Precision (serial no. 0043)
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Leo Fender introduced the Precision bass (commonly known as the P-bass) in 1951. Named for the precise intonation enabled by its fretted neck, the P-bass was the first commercially successful electric bass guitar and set off a revolution in popular music. Jazz bassists could compete with the high volumes of big bands, and guitarists could double on bass without the struggle of learning a cumbersome fretless instrument. This bass is one of the first five P-basses made by Fender, identifiable by the cracking lacquer on its Bakelite pickguard, and was previously in the collection of the Who’s John Entwistle.
Technical Description:
Ash body, one-piece maple neck with walnut skunk stripe; 34 in. scale; blonde finish; bolt-on neck with black dot inlays; silver “spaghetti” Fender logo decal on headstock; one single-coil pickup with volume and tone controls; composite adjustable bridge with string mutes in “ashtray” cover, clover leaf tuners, and knobs, black Bakelite pickguard with cracking lacquer and finger rest on upper treble bout
Technical Description:
Ash body, one-piece maple neck with walnut skunk stripe; 34 in. scale; blonde finish; bolt-on neck with black dot inlays; silver “spaghetti” Fender logo decal on headstock; one single-coil pickup with volume and tone controls; composite adjustable bridge with string mutes in “ashtray” cover, clover leaf tuners, and knobs, black Bakelite pickguard with cracking lacquer and finger rest on upper treble bout
Artwork Details
- Title: Precision (serial no. 0043)
- Artist: Fender
- Date: 1951
- Medium: Ash, maple, walnut, Bakelite, composite, metal
- Dimensions: Length: 45 3/4 in. (116.2 cm)
Width: 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm)
Depth: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Weight: approx 9-11 lbs. - Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
- Credit Line: Collection of Perry A. Margouleff
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments