The grandaddy of all basses, the Fender Precision Bass (or P Bass), is the bass that started it all. This bass created by Leo Fender changed music history. In fact, even to this day the Fender Precision Bass is one of the most popular bass guitars.
This Precision bass was named so because of the fretted fingerboard which allowed the bass players more fixed and infallible frets. This is drastically different from the double bass players whose usually play it by ear. The most significant contribution of the Precision bass was that it freed the bass player from the constant tuning and allowed them to sing.
The turning point of the Fender Precision was when it was adopted by Bill Black, bass player with Elvis Presley. During the making of Jailhouse Rock he switched from the stand up double bass to the Fender Precision bass. Other bass guitar players followed suit like Paul McCartney who may not have sung while playing the bass if it were still the previous double bass.
Bill Black on double bass.
Bill Black now on the Fender.
