Upright Bass vs. Electric Upright Bass: Differences, Pros, and Cons

This article is written by Toru Hoshino, a jazz bassist and instructor based in Japan who teaches online lessons to students worldwide. In this article, he breaks down the real differences between upright bass and electric upright bass.

This one’s for anyone thinking, “Should I get an upright bass, or an electric upright bass?”

I get asked “are upright bass and electric upright bass actually different?” constantly in lessons — and yes, they’re completely different instruments.

The short version: neither is “better” or “worse.” It comes down to this:

What’s the Difference in Naming?

Let’s start by sorting out the terminology.

Upright Bass

In classical music, this is also called a “double bass” or “contrabass.”

Electric Upright Bass

Also called a “silent upright bass,” or abbreviated “EUB.”

What’s the Difference in Sound?

The sound is different.

Upright Bass

This is the instrument’s natural, acoustic sound.

Electric Upright Bass

This one is an electronically amplified sound.

Neither is better or worse. Which one you choose comes down entirely to personal taste — pick whichever matches the tone you’re going for right now. That said, there are real practical differences in portability, how it fits your situation, and visual presence, so let’s go through those.

Pros and Cons of Each

Upright Bass: Pros

Loud Natural Volume

Thanks to its large, hollow wooden body, an upright bass is genuinely loud acoustically. In a small enough venue, you can play unamplified and still be heard clearly by the audience, with the rest of the ensemble balancing around you.

Looks Great

A grand piano, an upright bass, and a drum kit together — there’s something great about that visual. Personally, it’s one of the more beautiful sights in the world, in my opinion.

Upright Bass: Cons

Heavy

It’s heavy and a real hassle to transport. Stations without an elevator will make you want to complain out loud. I’ve actually written before about everything I keep in mind when carrying an upright bass on the train — it’s a big enough headache that it became its own blog post.

Hard to Find a Place to Practice

Because the natural volume is so loud, you have to be picky about where you practice. Thin-walled apartments will get you noise complaints fast.

Electric Upright Bass: Pros

Easy to Transport

It packs down dramatically smaller (for example, the Yamaha SLB200V).

Some models even break down to fit into a backpack-style case. The body is generally much more compact than an upright bass, making it far easier to transport.

Practice Anywhere

Because the natural acoustic volume is so quiet, you can practice at home without issue.

Electric Upright Bass: Cons

Can’t Be Played Unamplified

Since the natural volume is so quiet, you absolutely need an amp to perform with it.

Less “Authentic” Feel Than an Upright Bass

It just doesn’t carry the same sense of authenticity as a real upright bass. Some players are particular about the acoustic texture of a real upright’s natural sound, and some don’t like how the amplified electronic tone blends with an acoustic piano. A lot of people will tell you the real wood instrument is simply better.

So, once again:

Weigh these factors against your own situation, and if you’re seriously considering a purchase, it’s well worth having a thorough conversation with a music shop before you commit.

Whichever instrument you choose, the thing that actually moves your playing forward is consistent feedback — which is exactly what a teacher provides.

Want Personalized Feedback on Your Playing?

This is exactly the kind of thing that’s hard to fix alone — and where having a teacher makes all the difference.

At Line on Bass, I offer an online lesson service where you send me a video of your playing, and I give you specific, detailed feedback — every single day if you want.

Students from around the world are using this to fix exactly these kinds of issues and steadily improve their jazz bass skills.

Check Out the Lesson Service →