Best Fretless Basses Under $500 2025

Affordable fretless basses under $500 - 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

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series

by Harley Benton

Jazz Experimental Progressive

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Great for expressive playing
• Endless pitch possibilities

✗ CONS

• May not suit all players
• Limited for some musical styles

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series5-String Fretless Electric BassFretlessBody: Ovangkol7-Piece neck-through-body...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 411698

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Bundle

by Harley Benton

Progressive Fusion World Music

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Professional jazz sound
• Endless pitch possibilities

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• Requires precise intonation skills

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

⭐ 4.4/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 539364

$413

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez SR370EF-BBT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez SR370EF-BBT

by Ibanez

Fusion World Music Jazz

Key Feature:

• Unique fretless character

✓ PROS

• Smooth, singing sustain
• Endless pitch possibilities

✗ CONS

• Requires precise intonation skills
• Steeper learning curve

Ibanez SR370EF-BBTFretless BassBody: MapleNeck: Maple / WalnutFingerboard: JatobaNut width: 38 mmScale: 864 mm...

⭐ 5.0/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 387086

$466

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vin BK FL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vin BK FL LH

by Sadowsky

Session Work Experimental Fusion

Key Feature:

• Endless pitch possibilities

✓ PROS

• Endless pitch possibilities
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• Steeper learning curve
• May not suit all players

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vin BK FL LH21-Fret Vintage J/J BassLeft-handed versionFretless model4-String Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 491282

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

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

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 491747

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Bundle

by Harley Benton

Experimental Session Work Fusion

Key Feature:

• Professional jazz sound

✓ PROS

• Smooth, singing sustain
• Professional jazz sound

✗ CONS

• Fingerboard wear over time
• Steeper learning curve

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 537202

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 491277

$329

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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Best Fretless Basses Under $500 2025

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Series

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe Bundle

Ibanez SR370EF-BBT

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vin BK FL LH

Harley Benton HBZ-2005FL NT Deluxe w/Bag

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin BK FL LH

Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage Bundle

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb BK FL LH

How to Choose the Best Fretless Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying fretless basses?

How much should I spend on fretless basses?

Are expensive fretless basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for fretless basses?

Should I buy fretless basses online or in-store?

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