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Harley Benton 414 Ricky Clone Good or Not?

darjeeling

darjeeling

Jan 4, 2020
16
2
Ohio USA
#1
I was super interested in picking one these up to scratch my rickenbacker itch.
I played a 4003 in a music store and it never left me. I heard they are high maintaince machines though. anyways, anyone have one of these? would you reccomend?
 
#3
I recieved mine in Dec '20. I love the bass, I don't like the bridge. When changing strings or with a broken string, it's to easy to loose a bridge piece. I installed a different bridge with strings through and now am completely comfortable.
 
#5
kodiakblair said:
????

It's not a racing car , it's a bass guitar.

@Volker Kirstein is bang on the money. The RB-414 is not a Ric clone nor was it intended to be.

Here's the thread I started after receiving mine December 2014.

Harley Benton RB414CS
Click to expand...
No, it's not a race car, we had those for 14 years. 4 Championships. I simply want my bass to be reliable, and losing a bridge piece under the drum set during a gig because of a broken string, is not what I call reliable.
 
#6
darjeeling said:
I was super interested in picking one these up to scratch my rickenbacker itch.
I played a 4003 in a music store and it never left me. I heard they are high maintaince machines though. anyways, anyone have one of these? would you reccomend?
Click to expand...
If you want something that looks a little bit like a Ric but doesn't sound like one, maybe, but you do realize you won't get the chance to actually play one before buying it, right?
 
#7
jd56hawk said:
If you want something that looks a little bit like a Ric but doesn't sound like one, maybe, but you do realize you won't get the chance to actually play one before buying it, right?
Click to expand...
When I bought mine I had only seen them in reviews. When it arrived, it sounds decent. The bridge pu is a little quieter. Many folks remove the bridge pu cover, and you must remove the screws as they hold the pu as well. While it's off though, if you cut the mounting springs in half, when reassembled, the spring height will now allow the pu to be raised close enough to the strings, ballancing the pu's output.
My main problem with the bass is the bridge and all it's wonky adjustment screws and bridge rollers. When I removed the strings for replacement as most people do when new, 3 of the bridge rollers fell to the floor. Fortunately none were lost. But what if I break a string during a gig? I installed a differient bridge which is adjustable with no loose pieces and while I was at it, made the strings through the body. I had 4 ferrules from a previous project. Total cost, $25. The neck is not quite as thin as a Ric, but is very nice and uniform thickness it's entire length.
 
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#8
Roger Ford said:
When I bought mine I had only seen them in reviews. When it arrived, it sounds decent. The bridge pu is a little quieter. Many folks remove the bridge pu cover, and you must remove the screws as they hold the pu as well. While it's off though, if you cut the mounting springs in half, when reassembled, the spring height will now allow the pu to be raised close enough to the strings, ballancing the pu's output.
My main problem with the bass is the bridge and all it's wonky adjustment screws and bridge rollers. When I removed the strings for replacement as most people do when new, 3 of the bridge rollers fell to the floor. Fortunately none were lost. But what if I break a string during a gig? I installed a differient bridge which is adjustable with no loose pieces and while I was at it, made the strings through the body. I had 4 ferrules from a previous project. Total cost, $25. The neck is not quite as thin as a Ric, but is very nice and uniform thickness it's entire length.
Click to expand...
Never thought much about HB as the place to go for bargain basses, but 8 do like several models.
 
#9
Roger Ford said:
When I bought mine I had only seen them in reviews. When it arrived, it sounds decent. The bridge pu is a little quieter. Many folks remove the bridge pu cover, and you must remove the screws as they hold the pu as well. While it's off though, if you cut the mounting springs in half, when reassembled, the spring height will now allow the pu to be raised close enough to the strings, ballancing the pu's output.
My main problem with the bass is the bridge and all it's wonky adjustment screws and bridge rollers. When I removed the strings for replacement as most people do when new, 3 of the bridge rollers fell to the floor. Fortunately none were lost. But what if I break a string during a gig? I installed a differient bridge which is adjustable with no loose pieces and while I was at it, made the strings through the body. I had 4 ferrules from a previous project. Total cost, $25. The neck is not quite as thin as a Ric, but is very nice and uniform thickness it's entire length.
Click to expand...
What bridge did you use? Can you post a photo of the replacement bridge mounted on your bass?
 
#10

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#11
@Roger Ford

Nice to see there's still a the drum riser in the hypothetical worse case scenario.

I also note you're quite happy to post the bridge link yet remain quiet regarding the need to shim said bridge.
What's that all about ? If you're going to suggest folk change the bridge, have the decency to say what's involved.

Folks.

If you're concerned about losing saddles, put a dot of epoxy under them.

$4 Tube of epoxy vs $20 New bridge + your shim material.

Choice is yours :thumbsup:
 
#12
kodiakblair said:
@Roger Ford

Nice to see there's still a the drum riser in the hypothetical worse case scenario.

I also note you're quite happy to post the bridge link yet remain quiet regarding the need to shim said bridge.
What's that all about ? If you're going to suggest folk change the bridge, have the decency to say what's involved.

Folks.

If you're concerned about losing saddles, put a dot of epoxy under them.

$4 Tube of epoxy vs $20 New bridge + your shim material.

Choice is yours :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Sorry about the shim. It was easy to do. I forgot about it. 1/8" I don't care for all the screws that aren't really well done, beside the rollers. On top of all that, I really don't care to save the Ric look.
 
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#14
kodiakblair said:
It's only a bridge Roger, you're happy and have peace of mind :thumbsup:

Sadly changing it will not save you from some of the RIC cult zealots.

In their eyes just owning an RB 414 is enough to damn you and the first born male child for the next 4 generations :jawdrop:
Click to expand...
We all have silly quirks... I just painted the inside of the cavities with shielding paint and one of the pots was loose, so, I removed the knobs to tighten and pulled the center shaft out of the pot. New pots tomorrow. I love this bass, believe it or not and I'm willing to take the steps to make it bullet proof. By the way, the pickup switch looks actually pretty good!
 
#15
I own and play a 4003. I also own 2 Harley Benton 12 string guitars and I have the videos for the bass.
Would not hesitate to buy one if needed. I also play Hofner Icon Beatle bass, Hofner Contemp Club, MIM Fender Jazz, Squire PJ. I think I like the 4003 mostly because I can flip the pickup switch for a fast sound change. Not sure if 414 does that tho.
 

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