AudioFu

Best Fretless Basses 2026

Top-rated fretless basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Fusion For World Music For Progressive For Experimental For Session Work
BRANDS: Harley Benton Marcus Miller Sadowsky Warwick Ibanez
Marcus Miller V5 24-5 TS FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller V5 24-5 TS FL

by Marcus Miller
Session Work Progressive Jazz
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Marcus Miller V5 24-5 TS FL5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MapleBlock...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 586980
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Session Work Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series*5-String...

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539360
$404
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller Z7-4 FL Antique White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Marcus Miller Z7-4 FL Antique White

by Marcus Miller
Experimental Jazz World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Fingerboard wear over time
  • • Steeper learning curve

Marcus Miller Z7-4 FL Antique WhiteElectric GuitarFretlessBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyWhite dot...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 607708
$747
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 FL AWH 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 FL AWH 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Jazz Fusion Progressive
Key Feature:
• Unique fretless character
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 FL AWH 2nd Gen.Electric BassFretless modelAlder bodyBolt-on maple neckEbony...

⭐ 4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 446142
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Fretless BK 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Fretless BK 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Jazz Experimental Fusion
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Fretless BK 2nd Gen.Electric BassFretless modelBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 446143
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P5R Alder-4 Fretless VWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Marcus Miller P5R Alder-4 Fretless VWH

by Marcus Miller
World Music Session Work Progressive
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Steeper learning curve

Marcus Miller P5R Alder-4 Fretless VWHElectric BassFretlessAsh bodyRoasted maple neckBone nutRosewood fingerboardNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579568
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marleaux Diva 4 Laurel EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Marleaux Diva 4 Laurel EB

by Marleaux
Progressive World Music Experimental
Key Feature:
• Unique fretless character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Steeper learning curve

Marleaux Diva 4 Laurel EBElectric BassFretlessBody: MahoganySelected signature top: Laurel burlNeck-through:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 552037
$6,379
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marleaux MBass 5 Worn Spruce FL Ltd - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marleaux MBass 5 Worn Spruce FL Ltd

by Marleaux
Jazz Experimental World Music
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Marleaux MBass 5 Worn Spruce FL Ltd5-String Electric BassExclusive edition of the MBass specially designed for Thomann...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 492131
$5,609
Buy at Thomann View Details
Franz Bassguitars Sirius 4 R. Gauck Signature FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Franz Bassguitars Sirius 4 R. Gauck Signature FL

by Franz Bassguitars
Progressive Experimental World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • May not suit all players

Franz Bassguitars Sirius 4 R. Gauck Signature FLElectric BassBody: Walnut5-Piece neck-thru-body thermo ash...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 378245
$4,389
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg Panther 5 fretless 35" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sandberg Panther 5 fretless 35"

by Sandberg
World Music Fusion Progressive
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Sandberg Panther 5 Fretless 35"5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyNut...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 480312
$2,463
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint. 4 MO FL TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint. 4 MO FL TB

by Sadowsky
Fusion Experimental World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint. 4 MO FL TBElectric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598545
$1,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SRF705-BBF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ibanez SRF705-BBF

by Ibanez
Experimental Progressive Session Work
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Ibanez SRF705-BBF5-String Fretless Electric BassBody: Okoume5-Part neck through SRF5 maple/walnutFretboard: Panga...

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 333285
$1,187
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Streamer NT I 4 NTHP FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Warwick RB Streamer NT I 4 NTHP FL

by Warwick
Experimental Jazz Session Work
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Warwick RB Streamer NT I 4 NTHP FLElectric BassFretlessBody: Alder3-Piece neck through: Maple with Ekanga veneer...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450764
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 FL BK 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 FL BK 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Progressive World Music Session Work
Key Feature:
• Unique fretless character
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 FL BK 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: AlderOne-piece maple neckEbony fretboardNeck...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 445980
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fodera Emperor Standard 4 FL LTD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fodera Emperor Standard 4 FL LTD

by Fodera
Fusion Progressive Session Work
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • Steeper learning curve

Fodera Emperor Standard 4 FL LTDFretless Electric BassThomann Limited Edition4-StringBody: WalnutSelected top:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 546918
$7,359
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Fretless Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced fretless basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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