True to its name, the upright bass is a bass instrument that’s meant to be played upright and not held like a guitar. It’s a physically demanding instrument to play, so in order to play them accurately, one needs to have a solid grasp on the instrument’s tuning. Thankfully, there are a lot of cheap options out there, so if you’re just beginning to learn, you can test the waters without spending a ton of money. Finding the best electric upright bass for you can be a bit of a challenge, so we decided to do the research for you.
Read on for our list of the best electric upright basses.
Our Editor’s Best Electric Upright Basses Reviews
- INSTRUMENT TYPE: 3/4 Size Electric Upright Double Bass
- CONSTRUCTION: Top and neck are made from solid maple. Bridge is made from ebonized hardwood. Net is black plastic.
- MACHINE HEADS: P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads.
- ELECTRONICS: Volume and bass control, low battery indicator, 3.5mm (1/8") stereo mini jack input for CD or MP3 player, 3.5mm (1/8") mini jack output for headphones and 6.35mm (1/4") jack output.
- GIGBAG: Included
- 5-string Solidbody Electric Upright Bass with Maple Wing Body
- Active Piezo Electronics - Mahogany Oil Burst
- Jatoba Fingerboard
- Maple/Walnut Neck
- Semi-solidbody Electric Upright Bass with Chambered Spruce/Mahogany Body
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Onboard Electronics
- Maple Neck
- The NS Design NXT double bass tripod stand was designed exclusively for the NXT double bass
- Electric Upright Bass with Spruce/Mahogany Body
- Dual Piezo Pickup System - Brown
- Ebony Fingerboard
- Maple Neck
- Warm, Deep Tone: Wound using a flattened black nylon polished to an ultra-smooth finish for a warm, deep tone, these long-lasting, well-balanced strings are expertly engineered to provide optimal tension
- Versatile Vintage Tone: Tapewounds are designed to deliver a vintage tone ranging from the thump of an upright bass to the focused depth of traditional flat wound string; Can be used on fretted or fretless basses
- Strings for Every Style: From jazz to metal to rock, bluegrass, blues, folk and more, we make great sounding strings for every genre and level from beginner to pro, including strings for bass, acoustic, classical, and 12-string
- Sound Better, Play Better: Shop our whole collection of guitar accessories including string winders, picks, straps, capos, tuners, cables, gear bags and cases, plus strings for banjo, mandolin, ukelele and more
- Made in the USA: As the world’s largest and most respected maker of musical accessories, D’Addario strings are made to exacting specifications at our cutting edge New York production facility
- High-Quality Material: This guitar stand is made of high-quality, durable steel with a sleek grey finish. It features 2 arms with non-slip soft EVA foam and rubber pads on the foot end to firmly protect your instrument from scratches, slips, or falls
- Foldable Design: The stand has a foldable design that requires no assembly, making it easy to use and store anywhere
- Convenient to Use: When folded, the stand is relatively small, so you can take it with you to gigs, parties, rehearsals, or trips without worrying about space or weight. Additionally, it provides good protection even during transport, as any contact with the guitar is covered with high-quality cotton pads to prevent scratches or abrasions
- Multifunctional Design: The A-frame design is versatile and can hold not only guitars but also basses, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, or other similar musical instruments of different sizes and shapes
- Great Value for Money: EASTROCK is a trusted brand with years of experience in the music industry. Their guitar stand features a sturdy and stable construction that supports the weight of your instrument while keeping it upright and ready to play at all times. You get a premium quality guitar stand that looks great, feels solid, and performs flawlessly, making it a great value for money purchase
- Ns polar pickup system provides beautifully rich and balanced tone
- NXT Active output circuitry ensures compatibility with any amplifier or sound system with full fidelity
- Crafted to exacting standards in the Czech Republic and Includes boomerang strap and padded Gig Bag
- Accepts conventional 3/4 size bass strings as well as NS electric Bass Strings
- Available support options include NXT or CR tripod stand or NS frame strap system for full freedom and mobility while standing
- Gertz, Bruce (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 180 Pages - 08/21/2015 (Publication Date) - Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (Publisher)
- Gately, Earl (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages - 02/22/1979 (Publication Date) - Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (Publisher)
Best Electric Upright Basses Buying Guide
Before choosing the best electric upright bass you should consider following options:
1. Body Size: Electric upright basses are available in three body sizes: short, medium, and long. The length of the body determines the tonal quality of the bass. Longer body size produces a deeper sound.
Short body basses are preferred by players who want a lighter and easy to carry bass. This type of bass is also good for traveling purposes.
The medium body is suitable for all purposes. The short and long body types are also called grand and full body, respectively.
2. Electric or Acoustic: You can buy an electric or acoustic upright bass. Acoustic upright basses are generally cheaper.
They are preferred by jazz players. You can amplify acoustic basses with a pickup and a bass amp. Electric upright basses are more versatile.
You can amplify them with an electro-acoustic pickup, an amplifier, and effects pedals. Electric basses produce a louder and deeper sound.
3. Tonewood: Tonewood refers to the type of wood used in making the body, neck, and the ribs of an upright bass. The woods used in making an upright bass include maple, rosewood, and walnut.
Maple is the most commonly used wood for an electric upright bass. Rosewood and walnut are used for acoustic upright basses.
4. Pickups: Electric upright basses have a magnetic pickup that can be attached to an amplifier. The pickups are available in active and passive types.
Active pickups are more expensive and produce a louder sound. They also require less amplification.
Passive pickups are less expensive and produce a softer sound. They require more amplification.
5. Electronics: Not all electric upright basses come with pickups. If your bass doesn’t come with a pickup, you can purchase one separately.
Your electric upright bass can have more than one pickup. You can also have a bass tuner, amplifier, and effects pedals.
6. Controls: Your bass can have additional controls for adjusting tones and volume. Controls include bass and treble knobs, pickup selection switches, and a master volume knob.
Additional controls help a player to adjust the tone and volume while playing.
7. Finishing: Electric upright basses are available in different finishes. The finishes include high gloss, satin, vintage, and black.
Finishes are important because they improve the aesthetics of your bass and make it easier to hold.
Some pickups are also available in different colors. The color of your pickup can match the color of your bass, making it easy to see while playing.
8. Cost: Electric upright basses are available in different price ranges. You can find affordable basses with all the essential features.
Higher end models have advanced electronics and pickups that produce louder and deeper tones.
What else you should know about electric upright basses
1. What are the best electric upright basses for beginners?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different beginners may have different preferences. However, some good electric upright basses for beginners include the Ibanez BTB405, the Yamaha TRBX505, and the Fender American Standard Jazz Bass. These basses offer a good mix of features, quality, and value, and should be able to satisfy most beginner bassists.
2. What are the best electric upright basses for intermediate players?
Some of the best electric upright basses for intermediate players include the Fender Precision Bass, the Ibanez BTB405, and the Yamaha TRBX505.
3. What are the best electric upright basses for advanced players?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific preferences of the player. However, some of the best electric upright basses for advanced players include the Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass, the Music Man Bongo Bass, and the Ibanez BTB775.
4. What are the best electric upright basses for professional musicians?
Some of the best electric upright basses for professional musicians include the NS Design Omni Bass, the NS Design CR Series, and the NS Design Basses.
5. What are the best electric upright basses for all levels of players?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different players have different preferences. However, some of the most popular electric upright basses include the NS Design CR series, the Yamaha SLB series, and the Ibanez BTB series. These basses are all versatile and offer a wide range of features, making them suitable for players of all levels.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best electric upright basses. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best electric upright basses will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.