SRF705-BBF : Best fretless on the market for under £1000

Ibanez' SRF705 is a triumph of style, sound and features at an affordable price that outstrips pretty much every competitor in the sub-£1000 price bracket.

Looks: visually the instrument is stunning, with a deep warm brownish sunburst open pore finish which is immediately eye catching. I wanted this bass the moment I looked at it. It is let down slightly by the fact that the finish is not the most durable.

Fit and features: the bass is neck thru, which is rare for something at this cost. It features the acclaimed and versatile Bartolini MK.1 electronics package as well as a piezo in the bridge, for suprisingly effective electric upright tones when played on the fingerboard. Note that in this case the typical mid control is absent and replaced by a tone control for the piezo. The piezo tone is very "hot" and gives ample treble well before the 12 o' clock point. The magnetic pickups IMO offer the best tone when both fully open, or with the bridge pickup solo'd (with a little bass boost) for more Jazz like tones.

Playability: its a Soundgear. It practically plays itself! The body is lightweight and the neck fast.

A superb bass!