I received my bass and I found the Roswell pickup decent enough. I can't compare it with the previous Wilkinson, but I am happy with the tone and the low noise of the Roswell. I couldn't set it up with a low action so the top E string is about 7 to 8/64 in 12th fret.
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Harley Benton PB-50 Vintage
- Thread starter kodiakblair
- Start date
@Tassos
Congratulations and I'm glad to hear the Roswell is a decent pickup,I'd have been surprised if it wasn't. Thomann sell 1000's of PB-50s so it would be stupid business to downgrade parts.
7 or 8/64ths is 2.7mm to 3mm. That's higher than even the Fender recommended regular height of 2.5mm.
Give the truss rod a 1/4 turn to the left as I think you've too much neck relief. Check it again the next day,it'll settle down over night.
Congratulations and I'm glad to hear the Roswell is a decent pickup,I'd have been surprised if it wasn't. Thomann sell 1000's of PB-50s so it would be stupid business to downgrade parts.
7 or 8/64ths is 2.7mm to 3mm. That's higher than even the Fender recommended regular height of 2.5mm.
Give the truss rod a 1/4 turn to the left as I think you've too much neck relief. Check it again the next day,it'll settle down over night.
New PB-50 owner, I'm gonna wake this thread up...
So, I got a PB-50 about 4 months ago. I wasn't expecting much, but one day a box arrived, and it was in my hands. (I have to say, mail-ordering a bass is pretty awesome when it works. People at my office were a little confused when I immediately unpacked it and started playing...)
I had been fully planning to replace the pickups based on what I read/heard. I already had a few choices in mind. But once I plugged it in, I was pretty shocked - I loved it. It had a lot of tone and character with zero adjustments.
I kept that recording, have a listen. This is the bare bones sound of the Roswell pickups, tone up full:
I might have a put a little compression on, I can't remember. You can hear as I was noodling that I was digging the sound of sliding over the frets, and started to do it more and more
I think this bass has great mids, and lots of interesting sonic characteristics that you could choose to emphasize with EQ or distortion. My biggest beef is that the frets at the edge of the fingerboard are sharp - I'll probably get them dressed at some point, because I think the neck is worth it. Mine is in excellent shape, and the intonation is great. I often play chords above the 12th fret, and they sound really good.
I bought some flatwounds, but haven't even been able to commit to changing the strings, because I really do like the tone.
So, I got a PB-50 about 4 months ago. I wasn't expecting much, but one day a box arrived, and it was in my hands. (I have to say, mail-ordering a bass is pretty awesome when it works. People at my office were a little confused when I immediately unpacked it and started playing...)
I had been fully planning to replace the pickups based on what I read/heard. I already had a few choices in mind. But once I plugged it in, I was pretty shocked - I loved it. It had a lot of tone and character with zero adjustments.
I kept that recording, have a listen. This is the bare bones sound of the Roswell pickups, tone up full:
I might have a put a little compression on, I can't remember. You can hear as I was noodling that I was digging the sound of sliding over the frets, and started to do it more and more
I think this bass has great mids, and lots of interesting sonic characteristics that you could choose to emphasize with EQ or distortion. My biggest beef is that the frets at the edge of the fingerboard are sharp - I'll probably get them dressed at some point, because I think the neck is worth it. Mine is in excellent shape, and the intonation is great. I often play chords above the 12th fret, and they sound really good.
I bought some flatwounds, but haven't even been able to commit to changing the strings, because I really do like the tone.
@VonSledgehammer
Sounds great. Glad you saw sense regarding the Roswell, there's really no reason for folks to change it.
My 5th anniversary with the PB-50 is very near and I still get the same feeling of WOW
Hope it affects you the same way
Sounds great. Glad you saw sense regarding the Roswell, there's really no reason for folks to change it.
My 5th anniversary with the PB-50 is very near and I still get the same feeling of WOW
Hope it affects you the same way
I ordered one on the 19th and it's scheduled for delivery on Wednesday the 23rd.I didn't expect it this soon but I did spend almost $80 on shipping.You've (and others here) had it for awhile so I'd be greatful for advice and thoughts.I'm considering replacing the pup with a Dave Allen 51 Tele P pickup as I've heard they capture a good old school tone amongst other things and it's reasonably priced for a boutique pup.Any glaring needs to upgrade? I'm curious about the neck as some reviews claim it's a baseball bat.From what I've been able to discern is it's quite like the Squire special vibe neck wise. So any help will be appreciated as usual.@VonSledgehammer
Sounds great. Glad you saw sense regarding the Roswell, there's really no reason for folks to change it.
My 5th anniversary with the PB-50 is very near and I still get the same feeling of WOW
Hope it affects you the same way
I'm not familiar with Dave Allen or his pickups but there's really no need to think boutique for a vintage tone. The original Fenders were hardly boutique , often wound to "looks about right" rather than exact number of turns or a set DCR.
The Roswell is a good pickup but it's not a vintage tone IMO. Those large slugs don't hit the spot in the way a normal slugs does. They also have a much higher wire count than the original single , Roswells are up in the 9k range while 7k would be more in keeping with your needs.
Sadly 7k ohm often means a lower output so the Bootstrap Palo Alto might be better. Just $35 and only a 3 week lead time. You have the option of black or white cloth around the coil.
Bootstrap Palo Alto for '51 P
First thing I would advise is get rid of the D'Addario roundwound strings. Old school single coil P-bass tone is either tapes or flats
Pots are just fine. You have a Log 250k for tone/ Lin 250k for vol. If you decide to swap the pots for 2 x 250k Log found in old Fenders ; don't buy full size CTS pots with USA thread size . They'll likely be a tight fit in the control cavity and the control plate would need reamed out to accept the shaft.
Cap is 0.068uf , pretty close to the original 0.05uf.
Regarding "baseball bat" necks. This term has confused me for years. I've owned 6 PB-50s, set up plenty more. I've never encountered one with a neck I'd describe as thick/chunky or a bat
Sure they're reasonably wide , it's a P-bass I'd say you're on the money thinking Squier VM TL
RChange the strings to flats. Go for a pickup with smaller slugs and a lower DCR.
Final thing. Enjoy the bass
Thanks for your info,it helps.You really cover it all.I will definitely look at those pups.This is my second HB,the first being the rb-414 "Chickenbacker"and I was totally satisfied how it arrived out of the box.I didn't need to touch the neck or string height.If I'm as lucky this time then somebody up there likes me. And P.S., I did some research on the Bootstrap pup and it seems like a no brainer.I'm not familiar with Dave Allen or his pickups but there's really no need to think boutique for a vintage tone. The original Fenders were hardly boutique , often wound to "looks about right" rather than exact number of turns or a set DCR.
The Roswell is a good pickup but it's not a vintage tone IMO. Those large slugs don't hit the spot in the way a normal slugs does. They also have a much higher wire count than the original single , Roswells are up in the 9k range while 7k would be more in keeping with your needs.
Sadly 7k ohm often means a lower output so the Bootstrap Palo Alto might be better. Just $35 and only a 3 week lead time. You have the option of black or white cloth around the coil.
Bootstrap Palo Alto for '51 P
First thing I would advise is get rid of the D'Addario roundwound strings. Old school single coil P-bass tone is either tapes or flats
Pots are just fine. You have a Log 250k for tone/ Lin 250k for vol. If you decide to swap the pots for 2 x 250k Log found in old Fenders ; don't buy full size CTS pots with USA thread size . They'll likely be a tight fit in the control cavity and the control plate would need reamed out to accept the shaft.
Cap is 0.068uf , pretty close to the original 0.05uf.
Regarding "baseball bat" necks. This term has confused me for years. I've owned 6 PB-50s, set up plenty more. I've never encountered one with a neck I'd describe as thick/chunky or a bat
TL
Change the strings to flats. Go for a pickup with smaller slugs and a lower DCR.
Final thing. Enjoy the bass
Last edited:
Well I'm shocked, it's here after ordering it late on the 19th. Everything looks good and the action is surprisingly low,very much to my liking.The only thing about it is what seems to be 60 cycle hum from the guts.Im gonna shield it but I may need to take them up a notch if I install the Bootstrap pup I ordered.But it plays fine,the neck feels good with no outrageously sharp frets .I give it a definite thumbs up.Any advice on the noisey electronics?I'm not familiar with Dave Allen or his pickups but there's really no need to think boutique for a vintage tone. The original Fenders were hardly boutique , often wound to "looks about right" rather than exact number of turns or a set DCR.
The Roswell is a good pickup but it's not a vintage tone IMO. Those large slugs don't hit the spot in the way a normal slugs does. They also have a much higher wire count than the original single , Roswells are up in the 9k range while 7k would be more in keeping with your needs.
Sadly 7k ohm often means a lower output so the Bootstrap Palo Alto might be better. Just $35 and only a 3 week lead time. You have the option of black or white cloth around the coil.
Bootstrap Palo Alto for '51 P
First thing I would advise is get rid of the D'Addario roundwound strings. Old school single coil P-bass tone is either tapes or flats
Pots are just fine. You have a Log 250k for tone/ Lin 250k for vol. If you decide to swap the pots for 2 x 250k Log found in old Fenders ; don't buy full size CTS pots with USA thread size . They'll likely be a tight fit in the control cavity and the control plate would need reamed out to accept the shaft.
Cap is 0.068uf , pretty close to the original 0.05uf.
Regarding "baseball bat" necks. This term has confused me for years. I've owned 6 PB-50s, set up plenty more. I've never encountered one with a neck I'd describe as thick/chunky or a bat
TL
Change the strings to flats. Go for a pickup with smaller slugs and a lower DCR.
Final thing. Enjoy the bass
Sorry Kev .
Single coil P-basses attract hum , I thought you were aware of that.
Shielding the electrics will help with RF noise and mostly block dimmer switches etc but won't mask the pickup poles from 60 cycle. Changing the pots and jack socket won't have an effect on the pickup poles either.
Most of us just accept the fact ; hum is the price paid for that lively single coil tone
OTOH many find they can't live with the hum and steer clear of 51 style basses. A few though will opt for a "split-single" or a "stacked single" pickup. These are a bit polite compared to a single coil but the bass will keep that vintage visual appeal I've a couple of single coil P-basses strung with tapes, since you can't ground tape wound strings so they are noisy as get out. I fit split-singles to those basses
I am aware of single coil hum but this was excessive.However I was plugged into my Super 800 preamp and when I switched to a different one a large portion of the hum went away.Strange as I never had this noise using the Super 800 with other basses.Sorry Kev .
Single coil P-basses attract hum , I thought you were aware of that.
Shielding the electrics will help with RF noise and mostly block dimmer switches etc but won't mask the pickup poles from 60 cycle. Changing the pots and jack socket won't have an effect on the pickup poles either.
Most of us just accept the fact ; hum is the price paid for that lively single coil tone
I've a couple of single coil P-basses strung with tapes, since you can't ground tape wound strings so they are noisy as get out. I fit split-singles to those basses
Do the shielding Kev
To keep the return option valid , do a trial run first. Unscrew the control plate and place the whole thing inside a small copper lined box . Test the bass with the Super 800, hopefully it'll be cleaner and you'll know exactly what action to take.
Problem solved.I shielded the control cavity and the noise lessened.I started the process of illimination and turns out I had a bad cable,got a different one and 95% quieter.Do the shielding Kev
To keep the return option valid , do a trial run first. Unscrew the control plate and place the whole thing inside a small copper lined box . Test the bass with the Super 800, hopefully it'll be cleaner and you'll know exactly what action to take.
While I have you on the line.I have a brand new WD bridge.It seems to have the same spacing plus it offers better adjusting.I've use these with good results on other basses.What you think?Fantastic.
Not hitches in the way for the Bootstrap arrival
You've already had good results on other basses so there's no reason not to continue that run of good fortune
Those bridges have through body and quick change top loading options
Fit the bridge in readiness for the Palo Alto
I'm full of good cheer tonight. Dropped an alnico 2 single coil in my trusty old pine slab body on Saturday, finally got the pickup height just right
That's always a good thing.Keep it up!You've already had good results on other basses so there's no reason not to continue that run of good fortune
Those bridges have through body and quick change top loading options
Fit the bridge in readiness for the Palo Alto
I'm full of good cheer tonight. Dropped an alnico 2 single coil in my trusty old pine slab body on Saturday, finally got the pickup height just right
Hey there, I received my Boot Strap Palo Alto pup and installed it in my PB-50.And the results are even better than I expected. The Roswell is fine but this pup is definitely an upgrade.Plenty of volume and it has a real nice rich deep tone.And very quiet.I could tell right off the bat.This pickup is worth twice the very low price.But let's keep that between friends.I'm not familiar with Dave Allen or his pickups but there's really no need to think boutique for a vintage tone. The original Fenders were hardly boutique , often wound to "looks about right" rather than exact number of turns or a set DCR.
The Roswell is a good pickup but it's not a vintage tone IMO. Those large slugs don't hit the spot in the way a normal slugs does. They also have a much higher wire count than the original single , Roswells are up in the 9k range while 7k would be more in keeping with your needs.
Sadly 7k ohm often means a lower output so the Bootstrap Palo Alto might be better. Just $35 and only a 3 week lead time. You have the option of black or white cloth around the coil.
Bootstrap Palo Alto for '51 P
First thing I would advise is get rid of the D'Addario roundwound strings. Old school single coil P-bass tone is either tapes or flats
Pots are just fine. You have a Log 250k for tone/ Lin 250k for vol. If you decide to swap the pots for 2 x 250k Log found in old Fenders ; don't buy full size CTS pots with USA thread size . They'll likely be a tight fit in the control cavity and the control plate would need reamed out to accept the shaft.
Cap is 0.068uf , pretty close to the original 0.05uf.
Regarding "baseball bat" necks. This term has confused me for years. I've owned 6 PB-50s, set up plenty more. I've never encountered one with a neck I'd describe as thick/chunky or a bat
TL
Change the strings to flats. Go for a pickup with smaller slugs and a lower DCR.
Final thing. Enjoy the bass
February 2026. my kitchen scale reports. 4.4 kg. i.e 9.7 pounds? Just bought. Sharp fret ends. Filing job.
Gone to my friend luthier for some adjusting for cheap price to set up.
Good cheap bass. Normal average weight. Good to play. Price nowadays 122 euros. Better than squier affinity tele; price 399 euros.
