Is a cheap Jazz Bass worth it?

[bassicmike]

I'll put my flame suit on.

SX were flavor of the month a number of years ago as an inexpensive platform for mods.

The few SX basses I played just felt like cheap basses.

YMMV

 

[iqi616]

Keep the P and set up a watch on Kijiji for the J.

 

[maxmerx]

Go with the HB MV 4JB
It's a big step up from the SX.
Graphite nut, more than decent alnico pick-ups, basic but quality tuners, flawless paintjob, matching head, double truss rod with wheel and d"addario strings.

 

[el murdoque]

Someone I know was toying with the idea of getting a bass.
I told them to get Squier P or J, because that fit the bill.
They told me that Thomann sells a HB Jazz at €169. I told them it's impossible to make a working bass for that kind of money.
They stayed firm and ordered it.
I grudgingly packed my setup tools, a tuner and and a pack of strings and headed over, once it arrived.

The bass I was handed had a decent setup, good intonation and playable strings. The fretwork was good, the neck felt solid and the paint job was immaculate. Honestly, there would have been nothing to complain about had the price tag said €400.
I could have gigged that bass right out of the box.

I'm not up to scratch on the quality of current super cheap basses, but this HB blew me away.
I mean, you could get one of those and drop in a set of Aguilar pickups for the price of a Squier Classic Vibe. Or leave it as is and spend the rest of the money on pedals. Or lessons.

 

[matskull]

Someone I know was toying with the idea of getting a bass.
I told them to get Squier P or J, because that fit the bill.
They told me that Thomann sells a HB Jazz at €169. I told them it's impossible to make a working bass for that kind of money.
They stayed firm and ordered it.
I grudgingly packed my setup tools, a tuner and and a pack of strings and headed over, once it arrived.

The bass I was handed had a decent setup, good intonation and playable strings. The fretwork was good, the neck felt solid and the paint job was immaculate. Honestly, there would have been nothing to complain about had the price tag said €400.
I could have gigged that bass right out of the box.

I'm not up to scratch on the quality of current super cheap basses, but this HB blew me away.
I mean, you could get one of those and drop in a set of Aguilar pickups for the price of a Squier Classic Vibe. Or leave it as is and spend the rest of the money on pedals. Or lessons.

That’s the kind of thing I keep hearing about these HB basses.
The only thing I’m a little worried about is that shipping is 150$ plus probably some duty fee, so if I get a turd I can’t really return it.

 

[maxmerx]

That’s the kind of thing I keep hearing about these HB basses.
The only thing I’m a little worried about is that shipping is 150$ plus probably some duty fee, so if I get a turd I can’t really return it.

I agree with you, I'm in Europe, so it's much easier, Thomann offers free returns.
I don't know which conditions applies to US and Canadian customers, there is a HB owner club thread here in TB,

Thread 'I own a Harley Benton club'

Dec 26, 2014

OK, it's another one of those club threads!


Actually, the intention of this thread is to try and recap some of the information that is dispersed around the web regarding these instruments that are sold by Thomann in Europe.


Obviously Harley Benton basses are not going to be very popular here for various reasons. First (and mainly) because it is only sold in Europe, via Thomann.de, and secondly because they are pretty cheap instruments.


Having said that, Talkbass is a major research guide for those looking for new instruments, and the Harley's do come up now and again.


So basically...

• JACink
• club
• Replies: 17,434
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

 

[matskull]

I agree with you, I'm in Europe, so it's much easier, Thomann offers free returns.
I don't know which conditions applies to US and Canadian customers, there is a HB owner club thread here in TB,

Thread 'I own a Harley Benton club'

Dec 26, 2014

OK, it's another one of those club threads!


Actually, the intention of this thread is to try and recap some of the information that is dispersed around the web regarding these instruments that are sold by Thomann in Europe.


Obviously Harley Benton basses are not going to be very popular here for various reasons. First (and mainly) because it is only sold in Europe, via Thomann.de, and secondly because they are pretty cheap instruments.


Having said that, Talkbass is a major research guide for those looking for new instruments, and the Harley's do come up now and again.


So basically...

• JACink
• club
• Replies: 17,434
• Forum: Basses [BG]

• 

I’m really tempted to go with it anyway. The Mv-4JB is made of alder with a roasted maple neck, I like the block inlay and the burgundy mist color looks great.

The squiers even used are more expensive and since they are used I can’t be too fussy about the color I’d get.
Anyway, I’ll put some money aside and decide when the time comes.

 

[vindibona1]

Thanks for the tip I'll check those out. The squier name does not resonate with me because they used to be not so great but people seem to be liking them now so that's good to hear.

I think you haven't done enough research or been privy to knowledgeable opinions. It is important to know that, like the Fender lineup and other mfrs there are different "levels" of quality. As an example, the "Affinity" line in Squire is the cheapest level. Its made to be cheap to appeal to someone who might be starting out and/or cannot spend much money. At the top of the Squire lineup is the Classic Vibe (CV) and the VM 70's series (vintage modified). These two "levels" compete well with the Fender MIM (made in Mexico) series, and the level of competition depends on when they were made. I have a 2011 Squire VM jazz and a 2011 MIM Jazz 5 string. Personally I would choose a Squire CV today over a Fender MIM! The only caveat that I can cite is that TYPICALLY instruments in "higher grade levels" tend to have more human attention to the fine details, but for the most part CNC machining and automation gets even the less expensive instruments in the ballpark. But, as an anecdotal experience, two years ago I bought a NEW Fender USA Pro II 5 string jazz bass. It was deeply discounted from $1900; a deal I couldn't refuse. But it needed professional fret leveling and I chose to spend the money to have it "Plek'd. Ergo, brand, level and price don't necessarily guarantee top quality.

A number of years ago, when GC was doing deals, I came across a used Squire Stratocaster. It needed rewiring, but I scored it for $50... and did the wiring. I put some new inexpensive pickups in it and played it for a long time. The time came when I wanted a Fender USA Strat (ego got the best of me), and liked this Squire so much that I took it to the stores for comparison to prospective Strats. I had gone to THREE stores before I found a single Strat that I deemed "better" than my Squire and ended up making a deal on a Fender USA DELUXE Strat (trading in an Ibanez electric guitar as part of the deal, keeping the Squire. Ultimately, the Squire being the 3rd Strat in my collection I traded it (with the original pickups) straight up for a mint Epiphone Dot (335).

FWIW I have a very good friend that accumlated several basses BUT DOES NOT PLAY ! I set up all his guitars and basses. He bought a used Squire CV P bass, and after a level/crown this bass competes with many much more expensive basses. Its light weight is scary, under 9 pounds! I think he'd sell it for around $450, needing to get the money out of it due the fret level. [He also has a USA J and P that he doesn't play!).

 

[mikecd1]

I'd agree with the flow of a CV 60's or 70's Squier and of course try to check out the neck and pickups first - if buying from a store with a return policy that might give more time to check out all the things folks have mentioned to look out for. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[dabbler]

I’m really tempted to go with it anyway. The Mv-4JB is made of alder with a roasted maple neck, I like the block inlay and the burgundy mist color looks great.

The squiers even used are more expensive and since they are used I can’t be too fussy about the color I’d get.
Anyway, I’ll put some money aside and decide when the time comes.

Try it! I have no problem with Harley Bentons... nor my SXes for that matter. I will say that a setup will likely be in order, but I do my own.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hey guys, I haven't posted here in forever but I still play bass every now and then.
I currently own a fender AVRI 62 that I bought new maybe 20 years ago.

Even though it's a great bass, for years I've been wanting a jazz bass (or a sterling but that's another topic). I really like the tones on weezer's blue album for example, that sort of phasy midrange that the 2 pickups configuration creates is so nice and my p-bass just can't get these sounds.

Thing is I'm broke and I'd hate to sell my p-bass only to miss it a few years down the road. So I was wondering if in your opinion a cheap jazz bass, something like a harley benton MV4JB or similar, would be a worthy addition to get that jazz bass tone? I know it wouldn't have that nice nitro finish and might require a setup but I'm ok with that. I'm not looking for a pro instrument, I just want that jazz tone on an instrument that is fun to play.

What are your thoughts, any suggestions?

What is “worth” is highly dependent on what you are trying to accomplish, your level of satisfaction, and the amount of money you can invest towards your goal. None of which we can ascertain from this vantage point.

That said, the quality of lower priced instruments has greatly improved over the last 50+ years since I started playing bass. I would also strongly urge you to consider buying a used instrument where your investment dollars will stretch further.

Best wishes.

 

[rok51]

I didn't know about these, that's even cheaper than the H.B. since they are available on amazon canada. I'll keep those in mind, thanks!

My first real bass (well, I had been gifted a 1958 Danelecto Longhorn with three strings earlier) was a used 1970 Fender Precision with the "A" (Jazz) neck. It was the bass that I had dreamt of for years. It played okay, but sounded awful with nothing much, tone wise, between muddy and tinny. Swapped a Bill Lawrence P90 and both of his tone filters into it that went a long way towards elevating the tone. As I was just starting out, I was trying to develop muscle memory, so I wanted another 34-inch scale bass. An employee of my local music store coveted the Danelecto and offered me a straight up swap for a new Peavey T40. I took it. The Peavey was a solid player. When they announced the Foundation (Peavey's apparent take on a Jazz Bass) I was first in line. It took almost a year from the time they were announced until one showed up at the local store. My ex-wive had a "two bass rule" so when I took the Foundation home I played it, the T40 and my Precision one after another over the course of a weekend. On Monday, I put my Precision up for sale. Along the way I started thinking about guitar construction...to me, Fender instruments were actually pretty crude. A slab of wood, a bolt on neck and relatively simple electronics. But...they played and sounded really good. Hartley Peavey claimed to be the first to use CNC machining in guitar construction (there are conflicting statements on this)...but...the guitars that they put out were consistent. The same could not be said for Fender back then, It had gotten so bad that, apparently they began importing their Japanese production as their "quality" offering.
When I purchased a U.S. made Peavey Cirrus in the late 1990s I was amazed at the price/quality ratio. When I thought about trying to learn a five string bass, I couldn't rationalize the price of a U.S. Cirrus five string, so I rolled the dice on their Indonesian import. That was my first Indonesian bass. Amazing instrument. When I decided I wanted to return to a more traditional sound, I sought out G&L basses. Over time I purchased five of them...all Indonesian Tribute models--by choice. Couldn't be happier with them.
Fender, I believe, has come a long way from the dark days of the end of the last millennium. That said, there is a price to be paid for that decal on the headstock. Their Squier offerings have gotten better and better. The ones that I have played have been solid, easy to play, great sounding instruments that blur the line between themselves and the U.S. offerings. Many of the Squier instruments are made in Indonesia. Core-Tek makes (literally) boatloads of high quality guitars and basses for many of the name brand manufactures from their factory in Indonesia. Some Harley Bentons are also made there. Interestingly, some of the most sought after Squier basses in the CV series were the early ones that were made in China. The whole, inexpensive (okay...CHEAP) instrument industry piqued my interest. After all, with the advanced CNC manufacturing, assuming that the raw material were viable, there's no reason that a simple, decent sounding, playable instrument should cost north of four digits. Custom made instruments are another story, but I'm just talking about production instruments here. I saw some reviews on Inyen Vina instruments that come from Viet Nam. Sounded interesting enough. I ordered a copy of a Strat for just under $100.00. Shocked at the quality. Several more showed up in our musical family. All of which were exceptional and on a level of a much more expensive instrument.
I apologize for droning on and on, but the arc of my thoughts is that if one is looking to try a different style of instrument and either not sure about making--or being able to make--the required financial commitment to afford the main line name brand instruments, there are a lot--a LOT--of options out there to allow one to dabble to their hearts content with a viable instrument whose cost leaves one scratching their heads.
The two Glarry basses that I have weren't a "serious" purchase, but they drove home to me just how much instrument is now out there and ridiculously priced in comparison to what we, collectively, had been paying for years.


$66.00 Glarry fretless P:

$82.00 Glarry 5-string Jazz, along side $90.00 IYV Strat copy

Kim

 

[matskull]

My first real bass (well, I had been gifted a 1958 Danelecto Longhorn with three strings earlier) was a used 1970 Fender Precision with the "A" (Jazz) neck. It was the bass that I had dreamt of for years. It played okay, but sounded awful with nothing much, tone wise, between muddy and tinny. Swapped a Bill Lawrence P90 and both of his tone filters into it that went a long way towards elevating the tone. As I was just starting out, I was trying to develop muscle memory, so I wanted another 34-inch scale bass. An employee of my local music store coveted the Danelecto and offered me a straight up swap for a new Peavey T40. I took it. The Peavey was a solid player. When they announced the Foundation (Peavey's apparent take on a Jazz Bass) I was first in line. It took almost a year from the time they were announced until one showed up at the local store. My ex-wive had a "two bass rule" so when I took the Foundation home I played it, the T40 and my Precision one after another over the course of a weekend. On Monday, I put my Precision up for sale. Along the way I started thinking about guitar construction...to me, Fender instruments were actually pretty crude. A slab of wood, a bolt on neck and relatively simple electronics. But...they played and sounded really good. Hartley Peavey claimed to be the first to use CNC machining in guitar construction (there are conflicting statements on this)...but...the guitars that they put out were consistent. The same could not be said for Fender back then, It had gotten so bad that, apparently they began importing their Japanese production as their "quality" offering.
When I purchased a U.S. made Peavey Cirrus in the late 1990s I was amazed at the price/quality ratio. When I thought about trying to learn a five string bass, I couldn't rationalize the price of a U.S. Cirrus five string, so I rolled the dice on their Indonesian import. That was my first Indonesian bass. Amazing instrument. When I decided I wanted to return to a more traditional sound, I sought out G&L basses. Over time I purchased five of them...all Indonesian Tribute models--by choice. Couldn't be happier with them.
Fender, I believe, has come a long way from the dark days of the end of the last millennium. That said, there is a price to be paid for that decal on the headstock. Their Squier offerings have gotten better and better. The ones that I have played have been solid, easy to play, great sounding instruments that blur the line between themselves and the U.S. offerings. Many of the Squier instruments are made in Indonesia. Core-Tek makes (literally) boatloads of high quality guitars and basses for many of the name brand manufactures from their factory in Indonesia. Some Harley Bentons are also made there. Interestingly, some of the most sought after Squier basses in the CV series were the early ones that were made in China. The whole, inexpensive (okay...CHEAP) instrument industry piqued my interest. After all, with the advanced CNC manufacturing, assuming that the raw material were viable, there's no reason that a simple, decent sounding, playable instrument should cost north of four digits. Custom made instruments are another story, but I'm just talking about production instruments here. I saw some reviews on Inyen Vina instruments that come from Viet Nam. Sounded interesting enough. I ordered a copy of a Strat for just under $100.00. Shocked at the quality. Several more showed up in our musical family. All of which were exceptional and on a level of a much more expensive instrument.
I apologize for droning on and on, but the arc of my thoughts is that if one is looking to try a different style of instrument and either not sure about making--or being able to make--the required financial commitment to afford the main line name brand instruments, there are a lot--a LOT--of options out there to allow one to dabble to their hearts content with a viable instrument whose cost leaves one scratching their heads.
The two Glarry basses that I have weren't a "serious" purchase, but they drove home to me just how much instrument is now out there and ridiculously priced in comparison to what we, collectively, had been paying for years.


$66.00 Glarry fretless P:
View attachment 7565584

View attachment 7565585

$82.00 Glarry 5-string Jazz, along side $90.00 IYV Strat copy

View attachment 7565587


Kim

Thanks for your perspective on this. These Glarry are so cheap that’s crazy!

I do all my own setups and got some tools to level frets and all, maybe I could order one from Amazon and set it up properly if it isn’t. I could return it if it’s a turd.

 

[el murdoque]

That’s the kind of thing I keep hearing about these HB basses.
The only thing I’m a little worried about is that shipping is 150$ plus probably some duty fee, so if I get a turd I can’t really return it.

That's right.
I live in Germany, where Thomann ships for free and has free returns on top, so that's a different story.

 

[Infidel305]

another +1 on a used classic vibe

 

[UNICORN BASS]

That IVY strat looks amazing!

 

[iqi616]

Keep the P and set up a watch on Kijiji for the J.

I forgot to say passive is perfectly fine for P and J pickups but active seems to be a must for humbuckers if my active Aria and passive Warwick are anything to go by.

 

[bassbrad]

I am constantly pleased with the quality of affordable guitars and basses these days, you often don't get as much for your money as used to be the case. Squier, HB, Ibanez, Glarry and others are making wonderful basses that are quite gigable as is but with some elbow grease and occasional premium parts can stand up to the big guns that cost many times more.

FWIW the used market is also a place to peruse, I am fond of the quality that Peavey basses bring to the party whether it's a Foundation with SuperFerrites or VFL versions make an excellent stand in for a Jazz.

 

[NeilJazz]

I just traded my 4-string MIM Jazz bass....

....for a MIM Active Jazz Bass Plus V!

So yes, Jazz basses are worth it!

 

[5StringBlues]

Is a cheap Jazz Bass worth it?​

Does Howdy Doody got a wooden taint?






I don't know.