Harley Benton Enhanced Series

[RyoCanCan]

Harley Bentons are sleepers, for some reason. Almost everyone that's ever played one is amazed at the quality for the price, and most people that own one love it. Yet hardly anyone considers them as a "serious" bass. Instead of getting a super wazoo €300 high(ish) end HB, they'll buy an €300 entry level Squier Affinity* instead, and have a poorer instrument for it.

* I'm sure there are nice Affinitys out there, but every one I've ever picked up felt cheap.

People want the guitar, but not the brand. Harley Benton is a 4 letter word for many because of the past of being not that good. They've really upped their game though, and as it's in a more positive light now, people are getting them if nothing else but to try them. I mean, a bass at a cost of a high end pedal? Especially if you're willing to service it and tinker, they're excellent for that.

Also, they would rather get an affinity bass because of ''a reputable brand'', and the mentality of ''too good to be true'' (which is pretty healthy) doesn't help.

 

[RyoCanCan]

Already posted elsewhere, but felt the need to put it here too.

Didn’t mod a switch in there yet. I don’t feel like enlargening the hole for it and the control plate and cavity are so full of stuff I’d rather leave it be for now

 

[The Expendable Clay]

Already posted elsewhere, but felt the need to put it here too.
View attachment 3567995
View attachment 3567996
Didn’t mod a switch in there yet. I don’t feel like enlargening the hole for it and the control plate and cavity are so full of stuff I’d rather leave it be for now

This is the milky color?
this is my favorite. What's the weight?

 

[RyoCanCan]

This is the milky color?
this is my favorite. What's the weight?

It's quite heavy, but not overly so. I haven't weighed it, nor do I have means to do so but it's very manageable. And you're correct, it's the milky white one. It's a beaut.

 

[PawleeP]

OK, so the P version arrived. Fit/finish is at least as nice as the J. Three piece ash body, satin finish. Very nice. There's some sort of issue with the electronics. It seemed like the bridge pickup was a bit....weak or nasal sounding, and the whole bass was maybe a tad dark, like a passive tone control rolled about halfway off. Plugged it in tonight, and the bridge pickup didn't work at all. Then it came back. I haven't reached out to Thomann about it yet, but I will. I will post what they say or do about it. I'm sure this isn't a feature. I would not let this one bass' issue scare you away if you were in the market for something like this.

with all due respect, since when does a p version have a bridge pickup?

 

[And I]

with all due respect, since when does a p version have a bridge pickup?

This particular bass is J/MM or P/MM.

 

[dabbler]

with all due respect, since when does a p version have a bridge pickup?

When it is "enhanced"! Same thing for the enhanced J!

 

[And I]

My only wish is the P/MM pickups were 1/2" further from the bridge and closer to the neck.

 

[dabbler]

My only wish is the P/MM pickups were 1/2" further from the bridge and closer to the neck.

While I understand this, because I have one of each, I feel the pair complement each other very well.

Does anybody know how the pup location compares with what is on the Sandberg on which it is based?

 

[And I]

Looks like the Sandberg is close to the bridge as well. You can't really solo the MM pup without major eq adjustments... even then... it's too close to the bridge to sound the way you want a solo MM to sound. I like how it sounds with P only or both pups.

Sandberg MM pickup placement?

 

[david_aa]

I'm loving my MJ-5... very happy with this bass. The only downside is the weight: 4.7Kg (~10 pound).

Here is beside other Harley Benton (modified headstock):

 

[serch777]

I've been thinking of getting the Enhanced MP-4EB guys. How is it compared to the upper Squier or the Fender MIM Player series? Has anyone compared the QC and tones between these three models?

 

[fourstringbliss]

Zombie thread revival!

I just bought one of these yesterday:

and I'm hoping it's closer to 9 lbs than 10 lbs, but it'll be fine either way.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Looks like the Sandberg is close to the bridge as well. You can't really solo the MM pup without major eq adjustments... even then... it's too close to the bridge to sound the way you want a solo MM to sound. I like how it sounds with P only or both pups.

Sandberg MM pickup placement?

Close to the bridge like that it's more for adding flavor.

 

[dabbler]

Close to the bridge like that it's more for adding flavor.

AND, if you mod it with an on/off/on 3 way switch, to allow you to split it for either coil, for having a J with 60s OR 70s spacing at will.

 

[fourstringbliss]

AND, if you mod it with an on/off/on 3 way switch, to allow you to split it for either coil, for having a J with 60s OR 70s spacing at will.

What wiring diagram should I use? I already have some on/off/on switches.

 

[dabbler]

What wiring diagram should I use? I already have some on/off/on switches.

I'll have to dig to find the actual diagram, but it's basically this:

Connect the switch such that in the off position it is simply connected to the point where the 2 pup coils are connected (this will likely be the middle lug of the switch). Connect one side of the remaining lugs to ground and the other side to wherever the pup output is connected.

When you flip the switch on one direction it will short out one of the coils, and when you flip it in the opposite direction it will short out the other.

Be aware, however, that only one off the coils will be reverse would wrt the neck pup, so the combination of the 2 will not be humbugging in that position... but it will play.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I'll have to dig to find the actual diagram, but it's basically this:

Connect the switch such that in the off position it is simply connected to the point where the 2 pup coils are connected (this will likely be the middle lug of the switch). Connect one side of the remaining lugs to ground and the other side to wherever the pup output is connected.

When you flip the switch on one direction it will short out one of the coils, and when you flip it in the opposite direction it will short out the other.

Be aware, however, that only one off the coils will be reverse would wrt the neck pup, so the combination of the 2 will not be humbugging in that position... but it will play.

Got it. Thanks!

 

[jd56hawk]

If people could actually buy Harley Benton basses in the USA...Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc, I bet they'd give Squier, Ibanez and Sterling a run for their money.

 

[fourstringbliss]

If people could actually buy Harley Benton basses in the USA...Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc, I bet they'd give Squier, Ibanez and Sterling a run for their money.

Absolutely! The only thing getting in the way would be the name on the headstock - some folks are super hung up on that.