An electrically-amplified string instrument played with the fingers by plucking or slapping, or by using a pick. The bass is similar in appearance to an electric guitar, but with a larger body, a longer neck and scale length, and usually 4 strings tuned EADG one octave lower in pitch, in the bass range. Five-string electric basses are also common, typically tuned BEADG or sometimes EADGC. Six-string basses (BEADGC or BEADGB) are much less common but are sometimes used in Latin and jazz genres. There are also 8-, 10- and 12-string basses with double or triple courses of strings.

Since the 1950s, the electric bass has largely replaced the double bass in popular music. It is typically used to provide the low-pitched bassline(s) and bass runs in popular music and jazz and is also used as a soloing instrument in jazz, fusion, Latin, funk, and rock styles.