Harley Benton pj 74

[Breadwitholives]

Hello b-ates (bass mates).
I'm currently waiting to receive my first ever HB.
I have had an ibanez sr300e ccb for few years but never really use it up until few months ago (long time guitar player) and made a decision to learn to play bass. I'm thinking to sell my rs300e as I can't get the sound i want, plus the active pick up is a pain in the back side: I'm a simple man, plus the constant battery replacement is a chore.
Do you think is it a silly idea to get rid of a "more expensive bass" to aquire a cheaper one?

Second part of the question. Do you think any upgrade is required to the pj74? I have heard the j pickup is weak, but some argue is because the strings do not vibrate as much near the bridge. Some say to raise the j pickup and some say to replace it. If so, what is your suggestion. Being new to bass, I prefer asking people that know more than me.

Thanks
BwO

 

[Modorange]

Friend has given me their Harley, Benton Bass, claiming it has noise issues. I tried to figure out what the problem might be, and I looked at the way the battery is loaded into the back of the body. It just basically rests against two contact Springs and I think that possibly either most of the issues regarding noise has to do with a bad battery connection. I opened it up and then stuck my pinky back in there, and then moved around the little springs, until they seem to be pointing basically towards the battery compartment then I put the battery back in and it seems to sound great. I haven’t had it long enough to determine whether or not the battery drains faster like some people are saying here otherwise that sounds great but that being said you can and turn off active electronics by flipping the volume switch up and that still sounds very good. The only thing missing to me is the added amount of gain that the active electronics provides.

So, in a nutshell, I’d say that these are probably the best value and Bass guitars available out there because everything else about this base is incredible as nice low action the intonation is perfect. I don’t know what else to say, except for this is a great value seems to me there, version of a copy of it music man sterling Bass.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Not understanding the "constant battery replacement" comment. I have a number of active basses and the batteries last months or years.

 

[kodiakblair]

I have heard the j pickup is weak, but some argue is because the strings do not vibrate as much near the bridge.

Compared to a split coil at towards the middle a bridge single coil is almost always weaker; holds true for most brands and price ranges. Cause is down to less string movement.

On a standard jazz bass manufacturers compensate by fitting a hotter pickup in the bridge position than at the neck; it's rarely a perfect solution.

Experienced PJ players use the bridge position like tone pot. You don't get much with the split coil on full but backing off it's Vol pot then adding in more bridge position has a marked effect. "Swap the pickup" crowd would save money and get better results if they took the time to explore their instruments.

Do you think is it a silly idea to get rid of a "more expensive bass" to aquire a cheaper one?

Depends, is the Ibanez really that much more expensive with regards to materials etc? The price tag might lead some to believe it is but is it true.

Ibanez is a brand, they contract a factory to build their products. Products get shipped to distributors who then get the basses into stores. That's 4 steps where somebody is taking a cut out of retail. Ibanez also has to set prices according to their market position and standing as a brand.

Harley Benton is also a brand, Thomann's brand. Thomann contracts the factory builds then sells and ships direct from their own warehouse in Germany or the one set up in the US. Just 2 steps taking a cut.

With Thomann controlling the whole package they have minimal PR/advertising cost, Ibanez have global PR to pay for; that's a large part of the retail .


I'm not saying sell the your Ibanez and I'm certainly not saying don't but the PJ-74; I'm gradually moving on all my US and Japanese basses but my Bentons are going nowhere. I'm merely suggesting taking a few more days playing around with your Ibanez