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Trigger pulled on Harley Benton MB-5

Bassbubble11

Bassbubble11

Apr 15, 2010
1,255
936
Long Island, New York
#1
NBD thread here: NBD - Harley Benton MB-5 | TalkBass.com

So i have been wanting to get a 5 string for awhile now. I have tried a few Squiers at GC and had thought about pulling the trigger on one of those but honestly spending even $300 on something I may not even stick with isn't a good idea to me.

I did a search online and came across the Thomann website. I also looked at Rondo's offerings. Both sites offer 5 string Fender style basses but after seeing the MB-5 on Thomann I jumped. All my 4's are Fender style basses so I thought an MM style bass would be cool.

I believe the Harley B's are made by the same manufaturer that makes Douglas (Rondo). I have had a few Dougies over the years and they are pretty descent for the price and make great modding platforms. I hope the Harley Benton is the same. For the price (including shipping and VAT) of $160 USD I figured why not.

10256529_800_zps4laj2obs.jpg
 
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#4
Looks really nice. I'd like to hear your experience and impressions if you've got it. I wasn't aware that Thomann stuff was so cheap even with shipping.
This one?
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I certainly like the Harley Benton headstock better than the Rondo "Ursa" monstrosity.
 
#5
I don't think you'll at all be disappointed. The HB basses are well made, especially for the cost. And Thomann has a great return policy and watranty.

Check out the Harley Benton Owner's Club here on TB. Lots of folks with practical experience with HB basses.
 
#8
Baird6869 said:
So it's basically a fake Stingray?

Why not at least buy a $249 Sterling SUB?
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Basically a copy. Why would I buy a Sterling SUB for $249? I have never even seen a SUB for $249. Besides, I don't even know if I am gonna dig the 5 string. For $160 to my door how could I go wrong? If I wanted to pay 250 clams to experiment on a 5-er I would have just got a squire anyway.
 
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#9
PortlandBass77 said:
woah only $160?! I might need to get in on this..... or maybe even one of the Jazzzzzz basses instead of a Sire..... Invalid Link Removed or Invalid Link Removed
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Their basses look to be a great deal. I wouldn't take a Benton over a Sire though. I've played neither, but the reporting is that they're not even in the same league. If the reviews are to be believed it's almost like comparing a Squier and as Skyline.

If you've only got $200, HB seems like an excellent choice, but if you've got $4-500 then the Sire is the clear winner.

If you've got $300 however, there's a new LTD J-204 on Ebay right now... I'd take an LTD over a Benton or an SX any day.
 
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#10
Eilif said:
Their basses look to be a great deal. I wouldn't take a Benton over a Sire though. I've played neither, but the reporting is that they're not even in the same league. If the reviews are to be believed it's almost like comparing a Squier and as Skyline.

If you've only got $200, HB seems like an excellent choice, but if you've got $4-500 then the Sire is the clear winner.

If you've got $300 however, there's a new LTD J-204 on Ebay right now... I'd take an LTD over a Benton or an SX any day.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am well aware that the Sire is likely way higher quality, I am considering the HB because it seems like a great deal, and it fits different aspects of my 'dream' jazzzzz bass:

Fancy active electronics (Sire)
High mass bridge with top and bottom load options (Sire)
Solid color (preferably Lake Placid Blue w/ white pickguard) with wood grain visible (Sire)
Body Truss rod accesses (Sire)
Skunk Stripe on neck (HB)
Maple fretboard (both)
Black block inlays + binding (HB)

Really, I guess I am just hoping that eventually Sire lowers the price of the maple fretboard models closer to the price of the rosewood models so that I am not paying an extra $100 just for cosmetics....
 
#12
PortlandBass77 said:
Yeah, I am well aware that the Sire is likely way higher quality, I am considering the HB because it seems like a great deal, and it fits different aspects of my 'dream' jazzzzz bass:

Fancy active electronics (Sire)
High mass bridge with top and bottom load options (Sire)
Solid color (preferably Lake Placid Blue w/ white pickguard) with wood grain visible (Sire)
Body Truss rod accesses (Sire)
Skunk Stripe on neck (HB)
Maple fretboard (both)
Black block inlays + binding (HB)

Really, I guess I am just hoping that eventually Sire lowers the price of the maple fretboard models closer to the price of the rosewood models so that I am not paying an extra $100 just for cosmetics....
Click to expand...

The sire are for tone freak tweakers.. I owned a V7 for a while and while its a great bass.. didn't like the pre much, too much to screw with and I have a Fender Rumble 800 that has the pre-models and amp models.. I can sound like anyone with this amp..

get the HB - I own the PJ-75 and is a fantastic bass - it's passive but the pups are powerful and the bass thumps, fretwork was better than my Fender Jazz Deluxe V, no batteries or pre to mess with. plug in and rock out. also own a Harley Benton SC-500 LP which is another excellent guitar.
harley B bass.jpg
harley B bass and Guitar.jpg
 
#13
HarveyRobertson said:
The sire are for tone freak tweakers.. I owned a V7 for a while and while its a great bass.. didn't like the pre much, too much to screw with and I have a Fender Rumble 800 that has the pre-models and amp models.. I can sound like anyone with this amp..

get the HB - I own the PJ-75 and is a fantastic bass - it's passive but the pups are powerful and the bass thumps, fretwork was better than my Fender Jazz Deluxe V, no batteries or pre to mess with. plug in and rock out. also own a Harley Benton SC-500 LP which is another excellent guitar.
View attachment 3556204 View attachment 3556205
Click to expand...

Well, I am no longer considering an HB... it is now between another Sire or a Fender Geddy Lee signature CIJ...
 
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#16
Aaaand another 3 years or so and change later: I got a HB MB-5 in that matte black finish (it was the only one I could get as a lefty). I must say, for the price it's pretty killer. The tuners are a bit cheap and the electronics are kinda meh, but the build quality of mine at least is great. The B string on it is really nice considering the price point. I went ahead and ordered a Master Effects Manta Ray 3band preamp to see if it spices the HB up some.
 
#17
Bassbubble11 said:
NBD thread here: NBD - Harley Benton MB-5 | TalkBass.com

So i have been wanting to get a 5 string for awhile now. I have tried a few Squiers at GC and had thought about pulling the trigger on one of those but honestly spending even $300 on something I may not even stick with isn't a good idea to me.

I did a search online and came across the Thomann website. I also looked at Rondo's offerings. Both sites offer 5 string Fender style basses but after seeing the MB-5 on Thomann I jumped. All my 4's are Fender style basses so I thought an MM style bass would be cool.

I believe the Harley B's are made by the same manufaturer that makes Douglas (Rondo). I have had a few Dougies over the years and they are pretty descent for the price and make great modding platforms. I hope the Harley Benton is the same. For the price (including shipping and VAT) of $160 USD I figured why not.

View attachment 2436272
Click to expand...

I do not believe you will be disappointed. I wasn't:

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Edit: OMG how did I miss that I was responding to an 8YO thread!?!?!? It's the details that kill me.
 
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