Electric Upright Bass

Overview

The electric upright bass is a slim, amplified version of the double bass, designed to be played in the same upright position but built with little or no acoustic body. Sound is produced by piezoelectric or magnetic pickups built into the bridge or body and routed to an amplifier. The instrument keeps most of the playing technique of an acoustic double bass while solving its biggest practical problems: weight, size in transit, and feedback at high stage volume.

Origin & History

Electric upright designs began appearing soon after the rise of bass amplification in the mid twentieth century. Early models from companies such as Ampeg in the 1960s used reduced bodies and built-in pickups; later designs by manufacturers including NS Design, Yamaha, and others stripped the body down further to a slender skeleton or “stick” form. Modern instruments span a wide range from near-traditional looks to minimalist frames.

How It’s Played

The electric upright is played standing or on a tall stool, with the same right-hand pizzicato and bowing techniques used on a double bass. Some instruments include shoulder rests and adjustable supports to compensate for the missing body. Plugged into a bass amplifier, it can sustain notes cleanly at volumes that would cause an acoustic upright to feed back, making it a practical choice for jazz, fusion, world music, and pop where amplified upright tone is wanted.

Cultural Significance

The electric upright filled an important gap for travelling and electrified bassists who wanted upright sound and feel without the logistical challenges of a full acoustic instrument. It is now a standard sight in fusion, modern jazz, and pop performances where a stand-up bass aesthetic is desirable.

Related Instruments

• Double bass – the acoustic instrument it is derived from
• Fender Telecaster Bass – an early electric bass guitar relative
• Cigar box guitar – a minimalist string instrument cousin
• Bass saxophone – another low voice in jazz history
• Bass trombone – another low voice in jazz and orchestra

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an electric upright bass the same as a bass guitar?
No. A bass guitar is held horizontally and played like a guitar. An electric upright bass is held vertically and played using essentially the same technique as an acoustic double bass.

Can you bow an electric upright bass?
Yes. Most electric upright basses are designed to be both bowed and plucked, like an acoustic double bass.

Image: photograph by Lesterbllanes, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).