What might look very unusal in the picture is really a full-size upright bass viol. Yamaha's SVB -100SK Silent Bass has internal electronics that allow plug 'n play operation without any need for external pre-amplification. So, while wearing headphones, you can play this instrument any time of the day or night without disturbing your neighbors. With a small bass amp, the Silent Bass is ready to use in any musical ensemble. Silent Bass operates on a single 9V battery or an optional AC power adapter and the detachable frame makes traveling easy-compact enough to fit into the back of a taxi.

The bass comes with a maple neck, spruce and mahogany body, ebony fingerboard and contra bass strings. Yamaha's Silent Bass joins their family of Silent String instruments, that includes the Silent Electric Violin and the Silent Electric Cello.