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The electric upright bass (abbreviated EUB and sometimes also called stick bass) is an electronically amplified version of the double bass that has a minimal or 'skeleton' body. These features greatly reduce the size, weight and in some cases, the cost of the instrument whilst retaining some of the features of a double bass.
History
The first electric upright basses were developed in the mid-1930's by Rickenbacker. It took some years to develop high-quality transducers and amplification for the EUB, and the bass guitar became more popular.
In comparison with other electronically-amplified string instruments, eg electric violin/viola/cello, the EUB has been taken up by a wider range of players. The EUB may have become more widely used than the other electonically-amplified string instruments because the double bass is large and hard to transport.
Description
Scale length and tuning
The scale length of EUBs varies: some scales are 42", similar to most double basses, whilst some models have scale lengths of only 35" similar to the bass guitar. The shorter scale can make it easier for bass guitarists to convert to the EUB. Some scales lie between these two extremes. The fingerboard extends over two octaves and usually has side dots for the players reference. Regardless of scale length, the strings are tuned to E0, A1, D1, G1 at the same pitch as the double bass or bass guitar.
As with the double bass, the necks on some EUBs get considerably thicker about half way down from the nut to the bridge. This point is sometimes called the 'heel' of the bass and is where the neck starts to enter the body on an acoustic double bass. Double bass players use this feature as a tactile reference for left hand position.
Amplification
Most EUBs produce little sound on their own and the string vibrations are amplified usually using piezoelectric pickups located in the bridge. Some EUBs do have a small resonant chamber which changes the tone and response of the instrument. Some models are fitted with magnetic pickups like the bass guitar.
Variety of EUBs
There is a very large range of EUBs available at present. Some EUBs cannot be used with a bow because of the large radius of the fingerboard and the flatness of the bridge. These types are therefore solely used for pizzicato playing.
Features of the Ned Steinberger electric upright bass:
- Electric upright bass with the same scale length as ordinary double basses.
- Equipped with Piezo-pickup (magnetic EMG's optional).
- 4,5,6-string models available, Czech or US-models.
- Strap-system which enables the player to walk around with the bass attached.
Genres and performers
Cuban music used the Ampeg EUB in the 1960s. A well-known EUB player is Sting, who played a Dutch made 'Van Zalinge'. A player who found a unique sound for the instrument was Eberhard Weber, whose playing on the 1975 album Yellow Fields, features a combination of modes, raga like riffs and the unique sustain and sometimes percussion of the EUB. In the 1990s and 2000s, Les Claypool used the EUB in several of his bands.
Playing the EUB
The EUB is played in a similar manner to the pizzicato style on a double bass. The advantage with some EUBs is that the instrument does not have to be steadied by the player's left hand unlike a double bass. Like a double bass, the instrument may be played either standing or sitting on a tall stool.
Height of instrument
The optimum height for most players will be when the (index) finger in the first position (first fret on a fretted instrument) is at the same level as the player's eye. If the bass is higher than this, discomfort may be experienced when playing long passages in the first position. If the bass is too low, the player may need to bend or stretch when attempting to play notes at the higher end of the fingerboard (although not as much as on a double bass).
Right hand
The strings are plucked with the sides (not the tips or nails as in guitar playing) of the top joints of the index and middle fingers whilst the thumb of the right hand rests against the side of the fingerboard. The strings are plucked usually just below the fingerboard.
Left hand
The left hand is used to stop the strings by pressing down with the fleshy part of the finger, generally using the ball of the thumb at the back of the neck to obtain pressure.In the extreme high positions, where the neck on an EUB gets considerably thicker, the left hand usage can be modified with the whole hand being brought round to the front of the instrument and the thumb taking the place of the index finger. These positions are called the 'thumb positions' in double bass parlance. In these positions, it is necessary to rest the neck of the bass against the players left shoulder in order to support the neck against the pressure of fingers on the strings.
On the shorter scale EUBs, bass guitar fingering can be used over a large portion of the fingerboard and thumb positions may not be necessary. On the longer scale models, due to the larger distances between notes, the double bass (Simandl) fingering method usually has to be used unless the player has unusually large hands.
Comparison with the double bass
Higher pitches can be produced on all strings on the EUB before having to employ the 'thumb positions' because there is no body to obstruct acesss. As the scale lengths are sometimes smaller than the double bass, it can be easier to convert from a bass guitar to an EUB than to a double bass because the bass guitar fingerings can be used in most left hand positions. Since the EUB typically does not have a hollow sound chamber, or only includes a small sound chamber, the EUB is less prone to feedback when amplified than the double bass. In order to use a bow with an EUB, the bridge has to be curved like the bridge on a double bass; if not, the strings may not be accessible to the bow.
Sound
By adjusting the amplifier tone controls an EUB can sound similar to an acoustic double bass. Since the EUB transmits its sounds through a pickup, the tone is brighter than that of the acoustic double bass, which transmits its tone via the sound post to the back of the body. The tone produce by an EUB is not modified substantially by the 'body' as in a double bass.
External links
- BassPlaza.com
- Dean Pace Upright Bass Detail photographs
- Bob Gollihur's EUB page
- Electric Upright Bass resources
- The Libellula Wearable EUB Description, sound samples and downloadable plans for a strap-on EUB
- Electric Upright Bass Database
- More info on NS-Design basses
Amplified instruments | Continuous pitch instruments | Musical instruments | String instruments
"Electric upright bass"