Harley Benton RB414CS

I've had this for 6 days now and feel I can comment on it. So here we have the RB414CS


Now right of the bat many will jump to conclusions as to what it is and what it isn't so I'll explain who makes it. The Harley Benton is the own brand by Thomann. Thomann are the largest musical instrument retailer in Europe, a family run business with 1120 employees and sales over $648 million (2013). They've been in business since 1954,starting from the family farm,so they are a big player.

They are also a Rickenbacker dealer.

This bass was released back in September this year so if there was any doubt as to it's legality it wouldn't have happened.I mention all this as I really can't be bothered with the hoohah that follows
the Chickenbackers threads.

Re-cap. Legal bass from large respected European company who also sell Rics,not sold via Aliexpress
using pictures from the internet to sell a product.

That out the way what about the bass. Well like all Harley Bentons it's priced below $300, they operate a low profit/high sales model. This means you get more bass for your money and their brand reputation increases.

This bass is my 6th from Thomann ranging from the basic model PB-20 to the BZ 4000, none of these have had problems in fact all have been really good.I plan on adding another in the new year.I'm not a fan of Rics but I bought this for the same reason I buy Peavey basses, I'm a fan of family owned companies that deliver quality at a good price.

A long scale semi hollow with a mini humbucker and a large SC bridge pickup. Set maple and rosewood neck. Binding and a clear sunburst finish. 2V 2 T and a 3 way selector. Nothing out the ordinary there.
I bought this one strung with flats and they're lighter than I'm used to but more than adequate.



Lows and Mids really work on the 414,Highs got a boost from the amp. I've not played a Ric in years and from memory No this did not sound like one strung with flats.The neck was comfortable and fret problems.

Intonation is set using grub screws to lock the saddles in place and string height is set using grub screws either end of the bridge and one in the centre.

The only things I will mention are I had a bit of bother tuning A but suspect this was the string rather than the tuner as the others were no problem. The pickup cover was a pest though if you want to remove it.It's attached using the same screws that set the pickup height so it's a case of removing the strings and pickup. Silly fault in design.

Quite expensive for a HB it costs the same as my BZ 4000 and it's thru neck active with a ebonal fingerboard and a lovely Scyamore top. I can only think the hollow body and set neck added to the manufacturing costs.

Bottom line if you want a good quality bass with a retro look similar to the Rimini basses

but at a lot lower price you won't go wrong with this one.


Cheers KB

 

It sure does Groucho

Though these are Artec pickups

http://artecsound.com/pickups/index.html

Boy do they make a lot of pickups

 

Gilmourisgod

Thank You.

As I said above the bridge has 3 points to set radius,2 grub screws either end and 1 in centre, whilst it's not ideal it's an improvement
on say the T-Bird 3 point bridge which just tilts the middle strings. The Artec pickups are Korean,they make a huge range of aftermarket
pickups and as JACink says many preamps too.They offer a custom handwound range too as well as supply the major builders.

Lately Thomann have been using Wilkinson pickups and hardware,yet another recognised brand,keeping to the model of best value. If they
are sticking say £35 worth of pickups in a £190 bass once you add the bridge and tuners costs this might account for 35% of the bass.
Unless they're getting the body,neck,strings,etc machined, finished, assembled packed and shipped for another £30 there is no way they
are marketing these at the usual 100% mark up most companies use.

Once you start to do a cost breakdown you see just how good value the Harley Bentons really are.

It does sound great with the flats and if you're in the States it'll cost about $40 shipping, you've then got 30 days to decide if you like it
if not you contact Thomann saying you want to return it. They email you a shipping label you print off repackage the bass and hand it to
the post office.Then wait till they refund your money, the returns are free but you take the hit for the original shipping to you.

You also have 3 years warranty as standard

JACink

Thank you as well. Have no fear I'm sure the 414 will still be available long after the SS is finished. I've been looking at the Artec preamps
myself mainly this one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/ARTE...5048&clkid=2799446255002191854&_qi=RTM1889342

It seems a very compact unit and requires next to no wiring

Good luck on the delivery of the body tomorrow What's a year between friends ?

The last set neck I had was an SG years ago, I must admit I never really thought about it. Owning so many Bolt-on and Thru necks the only concern I've had
is damage a Bolt-on easy swap the neck, damage the Thru Neck swap the bass until they're repaired of course. Never abandon a bass on account of something
trivial like a broken neck

I'll look into getting some sound clips but bear in mind when I started playing Dee Dee Ramone and Glen Matlock were favourites of mines and in the 30 odd years
since I still prefer that comfort zone. Don't expect too much in the way of chops

 

1st paragraph CanadaNeal

I'm sorry Fellas I just failed miserably trying to photograph the bridge. Flash is causing havoc with the chrome.

There's 2 screws E side and 2 screws G side of the plate the saddles rest on then between A / D there is another screw,
this lifts the middle of the plate to create an approximate radius.

Best way I can describe it Haven't found any need to alter it though.

 

Well mine is strung with flats so that lowers the volume and up against the
HB B-30 acoustic bass it's definitely quieter.



but that is nearly twice the size, it really is a big bass.

If it was just yourself and using RWs yes you would here yourself but in this instance I'd say the
hollow body largely reduces weight unplugged.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

 

Still with the thread derail.

There's been quite a few of us in the UK buying the Deko acoustics. About 15 so far this month with prices
averaging 50 euro. Small price for a small dink though the main problem has been they were labelled
" Five String Fretless "

For those that don't know Dekos are deemed unplayable for some reason and are sold as wall hangers.
I've bought 3 and apart from the afore mentioned label there's been an uneven finish on the back of the
PB-20 and a quarter turn required to the truss rod on the JB-75.

3 basses total cost 120 euros.