Harley Benton just stealth released a new line of sub $300 (delivered) PJs/JJs on me

Great value here... Couldn’t risk not getting one so I just submitted my order for the blue 4 string JJ. $274 shipped to US

All I needed to see was ash body, roasted maple neck and dual action truss rod wheel but full specs for the 4 string below with links for those interested.

• Deluxe Series
• electric bass
• comfort body contour
• body: ash
• neck: Canadian roasted maple
• neck mount: 6xbolt on
• fingerboard: roasted maple
• inlays: black dots
• 24 medium jumbo frets
• nut: ABS
• nut width: 40 mm (1.57")
• scale: 864 mm (34.02")
• fingerboard radius: 241 mm (9.41")
• 3-layer pickguard
• pickups: 2 x Alnico-5 J
• controls: volume, balance, tone
• bridge: Wilkinson w/brass saddles
• hardware finish: chrome
• tuners: BY-823 diecast

Harley Benton Launches JJ Basses
Basses - Harley Benton

 

So it came in yesterday and I got about 30min with it before I had to head out again but I’ll leave my initial bullet points below.

Cons:

• Preamp is OK
• Seems the Preamp is boost only bass/treble though it does have center detents which could be misleading.
• Treble at 10 is almost unbearably harsh
• The hum is real. Probably the worst I have had but may be magnified by the preamp.

Pros:

• The finish is incredibly well done.
  
• Neck is firmly seated very well in the pocket held in place by the 6 bolts.
• Frets have no sprouting whatsoever. Extremely smooth and well assembled.
  
• Neck finish is wonderful to play on.
• All 24 frets are a breeze to maneuver with the body cut.
• No unnecessary routing under pickguard so with a few bucks and a pack of blue dye (in my case) I can stain the pickguard screw holes and easily just leave the guard off.
• Tuners are not bad. What you would expect.
• String spacing is a slight bit wider than a traditional J which I am really fond of in this case.
• Control cavity cover shielded very well and has plenty of room for modding.
• Slide in battery compartment
• Feels very solid in hand and seems like it could take a beating.

The quick verdict is that while if blended 50/50 with the preamp completely disengaged it actually sounds quite nice, I would plan on a full replacement. I am throwing in a set of emgs, a BTC and an abcx. (Thanks for the control cavity and battery box HB - have already checked the EMG J Set and it is a perfect fit.) Other than the Electronics this thing is absolutely stellar for the price and even with the bass, shipping, pickups, preamp, active blend and a new set of strings I am into it for less than one of the new CVs… And it will be running circles around them.

 

It actually bothers me less the more I see it. At least it’s even with no cnc guide. It’s the unstained screw holes that get me the most. Gotta get the dye in here asap.

Half the battle I have with Js is the damn control cavity space and the inability to run without a guard. This guy actually checks quite a few boxes

 

Spoken like a true champion. That’s the exact reason I got that Pro Mod San Dimas that it’s hanging next to in one of the photos. Immediately ripped all the electronics out upon delivery and made it a ripper. I mean plus that toxic metallic green is just so loud lol.

The plan for the screw holes is something I have done in the past with success. I’ll actually dye wood shavings/saw dust and then pack the holes in layers alternating between that and an epoxy resin syringe. Once it’s cured i can use a hard rubber eraser or steel wool to take the shine off to match the satin of the finish.