Learn something new every day More Info... by email During the
early part of the 20th century, instrument makers created the
electric double bass, a stringed instrument that has a built-in
sound amplifier with electronic controls. Musicians also call
this instrument the electric upright bass to avoid confusing it
with the bass guitar. Double bass is the musical octave played
by this instrument, which is one octave below the cello, or
single bass. Resembling a giant violin, the original double bass
is an acoustic stringed instrument. As early as the 1950s,
different designs for the electric double bass appeared on the
market. Two main styles have survived in to the 21st century.
One design is a smaller version of the classic acoustic double
bass. It keeps the basic shape of the original acoustic double
bass, but it usually is no larger than 75 percent of the normal
size of the acoustic instrument. The second design, known as a
stick bass, retains only the post that hold the instrument’s
strings and electronics