| Long scale strings suitable for the 34½ scale Fender Precision bass |
The Fender precision is probably the most famous, most used and potentially the most respected bass guitar design of all time. Although the story of the electric bass guitar goes back at least 20 or 30 years before the advent of the Fender precision, this was the first instrument to gain any commercial sucess, and despite modifications, exists in a very similar form today.
The earliest electric basses were made to appeal to bass players, and guitarists alike; guitarists attempting to play bass often found the scale of an upright bass (42") to large, and imprecise. Not to mention the unweildy nature, and lack of volume. After Leo Fender created the Esquire and Fender Telecaster models in 1950, he moved on to a bass instrument. The precision dealt with all of the forementioned problems. Its scale was just 34", the frets allowed 'precise' pitch (hence the name), and the amplified nature could compete with the electric guitars and bigger drum kits starting to be employed in the music of the time.
Just like the Telecaster guitar, the Precision started as a square sided slab ash body, one piece 20 fret maple neck, and just one single coil pickup. It has a wider neck than the Fender Jazz bass; Fenders two-pickup bass launched in 1960. It did of course change over the years, as shown in the Fender Precision timeline.
Check out the vintage Precision advertisements, catalogue appearances, parts lists/wiring details and bassist and collector Bob Daisley, on his Fender basses.
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