yup, i will definitely be updating this thread once i receive the order and start the upgrades.
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NBM: Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB
- Thread starter And I
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- benton harley harley benton
Totally forgot to share these:
Stock preamp / pots. Clean wiring job.
Stock preamp / pots. Clean wiring job.
I mean bass modifications is something absolutely normal Especially with these harley bentons enhanced series where honestly the worst part about the bass are the pickups and electronics which are not bad at all! I just used it on a recording a week ago, and to be honest I'm glad thats the worst part 'cause different companys and pickups taylor to different style of players. Making this bass more unique and carter more to you. I can see these basses in 5 years from now in a lot of studios and players having them and all with different types of mods in them 'cause at that price point it is possible. even if you invest 200 - 300 extra on it you still coming on top than buying a MIM fender or a performer series american fender that does not have all the high quality features as the zero nut, 6 bolt on screws, string through body, block inlays, active and passive, or a freaking matching headstock.
My solution is to replace the preamp with one that has a tone control... but I think you could switch the treble control pot with a stacked concentric design and give yourself an extra control to add whatever capacitor you want.
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A good luthier could switch out the vol push/pull to a stack vol/passive tone and add a mini switch to turn the preamp on and off. Another solution that I have done on one of my basses is to remove the blend and replace it with a stack knob that has bridge vol on top and passive tone for both on the bottom.
I'm going to put in a nordstrand 3b-4a. Vol/vol, passive tone with push pull active/passive, mids with push pull for frequency select, and stacked bass and treble. No extra holes in the pickguard for switches, all the features needed to turn this bass into an absolute beast.
So the tuners and one of the knobs was on backorder. Still haven't gotten the preamp since part of the order is backordered... not like i'm playing a lot these days anyway. 
So the tuners and one of the knobs was on backorder. Still haven't gotten the preamp since part of the order is backordered... not like i'm playing a lot these days anyway.
Ugh. I'm anxious to hear how it sounds.
I just ordered a neck pickup replacement, not too hot on the big pole pieces for the neck pickup still an alnico 5 split coil... I ordered a concentric knob to have the bass and treble in stacked and adding a tone knob with a .1uf capacitor. the new pickup arrives July 19, I'm debating weather to put tone monster preamp or seymour duncan black out as a replacement preamp. all in all I think I'm gonna be putting about 120 dollars extra on the bass. so I'm assuming that I should have some sounds clips up by july 25th. so it's gonna be volume (active passive push pull), blend, treble bass stacked knob, and master tone.
UPDATE: Everything is going as planed all the parts are bought and in the mail, I ended up buying the Seymour Duncan Blackout preamp which ran me for $30 on eBay. This preamp has good reviews, it's affordable, and you can buy the 2 knob version or the concentric knob version which I did so I could have another knob to use as my master tone knob... But if you don't feel like waiting for some sound clips you can actually hear this preamp with this pickups combination if you go to youtube and look up schecters discontinued diamond p plus. that bass shares very similar specs which how I'm going to have my bass, Premier guitar has a video in english and the rest are in different languages. I know what you're thinking Schecter!? metal music? no there's actually no metal in most if not all the videos, nothing wrong with metal is just not my style.
Here's the list of parts.
Preamp - $30 eBay
Pickup - $20 amazon
Capacitor for tone knob - $1.50 amazon
Strings depends on what you prefer (DR pure blues) - $30
Labor - $60
Here's the list of parts.
Preamp - $30 eBay
Pickup - $20 amazon
Capacitor for tone knob - $1.50 amazon
Strings depends on what you prefer (DR pure blues) - $30
Labor - $60
I'm still waiting on backordered parts... 1 month now waiting on knobs and bass-side ultralite tuners...
Nice! Other than what I've already posted in this thread, there's nothing more that I can think to add... if you have specific questions I'd be happy to help.Just about to pull the trigger on this exact bass - any last minute, vital things I should consider?
Looks like everyone's covered it well! I was firstly going to go for the vintage version. But with all the upgrades on the enhanced version, It just seems like a no brainer. Truss rod accessibility, bridge, ..pickups? I've seen mixed feelings on those..but, they seem well enough! Yeah! I'll update when possible. 
I love the bridge. It's got locking nuts so when you get the intonation where you want it, it should stay there (or at least not drift due to the saddles moving). Truss rod is very easily accessible with the rotary adjuster right at the base of the neck. The pickups are a little dark and the P pickup is significantly hotter than the MM, but I think that has more to do with the MM being closer to the bridge where the strings vibrate less. I prefer a 3 band preamp so am upgrading it, but as-is, it's totally giggable.
What's the string spacing?
What's the scale length?
Is that a zero fret? How well does that zero fret work into it? I've owned a steinberger and they have a zero fret, if not installed right, it could lead to work needing to be done.
How cheap does the finish look? Just looks like a basic blue on my phone, is it metallic or anything special?
Thanks in advance for answering
What's the scale length?
Is that a zero fret? How well does that zero fret work into it? I've owned a steinberger and they have a zero fret, if not installed right, it could lead to work needing to be done.
How cheap does the finish look? Just looks like a basic blue on my phone, is it metallic or anything special?
Thanks in advance for answering
19mm spacingWhat's the string spacing?
What's the scale length?
Is that a zero fret? How well does that zero fret work into it? I've owned a steinberger and they have a zero fret, if not installed right, it could lead to work needing to be done.
How cheap does the finish look? Just looks like a basic blue on my phone, is it metallic or anything special?
Thanks in advance for answering
34" scale
it's a zero fret. not sure what you mean by "How well does that zero fret work into it?"
finish doesn't look cheap at all. it's a lake placid blue with a subtle metallic sparkle.
