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NBM: Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB

And I

And I

Feb 19, 2009
4,120
7,048
Witchtown, MA
#1
Just ordered one of these bad boys

Invalid Link Removed

This is an NBM and not an NBD because I will have to wait for shipping and customs. I'm guessing it will be a month. Who wants to place bets on when I will receive it?

443505[1].jpg
 
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#2
Had an eye on this exact model myself. Fair bit cheaper than a Classic Vibe for a 5 string, with a reverse P/MM configuration, active/passive, zero nut, bound & blocked, good quality (looking) bridge, 4 string retainer.. can't help but feel there must be a catch, but by all accounts these are solid basses.

Will be looking out for your impressions when you receive it!
 
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#4
I'm sure the electronics are middling, and the fretwork will probably be middling as well. I plan to use it mostly passive, and in the future if I upgrade the pups and preamp and give it to my guy to do a fret job... that would cost 2x more than the bass itself but might still be less than a Sandberg California...
 
#6
And I said:
I'm sure the electronics are middling, and the fretwork will probably be middling as well. I plan to use it mostly passive, and in the future if I upgrade the pups and preamp and give it to my guy to do a fret job... that would cost 2x more than the bass itself but might still be less than a Sandberg California...
Click to expand...

Considerably less, I'd imagine!

From the review videos etc I've seen, it seems the MM pickup is 'okay', and the P is very good. Wouldn't expect a lot from the preamp, but hey, it's easier to replace electronics in a well-playing bass than the other way around.
 
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#17
I ordered the same bass but in natural finish. It arrived in 3 days but I'm in Europe. Don't know how longer it will be to ship in the USA.

At least from some videos, that bass have an aggressive bright, "dry" sound in respect to the same bass in J/J configuration (and that's why I choose it).

Bad news is it's neck heavy. Kind of a bummer since my Harley Benton BZ5000NT is perfectly balanced. Maybe changing the tuning machines can help. Anyway with a good strap it's not a great problem.

Great good news is that sliding my fingers on the sides of fretboard there's no cutting edges.

Out of the box the action is not the lowest neither the highest (to be honest I'm spolied with pleked bass and super low action).

Never had a bass with a pickguard before, so don't know if the pre that hides in there have a trimpot to adjust the gain (like in the BZ model).

I've bought it to use it as modding platform, but I think I will only change the preamp.
 
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#20
And I said:
Just ordered one of these bad boys

Invalid Link Removed

This is an NBM and not an NBD because I will have to wait for shipping and customs. I'm guessing it will be a month. Who wants to place bets on when I will receive it?

View attachment 3404349
Click to expand...


Gee thanks for the G.A.S.........looks great!
 
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