History of Electric BASS

Beginnings

Jazz upright players were the first to make the switch, from upright to electric bass. Lionel Hampton’s bassist, Monk Montgomery, revolutionized how the Fender Bass would be played throughout the 1950’s. He played electric bass as if it were an upright, playing lines he had mastered from his years of upright experience. His left-hand technique incorporated various upright fingerings. Monk "attacked" the notes with his right hand thumb, playing all downstrokes, an unorthodox approach considering his upright bass background. Monk traveled the world over Lionel Hampton throughout the 1950's, sharing his new instrument with whoever would listen. In the end, Monk Montgomery goes down in electric bass history as being the first notable pioneer of an instrument called the "Fender Bass."