Upright Bass Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Upright Bass Facts

The upright bass, or double bass, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument. It can be played played with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (pizzicato). Classical music calls for the natural sound produced acoustically by the instrument. In other genres such as jazz and blues, the bass sound is usually amplified. Bass amplifiers have equalization controls that allow a player to boost low frequencies. Amplification gives a bassist more control over the tone of the instrument.

Among classical performers the instrument is called a contrabass, from its Italian name contrabbasso. Other common names are string bass, to distinguish it from a brass bass instrument, or simply bass. In jazz and other non-classical music genres, the instrument is called an upright bass or acoustic bass to differentiate it from the electric bass guitar. In folk and bluegrass music, it’s referred to by many names, including bass fiddle, bass violin, doghouse bass, and bull fiddle.

Upright Bass Player – Rockabilly Concert

More Upright Bass Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a bassist. Notable jazz double bassists from the 1940s and 1950s include Bill Black, Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, George Duvivier, Milt Hinton, Charlie Parker, Oscar Pettiford, and Wilbur Ware. Influential bassists in the post 1960s era include Stanley Clarke, Charlie Haden, Charles Mingus, and Jaco Pastorius.

Rockabilly’s Slap Bass
In 1950s rockabilly, players like Bill Black (Elvis Presley’s bassist) popularized “slap bass,” where strings are slapped against the fingerboard for a percussive, twangy sound. It’s as much performance art as music.

Elvis Presley

Featuring Bill Black on Upright Bass

Elvis Presley with Bill Black on Double Bass

Sir Paul McCartney “Heartbreak Hotel”

In a brief clip from Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road, legendary musician Paul McCartney introduces an upright bass with ties to another music legend, Elvis Presley. The instrument was played by rock and roll pioneer Bill Black. He was the bassist in Elvis Presley’s early trio that also included guitarist Scotty Moore.

Paul McCartney

Limited Edition Poster Portrait

Paul McCartney – Do It in the Road (Rare)

A Legendary Upright Bass

The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley’s Band

by Ken Burke and Dan Griffin, Foreword by Brian Setzer

The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley’s Band

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

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Cecilio CDB Upright Double Bass with Adjustable Bridge (Size 4/4, Black)

Product details:

Ebony and basswood body, oak fingerboard
Plated brass tuning machine head
Premium grade oak tailpiece
Bridge with thumb wheel height adjusters
Hardwood endpin plug with 10mm endpin
Padded nylon soft case with accessories pockets
Brazilwood bow with ebony frog and unbleached genuine Mongolian horsehair

Cecilio CDB Size 4/4 Black Upright Double Bass with Padded Nylon Soft Case Includes Brazilwood Bow with Ebony Frog and Mongolian Horsehair, Rosin

Upright Bass – Jazz Concert

Jazz’s Secret Weapon
In jazz, the double bass is the heartbeat of the rhythm section. Legends like Charles Mingus and Ray Brown elevated it from background to spotlight, using techniques like pizzicato (plucking) to create iconic walking basslines.

Best Upright Bass Gifts Collection

Our Upright Bass Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Upright Bass Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Upright Bass Gift Ideas

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John Patitucci Walking Bass: How to Play Walking Basslines On Any Chord Sequence – For Upright & Electric Bass Superior Bassworks Kevlar Cored Nylon Strings for Double Bass, Upright Bass – Dirty Gut Color- Full Set of 6 Strings Hercules DS590B Double Bass Stand – Black – Strong Solid Construction Creates Steady Upright Bass Support Cello and Double Bass Round Endpin Stop – Anti-Slip Rest, Sound Stopper, Holder Pin – Beautiful Patterned Wood Design