Electric Upright Bass (EUB)
Product Design / Luthierie
The electric upright bass was a short design exercise, aiming to combine
different stylistic and tonal elements into a unique instrument. In a market
where electric base guitars are a dime a dozen, being different often comes
at the cost of playability or quality.
The design cues of the EUB are that of a classical instrument, helping
it relate to the classic violin family, and more so to the double bass / upright bass.
It will not feel out of place on a classic Jazz ensemble, being modernized enough to
be found in a rock environment.
The Electric Upright Bass is a transitional instrument, helping teach
electric base players to play an upright instrument. They are used to a
certain scale length and string spacing, which is imitated in a vertical
form factor.
The prototype was built out of Guatemalan Rosewood (Dalbergia Stevensonii)
and Santa María (Calophyllum brasiliense) by Juan Carlos.
The nut, saddle and logo were carved out of reclaimed natural bone. Electronic components by Bartolini.
Although the vertical playing position may seem unnatural and difficult (because of shifted wrist positions,
and lack of fretboard visibility), the side fret markers and the famiiar scale length make the learning curve for this instrument much less difficult for electric base players.
Cover recording of "Post blue" by placebo, utilizing the EUB functional prototype crafted by
Juan Carlos Noguera. All performance / voices recorded by Juan Carlos Noguera.