I honestly didn't think the eminence double bass would feel this close to a real upright until I actually stood behind one at a local jazz session. Most "portable" basses I've tried over the years felt like playing a fence post with strings attached. They were convenient, sure, but they lacked that soul and vibration you get from a carved instrument. The Eminence is different, and after spending some quality time with it, I can see why it's become the go-to for players who are tired of fighting with airline oversized baggage fees or trying to wedge a 3/4 size bass into a compact car.
If you've ever tried to shove a full-sized upright into the back of a small sedan, you know the struggle is very real. You're sweating, you're worried about the bridge, and you're probably annoying your bandmates who just have to carry a guitar case. That's where the eminence double bass steps in. It's not just an electric upright bass (EUB) in the traditional sense; it's more like a "shrunken" acoustic bass that actually keeps its dignity.
Why the Design Actually Works
The secret sauce here is the hollow body. Unlike a lot of other travel basses that are just solid slabs of maple or mahogany, the Eminence has a small, acoustic body with a real bass bar and a soundpost. When you pluck a string, you can actually feel the wood vibrating against your hip. That physical feedback is something I always missed on solid-body EUBs. It helps you stay in tune and, more importantly, it makes it feel like you're playing a musical instrument rather than a piece of hardware.
The scale length is a standard 41.25 inches, which is exactly what most of us are used to. You don't have to relearn your fingerings or adjust your muscle memory. The neck profile feels beefy and substantial, just like a "real" bass. I've played some travel basses where the neck felt like a jazz guitar, and it just throws my whole technique off. With this one, you can dig in just as hard as you do on your main rig.
Carrying it Around is a Dream
Let's talk about the portability for a second because that's usually why anyone looks at the eminence double bass in the first place. There are two main versions: the fixed neck and the removable neck. If you're mostly doing local gigs and just want something that fits in your trunk without folding down the seats, the fixed neck is fine.
But if you're flying? The removable neck version is a lifesaver. You can break the whole thing down and put it in a golf bag-sized case. I've heard stories of guys checking these as standard luggage and not getting hit with those insane "oversized instrument" fees that can cost more than the flight itself. Setting it up takes maybe five to ten minutes once you get the hang of it. It's a bit nerve-wracking the first time you take the neck off, but the design is solid, and it holds its pitch remarkably well once you get the strings back up to tension.
How It Sounds Plugged In
Acoustically, it's quiet—which is great for practicing in a hotel room at 2 AM without getting a noise complaint. But once you plug it into a decent amp, that's where the magic happens. Most of them come stock with a Realist pickup, which is pretty much the industry standard for getting a natural wood tone.
Because of the hollow body, you get those "air" frequencies that a solid-body bass just can't reproduce. It has that thump and the characteristic decay of a double bass. Is it going to sound exactly like a $20,000 carved Italian bass from the 1800s? No, of course not. But in a loud bar or a crowded jazz club, the audience won't know the difference, and honestly, you might even prefer the Eminence because it's much less prone to feedback.
Feedback is the arch-nemesis of the upright bass player. You find that one "wolf tone" and suddenly your amp is howling like a banshee. Since the body of the eminence double bass is so much smaller, it doesn't catch those low-end frequencies from the speakers as easily. You can actually turn up a bit more and hear yourself over a heavy-handed drummer.
The Playability Factor
One thing that often gets overlooked is the "waist" of the bass. The Eminence has a standard-sized neck heel and a small bout that allows you to reach the upper positions without feeling like you're reaching into thin air. A lot of EUBs have these weird wire frames to simulate the body, and they always feel a bit flimsy or awkward to me. The Eminence feels solid.
The bridge is adjustable, too, which is a must. Depending on whether you're playing a bluegrass festival outside in the humidity or a dry, air-conditioned theater, being able to tweak your action on the fly is a huge plus. I tend to like my strings a bit higher for that old-school gut-string feel, and the Eminence handles that tension without any issues.
Choosing the Right Strings
Strings make a massive difference on this bass. A lot of people swear by Thomastik-Infeld Spirocores if they want that bright, growly jazz sound. If you're looking for something a bit more traditional and "thumpy," you might go with some D'Addario Helicore Orchestrals or even some synthetics. Because it's a standard scale length, you aren't limited to proprietary strings. You can use whatever you usually have on your main bass.
Is It Worth the Investment?
I won't lie, these aren't exactly cheap. You're looking at a significant chunk of change, and you might find yourself wondering if you should just buy a "real" plywood upright instead. But here's how I look at it: a cheap plywood bass is often a pain to play, hard to transport, and sounds mediocre. The eminence double bass is a professional-grade tool. It's built to be played night after night.
When you factor in the money you save on travel and the stress you save on your back, it starts to look like a bargain. Plus, they hold their value incredibly well. If you look at the used market, these things get snapped up almost instantly because bassists know they're reliable.
Living with the Eminence
After using one for a while, you start to appreciate the little things. Like the fact that it doesn't take up half your living room when you aren't playing it. Or how easy it is to navigate a crowded sidewalk when you're walking to the gig.
It's also a conversation starter. Almost every time I pull it out of the bag, another musician asks about it. They're usually skeptical at first, but once they hear it through the PA, they get it. It's a practical solution to a century-old problem.
Sure, there's nothing like the feeling of a full-sized double bass vibrating against your chest on a big stage. I'm not saying I'd get rid of my main upright. But for 80% of my gigs—the corporate events, the tight restaurant corners, the out-of-state tours—the eminence double bass is the one that actually leaves the house. It makes life as a bassist just a little bit easier, and at the end of the day, that's worth every penny.
If you're on the fence about it, I'd say try to find one to play. It's one of those instruments that doesn't "make sense" until it's in your hands. Once you feel how it balances and hear how it punches through a mix, you'll probably be as hooked as I am. It's a specialized tool, for sure, but it's one that does its job better than almost anything else on the market.