Fender Precision Bass

 
1956 Fender Precision Bass like Bill's
courtesy Guitar Center

Maple neck

Alder body with a sunburst finish

In August of 1957 Bill Black acquired a Fender Precision Bass, though he's pictured using one in sessions as early as April. According to Sid Lapworth from O.K. Houck's it was shortly after Elvis first moved in to Graceland.  He said he delivered it there to Elvis personally for Bill.  Initially introduced in 1951 by Fender Musical Instruments it was, as Peter Guralnick wrote, "achieving almost instant adoption in all fields but bluegrass, because it was compact, amplified and for the precise fretting it allowed".*  In April and May of 1957, Bill would first use one along with his Kay Maestro for the recording sessions of Jailhouse Rock and also at several live performances.  However, Scotty says "all the people going along on the trips with Elvis' group got to take up so much room that there was no longer room for the big bass, so he began to play an electric".

Bill with Precision Bass and Bassman amp  Los Angeles, CA 1957
Photo by Ernest Reshovsky courtesy MPTV.net

Scotty, Elvis, DJ and Bill with Fender Bass and Bassman amp
in Los Angeles, CA October 28, 1957

Bill (with Fender and Kay basses), Elvis and Scotty
Jailhouse Rock Sessions, Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA May 1957

The 55/56 Fender Precision Bass has a 34" scale length and featured a two tone sunburst finish on a solid Ash or Alder body, 20 fret Maple neck, 1 single coil pickup, Nickel/Chrome plated hardware with a Volume and Tone control.

Bill's PBass in Memphis 2007
Photo courtesy Peter1970

Graceland Archives replica Invoice for Bill's Fender P-bass
courtesy Ken Wilbury

*Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick