• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Harley Benton Multiscale 5s

#21
Well it finally came today and i am impressed with the fit, finish and build quality of this beastly 5'r. The action is low, the B isn't too floppy and i honestly cant find anything wrong with the bass at all, plays and sounds as good as anything. The roasted maple neck is a satin finish on the back and looks gorgeous, tho the lighting sucks in my loft, this is my first 5 so i got some "woodshedding" to do..A little tricky as i keep wanting to go for that lowB instead of the E as i'm sure everyone else has. It came with some short cable and two alun keys for the saddles and a thing for the wagon wheel truss rod adjustment. Here's a few pics,

of course my new dog had to sniff it for a few.....🐾
20250210_104439.jpg20250210_104742.jpg20250210_172346.jpg20250210_172444.jpg20250210_172525.jpg20250210_172618.jpg20250210_172654.jpg20250210_172716.jpg20250210_172749.jpg

20250210_175310.jpg




That look says, i wont be seeing him for a while!!!, he's got a new toy!!!
20250210_132631.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, TeeSee and Neck Diver
#23
neil|lien said:
Whoa ! Looks fantastic! I ordered the same in Burgundy Mist yesterday!
How much does yours weight?
And what's that clearer line on this picture, whete the neck meets the body?
Click to expand...
Yeh the pics dont do it justice, it weighs just over 10lbs...the white line is some reflection, i just checked it and didn't see it, unless there's white primer in the neck pocket possibly.....your gonna love it tho.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and neil|lien
#25
the MSB-5 in Burl will be $437 to my door in Ohio from Thomann. Not sure I wanna pull that trigger as:

1- I've pretty much walked away from 5's
2- I like lightweight basses and I expect this to NOT be light
3- I'm considering moving out of the US and I should be SELLING gear not buying it.

BUT ,
1- I have been very curious about Multiscale basses.
2- I am comfy with tight string spacing.
3 -The Burl looks VERY appealing in the pics.
4 - I have a Sadowsky metroExpress p/j 4 that, if sold, would cover the cost and then some.

what to do...what to do.

HBMSB5.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and neil|lien
#27
pb9717 said:
the MSB-5 in Burl will be $437 to my door in Ohio from Thomann. Not sure I wanna pull that trigger as:

1- I've pretty much walked away from 5's
2- I like lightweight basses and I expect this to NOT be light
3- I'm considering moving out of the US and I should be SELLING gear not buying it.

BUT ,
1- I have been very curious about Multiscale basses.
2- I am comfy with tight string spacing.
3 -The Burl looks VERY appealing in the pics.
4 - I have a Sadowsky metroExpress p/j 4 that, if sold, would cover the cost and then some.

what to do...what to do.

View attachment 7149659
Click to expand...
I might get one of those too! After i sell a bass or two!
Am thinking of letting my ESP LTD Stream 205 and upgraded Squier Sonic Bronco go to make room for the Burgundy JB i ordered and this multiscale...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#28
After 36 hours of thinking about it, I’ve cancelled the order. Reviews of similar models ( Coluseum bass, Gear 4 Music 972) all say the same thing..Unique design, cheap materials, meh build quality. I also have all but stopped using 5’s. And I am in selling mode, not buying. So. I’m opting out.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: DJ Bebop, HardNHeavy and joeLowB
#30
dabbler said:
Burgundy Mist is a weakness of mine. 🤩
HB's version isn't what I remember as Burgundy Mist, but it sho' is purdy!

My 2 HB Burgundy Mists (the 2 in the middle):
View attachment 7149029
Click to expand...
neil|lien said:
I got the Burgundy Mist version of the same bass. It arrived dinged by UPS so it'll be going back once they (Thomann) accept my pictures. It's quite heavy i must say (no scale to prove it but heavier than my other 3 basses), the neck pocket isn't well cut (meaning the wood of the body is not cut entirely straight, or maybe it's the paint that goes a bit over the limit of the body), the neck pocket isn't tight, the pick-ups are really noisy even when both are full on, and my string retainer only covers the three middle strings! (As opposed to another iteration of the bass, in black, shown earlier in the same thread)
Why is life so unfair!
Click to expand...

⬆️ Posted to the Harley Benton Club initially ⬆️
Still waiting for Thomann to accept the return...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#32
These basses are really intriguing me! I do own a custom built Kiesel Vanquish 4 string multi-scale bass, so the idea of getting a 5 string for like 1/8th the price is appealing to me.

Some random things I have read on the internet have prevented me from pulling the trigger.
Five or Six said:
Anybody know what the Harley Benton MSB 5 ESP weighs?
Click to expand...

I have seen a couple of Reddit posts about this bass, one poster says his weighed north of 11 lbs., and a second poster said right around 13! o_O

One poster also commented that the string spacing was too tight for their liking, but I can't find an actual measurement. I myself can only comfortably play with 19mm spacing.

So, I might pass for now, I would love it if some TB members with experience find this thread and relay their thoughts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and joeLowB
#35
It is a nice bass, and they look really nice but cost is prohibitive to us on other side of pond, excluding any shipping or taxes the models range from £430 to £550, you can see why we are buying G4M's or Harley Bentons for 2/3rd's the price then tricking them out ourselves, most multiscales are extortionate over here but we're just stuck with that ugly body unless we throw a lot more real estate at 'em. and buy a dingwall or something. Something I personally am not prepared to do, but other's might.
Cheers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#36
Dammit TalkBass!!!

1742015846153.jpeg


I was playing back the video of Frank Itt playing that bass through our home theater unit. And wife came in the room while Frank was giving his best bass face and the wife wanted to know what that was all about. I told her about the bass from Harley Benton. She said she liked the sound of it 😲 I didn't think she would notice but I do play a lot of vintage-sounding basses, P’s with flats, J’s with Rotosound Swing Bass that sort of thing. In fact I was in the process of selling stuff for a vintage of sorts P bass, AV II or a Vntera I or II.

Anyway she noted this bass sounded different than my usual crap.

IMG_8968.gif



She told me she had a little pin money and I should go ahead and order one.

I love that woman 😻

IMG_8969.gif


😊
 
  • Like
Reactions: comatosedragon, XLunacy and TeeSee
#37
DJ Bebop said:
Dammit TalkBass!!!

View attachment 7176035

I was playing back the video of Frank Itt playing that bass through our home theater unit. And wife came in the room while Frank was giving his best bass face and the wife wanted to know what that was all about. I told her about the bass from Harley Benton. She said she liked the sound of it 😲 I didn't think she would notice but I do play a lot of vintage-sounding basses, P’s with flats, J’s with Rotosound Swing Bass that sort of thing. In fact I was in the process of selling stuff for a vintage of sorts P bass, AV II or a Vntera I or II.

Anyway she noted this bass sounded different than my usual crap.

View attachment 7176040


She told me she had a little pin money and I should go ahead and order one.

I love that woman 😻

View attachment 7176042

😊
Click to expand...
Keep us informed when you get it, what your thoughts are etc, I'd be interested to hear how it plays. :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: comatosedragon and DJ Bebop
#38
TeeSee said:
Keep us informed when you get it, what your thoughts are etc, I'd be interested to hear how it plays. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I am hoping the ergonomic pass the twelfth fret is not as bad as some have suggested. I have read that someone or a few sent them back because they couldn't navigate the neck up there because of the single-cut.

I usually slide my thumb down to the G side of the neck when I get up there on my five-string double cut anyway. I don't try to leave my thumb up by the B side or hook it over the B string while passed The Twelfth of Never 🤣
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TeeSee

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back