Mark Henderson answered
The electric bass guitar was invented by musician and inventor Paul Tutmarc from Seattle, Washington in the 1930s.
Tutmarc invented the bass guitar because it was easier to hold and transport than a double bass, and could also be amplified electronically. Also, it had frets, making it easier to play in tune.
In Tutmarc's instrument company catalogue of 1935, his "Model 736 Bass Fiddle" is featured. This instrument was solid-bodied with a 30 and a half inch scale length. Around 100 of these early electric bass guitars were produced but they were never a commercial success.
In Tutmarc's instrument company catalogue of 1935, his "Model 736 Bass Fiddle" is featured. This instrument was solid-bodied with a 30 and a half inch scale length. Around 100 of these early electric bass guitars were produced but they were never a commercial success.
- Bass guitar is more mobile than a double bass.
- The instrument could be amplified electronically.
- Was fretted, making it easier to play in tune.
Fender P-Bass.
The first mass-produced and successful bass guitar was invented by Leo Fender in the 1950s. Known as the Fender Precision Bass (P-Bass), it was widely adopted and has been the benchmark of bass guitars ever since. The Fender P-Bass revolutionized contemporary music, as the instrument could be easily transported, played in conjunction with an electric guitar and could be amplified without feedback (due to its solid body).
The instrument was subsequently adopted by many professional musicians including Elvis Presley's bass player Bill Black who took up the instrument around 1957. Following the P-Bass's success other guitar manufacturers such as Gibson and Rickenbacker also began to develop bass guitars.
Paul Tutmarc invented the instrument, whereas Leo Fender pioneered it and produced it on a mass scale.
The instrument was subsequently adopted by many professional musicians including Elvis Presley's bass player Bill Black who took up the instrument around 1957. Following the P-Bass's success other guitar manufacturers such as Gibson and Rickenbacker also began to develop bass guitars.
Paul Tutmarc invented the instrument, whereas Leo Fender pioneered it and produced it on a mass scale.
- P-Bass looked stylish.
- Had almost no feedback.
- Very popular amongst professional musicians.
