and play between the pickup and the heel of the neck. That was primarily Jamerson's neighborhood. And a wad of foam under the bridge cover.

[peterbrooke]

awesome vid so informative the p-bass is so classic

[letsleepingdogslie]

All great bass guitars! Thanks Leo! Thanks Marc! Thanks Chicago music exchange! Goodnight John Boy! Goodnight grandpa!

[jamesrichardson]

I went to Chicago Music Exchange on Clark Street in Chicago, it was a small store . I loved the vintage Fender Precious Bass they had but couldn't afford them at the time, I was a teenager than in the late 80's . Leo Fender RIP, Thank You for the great innovation of basses you brought to the world. You change the world and made a extreme impact on it.

[clintonsummers]

This has been my most played video since it's come out. Absolutely amazing!

[alanshewitt]

Props for using the one-finger method when playing the Jamerson lines. Well done.

[jakelaroche]

Gave me chills when you played the American standard. Beautiful