Anyone Play An Electric Upright Bass? School me.

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-11-2019, 07:07 PM

I've always wanted to play a double bass, but I would need a new apartment and new wife if I brought one home! Space is scarce. So, the best I could do is an electric upright bass, EUB. I already play bass guitar, fretted and fretless.

Some EUB's sound like 1980s and 90s bad fretless bass guitars. I'm looking for a double bass sound, but, alas, on a budget. I'd be playing traditional jazz upright bass, endlessly walking :-)

Some have a flat fingerboard, some curved, some five strings, some four, some have fret markers, some none.

Any suggestions?

How about this one? NSXT 5 string Electric Upright Bass | eBay

**D.G.** · 12-11-2019, 07:13 PM

My main bassist often uses an old Ampeg Baby Bass that he got cheap. Maybe ask here as well:

TalkBass.com

**neatomic** · 12-11-2019, 07:26 PM

rob..check out this site..plenty good info about eub's

all the latest..inc strings and accessories

Upright Basses & EUB's, at Gollihur Music - Upright Basses, Pickups, Preamps, Amps, and More

strings, pickups and technique are hugely influential! like with all else! hah

the ned steinberger ns basses are very well regarded..tho many models to choose from..check ^link

cheers

ps- have fooled with the dean pace bass...flat fretboard...not a bad tone..esp with the right strings, but a curved radius fretboard would be an improvement..dean currently offers one with curved (they learned)...plus you can go arco!

Dean Pace Contra - Solid-Body Electric Upright Bass at Gollihur Music - Double Bass, Upright Bass, String Bass Specialists

**unknownguitarplayer** · 12-11-2019, 08:48 PM

I use one of these for most bass gigs, just because it's so easy to transport:

Eminence bass

It's a real acoustic upright, not a "Fender on a stick" like many of the EUBs I've seen. Although not very loud acoustically, it has a very resonant sound when amplified. Players are always skeptical when I walk in with it for the first time, but I've had nothing but compliments (and callbacks) once they hear it. I play a full upright at home, and in a perfect world I'd drag it everywhere, but the Eminence is a pretty good substitute.

**neatomic** · 12-11-2019, 10:12 PM

while i understand the allure of a more traditionally styled eub, if it's not being played acoustically, (where it can never compete with a true acoustic bass regardless)... its design matters less...

the aforementioned ^ ampeg baby bass...was basically made of some kind of molded synthetic foam!!!..it wasn't really the great acoustic inspired bass that ampeg dreamed of, but was effective nevertheless...in 70's nyc it became the preeminent salsa bass!!! used throughout that rather large community with great results...

it's not the design as much as what can be done by the individual player with that design!!

i trust rob to shake some good stuff out of stick and some fishing line! hah

cheers

**cosmic gumbo** · 12-12-2019, 12:50 AM

I play in a big band with a union bassist that plays in the regional symphony. When he uses an electric upright, it a deluxe four string model made by the same brand that you linked to. It sounds great pizzicato or arco.

**Gitterbug** · 12-12-2019, 03:45 AM

My band's bassist is really happy with a Harley Benton EUB500 he bought used. The tone, coming through a G+K MB200 and a TOOB 10B cab (by Yours Truly) is impeccable. Changing the strings made all the difference. The original bridge was bent, and getting a replacement from Thomann took months. A pro multi-instrumentalist has the same instrument with a different sticker - can't remember the brand - and plays it through an EBS Reidmar amp and a TOOB 12B in upright position. He also uses the bow, an acid test for the electric signal chain. An upwards-pointing speaker is really great for upright bass, as the tone spreads hemispherically to all directions. Bandmates appreciate this, and first-row listeners don't suffer. (The same is true, BTW, for jazz guitar. TOOB 12J now comes with extra legs for playing upright - a 10 lbs take on Johnny Smith's Fountain of Tone, which was more or less the size and weight of a pool table.)

The EUB500 appears to be discontinued, but can certainly be found used. Thomann now offers several near-identical EUBs in the sub-600 EUR range. Their bodies are of Paulownia instead of the heavy slab of pine. This wood, which I use in my open-back cabs, is next to hard balsa in terms of weight and hardness. Coarse-thread wood screws do hold, but a dent-resistant surface requires a deep-penetrating resin impregnation before varnishing/painting.

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-12-2019, 01:17 PM

Thanks, folks. I'll keep a lookout for something locally, as I'd like to try before buying.

**pcsanwald** · 12-13-2019, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Thanks, folks. I'll keep a lookout for something locally, as I'd like to try before buying.

I've played a bunch of electric uprights and the one that I've never gotten to play but I hear consistently recommended as the best is the eminence bass.

I understand space being at a premium, I have lived my entire adult life in NYC apartments between 500-800 square feet with a wife and dog. THAT SAID, honestly, if you have a corner to lean the bass into, a regular upright bass (which is technically 3/4 and not "full") doesn't actually take up very much space. It definitely takes up a lot of space if you lay it sideways on the floor, and uprights are definitely more of a pain to transport, no doubt. BUT, if storage space is your main concern, I'd encourage you to look at your space and consider. Most people have more space than they think, I store my bass (standing upright, endpin all the way in, neck resting against wall) in a corner next to a bookshelf where we used to keep a trash can.

so, if you have a spare corner in your room/house, consider that option.

**neatomic** · 12-13-2019, 04:44 PM

as far as small nyc apartments..you could store the standup bass on the fire escape...unless your drum kits already out there!!! haha

cheers

**Woody Sound** · 12-13-2019, 04:45 PM

The guy in my big band uses the Stagg. He's very happy with it, and I like the sound. This one is black, but I think they also come in natural finish.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Stagg/E...istoricalItems

**Hammertone** · 12-13-2019, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

The guy in my big band uses the Stagg. He's very happy with it, and I like the sound. This one is black, but I think they also come in natural finish.
Stagg Electric Double Bass Black | Guitar Center

I use one of these as well when I don't want to use one of my good upright basses, and it functions well. It can be found cheap, if pretty functional, and you can improve/customize it as you see fit without worrying about its value.

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-13-2019, 06:41 PM

Thanks, guys. Whatever I get, it will be taking the space soon to be occupied by the Christmas tree! The bass will have to wait.

Yes, a real acoustic 3/4 bass would be highly desireable, but I fear my hands might find the action too high and the tension too strong.

**unknownguitarplayer** · 12-13-2019, 08:02 PM

For me, storage space at home isn’t so much the issue as ease of transport. A lot of players drive SUVs or hatchbacks, but experienced bass players seem to take pride in being able to stuff a full size (3/4) upright into anything bigger than a mini-Cooper. I’ve seem some amazing feats, but as a practical matter, I want to be able to get my bass in an out of a sedan without a lot of hassle. My upright takes some effort, but the Eminence isn’t much more complicated than packing a guitar.

**neatomic** · 12-13-2019, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Thanks, guys. Whatever I get, it will be taking the space soon to be occupied by the Christmas tree! The bass will have to wait.

get the bass, and just hang it upside down...with enough garland & tinsel no one will be the wiser!!! haha

cheers

ps- or just get a really big tree &...

**Woody Sound** · 12-13-2019, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by unknownguitarplayer

For me, storage space at home isn’t so much the issue as ease of transport. A lot of players drive SUVs or hatchbacks, but experienced bass players seem to take pride in being able to stuff a full size (3/4) upright into anything bigger than a mini-Cooper. I’ve seem some amazing feats, but as a practical matter, I want to be able to get my bass in an out of a sedan without a lot of hassle. My upright takes some effort, but the Eminence isn’t much more complicated than packing a guitar.

A guy I know puts his full-size into his Prius. Just fits end-to-end.

**zcostilla** · 12-13-2019, 09:23 PM

Look into the Karla U-Bass. It’s unconventional but gets a really good tone. Not exactly identical to an upright, but pretty close.

**MikeTT** · 12-13-2019, 09:42 PM

I also dream about getting one. There are some interesting italian designs, but they're quite expensive: Solid body, hollow body, traditional string instruments - Alter Ego Travel Bass

**Hammertone** · 12-13-2019, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

...Yes, a real acoustic 3/4 bass would be highly desireable, but I fear my hands might find the action too high and the tension too strong.

. You can get any decent upright bass set up with very low action and low-tension strings. That's a simple set-up issue.

**cosmic gumbo** · 12-14-2019, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Yes, a real acoustic 3/4 bass would be highly desireable, but I fear my hands might find the action too high and the tension too strong.

Many guys have both acoustic and electric upright set up exactly the same.

**Gitterbug** · 12-14-2019, 05:06 AM

Have you tried a bass ukulele? Astonishingly jazzy sound, light touch and takes next to no space.

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-14-2019, 12:16 PM

Yes, I did. Great fun for half an hour, and then...I got bored.

**Sam Sherry** · 12-14-2019, 01:03 PM

Rob, although I usually refrain from pumping another forum it's worth noting the dedicated EUB topic on the TalkBass.com double bass board.

I owned and used a 41.5" EUB for a few years. It was great for ugly winters and outdoor gigs. For a while I used it for a rehearsal trio where the drummer played VDrums and the guitarist (who posts here) played a solid-body and it was tremendous how quietly we could play at high intensity.

Ultimately the EUB is a different instrument from DB. It's not like L5 vs Strat. For me, if you want to play EUB play EUB. If you want to play DB, pay the cost and reap the benefits.

I gave up convenience when I plight my troth to the DB long ago.

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-14-2019, 01:17 PM

Cheers, Sam. I'm already a member, but haven't been there for years. I'll pay it a visit soon.

**pcsanwald** · 12-23-2019, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by unknownguitarplayer

For me, storage space at home isn’t so much the issue as ease of transport. A lot of players drive SUVs or hatchbacks, but experienced bass players seem to take pride in being able to stuff a full size (3/4) upright into anything bigger than a mini-Cooper. I’ve seem some amazing feats, but as a practical matter, I want to be able to get my bass in an out of a sedan without a lot of hassle. My upright takes some effort, but the Eminence isn’t much more complicated than packing a guitar.

100%, couldn't agree more. I won't lie, I bought my car, a honda fit, mostly because it could easily accommodate my upright. I took my bass when I went to buy the car, and I can't imagine buying a car without testing out bass loading in and out.