Harley Benton MV-4M Mustang Vs Fender player Mustang, anyone played both?

[shoulderpet]

As per the thread title has anyone here played both? I have a player Mustang but for around £200 these have a lot of cool features not on the Fender (caramelised maple neck, neck binding, body contours, 12" neck radius) on paper I'm preferring the HB but wondering how they actually stack up, thanks

[ezbass]

Not played the Fender, but own the 1st release of the HB. Replace the loom and pickups and I can’t see the Fender coming close. The build on the HB is very good. I plan to drop a set of EMG GZRs in mine at some juncture.

[police squad]

I gig a bog standard HB PB50. (actually I rolled the fingerboard edges) and it sounds amazing even with the stock pickup

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I've only played the Fender Player mustang, not the HB.

 

The stock wiring was not ideal as a '50s style' circuit was used which reduces volume when rolling off the tone unless the volume is set at 100%.

 

I made a new loom with better components and more sensible circuit for mine, and shielded the cavities with anti-slug tape. It is a great little bass now, and the stock pickups sound excellent.

 

I don't know whether the same circuit is used on the Player II (with the 'spaghetti' logo).