I recently discovered Tony Franklin ( the fretless monster) and now I am itching for a fretless. Possibly a fretless jazz, kill two birds with one stone.
Any recommendations that won’t break the bank?
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Harley Benton ?
There’s a few… an example: Harley Benton JB-75FL SB Vintage Series – Thomann Ireland
Other options below 500€.
What price range are you working in? ‘inexpensive’ means different things to different people 
given a range… the pros here will have some bangin suggestions for ya!
Possibly between $200-$300. I have 4 Basses at the moment. Dean Edge 24 fret neck that is skinnier than my Squire precision 19 fret neck and my SBMM Sterling Stingray 21 fret neck, and a Harley Benton 5 string. From what I know about Jazz vs Precision (which isn’t much) the Jazz neck is skinnier than a precision and something about the pickups is different. If the Dean is actually a jazz then I only (need/want) a fretless.
I am very happy with my Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass®Fretless.
While the list price is $449, they can be found used or on sale for much less. (I got mine brand new on sale for $349.)
Our dog Zooey approves of this bass.
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Where did you get it?
I found it on Reverb.
If you can find the Squier Fretless with Ebonel fingerboard it’s probably the best fretless for the money. The material really makes the notes sing.
If you want to go full Tony Franklin unlined finger board you can always get the Rouge it’s less than $200 new. It’s my first Fretless.
I have a custom mod Fender precision with Tony Franklin neck on it. It’s so sweet. https://youtu.be/oP3sfqRKE4c
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Where are you Gadget?
Pennsylvania, US.
ok- just checking-there was some Oz options if you were here
This is one I’d suggest as well. There’s one listed on Reverb now. Consider an offer in the $340-$360 range and I’ll bet it’s accepted.
https://reverb.com/item/85973528-fender-squier-jazz-bass-brown-black
Thomann sells a similar Harley Benton Fretless Jazz for much less but with shipping costs and import fees the cost to a US buyer is far more than it’s listed price.
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Shipping for a bass bought from Thomann and entering the US costs the buyer approximately $50-60, so not much. Plus, Thomann doesn’t charge sales tax, which Reverb does.
Also, US Customs only charges a fee for the amount above an $800 purchase price. And that amount is calculated only for the cost amount above the $800 threshold amount.
For example, if an American were to buy an item from a foreign vendor at a price of $900, US Customs would charge a fee of only $100 ($900-800=$100).
At least, as of this writing. Any future tariffs by the US could adversely affect the price of foreign purchases shipped to this country.
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I’d go second hand, Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, eBay etc. I got my Sire V7 fretless from someone on Facebook Marketplace. I didn’t pay much for it and it’s in perfect condition.
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Thanks for the correction on the Customs. What you’ve posted differs from what a poster in another forum did regarding his costs. Not certain I can find that post again but they added more than just $100 to his costs.
For just the basic shipping cost I was quoted $89 on that same bass. If someone here in the US does order that fretless model or another from Thomann I’d be curious to know exactly how much it did cost in USD, delivered.
Right now the JB-40FL @ $166 is showing a cost of roughly $255 shipped to me. Is that is my true net cost or will their be other import costs? If I need to return it what costs are involved? How are warranty requests handled?
I’m not trying to discourage anyone in the US from buying through Thomann. All I’m interested in is getting a picture of the true total costs in USD so that a purchase can be fairly compared with buying in the US including sales tax.
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Buying used and locally should get the best overall deal. There will always be fewer to choose from but the prices may be better especially for a fretless. I’ve seen Fender MIM models with a $400 asking price.
IMHO someone shopping for a 4 string fretless should be able to find a good one in the $300-$400 price range.
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If it does not need to be a fretless Jazz bass, have a look at the shortescale Sire U5 fretless.!
In terms of Harley Benton - I like their basses a lot. But not every bass they make is good.
This seems to be a very good fretless bass:
Note that it has no fretlines. If you are a beginner, then this is not the right choice!
I could not play it
This is a German test of the fretted version from a very reliable publication: Harley Benton B-450/550/650 Progressive Series Test - Bonedo
Maybe you can Google Translate it?
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I just added that JB-40FL to a cart and the total cost with shipping is indeed $254.66. There would be no customs fee for that order.
I have bought two Sire models from Thomann. Each one cost me the sale price plus shipping, and that was it.
Interestingly, I recently priced a Sire F10 bass from Thomann. Its cost was $1399 and shipping to me in Austin was only $53. That makes me wonder if there are either certain brands and or price points that are calculated with specific shipping costs. Maybe a subsidized deal with the instrument manufacturer? I dunno.
Regardless, the most I’ve ever paid Thomann for UPS Express International shipping was $64, and I received my order within 4 days of pulling the trigger. The basses were expertly packed and arrived in pristine condition without a scratch on the box.
I don’t know about returns or warranty details because my basses never required either.
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For some reason several things I can’t get from Thomann like Warwick accessories. I remember wanting a backpack and stands. Luckily Fretnation was able to bet some for me.
Trying to convert to American dollars, where is this £ used?