hmm. there's the concept of "importance" missing from that definition. precedence doesn't just concern something happening at any ol' point in the past. it is also deemed important enough to be used in the future as a basis.Precedence: the fact of coming or occurring earlier in time. If there is precedence for something it means it’s happened before. Not that it has to happen every time.
prec·e·dence - /ˈpresədəns,prēˈsēdns/ - noun
the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank.
Definition of set a precedent. : to decide something that will be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future The ruling in the case is likely to set a precedent for how future cases are decided.
i can't just say "oh someone somewhere put a .300 gauge string on their guitar one day , so that's how guitars work."