Best Sadowsky Fretless Basses 2025

Premium Sadowsky fretless basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mora FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mora FL BK

Experimental Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Fingerboard wear over time
  • • Steeper learning curve

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mora FL BK5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL BK

Session Work Jazz Progressive
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Steeper learning curve

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 V JJ4 Mo FLwL LH BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExp21 V JJ4 Mo FLwL LH BK

Progressive Jazz Session Work
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Sadowsky MetroExp21 V JJ4 Mo FLwL LH BKElectric BassLeft-handed modelFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH

Experimental Fusion Progressive
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH21-Fret Vintage J/J BassLeft-handed versionFretless model5-String Electric...

4.8/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH

Jazz Progressive Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH21-Fret Hybrid P/J BassLeft-handed versionFretless model4-String Electric...

4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL OWH

Experimental Progressive World Music
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Fingerboard wear over time
  • • May not suit all players

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL OWH5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint. 4 MO FL TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint. 4 MO FL TB

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
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM FL 59´B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM FL 59´B

Progressive Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM FL 59´B5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: American swamp ashSlightly reduced J-style...

4.4/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado FL BK

Progressive Jazz Session Work
Key Feature:
• Endless pitch possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique fretless character
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Fingerboard wear over time
  • • Steeper learning curve

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado FL BK5-String ElectricFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.4/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mor FLwL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mor FLwL BK

Session Work World Music Progressive
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Steeper learning curve

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mor FLwL BK5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Mora FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Mora FL BK

Jazz Experimental World Music
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Steeper learning curve

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Mora FL BKElectric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FL LH BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FL LH BK

Session Work Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional jazz sound
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FL LH BK5-String Electric BassLeft-handed modelFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21Vin JJ5Mo FLwL LH BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21Vin JJ5Mo FLwL LH BK

Progressive Fusion Session Work
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Great for expressive playing
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Sadowsky MetroExp21Vin JJ5Mo FLwL LH BK5-String Electric BassLeft-handed modelFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 FL BK

Session Work Fusion World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 FL BKElectric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL TSB

Session Work Progressive Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires precise intonation skills
  • • Fingerboard wear over time

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL TSB5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.4/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10

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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