Electric upright bass

The electric upright bass (EUB) is an instrument that can do the same musical job as a double bass. Instead of needing a big body to make sound travel through the air, it uses a special part called a pickup and an electronic amplifier and speaker cabinet to make music loud enough for everyone to hear. Because of this, the EUB is much smaller and lighter than a regular double bass.

Even though it is smaller, the EUB keeps enough of the double bass’s shape so that players who know how to play a double bass can easily switch to playing the EUB. This makes it a great choice for musicians who want a more portable instrument but still want to play the same kind of music. The EUB is always connected to an amplifier and speaker to create the full, rich sound that listeners enjoy.

Types

There are two main types of electric upright basses (EUBs): solid-body and hollowbody. Solid-body EUBs do not have a hollow part, so they need an amplifier to make sound for practice and performances. Hollowbody EUBs have a small wooden box that can produce some sound on its own, especially in a small room, but they are also usually connected to an amplifier for performances.

Even though EUBs are related to double basses, they have their own special sound because they use electronic amplification. The size and shape of EUB bodies can vary. Some are very small, making the instrument lighter and easier to carry, while others have larger bodies to help players perform high notes better.

Electronics

Some electric upright basses have built-in parts that pick up the sound and knobs to control the volume, much like the pickups and knobs on an electric bass, also called the bass guitar. Other electric upright basses come without these parts, so the player needs to buy a special piezoelectric (or magnetic) pickup and attach it to the body or bridge of the instrument.

Playing

Electric upright basses may have a long endpin to hold the instrument at the right height, but some can also be placed on a stand for playing. Like the double bass, an electric upright bass can be played either while standing up or sitting on a stool.

Usage

Electric upright basses, often called EUBs, are played in many types of music, such as jazz fusion, jazz, Cuban music, and rock music. Most EUBs have four strings, tuned the same as a double bass or bass guitar. But you can also find EUBs with five, six, seven, or even eight strings, though these are less common. Like the double bass, an EUB can be played by plucking the strings or using a bow. To use a bow, the EUB needs a special curved bridge so the bow can reach every string.

History

The first electric upright basses were made in the mid-1930s by Regal, Vega, and Rickenbacker. But back then, the technology wasn’t good enough to make the deep sounds of a regular double bass. This might be why people didn’t get very excited about these early instruments or Paul Tutmarc’s bass guitar-style instruments from the same time.

As technology got better over the years, electric upright basses became popular in many kinds of music. Because they are easier to carry than regular string basses, they are used more often than other electronic string instruments like the electric violin, viola, and cello.

Description

The scale length of electric upright basses (EUBs) can vary. Some have scales of 42 inches, similar to most double basses, while others have shorter scales of 30 inches, like a short scale bass guitar. This shorter scale can make it easier for bass guitar players to switch to the EUB. Some scales fall between these two, for example 34 inches, like a long scale bass guitar. The fingerboard covers two octaves and usually has side dots to help the player. No matter the scale length, the strings are usually tuned to E1, A1, D2, G2, just like a double bass or bass guitar.

Double bass players use parts of their instrument, like the neck heel, to help them know where their hands should be. Many EUBs copy these features. They often have a raised spot about one-third down from the nut to the bridge, which helps the player know where to place their hand. Many EUBs also have wooden or metal bars to brace the instrument against the player's body, similar to how a double bass rests. Some EUBs, like the Yamaha 'silent bass', even have a removable frame to help players use double bass techniques easily. Most EUBs do not have frets, but a few do, to make them easier for electric bass players. Some fretless EUBs have small fret markings to help with higher notes.

Solid-bodied EUBs need electronic amplification to produce sound, while hollow-bodied EUBs can make a quiet tone good enough for practice. But even hollow-bodied EUBs need an amplifier to play the lowest notes well. To make the EUB louder, a pickup senses the string vibrations. Early EUBs used magnetic pickups, like those in electric guitars. Many modern EUBs use piezoelectric pickups placed in the bridge or a mix of both types. The signal from the pickup is made stronger and adjusted with a preamplifier before going to a bass amplifier or a PA system. For quiet practice, an EUB can be connected to headphones.

Some EUBs have a small hollow chamber inside, which changes the tone a little. Condenser microphones can also be used to amplify EUBs with hollow bodies, often together with other pickups.

When playing with a bow, EUB players need the right pickup, microphone, and preamplifier to avoid a scratchy sound. Some performers use a condenser microphone for bowing parts to get a more natural sound. Most bass pickups are made for plucked sounds, not bowed ones. Some makers create piezoelectric pickups that can better copy the bowed sound. Preamplifiers and equalizers for acoustic instruments can also help make the sound smoother by reducing high or scratchy frequencies. An external parametric equalizer can also be used to remove unwanted sounds.

Types

There are many kinds of electric upright basses you can find. Some of these basses can't be played with a bow because of their shape, so they are only used for plucking the strings. Others have a curved part that lets you use a bow. Most of these basses have four strings, but you can also find ones with five, six, seven, or even eight strings. They come in different styles, like solid bodies, hollow bodies, and ones with a special top design. The hollow and special top styles sound richer, but they can sometimes make loud noises if played very loudly. Solid body basses work best for loud music, like in jam bands or metal fusion groups.

Playing techniques

The electric upright bass (EUB) is played much like a double bass. You can pluck the strings with your fingers, a style called pizzicato. Some EUBs can also be bowed if they have the right fingerboard and bridge shape. Some models come with stands, so you don’t have to hold the instrument with your legs. Others can be worn with guitar straps.

You can play the EUB while standing or sitting on a high stool. The best height is when your finger is level with your eye to avoid neck strain. Plucking is usually done with the sides of your index and middle fingers, and the thumb rests beside the fingerboard. The left hand presses the strings to change notes.

In higher positions on the fingerboard, you might use your whole hand and thumb instead of just your index finger. These are called "thumb positions." For shorter EUBs, you can use bass guitar finger styles, but longer models usually need the double bass finger style.

Genres and performers

The Ampeg 'baby bass' has been popular in Cuban music since the 1960s, used by performers like Cachao Lopez and Andy Gonzalez. Sting played a Dutch-made instrument called 'Van Zalinge' on some of his recordings. Eberhard Weber used an electric upright bass on his 1975 album Yellow Fields, creating unique sounds by combining different musical styles.

In modern music, many artists use the electric upright bass. Les Claypool and Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam regularly use it. In heavy metal, bassists like Felipe Andreoli of Angra also play this instrument. Tony Levin uses an NS Design electric upright bass, sometimes plucking the strings and sometimes using a bow. Jazz musician Brian Torff adds percussive effects to his playing. Rob Wasserman used a six-string electric upright bass in various rock settings.

During a 2008 tour, Queen + Paul Rodgers featured an electric upright bass in their performance of "'39". In 2019, Scott Pingel of the San Francisco Symphony played a famous solo piece originally by Cliff Burton on an electric upright bass during a concert with Metallica.