Need help choosing...

[bordinco90]

So I want to buy a cheap new bass. I want a 4 string bass and have $400 to spend. I'm not worried about string spacing, passive/active, or weight. I've narrowed it down to 3 basses.

1. Harley Benton Marquess 4

2. Sterling by musicman Ray 4

3. Harley Benton MB4 Black Satin

I already own a nice Warmoth P Bass. I just want a good quality new bass that has a different flavor than my P Bass. I've never bought a Harley Benton, but I've heard good things. Does anyone have any experience with the above listed basses? I'm looking to gig this bass as well.

 

[bordinco90]

Any help would be great. I'm really on the fence about this one.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I know you say you want new, but why not get something here in the classified? More for your money, and likely to be well cared for.

 

[bordinco90]

I know you say you want new, but why not get something here in the classified? More for your money, and likely to be well cared for.

I would rather buy new. I've got burned a few times buying used.

 

[RattleSnack]

Of those three, Ray4 is probably the better quality instrument, but a little less versatile (only one pickup).
Mine was very good, I remember even using it on a rock festival of around 2000 people. My band opened and main act was RHCP tribute. Bassist used real Stingray and commented that my Ray4 sounded really good.
I also remember the pickup had very hot signal, so I had to lower it.

 

[bordinco90]

Of those three, Ray4 is probably the better quality instrument, but a little less versatile (only one pickup).
Mine was very good, I remember even using it on a rock festival of around 2000 people. My band opened and main act was RHCP tribute. Bassist used real Stingray and commented that my Ray4 sounded really good.
I also remember the pickup had very hot signal, so I had to lower it.

Thanks for the vote. I've played the Ray4 before and really liked it. The Marquess 4 is getting alot of love on YouTube in the bass community. I do have another dark horse bass just in case. The Ibanez SR300.

 

[BassNugget]

I'm a Stingray guy, but I have been wanting the Marquess 4. It sounds amazingly good for the price and is a whole other step up in quality from the other Harley Benton basses.

The Ray 4 is fantastic. I have a 5. Nothing bad can be said about the SBMM Ray 4 at all. Incredible value, good feel and great sound. MM company has the best quality control of any mass production bass company. You pretty much always get a good one.

The MB4 by Harley Benton also sounds great. At the price, it has NO business sounding and looking so good. Now, the finish may fade and some areas smooth out, if you are OK with that, then the black looks hella good.

My vote, in the end is for the Marquess, but you cannot go wrong with any of these!!!

 

[bordinco90]

I'm a Stingray guy, but I have been wanting the Marquess 4. It sounds amazingly good for the price and is a whole other step up in quality from the other Harley Benton basses.

The Ray 4 is fantastic. I have a 5. Nothing bad can be said about the SBMM Ray 4 at all. Incredible value, good feel and great sound. MM company has the best quality control of any mass production bass company. You pretty much always get a good one.

The MB4 by Harley Benton also sounds great. At the price, it has NO business sounding and looking so good. Now, the finish may fade and some areas smooth out, if you are OK with that, then the black looks hella good.

My vote, in the end is for the Marquess, but you cannot go wrong with any of these!!!

Wow thanks for the vote and the explanation. I was really leaning towards the marquess until I watched a vid of Johnny Long receiving his Marquess bass with faulty electronics and really high action. He ended up fixing the bass himself, but I'm not sure if he had to shim the neck or shave the bridge down. I know this can happen with $1000 basses, but maybe he just got a lemon. The Marquess would actually be the most expensive bass out of the 3 with shipping. The MB-4 looks and sounds amazing, but again I'm worried about QC issues with Harley Benton. In my mind there is not way a $210 bass (with shipping) can be that good, but I may be wrong. The MB-4 is my favorite bass looks wise and I'm not worried about the black finish. Plus I like how the MB-4 is passive. I have played numerous Ray4s in Guitar Center and remember really liking them, but if there is not much difference quality wise the MB-4 may be the one I get. Have you played the MB-4 before? If so what is your impressions compared to the ray4?

 

[BassNugget]

I played the five string version. It's passive, but has a unique 2 volume system, with each coil getting its own volume. Sounds amazing, much better than it's price entails. The quality and feel were not quite as nice as the Ray, IMHO, but are good for the price. The Ray also has a pretty powerful EQ with cut and boost, and like my EBMM SR4, I can get a very low action on a SBMM Ray. Not sure about the MB, as it was not my own instrument.

Allegedly, the Marquess is quite a few notches higher in quality than the other HB basses. You can check out Bass The World's review of the 5 and 4:



I think it is dubious that you will get a lemon at that price point, but returning things to Germany is not fun. With a Ray 4, you are almost guaranteed to get a good one, and most online retailers, and all GC have excellent return policies.

The Ray sounds to me like a slightly mellower and more "rounded" version of the USA model, with a bit of a hotter output. I had to lower my pickup on the SUB significantly. Just today I played my USA made Stingray, my Indonesia made SUB 5, and my modified, Indonesia made Squier PJ., So the comparison is fresh in my mind. Hope that helps.

I will say that the sound of the MB basses are the best of all the Harley Benton basses minus the Marquess.

 

[bordinco90]

I played the five string version. It's passive, but has a unique 2 volume system, with each coil getting its own volume. Sounds amazing, much better than it's price entails. The quality and feel were not quite as nice as the Ray, IMHO, but are good for the price. The Ray also has a pretty powerful EQ with cut and boost, and like my EBMM SR4, I can get a very low action on a SBMM Ray. Not sure about the MB, as it was not my own instrument.

Allegedly, the Marquess is quite a few notches higher in quality than the other HB basses. You can check out Bass The World's review of the 5 and 4:



I think it is dubious that you will get a lemon at that price point, but returning things to Germany is not fun. With a Ray 4, you are almost guaranteed to get a good one, and most online retailers, and all GC have excellent return policies.

The Ray sounds to me like a slightly mellower and more "rounded" version of the USA model, with a bit of a hotter output. I had to lower my pickup on the SUB significantly. Just today I played my USA made Stingray, my Indonesia made SUB 5, and my modified, Indonesia made Squier PJ., So the comparison is fresh in my mind. Hope that helps.

I will say that the sound of the MB basses are the best of all the Harley Benton basses minus the Marquess.

Yeah I've watched all the vids on the Marquess basses lol. They look nice, but I'm not crazy about the looks. You input has helped alot and I really appreciate it. At this point I'm leaning on the Ray4. Quick question... How far apart is the real deal Musician compared to the Ray4 quality wise?. Is it around $2000 better?

 

[timendous]

I'm a big fan of Harley Benton. I've owned 4-5 of their guitars and basses and my current main bass is a heavily modified Harley Benton JB-75.

That being said, of your listed choices, I'd go with the Ray. I can't get over the Marques body shape. As for the MB-4, I've tried some passive MM style basses and have never found one I liked. Every time I find myself wishing it had a preamp in it. I think it's wanting a little extra oomph I find lacking due to pickup placement. But maybe that's just me.

 

[timendous]

Yeah I've watched all the vids on the Marquess basses lol. They look nice, but I'm not crazy about the looks. You input has helped alot and I really appreciate it. At this point I'm leaning on the Ray4. Quick question... How far apart is the real deal Musician compared to the Ray4 quality wise?. Is it around $2000 better?

For a little while I had a Sterling 4 HS. While I don't know if I'd say it's $2k better, it was easily one of the nicest basses I've ever laid my hands on. If I had $1,000-$1,500 to spend on a bass (which I most definitely do not) it would absolutely be on my short list of considerations. It was awesome.

 

[bordinco90]

For a little while I had a Sterling 4 HS. While I don't know if I'd say it's $2k better, it was easily one of the nicest basses I've ever laid my hands on. If I had $1,000-$1,500 to spend on a bass (which I most definitely do not) it would absolutely be on my short list of considerations. It was awesome.

Oh I bet they are, but $2300 for a new one is kinda steep IMO. Yeah I'm leaning towards the Ray4. Thanks for your vote and input.

 

[bordinco90]

I'm a big fan of Harley Benton. I've owned 4-5 of their guitars and basses and my current main bass is a heavily modified Harley Benton JB-75.

That being said, of your listed choices, I'd go with the Ray. I can't get over the Marques body shape. As for the MB-4, I've tried some passive MM style basses and have never found one I liked. Every time I find myself wishing it had a preamp in it. I think it's wanting a little extra oomph I find lacking due to pickup placement. But maybe that's just me.

Yeah just not sure about the QC with Harley Benton. Plus like Bass Nugget said, the return policy with GC or MF is great and the QC with the Ray4 "should" be better.

 

[BassNugget]

The following is just my opinion...

There is a diminishing return for these things. If I play them separately, it seems I can get 75-85% of the quality and sound from the lesser priced instrument. BUT, when I play them side by side, I notice where the money is spent on the USA model. The neck, the tuners, the knobs, the electronics, the jack, the finishing. I needed a 5 string for ballads but could not justify 2k for another Stingray for 3-4 songs a night. I paid only $169.00 used at GC for my SUB 5 (and I had to do minor repairs and a full setup). I actually like the mellow sound of this bass for 5 string a bit more than the USA made one.

Now, if you want a full-on, close as you can get to the USA model, the Ray34 is your friend, and at a great price point. Listen to anything by Julia Plays Groove. Those Ray34 sound epic. I like her sound on the SBMM Ray34 and 35 MORE than when she plays her USA Joe Dart signature bass.

So yeah, the USA EBMM basses are, in my humble opinion, the best of the mass production basses. Love them. But it always makes me nervous to have that 2k plus bass out on a stage, with drunk people around, or in the sun, rain, etc. Never feel that way about the SUB 5 or the Music Mod Squier.

If I had to purchase right now (not playing and touring like I used to) I would buy the Ray4 and have fun. If I planned to do serious local gigs, the Ray34. If I were to go back to serious funk playing and touring, USA Stingray Special 4.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

Thanks for the vote. I've played the Ray4 before and really liked it. The Marquess 4 is getting alot of love on YouTube in the bass community. I do have another dark horse bass just in case. The Ibanez SR300.

On resale value alone, Sterling and Ibanez are the winners. Harley Benton QC is variable. It's not in the poll choices but I've had a 300 series Ibanez and it was outstanding for the price. Have since had a 505 and now an 1805.

 

[bordinco90]

The following is just my opinion...

There is a diminishing return for these things. If I play them separately, it seems I can get 75-85% of the quality and sound from the lesser priced instrument. BUT, when I play them side by side, I notice where the money is spent on the USA model. The neck, the tuners, the knobs, the electronics, the jack, the finishing. I needed a 5 string for ballads but could not justify 2k for another Stingray for 3-4 songs a night. I paid only $169.00 used at GC for my SUB 5 (and I had to do minor repairs and a full setup). I actually like the mellow sound of this bass for 5 string a bit more than the USA made one.

Now, if you want a full-on, close as you can get to the USA model, the Ray34 is your friend, and at a great price point. Listen to anything by Julia Plays Groove. Those Ray34 sound epic. I like her sound on the SBMM Ray34 and 35 MORE than when she plays her USA Joe Dart signature bass.

So yeah, the USA EBMM basses are, in my humble opinion, the best of the mass production basses. Love them. But it always makes me nervous to have that 2k plus bass out on a stage, with drunk people around, or in the sun, rain, etc. Never feel that way about the SUB 5 or the Music Mod Squier.

If I had to purchase right now (not playing and touring like I used to) I would buy the Ray4 and have fun. If I planned to do serious local gigs, the Ray34. If I were to go back to serious funk playing and touring, USA Stingray Special 4.

Awesome. Yeah my band can only play 1-3 gigs a month due to our work schedules. I could look at a Ray34, but that's more than double what I want to spend. I already have 2 very nice Warmoth P basses that I gig with already. I just want a good quality serviceable instrument that gives me a different flavor than my P basses.

 

[BassNugget]

I think the Ray4 will do ya! BUT, they are addictive....just a warning.

 

[bordinco90]

The following is just my opinion...

There is a diminishing return for these things. If I play them separately, it seems I can get 75-85% of the quality and sound from the lesser priced instrument. BUT, when I play them side by side, I notice where the money is spent on the USA model. The neck, the tuners, the knobs, the electronics, the jack, the finishing. I needed a 5 string for ballads but could not justify 2k for another Stingray for 3-4 songs a night. I paid only $169.00 used at GC for my SUB 5 (and I had to do minor repairs and a full setup). I actually like the mellow sound of this bass for 5 string a bit more than the USA made one.

Now, if you want a full-on, close as you can get to the USA model, the Ray34 is your friend, and at a great price point. Listen to anything by Julia Plays Groove. Those Ray34 sound epic. I like her sound on the SBMM Ray34 and 35 MORE than when she plays her USA Joe Dart signature bass.

So yeah, the USA EBMM basses are, in my humble opinion, the best of the mass production basses. Love them. But it always makes me nervous to have that 2k plus bass out on a stage, with drunk people around, or in the sun, rain, etc. Never feel that way about the SUB 5 or the Music Mod Squier.

If I had to purchase right now (not playing and touring like I used to) I would buy the Ray4 and have fun. If I planned to do serious local gigs, the Ray34. If I were to go back to serious funk playing and touring, USA Stingray Special 4.

I may can swing a Ray24 at best. Have you played those? I watched a low-end lobster vid on this bass and he said it's the same preamp, neck, tuners. The only thing different is the bridge, pickup, and body.

 

[BassNugget]

I want to say the Ray24 had a slab body (no tummy cut and no forearm contour). The 24 CA had a slim neck (I think). I like a thick neck, but have played USA Sterlings with the slimmer neck and been good! So, yeah. If you can get around the slab body. The 24 has a 2 band eq, whereas the 34 has a 3 band. A lot of people like the 2 band better! The 24 has the USA MM style bridge And an alnico pickup to sound more like a classic ray. Sometimes you find these at great discount. Try to play one to see if you like the slab body. I have played slab bodies basses and am not all that bothered by them, but it depends on how and where you wear your bass, your technique, etc. I haven't played a Ray 24CA.