Much better than it should be; azza matter of fact, real cool.
Cool sticker, also.
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NBD: HB RB 414 BK
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Much better than it should be; azza matter of fact, real cool.
Cool sticker, also.
HB really seems to have the price/value thing down, and your endorsement proves the point. a very cool, good-looking ax! congratulations on your new instrument! 
Thanx!
I wrote a review I emailed to a (non-TB) bassist buddy:
It's really solid - not bass wood, and a touch heavy.
I've never played a Ricky but this sounds really good - the controls are treble, bass and a master volume that controls the bridge pup, and a volume to blend in the neck pup in the mid position; in the up position the bass pup volume works alone but the master and its own volume control it.
The magic is in the middle position, like with a Jazz - neck 100% and bridge 90%, or vice versa, really sounds good.
Beautiful poly finish, binding, neck.
Only complaint is the round-wound strings are rough and gotta go, and the back of the neck is poly, also.
If you got the dosh, pick one up.
I wrote a review I emailed to a (non-TB) bassist buddy:
It's really solid - not bass wood, and a touch heavy.
I've never played a Ricky but this sounds really good - the controls are treble, bass and a master volume that controls the bridge pup, and a volume to blend in the neck pup in the mid position; in the up position the bass pup volume works alone but the master and its own volume control it.
The magic is in the middle position, like with a Jazz - neck 100% and bridge 90%, or vice versa, really sounds good.
Beautiful poly finish, binding, neck.
Only complaint is the round-wound strings are rough and gotta go, and the back of the neck is poly, also.
If you got the dosh, pick one up.
cool, I didn't know about these! Kinda look like a Gibsobacker... with that headstock. Very very cool... I hope they manage to stay out of Rick's legal headlights!
Read his post again, a bit slower this timeYep, not being disappointed is why I bought this instead of a real 4003.
Read mine, mebbe.
And as you do, note the smiley (it's the green thing, with teeth).
As well, spending US$2K on a bass is unlikely to ever make me happy as I would never find one necessary, or even desirable, at such a price. YMMMV.
And as you do, note the smiley (it's the green thing, with teeth).
As well, spending US$2K on a bass is unlikely to ever make me happy as I would never find one necessary, or even desirable, at such a price. YMMMV.
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I saw that several reviewers say that the bridge pup has low output, the volume pots are not indexed correctly, and turning down the volume on one pot will kill the whole circuit. Is that accurate?
A few points to ponder.
Harley Benton is a Thomann in-house brand. Thomann are the biggest music instrument retailer in Europe, $1 billion in sales pa. Thomann are also Europe's biggest RIC dealer.
RIC's legal threats only work against small one man outfits and RIC were well aware of Thomann's RB-414 when it was launched in 2015. Either they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them or they know full well there's no case to answer, any proceedings would only end being costly and in failure.
Low bridge pickup output is down to folks not setting the height correctly.
As for the circuit, it's set up like a Les Paul. If those 'reviewers' knew how a Les Paul worked they would operate the 414 properly, instead they choose to announce their ignorance online
I still check out posts concerning these basses, even though its been 8 years since buying mine. 9 from 10 complaints are down to folk not thinking. Take bridge set up, it's an easy design to adjust but not if you think all bridges work like a Fender BBOT. Do folks stop for a moment to see how it differs ?
Nope, most are online yelling "this bridge sucks"
That wiring setup sounds convoluted and possibly faulty? I would expect one volume and tone per pickup, not the neck pickup blend situation you describe.
Take bridge set up, it's an easy design to adjust but not if you think all bridges work like a Fender BBOT. Do folks stop for a moment to see how it differs ?
Nope, most are online yelling "this bridge sucks"
Were you able to get a decently low action on the stock bridge?
A few points to ponder.
Harley Benton is a Thomann in-house brand. Thomann are the biggest music instrument retailer in Europe, $1 billion in sales pa. Thomann are also Europe's biggest RIC dealer.
RIC's legal threats only work against small one man outfits and RIC were well aware of Thomann's RB-414 when it was launched in 2015. Either they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them or they know full well there's no case to answer, any proceedings would only end being costly and in failure.
Low bridge pickup output is down to folks not setting the height correctly.
As for the circuit, it's set up like a Les Paul. If those 'reviewers' knew how a Les Paul worked they would operate the 414 properly, instead they choose to announce their ignorance online
I still check out posts concerning these basses, even though its been 8 years since buying mine. 9 from 10 complaints are down to folk not thinking. Take bridge set up, it's an easy design to adjust but not if you think all bridges work like a Fender BBOT. Do folks stop for a moment to see how it differs ?
Nope, most are online yelling "this bridge sucks"
I have one. Love it!
The bridge sucks.
The rest is great. I don't have a problem with the bridge pickup. I took the cover off and raised the pickup a bit and sounds really good, IMHO.
It doesn't sound like a Rick. It doesn't have that mid clankiness typical of a Rick. It's more low mids oriented and reminds me of a Thunderbird but more clean. It's a rock machine.
I reviewed my RB414 a few ago when it arrived. I have no problem with either pickup regarding volume or unwanted noises.
That wiring, as someone noted, used to be standard with Gibson. I first discovered that on a friend's vintage Gibson SG guitar. No big deal.
I have no problem with the bridge either. I checked, and slightly adjusted, the neck relief and checked string height. I don't like any buzz or rattle so my action is a shade above 5/16" but there was no issues with the bridge adjustments whatsoever. Intonation was almost dead on right out of the box.
This is a great instrument. I used to own a 4003. I'm delighted with the Harley Benton. It was delivered to me 4 days after I ordered it, exactly as promised.
That wiring, as someone noted, used to be standard with Gibson. I first discovered that on a friend's vintage Gibson SG guitar. No big deal.
I have no problem with the bridge either. I checked, and slightly adjusted, the neck relief and checked string height. I don't like any buzz or rattle so my action is a shade above 5/16" but there was no issues with the bridge adjustments whatsoever. Intonation was almost dead on right out of the box.
This is a great instrument. I used to own a 4003. I'm delighted with the Harley Benton. It was delivered to me 4 days after I ordered it, exactly as promised.
Aye, it's not a hard design to adjust.
'RIC sound' is a pretty meaningless term.
Who or what are folks referring to when they say it ? Do folks mean Lemmy playing through his modified Marshalls or Squire and his unique set up ? Maybe Geddy Lee's before he revealed some of his 'RIC' tone was actually a jazz bass
Could it be The Jam's Bruce Foxton though his original RIC was an Ibanez and he mostly recorded with a P-bass. I bought mine for a few reasons. It looked different, was reasonably priced and I had enough experience of Harley Benton to expect a decent instrument.
I think all of the questions asked of the OP (me) were already answered in my previous posts, other than my HB bass came with a great set-up and the bridge is adequate to the need and looks cool. The pups are balanced enuff for my use - I didn't notice any issue but I seldom iso the bridge pick-up on any bass (as I seldom iso the neck pup on elec guitar). On PJ-types, my L2000, etc., I iso the neck pup or use the mid position thinking of it as adding the bridge to the neck. The only exception is my T-40.
Caveat-age: I seldom replace strings, adjust pick-up height or modify my basses unless there is a true issue in functionality. My 'tude is, as long as it's playable and sounds good, I'll just use another bass if I need something different. I'm lucky that I can, but I say this so that it's understood that I have no intention of this being my main player, or even a main player.
Could it be "better"? Sure, poly necks are not my fave, the tuners are fine but not great, the strings did mellow and play in but are not the best ...
That said, I really like it, recorded it over the weekend and it sounds good, and kinda unique in that the middle position is extremely flexible, and gets - to me - nicely "clanky".
I would have no hesitation staging it.
Also, it looks cool.
Caveat-age: I seldom replace strings, adjust pick-up height or modify my basses unless there is a true issue in functionality. My 'tude is, as long as it's playable and sounds good, I'll just use another bass if I need something different. I'm lucky that I can, but I say this so that it's understood that I have no intention of this being my main player, or even a main player.
Could it be "better"? Sure, poly necks are not my fave, the tuners are fine but not great, the strings did mellow and play in but are not the best ...
That said, I really like it, recorded it over the weekend and it sounds good, and kinda unique in that the middle position is extremely flexible, and gets - to me - nicely "clanky".
I would have no hesitation staging it.
Also, it looks cool.
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If yer asking RIC’s sound to my ears is treble heavy, a bit clanky, and has an aggressive tone especially using a pick.
I have been eyeing the HB RB 414 none in stock atm (Thomann USA) really just lookin for somethin different than my typical Fender, FSO’s I tend to gravitate to (plenty of those hangin around).
Anyone know if you pay customs/fees on these and if so is it a percentage of the total price? Might be worth it to toss another bass or two in the cart with it?
Anyone know if you pay customs/fees on these and if so is it a percentage of the total price? Might be worth it to toss another bass or two in the cart with it?
