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
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
What's a year between friends ?
Only 10 days left... I... Must... Resist 
