Top Best Fretless Bass Guitars
Now the market for musical instruments is as massive as it can be. No matter what guitar or style you prefer, you can always find something that suits your needs. If you are a bass lover, then the market will offer you a huge number of options. Now we have guitars for left-handers, short or tall players, those with small hands, models for different musical genres, as well as certain physiological features.
Recently, fretless electric bass guitars have earned a separate popularity in the market, which give you much more tonal variety than traditional basses. In today’s article, we will study in detail what fretless bass guitars are, how they differ from traditional models, what is their meaning and what are the top best fretless guitars.
What Is A Fretless Guitar?hoose Schecter?
Before we talk about the best fretless bass guitars for sale, we would like to tell you more about what they are. So, a fretless guitar is a guitar with a fingerboard with no frets. So this tool looks exactly like the others, except it has frets removed. Such guitars were invented back in 1976 by a man named Erkan Ogur. At the moment, such tools are more than affordable and are produced by many major manufacturers.
In many ways, a fretless guitar can be compared to a violin that also has no frets. While playing, the guitarist’s fingers press the string directly against the fingerboard, resulting in a vibrating string that extends from the bridge to the fingertip (instead of to a fret).
Why Do People Choose Fretless Guitars?
Now on the Internet there are a huge number of queries such as types of bass guitars fretless or 5 string fretless bass guitars. However, why do they choose a musical instrument without frets at all? Let’s figure it out.
Probably the biggest advantage of such a musical instrument is its reproducible sound range, which is wider than that of a fretted guitar. So, without frets to separate the strings, the bass guitar can play sounds that go beyond the traditional scale. So while traditional fretted basses are beautiful and classic, they have some limitations that come with the existence of frets.
Top Best Fretless Bass Guitars
If you are reading this guide, then you probably know that playing fretless guitars is different from fretted ones. Guitars with no frets require greater precision in finger position because the position of the string knot is continuously changing rather than fixed. However, if you prefer this musical instrument, we want to introduce you to the top five best models that exist on the market.
Here are our top picks:
1)Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray H Fretless BFR
We decided to start our top freetless bass guitars with the legendary Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray H that will impress anyone who has ever played a fretless guitar. is on everyone’s lips.
The first thing we noticed when we looked at this model is the unusually figured neck, which is made from roasted maple back to front. Typically, bass guitar builders stick to a more traditional finish, however this model has a polyester one, which means it will look like new for a long period of time.
We also definitely liked the double-cutaway body. It’s is made of ash which is is made from ash, which is known for producing a good balance between brightness and warmth. Thus, by purchasing this model, you will get an incredible combination of tones and excellent sustain.
Another distinguishing feature of Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray H is its high-end electronics. This model has added neodymium magnets which means a much higher output which filters through an 18 volt 3-band EQ.
So with this bass you can get an incredibly clear sound that can be customized to your liking thanks to the volume, treble, mids, and bass controls. To test this model, we would recommend this guitar to almost any player looking for a bass.
Not only does it look good, it’s well built and produces great sound that won’t leave you indifferent. Although the price may be a little high compared to other models, the quality of this bass will not disappoint you.
2)Fender Player Fretless Jazz Bass Guitar
Another incredible fretless bass that we have to introduce you to is the Fender Player Fretless Jazz Bass Guitar. First of all, we would like to point out that this model is Fender’s first product in the fretless guitars market.
You probably know that this company is famous all over the world for using high quality materials and providing musicians with all the necessary functions. Also, Fender guitars are always comfortable, beautiful, and sound incredible.
Speaking about this model, first of all, we would like to note that it has an alder body, as well as a design that has been a hallmark of Fender since the distant 1960s.
It should also be noted that this bass guitar will offer you a modern C-shaped neck from maple . While exploring the Fender Player Fretless Jazz, we also couldn’t help but notice the pickups, which were specially designed for the Player series and use Alnico magnets in a single-coil configuration (one in the bridge and one in the middle position).
Another feature of this bass is the vintage controls with two volume knobs (one for each pickup) and a master tone.
If you’re a fan of this guitar brand and appreciate a vintage look, the Fender Player Fretless Jazz Bass Guitar is the perfect purchase for you. This model will suit you regardless of your preferred musical style. Also, the price of this bass in relation to its functionality is low, so it can be a good solution for you.
3) Ibanez SR375E SR Standard Fretless
We couldn’t leave our top without at least one Ibanez guitar. Moreover, this model can also be attributed to cheap fretless bass guitars, since its cost is less than $500. Ibanez has always been a company that produces good quality basses that are relatively affordable.
This model is incredibly stylish and has a good sound that matches its appearance. Speaking of the neck of this instrument, it is also quite playable, smooth and comfortable. We would like to pay special attention to the brown finish, which perfectly complements this model.
Speaking of this model, the Ibanez doubles us with a modern design with a double-cutaway that’s great for soloing. Also the guitar is as light as the body is made out of maple.
We would like to pay special attention to the Accu-cast B125 bridge, which provides awesome string vibration transfer and precise intonation, and also the PowerSpan humbucker pickups with their rich sound. We would recommend this model to both beginners and intermediate players who want the richest and warmest tone possible, as well as powerful sound.
4)Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Studio-5
The latest model we’ll introduce you to today has a sleek fretless eco and offers a huge tonal variety – the Stiletto Studio-5 Fretless Bass by Schecter. This instrument is as comfortable and smooth as possible, and offers you enough tonal options for any musical style.
First of all, we want to draw your attention to the neck-through construction, as well as the body which is made from mahogany with a top along and a laminate maple and walnut neck. This way you get incredible bass that resonates beautifully.
I would like to pay special attention to the Honey Satin finish. We also want to say that this guitar is most suitable for beginner players, as the rosewood fingerboard has lines to depict fret locations. Also Stiletto is a brand that offers a great deal of tone shaping, like two EMG Hz pickups that you can adjust with blend control, as well as a master volume, and an active 3-band EQ.
So, if you are an aspiring guitarist who is just trying his hand and wants to master the fretless bass, then the Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Studio-5 can be a great guitar for practicing skills. This model not only looks good, but also produces incredible clear sound and has an eye-catching design.
Conclusion
Now the market is overflowing with a huge number of offers, so you can even find fretless guitars that suit your desires, style and needs. Our top was compiled based on professional market analysis, so you can be sure that these models are the best that you can buy at the moment.
