Harley Benton Basses - Review (JB-40FL / PJ-4 HTR / B-450)

I am taking a lot at three basses that are all under €200. Usually you get something that looks like a bass, but isn't really usable and only maybe acceptable as a beginner instrument which will be exchanged as fast as possible... not here... these basses are just good. PERIOD.
Gear from this video at Sweetwater:
Here is tons of stuff I use in my videos...
imp.i114863.ne...
Current LIMITED TIME deals:
imp.i114863.ne...
Here are a few links!
JB-40FL
www.thomann.de...
PJ-4 HTR Deluxe
www.thomann.de...
B-450 Progressive
www.thomann.de...
B-450 with Quilted Top
www.thomann.de...
Gear from this video at Sweetwater:
Here is tons of stuff I use in my videos...
imp.i114863.ne...
Current LIMITED TIME deals:
imp.i114863.ne...

[@Rhop]

At that pricepoint, every guitarist should have one just to track bass for backing tracks...

[@TimSmith714]

I got the fretless as it was so cheap as to be worth the risk but I like it so much it's become my main bass. The only thing I'd add is that I discovered there was no shielding in the control cavity so there was quite a bit of noise that a couple of people noticed when playing live. I've no complaints at this price and a couple of coats of conductive paint cleared it up. Highly recommended!

[@theelectrichobo829]

The fretless is the best of the three by miles.. And my next bass for sure.. Loving these videos my dude!

[@irrsinnrainer]

Awesome Video! Finally some HB-Bass Goodness! That fretless seems to be a nice tool for trying out playing fretless. Would love to see more HB-Basses. Especially the "MusicMan" Types and the "Rick".

[@Muppio]

The tone knob on the PJ changes the tone really subtley, makes it more sort of muffled. It has a gorgeous red color on it too, extra points.

[@anthonyoneill4291]

I picked up the 5-string fretless version of the Progressive, the black one - for £100. It's a ridiculously good instrument - I'd written off HB without trying them on the price point ("Surely they must suck at that price"). I couldn't believe how good this thing was. So yep, I agree!

[@iliasliakos6692]

I got the progressive Six string...utter shit un even frets, its going back

[@EbonyPope]

I was critical too. And although I had sent some to me with minor defects I already have 4 if their guitars. Especially their Rickenbacker copy RB 600 is just gorgeous. And really has this vintage Beatles sound.

[@FabrizioPeretti]

Stunning fretjob!

[@soulagent79]

I've been using the Harley Benton PJ-Bass in the studio for almost a year now. It's amazing. Mine doesn't have a flame maple neck though.

[@nerkoids]

All three of them sound really impressive. But that fretless Jazz... wow...

[@bapt_andthebasses]

Some correction: 24 frets are useful if you play lead bass. Bass doesn't mean "Oh I only wanna play the 2 firsts octaves". Also a passive bass doesn't mean that the ouput is always colder than an active one. That's a wrong statement.

[@BassAdvisor]

I love your reviews and your sense of humor!

[@hyperliteBo]

Damm Henning, that's some good playing there, really like your style :)

[@michaelgarrett8281]

Just got my Harley Benton 4 string Jazz bass. Sounds great. Looks great. So, I'm now interested in getting the HB Enhanced MJ-5EB in Lake Blue.

[@ismaildemircijorge864]

Was It worth to skip to the Enhanced one?

[@ApostolosKaratzas]

I always liked that tortoise red pickguard - red body combination on a strat but with cream pickup covers and controls . that is sick!!

[@andrewshaw7878]

Thanks for convincing me to buy the fretless jazz bass - highly recommended. The quality is far higher than the price suggests. It arrived well set up and is a real pleasure to play.

[@mikarage3677]

hi, is this the old version with wilkinson pickups or the new one with roswell pickups?

[@andrewshaw7878]

The Roswell ones on mine. Absolutely no problems at all. I've had it nearly a month now and it's been a really good buy. Sounds best to me with the front pick up rolled nearly off. And the lined fingerboard has been a big help. The rest of the band like it as well! Good luck with it.

[@mikarage3677]

just received mine! end up using only the bridge pickup too. just a little of neck pickup as a humm canceller but i like that bridge pickup sound. the bass was perfectly setup. some very dark wood stains howewer on the body and the back of the neck, hope it's not a long term problem (wood cracks?) but so far what a great bass. did you see that big strings tuners? i love them! the 7 point bridge look solid! what a bargain! will try a distorsion pedal on it , coupled with that bridge pickup i should end up with a HUGE sound! mika from france

[@lucamoroni2638]

@@mikarage3677 , guys I received mine yesterday. I can't wait till I can give it back to Thoman. It's heavy like an iceberg and although the sound is not bad at all there are also a lot of noises coming from a low quality hiring and shielding... I'm quite disappointed!

[@mikarage3677]

@@lucamoroni2638 it has been 2 years since i bought mine, maybe the QC is worst now. I sold mine but had good mémories.

[@ipdjbt]

I have the B-450. Love it! Hoping to buy more Harley Bentons soon.

[@kw0103]

Bought the fretless HB JB75FL SB today after watching this video again after some time. Super. I love this bass. Incredible value at this price point. I had a squier jazz bass before. No comparison. This has such a better sound.

[@StuntcatTV]

Man, you really balled on that fretless big time. Awesome tone

[@bassmentality]

Cool to see you so into the groove. Way to go. It's not crazy. It's reality! I can buy 3 amazing bass for less than 500 Euros! Outstanding videos thanks!

[@shoominati23]

You know the other 3 strings are just there for spares if one snaps right?

[@DMSProduktions]

IF you play PUNK yeah! ;oP

[@iplayeddishonored2475]

DMSProduktions slap *

[@applesauceman3555]

@@iplayeddishonored2475 that makes no sense.

[@ethanlancaster76]

canyouquack canyouquack it makes perfect sense, most slap players slap the E string 98.95667% of the time. Occasionally slapping the A string if they’re really feeling it 🤙

[@overthehillcheapgearnoodle9990]

Henning, thanks for doing the HB bass reviews. I really liked them all. I would like to eventually get the HB jazz bass. I won't go fretless. I'm not that bold. As always, very sweet review. Thanks for showing us your high end bass. Really sweet, crazy design. They all sounded great. I love the fact that you look as comfortable on a bass as much as you do on a guitar. As always you rock!

[@1961jscofield]

That red bass would be so cool were it not for that absolutely horrible looking fake tortoise pickguard on it.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Better than real tortoise!

[@el_kraken]

@lee plays bass lmao

[@dinonuggies2276]

Carbon foil or cars, ez fix

[@mikarage3677]

I just want to thank you for this great video. based on what i saw, what i've listen and what you've said i just ordre the fretless one. i'm a 40 years old beginner but i don't care, this fretless sound, the way you've made it sound wow ! that was so beautifull, dude i'm a metal man, but holly shit man that sound was so cool. i play actually an ibanez ATK , great punchy bass, great tone but damn i want that fretless . so that's it. order done. finger crossed cause it appearss they've changed a lot of thing on it : the microphone are no more wilkinson , now they are roswell alnico mics. they also change the fretboard. no more rosewood but something they call blackwood. hope it will handle well the round strings... anyway at 148 euros i don't give a flying fuck. thanks again, this review was epic and damn that comparaison with your 6 strings was absolutely hallucinating. holly shit will never ever give one cents to the big F or any other big brand. period.

[@njp2k914]

How did you get on? Are you still playing and enjoying bass :)

[@riciy]

HB really should get rid of that ugly ass tortouise shell and maybe spend like 5$ more for a better looking one seriously

[@DerEchteBold]

Yes, I can't believe they're still using that stuff. On pictures and in videos it doesn't even seem that bad to me but I once ordered a Strat with such a thing and in person it looks unbearably crappy. Oh damn, I actually wrote 'Strat', wonder when the Fender hitmen will arrive to get me ; )

[@DMSProduktions]

Tortoise!

[@BaguetteRoulette]

I think a black one would make it even look better.

[@DMSProduktions]

BaguetteRoulette That's what SHE said!

[@marike1100]

Who cares about the pick guard color? It's a $100 bass.

[@MrThan42]

Finally BASSES !!!!!!!!!! Thank you ! Next time could you please do a JB type HB bass review :) ?

[@NiqScott]

Came here and to LowEnd Lobster as a bit of a sanity check before pulling the trigger on the fretless "Jaco" bass. I'm a guitarist, so it's just for recording and noodling. I have the £125 black Music Man copy, and couldn't be happier, so I'm confident that I've made the right choice.

[@JeanClaudePeeters]

The tai chi / yin yang inlays as well as the shape of the (headstock) bass are a nod to Fodera basses. (Victor Wooten)

[@blackberryblossom]

I actually like the tone control of that PJ bass. I think I'm gonna purchase one of those. Thank you very much for this review. By the way: Squier also uses these fake-fake-tortoise pickguards on some bases.

[@alexmitrut341]

blackberryblossom / CARE MACHINE that bass is so good,i have it and its sooooooo good such a fat tone

[@JAK0449]

and they also upgraded the tone control....it works very well with the p pick up alone now!

[@richfuell8141]

Just bought a Harley Benton fretless....plays like dream...right out of the box...lovely finish....sounds great...heavy bloody thing though...

[@thecodfather8726]

Hey man really like your channel and hb reviews. Cheers from UK.

[@barrywebber100]

Fabulous great value bass guitars, thank you Harley Benton! Thanks for posting.

[@ethanlancaster76]

“Modern C” shape means a narrow C shape and not the vintage Fender C shape that is much thicker. And the photo flame saved more than a couple bucks..more like 20% of the entire cost of the bass.

[@seanmcgeeney4570]

Absolutely brilliant review!!

[@Solelova67]

I’m from the states and these basses are very nice and the price insane. Shipping to me from you in Germany, I don’t know what condition the bass would arrive

[@JAK0449]

they upgraded the fake tortoise pickguard of the pj since this video..now they are pretty good..i just got one yesterday and Im astonnished for this price (I own Fenders, squiers, Sier and others...)

[@demofactory]

Sudden unexplained urge to watch Austin Powers!!!!!! Thanks for sharing with us friend!!!!!

[@FostersLab]

Hi Henning! Thank you again for such an informative video. Do you have any info about whether or not Harley Benton (Thomann entry level brand) and Jack&Danny (Musicstore entry level brand) share the same factory whatsoever? I haven't been able to try a HB but a friend of mine has a J&D. Cheers from France!

[@EytschPi42]

hi... no, as far as I know they are not related at all.

[@FostersLab]

Thank you very much :)

[@richardrichard5409]

That PJ4 on the rear single coil sounds great......and it will always have a bit of hum, single coils do. If you want more tone cut, fit a 10p bigger value capacitor, don't go Orange Drop unless you are a flat earther😉.....and after all in the mix, with a band, the tone will be fully open anyway. These videos are great fun but, it would be great to hear the basses in a band situation, not sure how to work that but can't be impossible. 😎 I've owned over 30 basses now, high end to low end.....selling my Squier PJ Special (the early one with the jazz neck) is my biggest regret....the Trans Orange Stingray H, the Fender P, Aria SB etc not👌

[@miguelroldao6939]

Hello Henning, is there any chance you will do a review on the Harley Benton MM-84A and the Harley Benton BT-70VS?? I love both looks, just don't know what sound I prefer :P (Not enough demos out there, especially on the BT70VS).

[@ArmandDelaville]

Awesome review mate ! I'm interested about the fretless one since a few weeks and I think that review will help decide ! Cheers !

[@plinkbottle]

Couldn't hear the last two basses coming thru, don't know if it was the mix or the bass. The jazz fretless sounded ok.

[@marcomazotti]

Own the progressive as a spare bass, i love it! Handling is awesome, also the sound for this price, is amazing! :) Nice review Bro

[@dalepal]

Good review. I don't play or own a bass but it is good to know these are worth considering and priced right if I decide to.

[@danielkish3450]

Great video. I love that fretless bass. Would you recommend it over the Squier fretless bass?

[@directive-4]

nice playing! and great review - this has been very helpful thanks.

[@sayonj8791]

Recently acquired the PJ-4, seems to be a new version with a better pickguard, pretty good bass. Great review, even with that particular slap technique ;)

[@bluesqweres]

Hey I've just ordered the 5 string version, do you mean the pickguard doesn't look like salami anymore? lol

[@sayonj8791]

@@bluesqweres Yep, kind of dark black/orange pickguard that look better than thé ils one.

[@bluesqweres]

@@sayonj8791 that's a relief, I was planning on changing it as soon as it arrived!

[@sayonj8791]

@@bluesqweres i was planning too but i was surprised by the glogal design. Usualy i remvoe any pickguard,, so give a chance to that one :)

[@voripeter]

@@bluesqweres I have the 5 string version too. Bought it less than a year ago, but I got the ugly version of the pickguard. A piece of satin black self adhesive vinyl did wonders to it. Now it looks great.

[@Herfinnur]

Somethings wrong with the electronics on your progressive. The difference in volume between passive and active on my progressive is very little, with the passive sounding more vintage-y. Edit: Also, it seems that there's a bit of quality dispersion; I've just discovered that the fretboard on my sample has come undone from the neck itself! Better go call Thomann. I'm so glad that the Thomann customer service is nothing like german phone companies!

[@topcat2069]

PJ-4 HTR I had one for awhile. I think I had a new pick guard made (using the original as a guide) and changed the Vol, Vol, changed to a Vol, Bal. which I use more than the 2 vol knobs. The bass was great as long as it lasted. I tried to have a humbucker in the bridge position but the teck couldn't get the wiring right so it was ruined. ( 😞 ) But I loved playing it. I thought it sounded Amazing through my set up, a GK 1000rb with 2 neo 15 cabs.

[@LeeLucas]

Good tools that do the job. That's what they are and very nice prices too.

[@henrikehrbahn9410]

On the " Thunderbird copy" is the tone knop a ACTIVE/ PASSIVE SWITCH!😊

[@jamalhithe850]

where those strings flatwounds on the JB 40 Fretless? it really sounds amazing 👌💯

[@Bojan_Tomic]

Great review. Please tell me the name of those guitar stands, they look unreal :o

[@DerDicke1511]

Ich hatte die ganze Zeit das Gefühl das du deutschsprachig bist und als du "Very stramm im Ton" gesagt hast war es klar xD

[@fich2782]

ich finde es Interessant wie viele Leute aus der Richtung eigentlich deutsch sind, aber trotzdem einen englischen Kanal haben

[@221b-l3t]

​@@fich2782 95% der Kommentare sind immer Englisch also machts Sinn. Thomann ist mittlerweilen ausserhalb von DE/CH/Ö populär vor allem England.

[@onsesejoo2605]

That active bass wipes the floor with the rest except the fretless, sweet sound. The active has clear tone in both ends of the spectrum and you made it sound close to a Lemmy style Rickenbacker for example. But are the visuals really a hindrance to the sound ? Be as radical as you say you are and pick the bright yellow bass for your metal band. :) The fretless actually has the fret marks. :) You should do a video discussing about a used brand bass vs. new very moderately priced one if there aren't already.

[@megadawg342]

the HB PJ-5 doesn't have a rosewood finger board, it's rosacer, an aged and stained MAPLE.

[@HermelJaworski]

Great video, thanks! I loved the fretless:) Do you think I could get a similar sound to your luthier fretless bass with the Harley Benton, adjusting with an EQ pedal ?

[@sayonj8791]

I already had the PJ-4 which is great but I ordered the JB-40FL following this review, thanks Henning Off course i used your tThomann offid link ;)

[@RobertSmith-df4vk]

I have the pj-4 htr. It is still going strong after 2+ years. I did get of that horrible pickguard. I have a black one now and it looks much better!

[@dago6410]

Oh, Henning plus a bass guitar... It works? I didnbt know!

[@Terry3Gs]

WOW henning sir !! Your quite well versed on the bass as well it seems !! Thanks again for your awesome video's !! =)

[@bassmentality]

LOve your reviews and playing! I think H/B are great value for money! Got my first fender P/J bass in 1990! They are common! ç

[@NeverAgainMetal]

Laste week i bought the B-550 for my girlfrend, and it's brutal. We play metal, and has an awesome sound.

[@mr.p3666]

sir question. Do u have fx used? Are u using Di or amp or what? Thanks sir :) btw nice review

[@derrell342]

Been using a 6 string progressing b650 for the past like 5/6 years. Bought it to see of i liked six strings. Use it in my death metal band today

[@seberintala]

Thanks for the great reviews!

[@ethanlancaster76]

Tell everyone about the fit and finish, please? Does it come setup properly? How are the frets? Hardware quality? How does it sound acoustically since the pickups are for the most part amplifying that tone before the color of the amp is added so if you have a transparent amp you will have a better idea of what the bass really sounds like.

[@davidcp7957]

Nice Reviews mate, enjoyed.. 👍

[@Guitarrasamansalva]

omg! Can you say me the name of the three songs you play at the beggining? Thank you so much!!

[@fm1057]

I have the JB-40FL and it’s a awesome bass for the price.

[@MayorPayne666]

Is there any chance to do a review of the HBZ-2005 or 2004? I am curious about these beauties. Great review as always!

[@ryzyooritzz]

Absolutely amazing bass. My bass player plays one. Great Pickups

[@saminoexiste]

Yes please!!

[@leocomerford]

What's the finish on the necks, if any? Some Indonesian Squiers and Yamahas seem to have no finish applied to the neck at all.

[@DMSProduktions]

It's all about the bass...NO treble!

[@Cheguebuddha]

I want that HB fretless ... I already have the HB JB-75NA which is great!

[@markbass354]

these basses sound good , i want all three accept the pickguard on the PJ bass looks cheap. I would change that to black maybe white maybe gold I dont know.

[@BloodpactORG]

I'm starting to think HB intentionally put a dealbreaker or two on their cheapest basses to push people towards the BZ which is their only spotless bass. The salami pickguards on the PJs, the godawful in-bent upper horn and tacky inlays on the progressives, the backbreaking weight of their jazz basses, the retired shoe salesman gigging at casinos finish on the MM-84A, the hiss in the electronics and inaccurate pickup pockets in the body of the HBZ etc. etc.

[@babchilders3612]

With the quality guitar product that they make I don't know why every guitar player doesn't have one there rack. It's just like every guitar made you have to do a little bit of this and that with pretty much all instruments that you play. I would wish they would come out with a cymbal line for drums and drums and good Hardware I am definitely sold on their guitar products for sure God bless.

[@DeadlyFredXXX]

Just got my JB-40FL today and... all I can say is: wow. I'd been wanting to try a HB instrument for a while now but couldn't decide what to get. I opted to test the waters replacing the fretless bass I sold off years ago and... yeah... wow. It has definitely made a solid first impression for the brand to say the least. The playability and sound (as you can hear) are really impressive and the fact that the thing cost less than $200 even counting shipping across the pond is crazy. I want to ask you Henning (or anyone else who has played both): how does the neck on the fretless compare to the JB-75 series in terms of profile/thickness, do they feel similar?

[@yeoldefoxeh254]

Well, a year later but JB40 FL and JB75 are the *exact same* besides the scratchplate and the fact that they have frets. Also there's a fretless from the 75 so.... JB40FL and JB75FL are the exact same but with or without the scratchplate.

[@222rich]

got the fretless. plays better than my £650 ibanez

[@saintsantiesteban4703]

Wow! I was about to mod my Jay turser then I came to a Harley Benton bridge and then this! I'm going to buy those 3 now! By the way what are those strings?

[@peinmilan]

I have built a bass for myself, I had the wood for free, but still I was way-WAAAY over 150 EUR only for the parts, not counting the work of course. D'Addario strings alone start at around 30 EUR... I have no idea how can they sell it for profit. Ridiculous price!!!

[@kingstumble]

I was about to say thank you for not slapping---and then you stated slapping! But I'll let you off! Great demo/review.

[@ianvaughan9028]

Basses!!! Thank you Henning.

[@Harlembrown]

Well done! Thank you very much!

[@DerEchteBold]

For a brief moment, somewhere before the 31 minute mark, I thought you're actually about to play "Don't cry for me Argentina"...

[@davidsrecords465]

Hello, very nice video i like this content! And i have question : What is the first song, on first bass?? Thenk you

[@bassmentality]

The jazz has an Ebonal fret Board as with the Squire Deluxe Jazz 5 string. WE used to call the old fender tuners both Clover leaf and Elephant Ears. I just fogoured you are a funny guy but you make these videos interesting. I been using Harley Benton 54 type P Bass for decades. Had 3 of those single coil and H&B rock! Quality used to be C_rap but the new jazz is almosti as good as Squires top model jazz, but The Squire is amazing! Thanks and sorry I didnt take you more seriously. How about I drag my bass round to your place and I can try all those amp heads yeh?

[@MrSilver261]

play it and have fun that's why I bought the Harley Benton fretless and the musicman mb4 brilliaNT

[@danielcastillo1225]

great comparison vid

[@PyroTBag]

Hello, Mr. Henning would you be testing the regular J-style ~ *wink* ~ basses that Harley Benton has to offer? Like the: - Harley Benton JB-75MN SB Vintage Series - Harley Benton JB-75SB RW Vintage Series Cheers from Macedonia!!

[@Pierfra007]

Hi! I'd like to suggest you the JB75 bass. I bought it on february 2016 just to have a cheap Jazz in my "army", and in these months I sold all the other basses (hi-end basses, Fender, Ibanez and other), and I'm using this cheap bass in everything... wonderful two-pieces ash body, perfect frets, great pickups, and I can keep it without the pickguard. functioning truss rod, 4kg in weight... and I payed it 120 euros shipped, from a private user...

[@PyroTBag]

Hello! Thank you for the advice. But which JB75 do you own exactly?

[@Pierfra007]

the JB75 sunburst wth rosewood neck. :)

[@leon.damjanov]

Makedonec ovde? E toa ne go ocekuvav

[@ChristineSabella]

The Fretless one, jesus christ that sound

[@mjmisp]

I don't play bass... QUESTION FOR YOU: WTF happened to Movall??? I'm guessing you may know something... PS Those basses are cool though!

[@theborteshow8709]

Question. Which Jazz and funky do you prefer? Thank you

[@oscarmorales-cn3hz]

Not bad, the price is awesome!!

I don't know why I'm watching either

[@64jazz]

First off, these bases are really nice for what they're priced; they'd make a great first Bass for kids just starting out ... hell, even more experienced players can use one of these and get by - no problem. That said the pickguard on that PJ Bass is horrid, I personally despise white pickguards on any Bass guitar, but with that particular Bass/ color, white (to me) is the only option that would really look good on it - in my honest opinion.

[@Alifesalife]

64jazz no pickguard is the way to go if possible

[@NoahBassman]

25:34 is me when I hear the tone of the fretless jazz bass

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

what your honest opinion of the B-450, I have a chance of picking one up for about £65. Great playing btw :)

[@EytschPi42]

I say my honest opinion in the video

[@guillaumegardet8772]

Incredible bass line from The Vacuous Heart title ! Is it possible to get a tab ?

[@EytschPi42]

haha... thanks, but whatever I did was improvised...

[@empireashesFFF]

What's the name of the song that you played the fretless HB on?

[@EytschPi42]

It is called "The Vacuous Heart" from the band THE VACUOUS HEART, available on iTunes

[@AlphaDude95]

Any chance you will be doing the fanned fret single cut ones?

[@SuperPresko]

What is the name of the first song?