Ibanez SRF700 Fretless Bass Guitar - Brown Burst Flat

Very, very happy with it. It was smaller and lighter than I was expecting, though the neck itself was quite long which is good. I have now got used to the size and weight though. I tried first of all to get an upright bass sound, and once you adjust how you actually play to imitate an upright it is very appealing how close it gets in sound. That is the main reason I bought it, but then found the sound of the other pickups is so good that I can't stop playing with those too. It is a very responsive and articulate instrument, I really am very pleased with it and would thoroughly recommend it. I have 2 other basses (Ibanez fretted Talman and a fretless by Harley Benton with roundwound strings) and this is in a totally different league to them. It really is a very ... MoreVery, very happy with it. It was smaller and lighter than I was expecting, though the neck itself was quite long which is good. I have now got used to the size and weight though. I tried first of all to get an upright bass sound, and once you adjust how you actually play to imitate an upright it is very appealing how close it gets in sound. That is the main reason I bought it, but then found the sound of the other pickups is so good that I can't stop playing with those too. It is a very responsive and articulate instrument, I really am very pleased with it and would thoroughly recommend it. I have 2 other basses (Ibanez fretted Talman and a fretless by Harley Benton with roundwound strings) and this is in a totally different league to them. It really is a very 'musical' instrument. I play jazz mostly.

Easy to play, perfect out of the box

Overall:I think I'm in love! I finally purchase the SRF700 and it was perfect right out of the box. I only had to adjust the piezos a bit to balance the volume across the strings, but it's so easy to do instructions aren't even necessary. Having never laid hand on a fretless bass, i was really surprised how easy it is to play, and to play in tune. The fret markers on the side of the bass are more than enough to help you know where you are, and I like the classy, more traditional, look of the lineless fretboard. My family owns a music store (stringed instruments) and there were lots of oohs and ahhs about the look; everyone said it was 'really pretty'. I love the through-neck.. it's smooth and fast like all SRs, and has really nice sustain, which kinda goes against ... MoreOverall:I think I'm in love! I finally purchase the SRF700 and it was perfect right out of the box. I only had to adjust the piezos a bit to balance the volume across the strings, but it's so easy to do instructions aren't even necessary. Having never laid hand on a fretless bass, i was really surprised how easy it is to play, and to play in tune. The fret markers on the side of the bass are more than enough to help you know where you are, and I like the classy, more traditional, look of the lineless fretboard. My family owns a music store (stringed instruments) and there were lots of oohs and ahhs about the look; everyone said it was 'really pretty'. I love the through-neck.. it's smooth and fast like all SRs, and has really nice sustain, which kinda goes against it ever sounding exactly like a string bass, but it has its own sound which is very nice. The bartolinis give you a really wide range of sounds, but the piezos are still my favorite. This is the bass I want to pick up and play all the time. I wonder if I'll even touch my SR800 again... a great value, great price to become my go-to bass. I doubt you'll regret the purchase if you've been jonesin' for a fretless. I really love Ibanez bass. It's really light-weight too like all their SRs.

Gorgeous, light and fast

This is a beautiful bass with any amazing array of tones available from the p/ups and the piezo bridge. The action was extremely low, right out of the box. This caused some "fret buzz" where the 1st two frets would normally be, on the E and A strings. A minor adjustment of string height fixes this easily, and the bass plays like a dream, and the action is still very low. This guitar is remarkably light, for a standard scale 34" bass. The unlined fingerboard presents no problems to the aspiring fretless player, because the side markings are all there on the neck. Practice like crazy, and you'll soon be hitting all the notes on pitch, without looking! I am so happy that I went with this Ibanez, rather than a fretless J-bass.

Great value and sound

First instrument I've ever purchased online. Second fretless, and has D'Addario flats, which are a perfect fit for this. I wanted something fretless, but also could come close to emulating a double bass, which for my purposes it does very well. I've been going through an online bass course and decided to switch from a fretted to this fretless to kill two birds with one stone. Learn the content of the course and work on intonation with a fretless bass.Pre-covid brought this to a group class band I was in. Everyone liked the tone and sound of this bass.Since I've been using it very often with the course and shedding, I've noticed a slight buzzing at the nut on open strings. It could be the strings were a little undersized and have worn the groove in the nut a bit, ... MoreFirst instrument I've ever purchased online. Second fretless, and has D'Addario flats, which are a perfect fit for this. I wanted something fretless, but also could come close to emulating a double bass, which for my purposes it does very well. I've been going through an online bass course and decided to switch from a fretted to this fretless to kill two birds with one stone. Learn the content of the course and work on intonation with a fretless bass.Pre-covid brought this to a group class band I was in. Everyone liked the tone and sound of this bass.Since I've been using it very often with the course and shedding, I've noticed a slight buzzing at the nut on open strings. It could be the strings were a little undersized and have worn the groove in the nut a bit, but this sound is only heard at the bass. Doesn't go out over the amp, so I don't consider it a concern.I purchased this some time back and just noticed I hadn't written a review. Probably better since I've been using it more. This bass has become a go-to bass for me.

It just sings, couldn't be happier.

Amazing fretless bass, better than I imagined and plays very easily. This was a major upgrade from an almost 30-year old TR505FL and I only wish I'd found this one sooner. From the piezo pickups, the woody mwahh sound has depth and effortlessly sings. Add in a little neck pickup, pluck at the bottom of the extended neck, and a rounded upright-like sound results. The satin fit and finish are very good.I played just Roto Swing Bass 66 roundwounds on my old TR bass, tried a new set on this one and found they really didn't add anything except start to make marks on the neck. I quickly switched back to the stock flatwounds, and expect to stick with them. This is a bass said to be designed from the ground up as a fretless, and it shows. Last, coming from the ... MoreAmazing fretless bass, better than I imagined and plays very easily. This was a major upgrade from an almost 30-year old TR505FL and I only wish I'd found this one sooner. From the piezo pickups, the woody mwahh sound has depth and effortlessly sings. Add in a little neck pickup, pluck at the bottom of the extended neck, and a rounded upright-like sound results. The satin fit and finish are very good.I played just Roto Swing Bass 66 roundwounds on my old TR bass, tried a new set on this one and found they really didn't add anything except start to make marks on the neck. I quickly switched back to the stock flatwounds, and expect to stick with them. This is a bass said to be designed from the ground up as a fretless, and it shows. Last, coming from the lined-fretboard TR505FL, my transition to this one was very easy, with the same lines on the side, and dots between them. This differs from many other fretless basses with the dots directly on the fret point. Whether this is a plus or minus is a matter of personal preference.

It's a note growling beast

I cut my teeth on a lined fretless. Been doing lined fretboards for 37 years. Was a little apprehensive of the blank fretboard, but the side fret markers made it easier to play notes in tune. If you know your fingering technique, you can produce a biting, throaty, warm and gritty m'wah note. Tone is incredibly rich and thick. Controls responsive. Weight was unexpectedly lite and comfortable.When it comes to my fretless basses, the Ibanez is the only one I play now.Worth every penny.

Love it

Overall:I’ve played an unlined fretless bass for over 20 years and this is one of the best I’ve ever owned. The price point is right on. It’s in that kind of semi-pro price of around a grand. The fit and finish is good. I love the Bartolini pickups they have a nice full range tone. The piezo adds kind of a presence quite honestly it’s a lot more sizzle than it is steak. Plays great right out of the box and great tone. Probably an unlined fretless bass isn’t for everyone but I love it.

My first fretless

A wonderful. eye- (and ear-) opening instrument.I've wanted a fretless bass for years, and finally got round to buying one - and what an instrument. It sounds, feels and looks great. It's been a lot easier to get used to than I expected and I keep picking it up several times a day to try things out.The range of sounds is very impressive, especially when I switch from finger picking to thumb to get a really fat, warm, double-bass type of sound.I can see me using this far more than my beloved fretted bass.

Review of Ibanez SRF700-BBF Fretless Brown Burst Flat

Excellent bass, easy to play. Neck profile is perfect for me, easy reach for the higher notes up the fingerboard. Sound is good through both amps and recording, but is so different to my other fretted basses ( I usually like scooped sound, this one is better sloped). Haven't yet discovered much variation in sound from the magnetic pick ups compared to the piezo. Excellent strings.

Very Close To An Upright

I've always wanted an electric bass that sounded like an upright, and this bass gets very close. This bass was designed from the drawing board as a fretless, and Ibanez has succeeded in creating a fretless bass guitar that sounds very close to the sound of an upright bass. It is also very versatile.Using only the piezo pickups in the bridge, this bass sounds very much like an upright. Use both magnetic pickups, and it sounds something like a 60s Jazz bass. The neck pickup soloed sounds reasonably close to a Precision bass. My favorite setting is: Piezos on full with the neck pickup at about 3, just to give a little more bottom; play over the neck at the 20th to 24th fret, and you get an upright tone. The flat wound strings that come standard were also a very good ... MoreI've always wanted an electric bass that sounded like an upright, and this bass gets very close. This bass was designed from the drawing board as a fretless, and Ibanez has succeeded in creating a fretless bass guitar that sounds very close to the sound of an upright bass. It is also very versatile.Using only the piezo pickups in the bridge, this bass sounds very much like an upright. Use both magnetic pickups, and it sounds something like a 60s Jazz bass. The neck pickup soloed sounds reasonably close to a Precision bass. My favorite setting is: Piezos on full with the neck pickup at about 3, just to give a little more bottom; play over the neck at the 20th to 24th fret, and you get an upright tone. The flat wound strings that come standard were also a very good choice in adding to the upright-like tone. This bass is also very light, and the neck is a pleasure to play. Ibanez has definitely hit a home run with this bass. If you're looking for a bass guitar that can give you an upright tone, please, do not overlook this one.