I should not have checked this out! This is a sweet poor man’s Sandberg! For about $360, I may have to buy one! The humbucker is not too bad at getting the Stingray sound solo too!
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Harley Benton MP5
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I should not have checked this out! This is a sweet poor man’s Sandberg! For about $360, I may have to buy one! The humbucker is not too bad at getting the Stingray sound solo too!
https://youtu.be/kBtFQA0FbXY
It is interesting, some reviewers say watch out for the preamp which cannot handle the pickups. Two say watch out for the bridge humbucker. I know this a more premium budget bass (I know, oxymoron,) but there is always some luck of the draw with cheaper basses.
It is interesting, some reviewers say watch out for the preamp which cannot handle the pickups. Two say watch out for the bridge humbucker. I know this a more premium budget bass (I know, oxymoron,) but there is always some luck of the draw with cheaper basses.
Of course, Julie makes them all sound great!
Yeah QC in value basses can be hit or miss. In another thread on these, someone found out that instead of the advertised Alnico pups, theirs had ceramics. After reading that thread I looked at mine and realized it has an Alnico in the neck and a ceramic at the bridge, go figure.
But I will say this, the ceramic bridge pup is a good match for the Alnico neck pup. Then again, I have done Alnico neck, ceramic bridge mods on some of my non-bass guitars, so maybe it's just a thing for me! LOL
Of course, Julie makes them all sound great!
Hi Doc,
Speaking as some who owns 3 of these basses, I'd recommend the Alder bodied MP-5EB (Ebony board) over the MN (Maple Neck) if you are looking to get the closest approximation possible to a Stingray-ish MM sound between these 2 Enhanced Series models.
IME, the Ebony board really enhances the "string" tone with shimmery highs more so than the Maple version. It's got a top end sweetness that the MP-5MN can <almost> reach, but not quite.
But then again, the MN gets a great growly traditional tone that the Ebony version can't quite nail due to it's slightly more modern top end richness. The two models are wonderful compliments to each other.
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Those are two sweet basses. When folks stop dropping like flies, when need to have another get together.
Those are two sweet basses. When folks stop dropping like flies, when need to have another get together.
Thanks, and yes - a get together would be great.
Oh no! So, you're telling me, I need to get yet another one? 
What a lovely girl! ↑ ↑
Zombie thread but according to those videos and the specs those HB basses are quite cool.
Zombie thread but according to those videos and the specs those HB basses are quite cool.
So to those owners who have been using the HB Enhanced MP-5 basses a few years, are they still good or are there issues popping up (frets, necks warping, etc.)? I've had my eye on these but am having trouble believing that a $300 instrument can be good quality. Thanks!
I was trying to wait and let others respond first because my 2 5 string Enhanced line basses (MP & MJ) are not main players for me. I DO play them but they get less time in rotation than others. That said, NO issues have cropped up and I still love them for the great value, flexible, solid players that they are!
