LOWDOWN ON THE LOW END

In 1951, we changed music forever with one of our most crucial inventions: The Precision Bass. Its streamlined body, incredible tone, unparalleled versatility and overall ruggedness were massively appealing to players at the time, who previously only had the acoustic upright bass to work with. As the first-ever electric bass made, the P Bass not only made performing in bands of the era easier, it also opened up worlds of sonic possibilities that were begging to be explored. Artists fell in love with it nearly immediately and that love has only grown over the decades.

To help celebrate the landmark 75th anniversary of this revolutionary instrument, we’ve recruited some of the greatest players from just about every genre imaginable to share their feelings about the P Bass and show off all it can do. Check out the videos below to hear what these incredible bassists have to say about our beloved rhythm section stalwart. 

EPISODE 2 FT. GEEZER BUTLER AND NATE MENDEL

In our second episode, we sit down with two generations of rock ‘n’ roll royalty: Geezer Butler from heavy metal godhead groove masters Black Sabbath and Nate Mendel from the riff-driven alt-rock legends the Foo Fighters.

Both Butler and Mendel came to the P Bass after seeing it in the hands of the bands that inspired them – for Butler, it was Jack Bruce from Cream and for Mendel, it was Sting from the Police. And both players became quick devotees of the instrument. According to Butler, who is also known for his work with GZR, Ozzy Osbourne and Heaven & Hell, “If there weren’t any Fenders, I don’t know what I would play. It’s like an extension of your hand.” And Mendel, who is a former member of Sunny Day Real Estate and Brotherhood, has this to say about the Precision Bass: “It sounds solid right out of the gate. You’ve got a good foundation for whatever you want to try to do.”

We got these two titans together to discuss their careers, trade stories about how their instruments have weathered the glorious chaos of rock ‘n’ roll touring, why being in a band is the best way to develop your bass-playing chops, talk about the riffs they wrote that they’re most proud of and so much more. It’s an amazing tribute to the one that changed it all.

EPISODE 1 FT. LEE SKLAR, FREDDIE WASHINGTON AND BOB GLAUB 

We’re kicking things off with three veteran session musicians who have played on some of the most memorable recordings of all time.

First, we’ve got Leland Sklar, who first made a name for himself in “The Section” – the unofficial house band of Asylum Records – and worked alongside stars like James Taylor, Warren Zevon and Linda Ronstadt. He’s also backed up countless other acts, including the Doors, Phil Collins and Merle Haggard. Like so many, he came to the Precision Bass after struggling with the acoustic upright in bands that had electrified instruments. Then he saw the P Bass being used in groups like the Jimi Hendrix Experience and by bassists like Donald “Duck” Dunn and he knew it was something worth pursuing. “The P Bass really made the lives of bass players change,” he says. “It’s one of those things that just feels right as soon as you pick it up.”

We also check in with Freddie Washington, who, like Sklar, got his start on the upright before picking up the P Bass, realizing everything it could do and – to his telling – never putting it down. He explains, “It inspires me to play the way I play – the way it sounds, the way it feels. I’ve played on a lot of different records and I’ve played lines on records that I wouldn’t probably play that way if it was another bass.” And those lines can be heard on iconic songs by Patrice Rushen, Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and the Eagles, to name only a few.

Finally, Bob Glaub joins us for a conversation with Freddie Washington. Glaub’s résumé goes on for miles and includes collaborations with luminaries like Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Dwight Yoakam. He affectionately refers to his own 1959 P Bass (with strings he hasn’t changed in over 40 years) as “just a good chunk of wood with some wires on it.” Glaub and Washington reflect on how they’ve both been playing and recording music for over 5 decades and how so much has changed, but one thing remains the same: Their loyalty to the P Bass.

Stay tuned for more installments of Lowdown on the Low End. In the meantime, learn more about the Precision Bass and grab one for yourself here.