Gold Tone M-BassFL Fretless MicroBass 23-Inch Acoustic-Electric Bass with Gig Bag

There’s something genuinely surprising about the Gold Tone M-BassFL the first time you play it. At just 2.8 pounds and with a 23-inch scale, it looks almost like a novelty — and then you plug it in, pluck those Aquila Thunderblack rubber strings, and that warm, round, upright-adjacent tone comes through and you realize this little instrument is the real deal. The fretless fingerboard is the key feature here: it gives you the ability to slide into notes, add subtle vibrato, and coax that classic acoustic upright bass voice that fretted instruments simply can’t replicate. Whether you’re a upright bassist looking for a portable practice tool, a guitarist curious about adding bass to your setup, or a songwriter who wants to lay down bass parts without hauling a full-size instrument, the M-BassFL delivers in ways that will genuinely surprise you.

Gold Tone built the M-BassFL around a mahogany top with okoume back and sides — tonewoods chosen for warmth and sustain rather than brightness. The nato neck carries a smooth walnut fingerboard (no fret lines to worry about, just clean dark wood under your fingers), and the butterfly-style bass tuners keep things stable and easy to turn. The onboard MBass preamp with EQ means you can shape your tone before it ever hits an amp or PA, and the EADG tuning is standard bass — no relearning required. Black hardware throughout gives it a sleek, understated look. The included gig bag means you’re ready to take it anywhere, and if you want hard-shell protection, Gold Tone’s optional HDMI23 case fits perfectly.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The setup includes neck relief, nut and saddle action, intonation, and electronics — and on a fretless instrument, that action work is especially important: too high and the instrument fights you, too low and you get unwanted buzz on the fingerboard.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is covered by Gold Tone’s full manufacturer warranty and backed by our own commitment to getting you the right instrument. I’ve been in the stringed instrument business for over 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (the top-rated beginner banjo method), and I’ve spent decades helping players at every level find instruments that genuinely work for them. When Gold Tone brings out something as inventive as the M-BassFL, I pay attention, because their track record for delivering real playability at accessible prices is one of the best in the industry. We also make it easy to bring this instrument home: financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — no late fees, no surprises.

Gold Tone M-BassFL Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the fretless version different from the standard M-Bass 23, and is it harder to play?

The fretless fingerboard removes the metal frets entirely, giving you a smooth walnut surface to play on. This allows for smooth slides between notes and an organic, upright-bass-like tone that fretted instruments can’t produce. That said, fretless does require more attention to finger placement to hit pitches accurately — there’s no fret to snap the note into place. If you’re coming from electric bass, expect a short adjustment period. If you’re coming from upright bass, you’ll feel right at home. Dot inlays on the side of the neck help guide your position.

Can I use the M-BassFL unplugged, or does it need an amp?

The M-BassFL is fully acoustic and produces a warm, usable tone unplugged — which is one of the things that makes it so practical as a travel or practice instrument. The onboard MBass preamp with EQ means when you do plug in, you have real tonal control. It works well through a small practice amp, a PA system, or even direct into an audio interface for recording.

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