Annoying Twit Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Both of these look quite interesting. Neither are in Thomann's current range, though there is still a five string version of the through neck bass. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-BENTON-THOMANN-4-STRING-BASS-WITH-HARDCASE-R-H-LOOK-/111200675187?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19e413a573 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Great-Sound-4-String-Solid-Case-/390686713520?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5af6be26b0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 They both look great! Shame you can't still order them new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 The Harley Benton stuff is actually quite good I bought my son a guitar and it sounds pretty good and is very well made Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) I made a mistake - the four string through neck is available new. It's under Jazz basses. (?) [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbz2004.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ton_hbz2004.htm[/url] It seems very cheap for an active through neck for £161, but not having played one, I've no idea what it's like. Even with the case, that makes the £155 starting bid on the one on ebay look a bit high. Or, is that a better earlier model. The wood doesn't look like mahogany to me. I've always been curious about their bass that looks like a Vintage-Modified-a-like. It's cheap as chips at just over £104 new + postage. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb1975_na.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._hbb1975_na.htm[/url] Some interesting opinions on Harley Benton here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186956-harley-benton-opinions-please/"]http://basschat.co.u...pinions-please/[/url] Though, instruments on ebay might be older models which may or may not be better or worse. I've been looking for a cheap unlined fretless. I'm bloody tempted to go for this: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_400fl_tbk_modern_ser_b_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ser_b_stock.htm[/url] But, perhaps I should hold out for something better. Edited October 30, 2013 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I love the HB stuff. I've had a six string bass from them before which was great for the £130 ish I paid for it, and my main acoustic guitar and ukulele are both HB. Phenominal quality for the money, I wouldn't be surprised if the VM Jazz-a-like is made in the same factory as the Squier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 [quote name='SlapbassSteve' timestamp='1383146176' post='2260777'] I love the HB stuff. I've had a six string bass from them before which was great for the £130 ish I paid for it, and my main acoustic guitar and ukulele are both HB. Phenominal quality for the money, I wouldn't be surprised if the VM Jazz-a-like is made in the same factory as the Squier... [/quote] Pretty much this +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hand of john curley Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I've got a jumbo electro acoustic bass by HB. It's bloody brilliant. Sounds great acoustic or plugged in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 Given that Thomann has been selling inexpensive basses under the Harley Benton name for a long while (there's a 2007 thread on here), it's surprising that there aren't more on ebay. There's one of their cheaper Jazz basses on ebay as well: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Bass-/190947023622?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c75545b06 It may be my eye, but isn't that a fairly high action? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1383159334' post='2261026'] Given that Thomann has been selling inexpensive basses under the Harley Benton name for a long while (there's a 2007 thread on here), it's surprising that there aren't more on ebay. There's one of their cheaper Jazz basses on ebay as well: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Bass-/190947023622?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c75545b06"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c75545b06[/url] It may be my eye, but isn't that a fairly high action? [/quote] Its not your eye it is a high action but in all fairness a 2 grand bass can have a high action if it has been poorly set up I am guessing that is whats up with the bass in your picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1383163155' post='2261118'] Its not your eye it is a high action but in all fairness a 2 grand bass can have a high action if it has been poorly set up I am guessing that is whats up with the bass in your picture? [/quote] My Shine SB26 had an action like that before I shimmed the neck and attacked the nut with files. Relevance: The Harley Benton six string is a rebadged Shine, though I notice that the current model is different from mine in that it has a separate battery compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hand of john curley Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I bet I know someone who could've filed the nut and adjusted the neck to within a knats chuff of being level 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyeluke Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 The jb75 bass comes with daddario xl strings and wilkinson alnico vintage pickups as standard and the bridge has brass saddles and looks identical to the wilkinson unit so surely that bass is the bargain of the century? I am tempted to get one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) [quote name='rallyeluke' timestamp='1383236113' post='2261966'] The jb75 bass comes with daddario xl strings and wilkinson alnico vintage pickups as standard and the bridge has brass saddles and looks identical to the wilkinson unit so surely that bass is the bargain of the century? I am tempted to get one [/quote] I will naturally say 'go for it', as if you buy one you can tell us all what it's like. Edit: Through neck HB relisted with lower start price. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111203064936 Edited October 31, 2013 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 Another HB on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/black-bass-guitar-harley-benton-active-electrics-4-string-lots-of-punch-clarity-/331056991718?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4d1488cde6 Starting price £84, which compares to the new price of ... £81! http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb400tbk_ebass.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1383131931' post='2260507'] ... I've been looking for a cheap unlined fretless. I'm bloody tempted to go for this: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_400fl_tbk_modern_ser_b_stock.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ser_b_stock.htm[/url] But, perhaps I should hold out for something better. [/quote] I had one of those or something very similar, bought four years ago so the model might be different? Excellent for the price; the nut needed lowering and the knobs were cheap and not very straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 (edited) There's a rave review of the '1975' Harley Benton 'Vintage' Jazz Bass here, including sound clips. [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/harley-benton-jazz-bass-reviewed-615539/"]http://www.talkbass....eviewed-615539/P[/url] PS: Having lost my nut filing virginity, a nut that's a bit high no longer has fear for me. Edited November 1, 2013 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1382937937' post='2258115'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Great-Sound-4-String-Solid-Case-/390686713520?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item5af6be26b0"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5af6be26b0[/url] [/quote] This bass was 'sold' for £82. But, it was immediately relisted. Looking at the winner, who has 0 feedback, they have bid on 34 items, 100% of which were listed by the seller of the Harley Benton bass. [url="http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidderProfile&mode=1&item=390686713520&aid=n***c&eu=&bidtid=347089308026&view=NONE&ssPageName=PageBidderProfileViewBids_None_ViewLink"]http://offer.ebay.co...s_None_ViewLink[/url] Has anyone seen a clearer example of shill bidding? It looks pretty conclusive to me. Edit: Interesting piece of negative feedback for this seller. [quote] Wouldn't sell for winning price Buyer: l***g ( 28) 25-Jun-13 17:01 <a href="http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&ftab=AllFeedback&userid=leecraddock01&iid=390687179939&de=off&page=1&items=25&interval=180&which=negative&convFdkId=822430266012&convShow=true#822430266012"> [list] [*] [b]Reply[/b] by leecraddock01 (25-Jun-13 17:54): Buyer wanted to buy at unreasonable price so couldn't sell, way too cheap!! [/list] 8 x PAR 64 Cans On Prewired PARBARS 500 Watt Lamps Raylight & Reflectors Stands (#390607448965) [/quote] Edited November 5, 2013 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 "Just for decoration"? http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_30_nt_lh_decoration.htm Surely someone could fix this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 Damn, I would like a cheap fretless. But this is a bit too far for me to go. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380773417623&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en (And of course, the sale price might not be cheap. But it's a HB which don't seem to actually sell for much and it's a 99p start). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAlonBass Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1384718043' post='2279954'] Damn, I would like a cheap fretless. But this is a bit too far for me to go. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380773417623&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en"]http://cgi.ebay.co.u...atchlink:top:en[/url] (And of course, the sale price might not be cheap. But it's a HB which don't seem to actually sell for much and it's a 99p start). [/quote] Thanks for the heads up on this. I've stuck a tentative bid on it, just in case. Well, seeing as I live in the same town, it'd be silly not to, wouldn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.