Beginner Bass Question

[malindowsky]

HI Everybody

I looking for a "beginner bass" I am a hobby musican mostly playing at home by myself or with my kids, and I am also a guitar player. I need the bass to record some backing tracks so I am not looking for anything expensive. I mostly play jazz (standards) so I was looking for jazz bass I narrowed down my search to a Harley Benton JB75 and the Squire classic vibe. I read through a lot of forums and the consensus seems to be that the CV is a better instrument but only marginaly. There is a lot of good review and positive comments on the HB both look identical to my eyes (natural wood one). I went to a store that carries both brands and tried them side by side the HB has a thicker neck with a satin finish the CV is thiner and has a thick varnish on it. Quality looks pretty similiar, I did not notice the weight some reviews talk about generally both seemed nice. I can get the HB for 180 but I also found a used CV for 290 this particular instrument seems to be an eariler edtion CV with a P bass cover (it has the thubm rest), has a hard case included but has two funky looking screws next to the tail pieces suggesting that it has been moded earlier. Now I cant try it in person as it is over 2 hour drive from me. My question is would a probably modified CV used still be superiror to a HB or just buy the HB and if I dont like it I can allways send it back. What do you guys think?

Attaching some images of the used one I am looking at. Thnx in advance
am looking at. Thnx in advance

 

[Geepers]

I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t buy the HB. Seems a no-brainer to me. But I may not have a brain so there’s that …

 

[Tommy Sparks]

Which one felt the best in your hands. The screws are for an ashtray cover.
I’ve never touched or actually saw an H B in the wild.
From my limited knowledge, I would probably go with the squier. However, whichever one felt best when you were playing it.

 

[jd56hawk]

If you ever need to sell it, the Squier will get you more money.
The Harley Benton might get you enough cash for a Big Mac, French Fries and a milkshake.

 

[Lobster11]

Sorry to muddy the waters, but you don't need a "Jazz" bass to play jazz.

 

[OldBlue61]

I had a Squier CV JB, and loved it. Great bass that I wish I had back. No experience w/ HB, so can't comment on that. And the 2 screws, like @Tommy Sparks said, were for an aftermarket ashtray. They didn't come with them (as far as I know).

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I mostly play jazz (standards) so I was looking for jazz bass

Like Lobstess said above, that's a misconception and marketing ploy started by Fender. Best not to even look at single coils if your new to recording. P-bass would cover most ground but typically have 1-5/8 nut width where as the Jazz Bass is about 1-1/2 nut width. Ibanez SR series have slim necks as well.

 

[pcake]

i haven't had the chance to try harley bentons, but i love the squier classic vibe line. my husband loves his 70s CV jazz - it's very nice, and i loved my 60s CV jazz, but i sold it for ergonomic reasons, but it sounded, looked and felt great, and i found the CV build quality to be very nice compared to the more budget lines - probably as nice as a MiM fender.

 

[brianrost]

Chances are that with an HB you will need some setup work done, especially the frets. The Squier might still need some work, but I have played ones off the rack that were ready to go.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Sorry to muddy the waters but if this is just for occasional playing/recording of backing tracks I would get a decent octave pedal and run your guitar through it.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/se...95612480a2a39da454&_index=production_products

 

[dune]

Everything I've seen online would indicate that the Squier CV punches WAY above its weight.
I haven't seen anything similar regarding the HB.

 

[bherman]

Not sure where you are located, but Guitar Center has a Squier Limited Edition Sonic P Bass for $179, and Fender has a Limited edition on sale for $153 9if you dont mind Lime Green)....

Invalid Link Removed

 

[KidAmnesia]

Any bass that can be set up properly will be more than adequate for a beginner bass. Chose the one that looks the coolest to you.

And just to clarify, those screws at the sides of the CV bridge are bridge cover screws, and there's also two screw holes on the pickguard for the pickup cover; it's been moded (I don't think any CV jazz ever came with covers) but it's not a mod that should be a concern.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

I do highly recommend the Squier VM or CV series. they are great basses for the money, you wont be disappointed, or feel the money was wasted. I don't feel the same for other brands in this price range. But at this price point —"go with the bass that feels the best to you"

 

[red_rhino]

No experience with HB, but I will say the Squier CV's I have played were very nice instruments. That said....

"go with the bass that feels the best to you"

always always always always

 

[Neck Diver]

Between those two choices I would go with the Squier. You could offer a little less on the used Squier and seller might accept your offer. Also you could resell the Squier for what you paid for it.

I bought a Harley Benton MV4-MSB Gotoh short scale (30”). Was $285 with shipping. It was a boat anchor, 9lbs, and needed a little fret work. I didn’t like it. Spent months trying to sell it and took a blood bath when I was lucky enough to find a buyer.

If you are open to other possibilities then as another member has mentioned do check out the Squier Sonic Precision at around $200 or less depending on color. I’ve checked out two of them, worth the money and would be much easier to resell than a Harley Benton.
Low End Lobster posted a review yesterday. May need to replace potentiometers.

 

[Steve Cooke]

I think they are all good choices. I enjoy my CV70's Jazz and P basses. As a newer bass player you may not be "set" on any certain neck profile? I didnt care about necks for a LONG time... I say for your purposes, get the one that plays / is set up nicer, take it home and have fun with it.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Beyond setup, there can be a type of "magic" when playing/connecting with a Bass. I am a hypocrite cause I have bought Rickenbackers sight unseen. Part of the fun is going out and finding a great Bass.

 

[ACRock]

The jazz bass pictured in the post has the Duncan Designed pickups which came on the Vintage Modified basses (through @2014) not the CVs. The CVs from that production date (neck 2010?) were crafted in China

 

[salmon256]

I disagree with going with the HB. While I agree Harley Benton's have been making some names and have been proven to be well rounded bosses especially some of their upper models which can cost Squier prices alone, I think you get a better product if you go with a CV.

Truthfully basses that work in jazz is pretty much of all them. But as others said you do not need to get a "Jazz" bass to play jazz. Just Fenders marketing to get Jazz players to buy them, and while I argue a JB would work fine, you shouldn't cut yourself short.

I will oddly argue you may be better off with some kind of upper Ibanez or Yamaha model. Yamaha I find would fit the best either the TRB or BB series, BB are the P-bass pretty much while TRB are most jazz like basses but with their own Yamaha flare and a different sound honestly. I think TRBX300 or 600 may fit better for you and they have great resale value.