The electric bass guitar emerged in the early 20th century as a practical solution to the limitations of the upright double bass. The idea was conceived in the 1930s by American musician and inventor Paul Tutmarc. Tutmarc’s instrument, known as the Model 736 Bass Fiddle, was produced and sold by Audiovox Manufacturing Company starting in 1935. The Model 736 had a solid body made of black walnut, four strings, a single pickup, and 16 frets along an ebony fingerboard. The inclusion of frets enabled more accurate intonation (accuracy of pitch) for players. The first modern bass, an instrument known as the Precision Bass, or P Bass, was produced in 1951 by what later became Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
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