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Does anyone here have one of the Harley Benton MB-4 Stingray copy in black?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by fourstringbliss, Jul 12, 2021.

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  1. Jul 12, 2021 #1
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I'm thinking about getting one of these:

    harley-benton-mb-4-sbk-deluxe-297353-jpg.jpg

    Do any of you have one of these? How does the finish on the neck feel? Is it super obvious that the control plate isn't matte black like the rest of the body?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2021
    DJ Bebop, seang15, Tommy V and 2 others like this.
  2. Jul 12, 2021 #2
    SgtHulka

    SgtHulka Inactive

    Mar 29, 2019
    Banland
    Who cares? The black hardware is a godsend in comparison to the god awful looking same chrome bridge.
     
    freshbass likes this.
  3. Jul 12, 2021 #3
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    Too true! I like the tort guard, but might buy a black one for the complete stealth look.
     
  4. Jul 12, 2021 #4
    SgtHulka

    SgtHulka Inactive

    Mar 29, 2019
    Banland
    LOL. By the way, how are they able to make such a nice instrument for $128 bucks? Chump change. I'm gonna buy one just because.
     
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  5. Jul 12, 2021 #5
    Bassinga

    Bassinga

    Apr 12, 2021
    Nicosia, Cyprus
    LowEndLobster did a review on one of these a few months back:


    So did Basstheworld:


    They were both pretty surprised/pleased. Lobster even modded it in later videos.
     
    lowendgenerator, mb94952, wintremute and 5 others like this.
  6. Jul 12, 2021 #6
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I've seen those videos and I'm sold on getting one - I've just been deciding between the black one and the sunburst one:

    upload_2021-7-8_23-13-3 (1).png
    upload_2021-7-8_18-2-31.png
     
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  7. Jul 12, 2021 #7
    SgtHulka

    SgtHulka Inactive

    Mar 29, 2019
    Banland
    It looks cool, but I just don't understand that bridge. It sticks out so far into the body and doesn't even have screws up there. Cant they just chop off that whole top part? I don't get it. But you already know my feelings there.
     
    sabre79 likes this.
  8. Jul 12, 2021 #8
    Clank Plank

    Clank Plank Inactive

    Dec 26, 2020
    England
    Yes, I have one.

    The neck feels fine and plays-in very nicely.

    The control plate looks fine, as do the bridge and tuners.

    I love mine. Sounds great, feels good in the hands, looks fantastic, costs buttons...makes a mockery of many instruments 2 or 3 times the price.
     
    bordinco90, freshbass, seang15 and 8 others like this.
  9. Jul 12, 2021 #9
    jd56hawk

    jd56hawk

    Sep 12, 2011
    The Garden State
    The black looks even better than the Stetling Stealth Ray 34.
     
  10. Jul 12, 2021 #10
    Durham52

    Durham52

    Sep 4, 2016
    Victoria, Australia
    Now they just need to make a Stingray clone with no control knobs to make a killing catering to the Joe Dart fans. :D
     
    thespoon, salmon256, SirMjac28 and 3 others like this.
  11. Jul 12, 2021 #11
    Katoosie

    Katoosie Bleep-bloopin' thru existence. Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    Sweden
    HB is made by Thomann, the biggest EU i strument distrubutor. Same thing as boss with their pedals.
     
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  12. Jul 12, 2021 #12
    JeezyMcNuggles

    JeezyMcNuggles Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2018
    Santa Maria, CA
    I suck, but nobody really notices
    They're pretty nice. Except it's a passive bass. The knobs are volume volume tone. But, you could always throw a Duncan preamp in it, and change the pickup.
     
    SteveHeissner, Clank Plank and Aqualung60 like this.
  13. Jul 12, 2021 #13
    DJ Bebop

    DJ Bebop

    Jan 11, 2003
    Pacific Wonderland
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2021
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  14. Jul 12, 2021 #14
    Clank Plank

    Clank Plank Inactive

    Dec 26, 2020
    England
    That notwithstanding, there's no shortage of grunt from the standard bass. Output is meaty.
     
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  15. Jul 12, 2021 #15
    Dubious Aa

    Dubious Aa

    May 13, 2020
    Lopez Island WA
    JRA, Gsnorgathon and Clank Plank like this.
  16. Jul 12, 2021 #16
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    I had thought about throwing a mojotone stingray preamp in there, but I think I'd leave it passive.
     
    seang15 likes this.
  17. Jul 12, 2021 #17
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    Eh, I might just get the sunburst one. It wouldn't surprise me if
    Is the finish a black paint or a matte finish black poly? I would be concerned that the finish would wear off like on an old Ibanez SR500. I might just have to get the sunburst one with the sturdy poly finish.
     
  18. Jul 12, 2021 #18
    Clank Plank

    Clank Plank Inactive

    Dec 26, 2020
    England
    I'm not entirely sure the nature of the finish.

    Mine has seen heavy use in 7 months and is fine. The rear of the neck has a very slight glow to it where my hand has 'buffed' the finish. However, it feels good under the hand and is not at all unsightly - it looks and feels nicely broken in,
     
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  19. Jul 12, 2021 #19
    fourstringbliss

    fourstringbliss Supporting Member

    Oct 5, 2003
    Puyallup, WA
    Yeah, that. The only way to make things cheaper is labor costs.
     
    seang15 likes this.
  20. Jul 12, 2021 #20
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    i'm a sucker for a cool-looking black ax, so that's my vote, but any ax is cool-looking when it's played well and sounds good 'in the mix'!

    the "value" seems undeniable --- hope you get a great one, OP! :thumbsup:
     
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