Best Electric Upright Basses of 2025
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Electric upright basses are a great option for bass players who want the sound and feel of an acoustic bass but with the convenience and versatility of an electric instrument. These instruments have a solid body and a fretless fingerboard, just like an acoustic upright bass, but they also have pickups and electronics that allow them to be amplified and played through an amplifier or PA system. They are perfect for gigging musicians who need a portable and reliable bass that can be played at high volumes without feedback or distortion. Electric upright basses are available in a range of prices and styles, from affordable entry-level models to high-end professional instruments with advanced features and premium materials.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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#TOP 2
9.7
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9.5
Top 10 Electric Upright Basses
Yamaha SLB300SK Electric Upright Bass
The Yamaha SLB300SK Electric Upright Bass is a semi-solidbody bass with a spruce/mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. It features onboard electronics for easy amplification and is perfect for those who need a bass that can be played silently. The Yamaha SLB300SK is ideal for gigging, recording and practicing.
Stagg Electric Upright Bass
Stagg's 3/4 size electric upright double bass is built with solid maple for the top and neck, ebonized hardwood for the bridge, and a black plastic net. It features P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads, volume and bass control, low battery indicator, 3.5mm stereo mini jack input for CD or MP3 player, 3.5mm mini jack output for headphones, and 6.35mm jack output. A gigbag is included.
Stagg 4-String Electric Upright Bass
The Stagg 4-String Electric Upright Bass is a 3/4 size instrument made with solid maple on the top and neck, and features a black plastic net, ebonized hardwood bridge, P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads. It comes with 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. The product also includes a gigbag.
Stagg EDB-3/4 BK Electric Double Bass
The Stagg Electric Double Bass is designed with solid maple construction, ensuring durability and a rich sound quality that enhances your playing experience. Its state-of-the-art electronics are tailored specifically for double bass, allowing for clear and powerful amplification. The instrument is a convenient 3/4 size, making it suitable for players of various heights and skill levels. Finished in sleek black, this bass not only performs well but also looks great, making it an appealing choice for any musician.
Ibanez UB805 Electric Upright Bass
The Ibanez UB805 Bass is a 5-string electric upright bass designed with a solid maple wing body, providing a rich and resonant sound. The active piezo electronics enhance your tone, allowing for a more dynamic performance. With a jatoba fingerboard, you’ll experience smooth playability and quick response, which is perfect for both beginners and seasoned musicians. The combination of a maple and walnut neck offers durability and stability, ensuring that your instrument stays in tune. This bass is a fantastic choice for those looking to elevate their playing experience.
Stagg 4-String Electric Upright Bass
The Stagg Electric Upright Bass is a well-crafted 3/4 size instrument perfect for musicians seeking a quality sound. Its solid maple top and neck provide durability and a rich tone, making your performances resonate beautifully. The ebonized hardwood bridge enhances sound quality and stability while playing. You’ll appreciate the P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads, which ensure reliable tuning for consistent sound. With versatile electronics, including volume and bass control, as well as multiple input and output options, you can easily connect to your favorite devices, enhancing your playing experience.
Stagg 4-String Electric Upright Bass
This 3/4 size electric upright double bass is constructed with solid maple for the top and neck, and features ebonized hardwood for the bridge and black plastic for the net. P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads and a variety of electronic controls such as volume and bass control, low battery indicator, and various input and output jacks are included. Additionally, a gigbag is also included.
Stagg Electric Upright Bass
The Stagg 3/4 Size Electric Upright Double Bass features a solid maple top and neck, ebonized hardwood bridge, and black plastic net. It also has P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads, volume and bass control, low battery indicator, and multiple jack inputs and outputs. This bass comes with a gig bag, making transportation easy.
NS Design NXT 4-String Electric Bass
The NS Design Electric Upright Bass features a unique polar pickup system that delivers a rich and balanced sound, making it perfect for various musical styles. Its NXT Active output circuitry ensures that you can connect to any amplifier or sound system, maintaining full audio fidelity. Crafted in the Czech Republic, this instrument comes with a boomerang strap and a padded gig bag for easy transport. Additionally, it accepts both standard 3/4 size bass strings and NS electric bass strings, offering versatility for your playing needs.
Stagg Electric Upright Bass
The Stagg Electric Upright Bass is a 3/4 size double bass that features a solid maple top and neck, ebonized hardwood bridge, and black plastic net. It comes with P-bass style diecast nickel machine heads, volume and bass control, low battery indicator, 3.5mm stereo mini jack input for CD or MP3 player, 3.5mm mini jack output for headphones, and 6.35mm jack output. A gigbag is also included, making it easy to transport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are electric upright basses so expensive?
Electric upright basses can be expensive due to several factors. The cost of tonewoods used in construction can be high, and even with plywood basses, the amount of material needed is significant. Additionally, the craftsmanship of a professional luthier is required to build these instruments, adding to the overall cost.
2. Is an upright bass harder than a bass guitar?
Both upright bass and bass guitar have similar tuning and basic principles in hand technique. However, playing upright bass can be physically more demanding and requires more attention to detail for good intonation, especially if playing a fretless bass. Electric bass is generally considered less demanding physically.
3. Why do old basses sound better?
There is a belief that old basses sound better because the wood dries out over time, resulting in a more pronounced and focused sound with increased clarity. The aging process may also cause the wood to harden, enhancing resonance and reflecting sound waves from the strings more effectively.
4. Is it hard to play upright bass?
Playing upright bass can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. It requires practice and dedication to master the instrument. However, the unique tone produced by an upright bass played correctly makes the effort worthwhile, especially in genres like jazz.
5. What electric bass sounds like a double bass?
The Gateway Bass is an electric bass specifically designed to replicate the sound of a double bass. It offers a similar tone and character, making it a suitable option for those seeking the sound of a double bass in an electric instrument.
During our electric upright bass research, we found 24 electric upright bass products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,505 customer reviews through our big data system to write the electric upright basses list. We found that most customers choose electric upright basses with an average price of $1,326.56.
The electric upright basses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of electric upright basses, including Yamaha, Stagg, Ibanez, NS Design. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,856 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.