AudioFu

Best Fretless Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable fretless basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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

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: Marcus Miller Harley Benton Sadowsky Warwick Ibanez
Warwick RB StarBass5 Black HP fretless - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Warwick RB StarBass5 Black HP fretless

by Warwick
Progressive Experimental Session Work
Key Feature:
• Smooth, singing sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • May not suit all players

Warwick RB StarBass5 Black HP fretlessFretless Electric BassBody: MapleFlamed maple neck with ekanga veneer...

⭐ 4.4/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 367445
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21Vin JJ5Mo FLwL LH BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21Vin JJ5Mo FLwL LH BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599140
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mora FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mora FL BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599145
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Mora FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Mora FL BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 598459
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 598455
$1,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL OW

by Sadowsky
World Music Experimental Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ4 Mor FLwL OWElectric BassFretlessBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598478
$1,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SRD905F-BTL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ibanez SRD905F-BTL

by Ibanez
World Music Experimental Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • Requires precise intonation skills

Ibanez SRD905F-BTLFretless 5-String Electric BassFretlessSR SeriesBody: OkoumeTop: Exotic maple5-Piece bolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582062
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FL LH BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FL LH BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599146
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado FL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado FL BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 596267
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Streamer NT I 5 FL BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Warwick RB Streamer NT I 5 FL BLK

by Warwick
Jazz Progressive Experimental
Key Feature:
• Unique fretless character
✓ PROS
  • • Endless pitch possibilities
  • • Smooth, singing sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all players
  • • Limited for some musical styles

Warwick RB Streamer NT I 5 FL BLK5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: AlderNeck-through construction4-pPece laminated...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 503753
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Streamer NT I 4 NTHP FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL OWH

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599165
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Corvette Basic 6 SBHP FL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Warwick RB Corvette Basic 6 SBHP FL

by Warwick
World Music Session Work Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional jazz sound
  • • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
  • • Limited for some musical styles
  • • May not suit all players

Warwick RB Corvette Basic 6 SBHP FL6-String Electric BassFretless modelBody: Alder5-Piece neck: Maple with ekanga...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 452966
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5Mor FLwL TSB

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599180
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mor FLwL BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vin JJ5 Mor FLwL BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599067
$1,308
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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