I
Good on paper only
After the purchase the bass was sent were quickly which I appreciated. I got the bass 10 days ago. I went for the top of the line expecting that the quality will follow. On paper this bass has it all but the reality is totally different. Where should I start. First the preamp didn't work so I thought it away. Secondly the pickups are biggggg mismatch the p pickups is overwound I think it was 15 k and the bridge pickup is only 5k so there is no way you can balance this again I thought them away. So I was left with the bear wood and some hardware. The bridge is nice I must say the tuners are solid. The finish is very bad first there is colour mismatch between neck and body since they are both "natural". The wood used is good I must say a bit on a heavy side though. The fretboard was never polished it is straight from the laquer room, the bubbles are trapped under the laquer and for the mos part they are not visible but over the inlay they are very annoying. Frets are very rough you can't play the instrument if you don't polish the frets. I mean if you are not good at DIY don't purchase this bass.
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C
Outstanding value, Terrific bass
*I just got the bass this morning*
That being said I have to say this is a magnificent beast.
Overseas shipping to USA took about 3 weeks once the bass was no longer on back order. Which I was well aware of.
Pros: It arrived undamaged all packaging was in good shape. The guitar had been properly set up. The neck is spot on, It only needed a very minor tuning adjustment to be ready to play. After giving it about 8 hours. to adjust to home temp and humidity. I can't find any flaws or blenishes in the wood or hardware. The electronics are all functioning properly and a wide tone pallette is at your fingertips.
I'll update as time passes.
Cons: If you want to get picky. The body is crafted from 4 unmatched pieces. Mind you they don't look bad and from stage distance you likely wouldn't notice. That is with the natural finish. If that bothers you get one of the other colour options. Weight: it comes in at 9.7 pounds. A few ounces heavier than my Fenders, less than my Peavy T-40 and also less than my Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series and my Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series. But if weight is a issue for you, look elsewhere.
All in all 5 stars for Value, Prefomance, Construction & Playability.
Thomann for making a great producy at such a nice price!!
That being said I have to say this is a magnificent beast.
Overseas shipping to USA took about 3 weeks once the bass was no longer on back order. Which I was well aware of.
Pros: It arrived undamaged all packaging was in good shape. The guitar had been properly set up. The neck is spot on, It only needed a very minor tuning adjustment to be ready to play. After giving it about 8 hours. to adjust to home temp and humidity. I can't find any flaws or blenishes in the wood or hardware. The electronics are all functioning properly and a wide tone pallette is at your fingertips.
I'll update as time passes.
Cons: If you want to get picky. The body is crafted from 4 unmatched pieces. Mind you they don't look bad and from stage distance you likely wouldn't notice. That is with the natural finish. If that bothers you get one of the other colour options. Weight: it comes in at 9.7 pounds. A few ounces heavier than my Fenders, less than my Peavy T-40 and also less than my Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series and my Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series. But if weight is a issue for you, look elsewhere.
All in all 5 stars for Value, Prefomance, Construction & Playability.
Thomann for making a great producy at such a nice price!!
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j
Regrets!
I'm absolutely not a professional musician, but I've been playing the bass for a few years on a moderate level. I'm also not your tech-savvy guy who knows the ins and outs of magnets or all the fine details of musical instruments; I don't know what the exact advantages of the various materials are, and I have no idea (or even serious interest in) what is hidden behind the scratch board. But I do know that this heavy bass feels like magic under my fingers, has a superb sound to it (with great controls that allow you to adjust it to your own taste), and instantly made me fall in love with playing the bass again. I honestly regret not having bought this wonderful bass any earlier! Warmly recommended to anyone who wants to step up from his entry-level instrument and find out what a real bass feels like.
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JD
Amazing bass that gives the Sire basses a run for their money
This is a beautifully made instrument. The neck feels great to play with its satin finish. The body looks awesome and feels very light but the bass doesn't have crazy neck dive or anything. This bass is much lighter than my JB-40 fretless though. The massive bridge and string-through-body design gives it very long sustain. Even the Harley Benton logo has been upgraded on this one. The bass arrived already set up properly, just needed a little intonation work.
The only con about it in my case was the jack plug, which just won't stay put when I tighten it down, keeps untightening itself and getting wobbly - will need replacing. It still works fine though. I really think if you were to upgrade the pickups, it would be competing with basses in the 1000+ eur range.
The only con about it in my case was the jack plug, which just won't stay put when I tighten it down, keeps untightening itself and getting wobbly - will need replacing. It still works fine though. I really think if you were to upgrade the pickups, it would be competing with basses in the 1000+ eur range.
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l
Worth more than just the price
Everything about this bass is amazing. The neck profile, the finish quality, the sound.
It feels like a 1500-Euro bass. It sounds like one too!
I am fascinated by the finishing quality.
It feels like a 1500-Euro bass. It sounds like one too!
I am fascinated by the finishing quality.
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JB
I had very high expectations, and they were exceeded.
I knew I was going to get one the moment I saw the enhanced line. After seeing reviews my expectations were through the roof. I figured I was overly excited and started to expect a certain amount of disappointment. I assumed I'd at least want to change the pickups and preamp. Boy was I wrong! This thing came PERFECTLY set up. Perfectly intonated, flawless fretwork and tone for DAYS! It'll probably stay stock and has taken over as my main bass. Couldn't recommend enough.
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w
Not just for beginners...
I got this tool. I am very happy. It is absolutely suitable for classes and rehearsals. And a guarantee that you will not hurt your hands and will not lose your hearing.:) Very worthy!
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G
A great instrument
I received this bass and noticed right away that it felt very good. It’s on the heavy side but I like that about it. Super light basses seem cheap and toneless to me.
The frets are a bit out and it will need a fret leveling, there are several buzzing notes. The action came very low so I adjusted it to help with fret buzz but it is still there. If you don’t mind a bit of set up and feel comfortable with fret work, this bass is very much worth the price.
The frets are a bit out and it will need a fret leveling, there are several buzzing notes. The action came very low so I adjusted it to help with fret buzz but it is still there. If you don’t mind a bit of set up and feel comfortable with fret work, this bass is very much worth the price.
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N
Would recommend
Our bassist is using it mostly for pop / rock stuff and it gives us warm tone that cuts throught at the same time.
The bass itself is lighter than the other Harley Bentons that we own in studio, which some people are going to like. One thing that i have to say is that the neck is more yellow than it is on the pictures and the body is slightly less shiny and more dry-matte looking. The hardware and pickups are good and roboust. Definitely really good guitar for the price.
The bass itself is lighter than the other Harley Bentons that we own in studio, which some people are going to like. One thing that i have to say is that the neck is more yellow than it is on the pictures and the body is slightly less shiny and more dry-matte looking. The hardware and pickups are good and roboust. Definitely really good guitar for the price.
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E
It is a fantastic mod platform
Basically this is the way to get a Sandberg California equivalent bass guitar on the cheap. I replaced the pickups with EMG MMTW and PA, the preamp with the EMG BQC Control, polished the frets with fret erasers and now it is my favourite bass guitar for about £550. Beats my Warwick $$ and my Ibanez Prestige 4000 that costed way more. I only knocked one star because the electronics could be better for a top of the line series. In fact Harley Benton has guitars with EMG pickups and Floyd Rose tremolos, so I wonder if they could launch a bass with EMG pickups and preamp as top of the line for basses
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