Annoying Twit Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 (edited) Similar to an Eastwood Classic 4. Not a rebadge as the body shape is different. There are lots of similar basses. I'm not sure what the original bass was that inspired both the Eastwood and the Harley Benton. Gretsh G6072? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hb_60_wb.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...on_hb_60_wb.htm[/url] But, for £157 it looks like a relatively cheap way into 1960s style hollow bass double humbucker territory. We don't have Rondo Guitars over here in the UK, but the Harley Benton brand seems to be fulfilling a similar role to the Rondo Music brands such as Douglas, Brice, etc. BTW: I wondered if there would be a doppleganger to the HB sold by Rondo Music, but I didn't find one. Their short scale hollow bass isn't nearly so short scale and is quite different in other ways too. Edited June 7, 2014 by Annoying Twit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Quite pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Thanks for spotting this one AT. Was looking at Rondo the other night ( fretless, 5'er short scale with quilted maple $325 ) and saw the Douglas HB all the while cursing the lack of Rondo here. I actually prefer the Douglas look but hey beggars can't be choosers, so if I'm after a hollow body I know where to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 I found the fretless short scale Rondo. There's a fretless Beatle Bass too. Pity we don't have so much choice concerning cheapies over here. Particularly since some internet brands such as Wesley have closed down. I've never been particularly tempted by the Skylark and HasGuitar basses. (Having just looked at the HasGuitar website http://www.hasguitars.com/, I'd be careful about buying a flying V guitar from them - you might not know where it's been). Alden guitars, for a while, had lots of interesting models. But, the model range seems to have shrunk dramatically. http://freestylemusic.co.uk/categories/401/Alden-Guitars/ At one time it looks as if Gear4Music was going to promote it's own "Black Knight" brand of basses that were a bit more interesting than their cheap Ps and Js, but there's only one model left in that range, a J copy. http://www.gear4music.com/Bass_Guitars/Black_Knight_Bass_Guitars.html They have their 'Oregon' neck through basses, but they look a bit ugly to me. There are the J&D Brothers jazz basses which are popular, but there isn't a big range there. It seems that it's only Harley Benton where you can look through the range and think "I can get that for that little money". And for the Fender copies, people (such as you Kodiakblair) have had good experiences with them too. I must admit that I don't like the look of the new 'progressive' models however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1402181830' post='2470857'] Similar to an Eastwood Classic 4. Not a rebadge as the body shape is different. There are lots of similar basses. I'm not sure what the original bass was that inspired both the Eastwood and the Harley Benton. Gretsh G6072? [/quote] They are modeled on the Epiphone Rivoli aren't they? I mean the original made in the US 1960's Rivoli. Not sure Epiphone did a 2 pickup version. Our bass player in the Soul Band from the 60's had one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) Before I posted the first time, I had done a quick google for Epiphone to see if I could find the inspiration, but most of them had a very different bridge more similar to the Douglas above. But, given your comment, I searched again (and harder), and found this page: http://kitmonsters.com/kit/epiphone/epiphone-rivoli-bass There are still some differences, but this 60s two pickup model is quite close to the HB. At present, the HB looks to me to be inspired by the Rivoli, but with some Gretsch influences. Though, there seem to be quite a few variations of the Rivoli out there, and there might be a version of which the HB is a direct copy. I'm looking forward to when Thomann get around to putting sound samples up online. I don't think I can justify another four string fretted bass, but I've heard similar instruments (e.g. the Eastwood) which sound really good, so I'd be at least curious to hear it. Edited June 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 The Epiphone version is a monster as is the Aria TAB65?, which also looks similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I can't find an Aria TAB65. I can find an Aria TAB66, which appears to be a current model, though it has been produced since 1967, I read. That has a Gibson LP/ES style bridge and tailpiece, but is another bass in the ballpark of the HB. The Aria is almost three times the price of the Harley Benton, but reviews are good. The Eastwood Classic 4 is about £440, about the same price as the Aria. Edited June 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBWT Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) A hollowbody bass must be well built to sound decent and last long. I don't think this HB can achieve neither goal. I would expect: crappy tunners, high action, bad intonation, weak pickups, poor sustain. It's much more expensive to build one of these than to build a Fender knock-off, so something must be sacrificed and in the case I bet many things must have been. The bass is a Grestch copy. Notice the master volume pot at the lower horn (the guys in Thomann don't even know what's for, apparently). It's short scale (30.5"). Edited June 8, 2014 by IBWT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) The white one is a [i]much [/i]more interesting proposition!! (ymmv, imho, etc). [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hb_60_vw.htm?sid=5f2f506e16f5bf748ce05ec69c1b30cd"]http://www.thomann.d...ce05ec69c1b30cd[/url] Edited June 8, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) The Harley Benton Progressive's are ugly no doubt about it. Had a look on Ebay.de and I've seen these Darlin basses before, I think it was through Ali Baba http://stores.ebay.de/asien-harmonie/Saiteninstrumente-/_i.html?_fsub=5468454014 and the Edel's have been on the go for a while http://stores.ebay.de/gitarrenschmiede/_i.html?_nkw=Bass&submit=Finden&_sid=369529926 Search was set below 350 euro. Still nothing like the choice the Americans have. These two by Spear are quite interesting http://www.ebay.de/itm/Aktiver-E-Bass-SPEAR-S-2E-4-Saiter-Ebenholz-Decke-Top-Design/290736133733?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D22567%26meid%3D7472305508151770407%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D9764%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D331199054376&rt=nc http://www.ebay.de/itm/SPEAR-E-Bass-V-DXE-4-Ebony-Top-active-NEU-Fachhandler-/331199054376?pt=Gitarren&hash=item4d1d008228 though more than 350 euros. IBWT I think with over 1000 employees Thomann will have someone in the know, They've been going for 60 years. Edited June 8, 2014 by kodiakblair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='IBWT' timestamp='1402223497' post='2471057'] A hollowbody bass must be well built to sound decent and last long. I don't think this HB can achieve neither goal. I would expect: crappy tunners, high action, bad intonation, weak pickups, poor sustain. It's much more expensive to build one of these than to build a Fender knock-off, so something must be sacrificed and in the case I bet many things must have been. [/quote] I wouldn't like to make those specific judgements without playing one. Some of the cheap instruments coming from China are surprisingly workable now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) [quote name='IBWT' timestamp='1402223497' post='2471057'] A hollowbody bass must be well built to sound decent and last long. I don't think this HB can achieve neither goal. I would expect: crappy tunners, high action, bad intonation, weak pickups, poor sustain. It's much more expensive to build one of these than to build a Fender knock-off, so something must be sacrificed and in the case I bet many things must have been. [/quote] I've not played one so can't be 100% about it, but HB basses in general have some good reviews - the fact is people seem surprised and pleased by the quality on offer - for the money. ^ Should have read Beer's post first! ^ Dur. Edited June 8, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Snobs will always be snobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 Always thought it was strange that there's fairly regular posts about QC issues with Rics,Gibsons and Fenders.No-one takes a blind bit notice but a problem with a £100 bass, nearly headline news. Anyway I'm with Discreet the white one looks far better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 They are working for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1402225776' post='2471085'] The white one is a [i]much [/i]more interesting proposition!! (ymmv, imho, etc). [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hb_60_vw.htm?sid=5f2f506e16f5bf748ce05ec69c1b30cd"]http://www.thomann.d...ce05ec69c1b30cd[/url] [/quote] This. The white is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBWT Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I've had a couple of HB basses and owned and tried several hollowbody basses. They just require good craftmanship and good parts. A decent Fender-like instrument doesn't need much to be worth 100€, but a hollowbody, arched top bass does. I'm not a snob, I've owned quite a decent amount of affordable basses (actually, more than high end ones). I've also tried one or two HB acoustic guitars and they're just not good. There is a level of quality where it doesn't matter how cheap the product is, it just isn't worth the money. If you want to try one, well you can only waste a couple hundred quid, so I reckon they're worth the try. No one really complains about the QC or overall quality of the cheapest instruments because they are, well, the cheapest. Reviews usually say "good value for the money"... it's hard to get bad value for 100 quid. Edited June 8, 2014 by IBWT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I'd think it worthwhile waiting for reviews of this instrument. Though of course under the Distance Selling Regulations, it's possible to return the bass after trying it for a short time. The [url=]Harley Benton violin bass/beatbass[/url] is also hollow body, is made from similar materials (maple plywood) and is a lot cheaper. The reviews for that seem OK and the sound samples sound OK. There are a lot of bad reviews of older Harley Benton basses, and the very cheapest models. The more expensive (for that brand) models seem to have better reviews. Edited June 8, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBWT Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 (edited) I owned a Violin bass. It wasn't bad.. for the price. You don't really need much to get the basic Hofner tone, even with such weak pickups. It didn't sound like a hollowbody, no woody tone whatsoever, but that's not really the Hofner sound. IMO the cheapest decent hollowbody bass you can get would be an Ibanez, and the pickups and hardware are still cheap and weak (I think they're the same chinese pickups that the HB Violin has). Ibanez really doesn't charge money just for the brand, and we're talking about more than twice the HB price tag. Anyway as I said, for that money it's worth at least giving it a try. Edited June 8, 2014 by IBWT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hand of john curley Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I think the HB are good value as long as you're not expecting top end refinement. I've got a HB Electro acoustic bass that I've had for 4 years, cost me about £125 and it's great! Full scale, good eq, holds it's own gigging and recording. I honestly don't think you can fault them for what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1402335130' post='2472367'] One minor gripe... I wish the wood was darker in the F holes. Call me shallow if you will! [/quote] Two minutes with a permanent marker... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1402335130' post='2472367'] Whoa, Gas attack. I've been after a shortscale hollow bass for a while to scratch my Jack Casady/Phil Lesh itch. This looks like it might fit the bill. Being on the budget end of the spectrum it will also probably become a crash course in fixing wiring in hollow instruments as well! One minor gripe... I wish the wood was darker in the F holes. Call me shallow if you will! [/quote] Yes, you should buy one. That way you can post an in-depth review and also sound files for us to all check out That way either we have another cheap but good bass to buy, or IBWT gets to tell us all that he told us so The Harley Benton seems to have simpler electronics compared to Phil Lesh's bass: Edited June 9, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1402344385' post='2472512'] And I'm lumped with a crap bass nobody wants to buy off me. [/quote] [url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2000/2334/contents/made]Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations[/url]! Edited June 9, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pow_22 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 [size="2"]Anyone had an experience with these yet?[/size] [size="2"]Down to one bass and looking for a semi-hollow as a bit of fun/back up. GAS keeps pushing me towards an Epiphone Casady bass but this is certainly plucking my interest at this price point[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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