Harley Benton JJ-55OP - One of the BEST Budget Five String Basses of 2022! - LowEndLobster Review

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Harley Benton JP-45OP Review: • Harley Benton JP-45OP ...
Harley Benton JP-45OP & JJ-55OP Unboxing: • Harley Benton JP-45OP ...
Harley Benton JP-55OP: harleybenton.com/product/jj-5...
Hey everyone! Today we're reviewing the second "OP" bass from my last Harley Benton Haul, the JJ-55OP. I've gotten a lot of questions about the quality of the B string, the electronics, among others. We'll go through every aspect of this bass and find out whether or not this is one of the best 5 string values of 2022! Let's do this!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at sitstrings.com/
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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[@sunn_bass]

Another good review. Harley Benton stuff seems solid. However, I kind of wish companies would shy away from adding active electronics in lower priced instruments and put those couple bucks into slightly better pickups and quality pots. Keep up the great work informing the community with detailed and fun reviews.

[@enhabeer]

The JP-550 is passive and looks great too.

[@bizibetiko9778]

This has become one of my favorite basses. I swapped the pickups in mine with a pair of Bassmods Big Phatties ceramic hum canceling, and changed the bridge for a Omega Bass badass type of thing. The screw holes did not match on the Omega bridge, but it wasn't that big of a deal to drill some new holes. The original bridge was off center anyways, so it gave me a chance to correct that. It plays and sounds close to a top shelf instrument now, it's really hard to put down. With the new pickups, the preamp doesn't sound bad at all, but you don't get a lot versatility out of it. It can go from too boomy to too clanky pretty easy, and you don't really have much of a way to shape the mids. You can get a slight mid scoop if you balance both pickups to center, or bring the mids back by coming slightly off center either way, but that's about it. I may change that along with the tuners at some point, but I'm not in a big hurry. For the money, this thing is ridiculous!

[@joelitoholmesmusic8834]

Can’t wait to see the mods you’ll do! This bass seems like a great mod platform and at this price it’s almost like you’re getting a finished and fully loaded DIY 24 fret bass kit. I think this will be my next project. Great review!

[@ConstantineIsslamow]

Great value for your money. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@BassMusician7]

Thanks for the review! I leaning more towards the JP 55O natural and the JB 75 fl sb for my next purchases. I really don't need active pickups because I'd rather use my pedal. Great reviews 👍🏾 Thanks again 💯

[@rustfeather1070]

Great review, thank you!

[@markblackstad8705]

Yeah Lobster! I've been waiting for the full review on this one. Looks like I've found my "plus 1" bass to go with the JB-40FL order from Thomann I was planning to get a better shipping value. I agree, It sounds best centered w/ both pickups running. I considered the JP version but really wanted a 5-string jazz. That JB tone just seems to work best with the stuff I am doing now and I don't really do much with soloing the jazz bass pickups anyways. Looking forward to your mod plans for this one!

[@evertonsousa5312]

I have the JJ-45OP in sunburst. I bought it specifically to be modded. The pickup cavity underneath the pickguard is large and would fit a PB and a soapbar format as well, if only we could find a replacement pickguard. In mine I replaced the bridge by the Fender Himass and the holes aligned perfectly. The tuners I replaced by Wilkinson's WJB750 and the holes also aligned. For the pickups I used EMG JVX set, which eliminated the hum. Next I will install a EMG BTC Control preamp, however I will need to drill one hole for the extra stacked pot. All in all it is a perfect, 5* bass after mods for a reasonable cost.

[@schm4704]

I've been eyeing these for a while now. The preamp seems a bit off though, indeed. Thanks for the review!

[@Koospa]

Notification squad let's go! Been waiting for this!

[@LowEndLobster]

Woohoo!

[@TheFaustianMan]

This is cool. I am buying the basses this guy recommends. He seems legit. Despite being half encrustation crustacean.

[@paulvanwal4875]

A very good Review, thanks. Not Bad, but HB should do something on the grounding Problem !

[@eloann]

Whenever I've had an affordable active bass I've replaced the cheap active circuit with a passive tone. It's done wonders to an Epiphone Toby Deluxe I've since passed on - actually used that 200$ bass on stage for alternate tunings

[@willistaylor4077]

Lob, I just have to say, "Live long and prosper, Dude !" 😉🎸♥️🎵

[@ivorydavis631]

Great review Lobster! Thank you and Bully for the review. I got mine and out of the box it's dope! No need for a mod because I'm going thru an Eden Navigator pre amp WP 100. I can dial in just about any tone I want. I'll put it against any high-end bass out there. Incredible for the price point. Another must have tool in my arsenal. Wish this was available 40 years ago. The real deal! Note....Just add some shielding foil in the control cavity to cancel the 60hz hum in some situations. Sweet Bass!

[@ivorydavis631]

Update!!!! The electronics are of poor quality. The volume pot was toast after only 2 weeks. I gutted this bass and replaced the preamp with an OBP3 preamp. I added a 500k vol pot and a 500k blend pot. Instead of a 2 ban bass now it's 3ban. For now, I'm keeping the stock pups. They're fine for now but if they fail they'll get the boot too. Playability and feel are great . The new preamp put this bass on steroids. if you are not planning to mod thus bass, don't buy it.

[@myflyisopen.8732]

Nice! Looks exactly like my Aria Pro.

[@9999plato]

Not that I need any more basses but you might have convinced me to spring for one or two. No matter what there are some good bones there to work with and to start it doesn't sound too bad. If I spring for some good noiseless pickups they probably are not going into a bass that costs less than them.

[@nickpicc]

Look forward to the modded version!

[@Yourd4d]

This is a pretty good copy of the modern Aria RSB series bass. Harley benton really do super well for the price.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! It's funny, at the time of filming I thought Aria only had the PJ Detroit. It appears they have JJ and P models too, though I have yet to see one for sale anywhere (the P one looks cool).

[@leedodson3136]

@@LowEndLobster Check out eBay, you’ll find them there. The blue has a sweet look. No idea how it plays. Let me know! Excellent job as always!

[@Bass.Player]

The Harley Benton JP-55OP I bought has the dark roasted neck and it looks great. Mine has a stiff tuner and Thomann is sending a replacement.

[@lexdecs8294]

I have the same bass. The neck is amazing for the price, but electronics are not great. I’m thinking of getting a different preamp and pickups. Still amazing it’s that good for $200.

[@matthewlunsford4351]

I was impressed! Be interesting to hear with passive tone control. I note EMG makes an active pickup/passive control JJ setup that would drop right in!

[@florenttenryu5011]

I'm looking for pickups to upgrade this model. Can you share wich EMG did you find to fit on this ? Thank you

[@matthewlunsford4351]

Note in my reply above I referenced the 4-string EMG pickups, but they have them in 5-string models.

[@dantesinfernopurgatory7826]

Looks like a good candidate for a Grover tuning machine mod in addition to the pickups (EMG, Bartolini or Seymour Duncan).

[@goranbakic9825]

What I have done so far (JJ-55OP Blue which I like a lot - paid 240€ with local delivery): - Replaced stock tuners (mine were not so bad truth to be said) with excellent Gotoh GB707 3L/2R C Tuners (Thomann, 65€ local delivery, 100% compatible, use the same original small screws) - All the fret work has been done by myself (I have gained that humble experience after doing that on several guitars) so frets are no issue any more. They look gorgeous now. What I shall do very soon: - Wilkinson WBBC-5 5 Strings Bass Bridge With Brass Saddles (AliExpress, 20€ local delivery, should be 100% compatible, shall be replaced this week) - Graph Tech PT-4025-00 Black TUSQ XL Blank (Thomann, 16€ local delivery, shall be done cheaply by local luthier here in Montenegro) - Replace all the active electronics with the passive pots (2x volume, 1x tone). Reverse engineering can be done very easily. Considering: - Better pickups which can be very expensive... Classic lacquered fingerboard is not my preference but what I often do (any kind of untreated fingerboard is applicable here) is to put Ballistol Balsin Gun Stock Bright Oil which is not aggressive and extremely small quantity is sufficient to leave the nice satin shine. Still you need to be careful and what I always do is to put it after the last fret on the neck in order to see the end result.

[@amirsmith93]

Maybe a good candidate for some emg jazz pickups, especially since the battery compartments already there 🤔

[@irrsinnrainer]

I really think Harley Benton/Thomann knocked it out of the park with the JJs and the JPs. I would go for the JP but just because I already own three basses with JJ pickup configuration and I'm really itching for something with a precision style pickup as of late. So, JP in blue will be my choice in the future. Will smack a Fender Hi-Mass Bridge on it and go for a nicer set of tuners for a start and maybe down the line it will get a Geezer Butler Pick Up Set.

[@Papergami45]

I'm newish to bass playing (but fairly experienced with guitar) and I picked up the 5 string JP. With a string change, pickup rise, and action lowering at the bridge, it plays and sounds great. Unbelievable for the price. Intonation was even spot on for me, somehow, out of the box. Edit: meant to mention that I think the tuners are already pretty solid, but with a tuner replacement and maybe swapping the pickups out for an active set or something (plenty of space in the electronics compartment), this bass could be next level.

[@Koospa]

The "good B string for a cheap bass" comment made me think, as someone who's played so many basses, what do you think could determine the B string feeling different, if the scale length and string gauge are the same?

[@LowEndLobster]

IMO, neck attachment for bolt on basses. In my experience (and this could totally be wrong), the solid 6 screw neck attachment that you see here (music man and g&l do similar) makes for less energy loss or something in the vibration. Also I've found wider spaced neck screws do similar. I don't have anything scientific to back this up, but that's been my experience

[@MiguelGonzalez-we4wv]

Very interesting, apart from the scale, the gauge of the string... if the number and spacing of the screws that join the neck to the body can make it have a better fifth string, I suppose two identical basses, but one with the neck bolted on and another with the neck through the body, the latter will usually have a better fifth string.

[@florenttenryu5011]

I bought this model after watching your review. I paid 45 euros more to have the neck checked. I am delighted ! So happy to play on this neck, and the sound is fine, really good instrument for the price. Thank you so much Lobster, excellent advice 🙏❤️

[@yanniskalt4062]

Hello. Did you contact Thomman to and asked them to do that! Can this be asked anytime? I would be happy to do that in the future too. Do they set it up too? 😂😂

[@florenttenryu5011]

@@yanniskalt4062 Hello, i asked for a set up when i ordered the bass. I paid for the bass, received a message giving me the choice between 2 setups with 2 different prices. I choose neck and intonation for B standard tuning and they sent me a mail so i can pay. Then, i waited 10 days and i received the bass. Intonation is very good, i'm happy 👍

[@yanniskalt4062]

Ok !! I asked to be checked on my last bass , a pj75 and they told me it is checked anyways......so I received the bass with fretbuzz at 8th/9th of A/D... Sent it back ..... I am thinking of buying the jazz gotoh and I will definitely ask for a proper setup!!!Merci pour le reponse copain! What other options are for setup?

[@florenttenryu5011]

@@yanniskalt4062 I'm not very sure of what they do, and don't want to misguide you but i guess there is a difference between check and setup. Tu parles français ? C'est cool ! Bonne journée à toi aussi 😀

[@James-rr5sk]

happy to see "advice" spelled correctly vs the weird incorrect UK version, and am glad you are rocking

[@jml19221]

Not bad at all. HB has a few jewels in their catalog. Their fretless JB is an absolute beast for the price. Thanks for the reviews!

[@ivorydavis631]

I went with the JJ-550P

[@torothomassen9581]

Hey man, are you going to do a video on the new Ibanez EHB1006MS-MGM? I’m really interested on the pickups on that vs the 1005 Bartolinis.

[@airworthy777]

The body reminds me of the Aria Pro II while the headstock reminds me of the Ibanez Talman Bass, but tbh 5 string looks better than the 4 string because the positioning reminds me of the LAKLAND 5 String headstock.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Great review! Been waiting for this one! I got this bass in my cart now lol, hey lobster is it possible to get rid of 60 cycle hum? Hope everything is good my man!! Miss all your uploads

[@TheMlvswoll]

You can with a pickup swap

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@TheMlvswoll nice! Thanks homie!

[@ikramshehu8048]

Hey Lobster I have bought two of the HB bass’s based on your reviews. I live in Vietnam next door to China, but I thought I will buy this bass’s from Thomann thinking that they will have better QA on the products, after all they are coming from Germany (“German Quality”). But both times I was very disappointed, the first bass was the enhanced series P&M, the best that Thomann have to offer, it was garbage half finished product, preamp didn’t work the M pickup has 2 Kilo ohm and so many other things that I don’t want to mention. The second was HB JP-45OP Sunburst, I don’t know did you notice that the body is also roasted same as the neck, but mine was smelling on sausages, so I think that in the factory where they roasted the body they produce roasted sausages and I am serious about the smell. The tuners were blocked they didn’t move at all. But in the end what will you expect from the Chinees production, at the same time I am mad at Thomann because they play the same game as China they say return the bass and you will get the new one YES but the shipment as you mentioned is more expensive than the bass it’s self so where is the logic, so yes sad to see that even German companies are becoming a little China in Europe. Finally, this goes to you as the reviewer of the gear, I don’t know do they send you the special gear but what you get as the ordinary buyer is not the same obviously, because if you got the same bass’s as I did you will not be able to review them at all out of the box. Final my last thought HB is just the same as any Chinees garbage out there no different, and if someone needs the toy they can get one for a reasonable price.

[@aswinvandongen5944]

So true this, had the same problems with both HB´s, never again.......

[@peekaboo4390]

Hey LEL Nice to see you after being away in Hospital being very ill( I almost kicked the bucket) Peeka the kitty says hi. Back home now and back to basses.

[@LowEndLobster]

Heyo. It was my cat who was sick, I am fine. Thank you! Good to be back.

[@peekaboo4390]

@@LowEndLobster I was talking about me LEL. Double pneumonia hit me really hard, but back to basses now and enjoying this HB bass regardless of having an Aria RSB.

[@LowEndLobster]

Oooh snap, I misunderstood. Sorry! I am so glad you're feeling better!

[@peekaboo4390]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks bud.

[@WildBill7771]

Thanks for all the help I have the Harley Benton JP-550 i want to change the toners what would you recommend for a good upgrade Thanks for your help

[@diecuttingsolutionsinc6745]

Great video!!! What is the string spacing, do you think a 19mm bridge would fit

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks! I don't think you could get a 19mm to work here without having the strings fall off the edge of the fingerboard. These are 18mm though.

[@parszywiecklasik463]

That doesn't sound so bad for the price. I'm looking into buying an inexpensive five string, preferably a jazz bass, as I'm strictly four string player who wants to dabble in fives. Would you reccomend this or sire v3 more, considering I'm propably going to swap out the preamp and maybe tuners?

[@christopherfidler3019]

I heard Harley Benton is coming to US soon? So shipping cost shouldn't be so high in the future. I hope this is true.

[@christopherfidler3019]

@@ChezzOnBass Harley Benton is setting up a US warehouse, testing it on reverb now.

[@DrivingOnTheEString]

I've had my own JJ-55OP for a couple of months now, and it plays so comfortably and sounds so good, even with all of the stock hardware and electronics still on it. The only thing I really don't like is the hum I get from the pickups. When I touch any metal hardware, the hum goes away, but the hum is still present otherwise even after shielding with copper tape. I just ordered a set of EMG J5 Ivory pickups, and I am excited to see how they affect any of these things.

[@helsinkioslo836]

any update?

[@wethistory9314]

Did the EMG J5s fit the pickup cavities on the JJ-55OP?

[@DrivingOnTheEString]

@@wethistory9314 sort of. They weren’t an exact fit, so I needed to do some dremeling and sanding to both the body and pick guard in order to finesse them in. The Harley Benton also has a longer input jack which needs to be soldered onto the EMG pickups. It’s worth it, as they sound amazing, but it’s not a perfect drop-in upgrade.

[@DrivingOnTheEString]

@@helsinkioslo836 see my other comment below. It’s definitely a worth-while upgrade that has transformed the bass as a whole, and it’s become one of my primary gigging basses!

[@TheDarkKnight73]

Change the pickups and preamp and that will be a very nice bass

[@daviddesmond2143]

Q: Why do Jazz Bases Hum? A: They don't know the words!

[@rmccain99]

EMG pickups please.

[@el_kammeroni]

Are all electronics mounted on a pcb or just the preamp? Might be an interesting info for modders who would like to go passive with a tone knob.

[@TheMusicianTom]

Tell us about your cats. We have one, he’s a tuxedo. And I play the bass and the tuba.

[@mattclub85]

@Lobster / I have one of these incoming, partly based on your review. Thanks for that I have a question though as you are experienced with modding. I want to make my 5th string a high B / like a guitar as I play lots of chords in a psych rock band. Anything I should consider to make this work smoothly?

[@chris2fur401]

I’m going get either the JJ-405 or JP-405. Which would you personally recommend

[@alanthomas8706]

You state the.JP is better tonally what if modern sound is not what you want? As I am a little more familiar with identifying Bass tonality (thanks) to you, I will re-watch the JP video to see if I still reject P Bass tonality. I also need to discover if what I think I like is what I think it is. Picture the band Slave on their self titled 1st album. Thump on Lobster.

[@thebassplayification]

Comparison with Fodera Emperor 5 when?

[@richwagner174]

How has your experience been ordering with Thomman?

[@DavidePerrone]

Just a question....have these pickups regular sizes. I mean..can they be replaced by standard pickups?

[@iamLexxKelsey]

Do u recommend me to get one ? One like an ill buy one

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

most likely have to replace my preamp in my carvin bb76. ,any suggestions. (bass doesnt work) have a good day

[@johnnyjohnson5235]

I was curious what are the pickup dimensions can they be swapped to bartolini

[@drobski4554]

I have the blue JJ, they are very heavy Basses.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Hey lobster what bass is that on the multi stand at the end on your right “our left” with the roasted neck and headstock? The kinda red looking one 🤘

[@LowEndLobster]

That's my Lakland 55-02 Deluxe, the new 2022 model with matte cherryburst finish and roasted maple neck.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@LowEndLobster ohhh!! Niice!! I almost bought that one just for the Roasted neck but in the end went with the black on maple like I used to have that is my favorite bass!! I should have my NG3 next month! Only owe 500 left at bass central! I wanna do that 6 way pup mod like yours

[@shyfawxproductions]

how do you have to pay the VAT to the states... it doesn't show up on the website and I don't want to order till I know where and what I'm going to be paying....like will I have to go to customs and pay....before they ship it to my house

[@Bassanova95]

How deep is that neck at 1st ans 12th fret?

[@marshallchristmann128]

Did you grow up in Hawaii? Specifically Oahu? I swear you remind me of a bass playing buddy I had there in the 90's?

[@marlen2801]

Ok...👌👌👌..let's order one..to mod with J Area and Glock stacked.. perhaps I will wait your mod 🙄🙄..sure..🤣🤣..Thank you Lobster 🤗

[@TheDarkKnight73]

Hmm good bass if you change the preamp ,tuners,pickups. Hmmmm

[@NicoPezzotti712]

Do you recommend this bass for an E A D G C setting? I want to try to play a bass tuned like that but can't swap my current 5 strings.

[@mattclub85]

i also have this question

[@LowEndLobster]

I mean you'd probably need a new nut but I don't see why not.

[@poltergeist3194]

Love the body shape but the headstock just doesn’t seem to fit with the style of the bass. But that being said Harley Benton is becoming the king of cheap instruments right now.

[@wm1573]

They already are. Most of their cheap / mid tier instruments always provide more and better specifications than anything else in the same price range

[@jayfree850]

I too, am a Trekkie 😂🤘🖖

[@sicilianmammalian]

Would your recommend the jp 5 string over a sire?

[@LowEndLobster]

Great question! They're in different price tiers in my mind. An equivalent V5 will have the rolled fingerboard edges, lacquered fingerboard, and some more premium touches. I would say the Sire is more premium and has superior bones, but for less tha half the price... this HB is the bee's knees

[@sicilianmammalian]

@@LowEndLobster what about six strings? I made the mistake of selling my rondo sx ursa but it was a boat anchor anyways and the pups were low output, I’m thinking about maybe the Ibanez 606e or sire 6 string for my budget sixer I practice some dream theater so I might need the 24 frets anyways, I need it when I play Orion too

[@LowEndLobster]

@@sicilianmammalian I just got a 5 string M7, and if the 6 is anything like it then you'll be happy.

[@klaymeister]

Would Dimarzio ultra jazz 5 fit?

[@LowEndLobster]

I think so? I'm not 100% sure but I think the pickup sizes are standard 5 string Jazz here (not one of the weird sizes like the 4 string housing 5 string pickups that I put in Bully's HLK)

[@mark6302]

ah sunday morning sea creature feature

[@PerezBroz-p5o]

Do you lik this better than the sire v7 5?

[@LowEndLobster]

No, but it is similar in the sense of being a great value with great bones. The Sire's neck is better with the rolled edges and gloss fingerboard (and block inlays). Both are great values, just at different price points.

[@PerezBroz-p5o]

@@LowEndLobster got it, thanks for not being shellfish with your reply 😉.

[@abouc]

Aside from that extra long upper bout, this is a really attractive bass.

[@BlommaBaumbart]

These suckers cost 14% less overseas? I don't know how to feel about this.

[@Supercollidr]

anyone know what the nut is made of?

[@goranbakic9825]

ABS plastic

[@cskeise]

💙👊😎

[@SandorFule]

I won't never understand, why a musical instrument should sound exactly like a certain another one. I do not think that a good bassline is good only on a certain bass. Come on people, focus on the music!

[@LowEndLobster]

This is a great comment! You're right, but we must also try to understand the intent of the instrument and whether or not it delivers. Basses will sound like basses at the end of the day, but we can look at how these basses are put together to better understand their intent. Single coil alnico jazz bass pickups on a bass like this with these pickup positions tell us this bass is setting its intentions on the jazz bass character, so we will look at it through that lens in this case. It's with our mod projects that we can choose a direction to go in- try to improve the existing character or to change it all together and make something different.