Beatrice Lang
The first electric bass guitar was invented by Paul Tutmarc in the 1930s. Tutmarc, a musician and inventor from Seattle, Washington, is credited with creating the first electric bass guitar in its modern form. The instrument, known as the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle, was first marketed in 1936 and retailed for $65. It was a fretted four-string instrument played horizontally like a guitar, making it accessible to non-bassists. However, Tutmarc's invention did not gain widespread popularity at the time, and it would be another 15 years before Leo Fender's Precision Bass brought the electric bass to the masses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | Between 1933 and 1936 |
| Inventor | Paul Tutmarc |
| Name of the first electric bass | Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle |
| Price | $65 |
| Amplifier price | $75 |
| Number of frets | 16 |
| Length | 42 inches |
| Scale length | 30 inches |
| First mass-produced electric bass | Precision Bass or P-Bass |
| Year of first mass-produced electric bass | 1951 |
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What You'll Learn
- Paul Tutmarc invented the first electric bass guitar
- The Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle was released in 1936
- The Fender Precision Bass was the first mass-market electric bass
- Electric bass guitars were inspired by the need for less bulk and more amplification
- Electric bass guitars became widely popular in the 1950s
Paul Tutmarc invented the first electric bass guitar
Paul Tutmarc is widely regarded as the inventor of the first electric bass guitar in the form we recognise today. Tutmarc was a musician, instructor, and inventor from Seattle, Washington. He saw the need for an instrument with less bulk and more amplification than the upright bass, which was hard to transport between gigs.
Tutmarc's first attempt at creating an electric bass instrument was a cello-sized solid-body bass referred to as an "electric bull-fiddle". This was released in 1935 and, although it was a far cry from an electric bass guitar, it proved that solid-body electric bass instruments were becoming a reality.
Tutmarc's next invention was the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle, often cited as the first solid-body electric bass guitar ever made. Released to market in 1936, the 736 could be played horizontally like a guitar and had frets for maximum note precision. Its solid body was carved from black walnut, and it featured a neck-through design and an ebony fingerboard. Tutmarc also designed an amplifier to accompany the instrument: the Audiovox 936.
Although Tutmarc's electric bass guitar was a radical design breakthrough, it did not receive widespread commercial success. The instrument was ahead of its time, and Tutmarc failed to focus on promoting his inventions. As a result, his contributions to the development of the electric bass guitar were largely forgotten, and other inventors like Leo Fender received credit for "inventing" the electric bass. However, Fender's Precision Bass, launched in 1951, was the first to be widely distributed and brought the instrument to the masses.
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The Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle was released in 1936
The Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle, also known as the world's first electric bass guitar, was released in 1936. It was invented by musician, musical instrument inventor, and "basement tinkerer" Paul Tutmarc. Tutmarc, a former vaudeville performer and teacher of the lap steel guitar and ukulele, developed a number of electrically amplified stringed instruments, including the double bass, bass guitar, and lap steel guitar.
Tutmarc's Audiovox Manufacturing Company began marketing the 736 Electronic Bass in 1937. The bass featured an electromagnetic pickup, which Tutmarc and his friend Arthur J. Stimson began devising in the early 1930s. The 736 was sold for $65, and the matching model #936 amp was an additional $75. The bass was played horizontally like a guitar and had frets for maximum note precision, making it accessible to non-bassists. Its solid body was carved from black walnut, and it had a neck-through design and an ebony fingerboard. Its total length was 42 inches, with a scale length of around 30 inches and 16 frets on the fingerboard.
Tutmarc's invention was a significant milestone in the evolution of the electric bass guitar. However, it did not gain widespread commercial success, and the Audiovox company folded around 1950. Despite this, the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle pioneered the future of modern bass configuration and inspired subsequent innovations in electric bass design.
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The Fender Precision Bass was the first mass-market electric bass
The first mass-market electric bass guitar was the Fender Precision Bass, also known as the P-Bass. It was introduced by Leo Fender in 1951, and its prototype was designed in 1950. The Precision Bass was the first electric bass guitar to gain widespread attention and use, and it remains one of the best-selling and most-imitated electric bass guitars, significantly influencing popular music.
The Fender Precision Bass was a four-stringed, solid-body instrument, usually equipped with a single split-coil humbucking pickup and a 20-fret maple neck with a rosewood or maple fingerboard. It was named the "Precision" bass due to the precise intonation enabled by its fretted neck. This feature, along with its smaller size, made it easier for musicians who played the guitar to transition to the bass.
The development of the Fender Precision Bass was influenced by earlier innovations in electric bass guitars. In the 1930s, Paul Tutmarc created the first solid-body electric bass instrument, known as the "electric bull-fiddle." This was followed by the release of the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle in 1936, which is now recognised as the first solid-body electric bass guitar in a form we associate with today. However, these early inventions did not gain widespread popularity, and it would be over a decade before Leo Fender's Precision Bass brought the electric bass to the masses.
The Fender Precision Bass became widely adopted in the 1950s, with its popularity exploding after it was used by popular music groups like Lionel Hampton's band. The bass's fretted neck allowed for precise intonation, and its smaller size made transportation easier compared to the bulkier upright basses. The sound of the Precision Bass was also well-suited to emerging music genres such as soul and rock & roll, which sought to differentiate themselves from older styles.
The success of the Fender Precision Bass led to the creation of various models and specialty versions, solidifying its place as a fundamental instrument in music. Its influence extended across different genres, with notable users including Queen's John Deacon, Iron Maiden's Steve Harris, and session musician Carol Kaye. The Precision Bass's impact on music was such that it not only revolutionised bass playing but also contributed to the evolution of popular music as a whole.
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Electric bass guitars were inspired by the need for less bulk and more amplification
The first electric bass guitar was created to address the need for a less bulky instrument with better amplification. The large size of the upright bass or "doghouse bass" made transportation a challenge for musicians, often requiring them to travel separately from the rest of the band. Additionally, early amplifiers struggled to produce adequate sound quality at high volumes for low-frequency instruments like the bass.
Paul Tutmarc, a musician, inventor, and pioneer in electric pickup design from Seattle, Washington, recognised these challenges and set out to create a more compact and amplifiable instrument. In 1935, Tutmarc released a cello-sized solid-body bass instrument called the "electric bull-fiddle," which was a significant step towards the electric bass guitar.
However, it was Tutmarc's Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle, released in 1936, that is widely regarded as the first solid-body electric bass guitar. This instrument could be played horizontally like a guitar, had frets for note precision, and was more portable than the upright bass. Tutmarc also designed an accompanying amplifier, the Audiovox 936, specifically for the 736. Despite being a groundbreaking invention, the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle did not gain widespread popularity at the time, and Tutmarc's contribution to the history of musical instruments was largely forgotten.
It wasn't until the 1950s that the electric bass guitar truly took off, with Leo Fender's Precision Bass (also known as the P-Bass) becoming the first mass-produced electric bass guitar in 1951. The Fender Precision Bass, with its simple "slab" body design and bolt-on neck, was much more portable than the double bass and had better amplification. It quickly gained popularity, especially among younger musicians seeking to differentiate their sound from older generations. The success of the Fender Precision Bass inspired other inventors to create their own versions, leading to further innovations in bass guitar design and solidifying the instrument's place in modern music.
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Electric bass guitars became widely popular in the 1950s
The first electric bass guitar was invented in 1936 by Paul Tutmarc, a musician, inventor, and tinkerer from Seattle, Washington. Tutmarc's creation, known as the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle, was the first of its kind, played horizontally like a guitar with frets for maximum note precision. However, it failed to gain widespread traction due to limitations in amplifier technology and the prevailing musical tastes of the time.
It wasn't until the 1950s that electric bass guitars became widely popular. This decade witnessed a cultural revolution, with younger generations eager to embrace new forms of music that diverged from their parents' preferences. The electric bass, with its modern and innovative sound, perfectly aligned with this desire for musical exploration and differentiation.
The electric bass guitar's popularity was further propelled by its ability to cut through the increasing volume of horns, acoustic instruments, drum sets, and electric guitars that characterised the evolving musical landscape. The bulkiness of upright basses also made transportation a challenge, making the more compact electric bass a more practical choice for musicians on the move.
During the 1950s, Leo Fender played a pivotal role in the mass adoption of the electric bass guitar. In 1951, Fender and his partner, George Fullerton, launched the Precision Bass (P-Bass), the first mass-produced electric bass guitar. This instrument, with its simple "slab" body design and single-coil pickup, quickly gained traction among musicians, including popular acts such as Lionel Hampton's band.
The success of the P-Bass inspired other inventors to create their own versions of the electric bass guitar, leading to a wave of new models. Companies like Gibson, Kay Musical Instrument Company, and Höfner entered the market, offering alternatives such as the EB-1, K162, and the distinctive viola-shaped Höfner 500/1. These innovations not only fuelled competition but also contributed to the growing popularity of the electric bass guitar.
By the 1950s, the electric bass had firmly established its place in modern genres, forever changing the way bands played and sounding a new era in musical history.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric bass guitar was made in 1936 by Paul Tutmarc. It was called the Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle.
The Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle was smaller than the double bass, making it easier to transport. It was played vertically, like a double bass, but had a short-scale neck. It was also the first bass to be played horizontally, like a guitar.
Paul Tutmarc was a musician and inventor from Seattle, Washington. He wanted to create an instrument that was less bulky and had more amplification than the double bass.
The Audiovox 736 Bass Fiddle was a radical design breakthrough, but it did not gain much attention at the time. It would be 15 years until Leo Fender created the first mass-produced electric bass guitar, the Precision Bass, in 1951.
