The $200 Rickenbacker Killer??? - Harley Benton RB-414 [Demo]

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0:00 - Intro Song
1:19 - The RB-414!
2:45 - Sound Clip
3:10 - The Body
3:59 - Pickup Sounds
4:28 - The Controls
5:23 - Sound Clip
5:51 - The Neck
6:55 - Final Thoughts & THANK YOU!
Gear Used:
Darkglass Element: amzn.to/38z7iUq
Darkglass X Ultra: amzn.to/2NFlsux
Truetone 1 Spot Power Supply: amzn.to/2AhXKhl
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2: amzn.to/2i5SZ0g
Mixcraft 8: amzn.to/2jzuAR0
JBL LSR305 Monitors: amzn.to/2Bl9uB1
Canon 70D: amzn.to/2i4AjO8
Audio-Technica AT875R: amzn.to/2RKd7bD
Canon 50mm Lens: amzn.to/2SrXqDd
Canon 24mm Lens: amzn.to/2i32Un3
All links through Amazon, Sweetwater and Thomann are affiliate links. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra in the end but I get a certain percentage of any sales that are processed through them. Thank you very much for the support!

[@synthmalicious7541]

*gets a notification from KZbin saying “New from Patrick Hunter: The $200 Rick...”* Ah shit, here we go again

[@TKDFORCEART]

Best place in the world, the youtube channel of patrick hunter, and ain't even need another bass, but Patrick won't give a "#$%

[@tatialo37]

Me too!!! Have two basses l need to fix and sell!

[@synthmalicious7541]

@Luke Wayne cool scam

[@TerryOCarroll]

If a Chinese Gibson is a Chibson, is a Chinese Rickenbacker a Chickenbacker?

[@dragostego]

Yeah they actually are called that all the time.

[@DMSProduktions]

Neither!

[@DMSProduktions]

@LowLinK Mmm baked chicken... arrrgghhh

[@ChrisDavis1975]

Yes, all. Day. Long. 😄

[@DMSProduktions]

@@ChrisDavis1975 Clowns!

[@antlereddruid8359]

Harley Benton is the owned brand of Thomann, which is one of the largest Instrument and gear shops/dealers in the World (probably the biggest in Europe tbh). So what they do with Harley Benton is usually just making decently or even quite well specced Instruments and gear and then putting them up on the store for very low prices to attract Customers to their store and order some other things as well. they don't make much money out of Harley Benton but my god is that some good way of advertising your shop.

[@RoySmithVideo]

Lifelong Rick player here (since 1974) - the quirks you noticed are exactly what makes a Rick sound - the bridge pickup is not really used by itself, ever. This does look like a wonderful value at less than $200. Harley Benton is kickin' it!

[@dixiefallas7799]

Ditto!

[@elflakeador09]

I bought a black one recently and I absolutely love it. The Rick type shape is the coolest looking bass guitar design on the planet. Its the nearest I'll get to the real thing 😂

[@dixiefallas7799]

@@elflakeador09 I’m on my third Ric now a 77. Enjoy what you have. One day you will have the real deal. It looks cool.

[@elflakeador09]

@@dixiefallas7799 Ah nice one! 😎👍

[@dixiefallas7799]

@@elflakeador09 Rock and Shock em!🇬🇧

[@BassDude789]

We finally have a good affordable Ric alternative. Now we just need an affordable Grabber/Ripper copy, PLEASE

[@tatialo37]

Buddy of mine has an Epiphone grabber copy!!! Killer bass!!! He won't part with it!!! Sad, I offered to pay what he paid new and nada!!!!lol

[@colinharte529]

I can vouch for it. I have the 70s grabber reissue and it absolutely rules

[@restojon1]

Good call. I have a 74 Grabber and it would be great to see a modern equivalent, they're such a unique sound and look fantastic too

[@andyg3]

if only epiphone would do a proper ripper, grabber, g3, rd .

[@greenspiderforce]

The world needs an affordable grabber/g3/ripper style!! Whole heartedly agree!!!!

[@sunrah4469]

Bought one a month ago. Late at night in my room I transform into 70s Geddy Lee , Rick James and Lemmy 😎

[@user-rt2fh7mo4l]

no srsly dude share some thoughts I'm considering getting one

[@sunrah4469]

@@user-rt2fh7mo4l It came with the action set really high. I had it set up at a local shop. It plays beautifully. The bridge pick up is a little weaker than the neck pick up , but it doesn't effect the overall sound. It is a bit heavy, which is a good thing. I got the sunburst finish and it is beautiful. Overall you can't beat it for approx. 250 bucks.

[@user-rt2fh7mo4l]

@@sunrah4469 fukken A, sounds good. Especially the heavy part, when instruments are light they put me off, feels kinda cheep imo. And bridge i rarely use anyway... My main bass is Schecter Stiletto Extreme 5 which is apsolutley lovely but it also has a weak and pretty hollow bridge pup, so in a way im used to it. Thx for the reply man

[@sunrah4469]

@@user-rt2fh7mo4l No problem 👍

[@sunrah4469]

@Jx Jx It is pretty thick , especially compared to my old Ibanez SR which has a slim , very fast neck.

[@howardworf6760]

I bought one in black. Solution to the pickup volume imbalance - lower the neck on a little, remove the saddle and then the pickup springs from the bridge pickup and raise it as high as it will go. Mine was cosmetically perfect, just needed a small neck adjustment. Plays absolutely beautifully, I really like it. I had a Rick 4003 for a number of years - this doesn't sound the same, but it does have the beginnings of the growl that you can add to with pedals. I think, if memory serves, that it also has a wider neck than the Rick. In short possibly the bass guitar bargain of the decade.

[@user-rz2sq9fm2g]

Peter hook already taught us that the rick copy doesn’t even have to be good! Just has to look badass. Not a hard task for a rick if you ask me

[@JunacCRO]

he had a japanese instrument tho,they make really good copies. so totally not the same

[@JunacCRO]

@k halliday hm not sure about taht one but any japanese one will do. Greco,Univox,Ibanez...

[@possibly8180]

@@JunacCRO I've read somewhere where hook says his hondo II was kind've shitty.

[@Pierfra007]

@@JunacCRO actually Peter Hook said that his Hondo Rick was the worst instrument ever, and as long as he did some money, he threw it in the garbage... if you ever tried an Hondo, they are really really cheap.

[@JunacCRO]

@@Pierfra007 well depends. ive seen bad fenders and ive seen good ones. I apply the same logic to all instruments. But yeah,hondo is a bolt on,there are far better matsu/fujigen copies out there. :)

[@Bowhunterwt]

I own a TRUE 4003 Rickenbacker and after hearing that bass, it doesn't sound like the real thing, I did liked how it sounded.

[@samwilliams8091]

Got a 4001 and can also confirm it doesn't sound the same, but again, it does still sound good

[@pilummurialis6490]

4003 owner myself, this is worse than chickenbacker

[@Sheltada]

I like how it sounded too. I think if he rolled off the tone a tad it might be a bit closer. Probably just the pickups though

[@rickywaterman1963]

@@pilummurialis6490 worse? how? why??

[@rickywaterman1963]

@@Sheltada its close enough to not get sued

[@LowEndLobster]

MR. EXPERIENCE! YESSSSSSSS! Donny Benet is THE MAN. I can't stop listening to that album.

[@bastianchavezalavez6483]

I love your reviews man

[@monke8699]

i just watched right after watching one of ur vids lol

[@patrickhunter]

ITS. SO. GOOD.

[@monke8699]

@@patrickhunter finally... a man of culture

[@Dirge4july]

Yeah I recently discovered him. Awesome stuff

[@dvirolberg5677]

I've gotta say, i watched your review on this bass like a million times and two months ago i got this bass in black It became my favorite bass since

[@caseypayne5138]

I actually just barely got one of these...and then turned around and sold it. Not because it's a bad guitar by any means -- honestly, it's freaking awesome. After a proper setup I had a great time playing it, but I was amassing too many guitars that were going unplayed I just had to strip it all down and simplify. I think I might get another one in the future. It's certainly unique and cool and 80% of a real Rick for 1/10 the price.

[@MorghanStark]

Exact same here. setup, was really cool ! But already have too much stuff, and a WSL Rick copy doing the job ^^

[@MorghanStark]

Yeah, not a Rick at all. But still... Good bass ans afordable. Got one pb50 HB. 100€ , a beast

[@rickywaterman1963]

@@lechistanskiswit320 you get rick-like cosmetics a nice growly p-bass-ish tone a nice neck, how is it 0%?

[@rickywaterman1963]

@@lechistanskiswit320 it does look similar due to the cherry Burst and kind of similar body shapes, and I was think more like 15 to 25 percent tbh.

[@conanhayle]

I had a real Rickenbacker stereo in the 70s and it was SHIT ,I took it back to the shop on the following Monday after I bought it at the weekend,and swapped it for a new Jazz bass , was happy ever after .. BUT I must say I am going to buy one of these at the age of 73 .. PS .you are a good player ... Conan UK

[@EleanorPeterson]

Don't you go bringing any of that tired old Fender Fanboy stuff to a Ricky rumble, bwah...😁

[@adriandean6256]

HB are a company to watch, I made a custom bass of my own using one of their necks and I love it. I also built a jazz bass using a HB body that ‘sang’ better than the fender body.

[@Malum09]

All i'm saying is: Someone should mod it with the Cliff Burton pickups used on his Rick

[@alexgarcia-xq6re]

truth

[@patrickhunter]

YES!

[@Malum09]

Patrick Hunter DO IT PATRICK!

[@pilummurialis6490]

His 3rd pickup in it kept failing just so you know

[@Malum09]

Space Emo Cosplay I say we can do away from that one

[@OmniTron1000]

1:01 ...And there it is! I can always count on a P-Trick demo to bring the dirt!

[@jameslewis2635]

Okay, so when is the court date? We all know there is no way Rickenbacker is going to sit back and watch these hit the market.

[@bradrichardson3539]

@Irfan Spirtovic they can't control stuff straight from china.

[@mach2223]

I'm sorry, is this your first time seeing a guitar? There are THOSUANDS of guitars that copy other guitars, if this is something that could be done, then ESP would be very much in hot water for years now for copying the les paul with their eclipse. And I don't think there's a single guitar manufacturer that doesn't sell a strat copy. You can't trademark a shape into which you cut a piece of wood. As long as it doesn't say rickenbacker on the headstock then you're fine.

[@denizbluemusic]

the design is slightly different to avoid lawsuits

[@Whirlybird88]

@@mach2223 "You can't trademark a shape into which you cut a piece of wood" Actually, yes you can. And Rickenbacker in particular is known for being VERY stiff-necked about not letting people copy their design, whereas other companies in general are much more lenient. This is why you rarely ever see anything resembling a Ric, other than of course, a Ric.

[@mach2223]

@@Whirlybird88 Well, the more you know.

[@revlewisrees9880]

I have lusted after a Rickenbacker ever since I saw Bruce Foxton of The Jam playing one in the late 70s. My father bought me a second hand early 70s Kay Ric copy in the early 80s, which I gave to a charity shop a few years back - something I’m kicking myself about now, as they fetch a few hundred £££s these days. I played a real Ric for the first time last week and loved it - although found that it lacked anywhere to anchor my thumb! I’ve been considering getting the HB RB-414CS - but can’t really justify another bass at the moment - I have a 51 style P bass, 75 style J bass, and short scale P bass and another ‘project’ P bass that’s going to have a few mods done to it.

[@brian1749]

Loved that initial chunky growl you were getting out of the bass, with the pick!

[@dangermoose666]

Always liked how the Ric looked and played. Buuuttt for thousands of $$ and with the many problems they have, I said " Good Day Sir". Now this i can tote see myself buying! Good vid as always Patty.

[@dangermoose666]

@BigBrain Time I noticed that as well.

[@dangermoose666]

@BigBrain Time They did raise the price by $25. Sold out of course. They did the same thing when Josh from the Bass Channel demo(ed) the Thunderbird bass.

[@rickywaterman1963]

yeah like how the neck pickup volume doesn't exist, at least you can hear the bridge pickup on this bass

[@driverbass1554]

Thank you so much to Thomann for sending it to you and thanks to you for posting a thorough review!!! I have been looking for a comprehensive review!!! Back in 1990 I was looking for a Thunderbird, went to this shop that, altho they did not have a Thunderbird, they did have a Ric. I plugged that beauty in and it just filled the air with an awesome sound. I did find a Thunderbird eventually but kinda always wonder what could have been. Now, I just can't justify the cost of an instrument that expensive with the family still needing to eat. This $200 Ric caught my eye a while back and couldn't find a good review. So happy you made one! Looking forward to getting one of these!!!

[@LinhNguyen-im4uu]

Seems perfect for someone who likes the Ric look but hate the Ric sound.

[@JustK009]

🎯🎯

[@mcbrodz1663]

@The Emperor not me

[@tiramisucocolands7952]

I hate the Ric look but love the Ric sound 🤣

[@RatedBestIndependently]

I got one of these recently and it's turned into one of my favorite basses. Speaking on the modding, I added glow in the dark glue on the fret markers on the side of the neck and it turned out well. I've also been debating on changing the pickups but I like how they sound stock.

[@teleespantoso]

Thinking of getting one. Stock pickups will do the trick?

[@irishchuck2145]

Great! just bloody great; now I'm gonna have to hear "You don't need another Bass" from the Mrs. and Of course the sleep on the couch response from me of "SILENCE WOMAN Patrick Hunter suggested it". Thanks for the review mate

[@jonasvanmieghem3024]

Did you buy one?

[@irishchuck2145]

@@jonasvanmieghem3024 Sadly not yet ,my budget got shagged so I picked up a Glarry instead.......There's still time

[@monstrosite4794]

Lovely playing!!. It has the setup more like my own bass. I love that kind of bass tone.

[@christopherburdett9219]

If I can smuggle it into the house I may go for one! If the bridge P.U. is too quiet, I would probably replace it with a Rick. replacement from Seymour D.

[@RumblinMan]

Your videos are among the very best. Great tones BTW!

[@BTsMusicChannel]

I like the way you play bass. Thanks for the demo, it looks like an interesting instrument.

[@danadane2501]

That bass has an amazing sound . Looks great as well .

[@DeniseBente]

Yessss I've been hoping for a review of this!

[@HazardousMidget]

Man... This is exactly what I needed. A ric sound for 10% of the price! Hell, the look is almost 100% of the reason people get real rickys in the 1st place so getting a discount one doesnt sound bad at all!

[@acewalters]

Sounds pretty good. I recently picked up a 2020 Satin Autumnglo Ric, and the new bridge fixes a ton of the problems that Rics typically have. Will have to take a close look, but I think Ric has also stopped putting the frets under the binding, so you can actually replace them in the future without removing the binding. Lots of quality of life changes in the 2019-2020 bass guitars.

[@robertmeineck5772]

Many thanks Patrick. I was seriously considering buying the Chinese Ricky copy as, aesthetically, it looks truer to the genuine Rickenbacker shape. However, after watching your videos on both, I decided on buying the Harley Benton, mainly because of the superior build quality. Well done, excellent intuitive videos.

[@glennhynes5263]

What is wrong with copying a ric? Dozens of companies have copied fenders for decades. Sand the back of the neck with 2000 grit to matte and smooth the finish. Also, lower the front pickup a bit to even the sound. Great content and playing Patrick.

[@Fireglo]

Reminds me of a time at school when some kid claimed he had Nike Air Jordans but they clearly weren't and everyone laughed at him. Don't buy a fake imitation Ric. Get the real deal or don't get one at all. Don't make a fool out of yourself. Anyone that knows Rics will know it's fake straight away and lol at you.

[@frostmusicofficial]

@@Fireglo The difference here is, people will make fun of you if you're trying to say its a real Ric. I doubt anyone actually would really care if you're just using a Ric clone

[@toadallyawful]

@@Fireglo who care

[@justinkline1294]

@@Fireglo Dumb

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

@@Fireglonobody is trying to pass off a Harley Benton as a Rickenbacker. People like Rickenbacker but they don’t like Rickenbacker prices and people that get real Rics don’t mod them out to their liking because it devalues them. This bass gives people the ability to own a Ric inspired bass, without blowing their budget and allows them to mod a unique bass platform without the guilt of risking chopping up a real example

[@EloiSioMichalski]

Awesome video, Patrick!! As always!!

[@patrickhunter]

Preciate' it man!🤘

[@cyryodha]

I never knew that you can get so many sound with rickenbacker style bass! That bass is quite versatile

[@rickywaterman1963]

yeah even if it sounds more like a growly- pbass

[@ninovalenti96]

That bass sounded pretty good!!! Great playing also!!!

[@Kianquenseda]

Great post thanks

[@justinlarsen2281]

I remember getting my first bonus at work (I think it was around 4K) and walking into a guitar shop with the intentions of buying a Rickenbacker Bass. It was the only chance I would have to justify that purchase. I looked at the price they were asking. Laughed, and walked out. Ended up buying an old Datsun 4x4 for 1/3 the price. I would totally have bought a Harley Benton version of it was available

[@petestaint8312]

Killer demo! Thanks for posting. 😎

[@Guitarslinger460]

I'm excited, I just bought this bass for $250 online. Can't wait to start jamming on it, Patrick!

[@benashton3691]

I bought one after watching this video. I was NOT disappointed. It feels great and sounds so fucking huge! I love it.

[@tigmil8116]

I had this bass and sold it recently. It was pretty solid and pretty unique sounding. You didnt mention that's it's apparently chambered... tap on parts of it and you will hear it, also in the middle position all the knons are disengaged.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

I saved up for a couple of years and bought a Rick Bass. The one you are demo-ing here doesn't really sound like one, in that it lacks that snarl that Rick's have, but it sounds very good, anyway. I would recommend it to anyone as a really good starter bass. It's a deal!

[@vampyros1]

Great review/demo… thank you.

[@samnelson2321]

I literally got one 4 days ago, absolutely rockin bass

[@TheBlargler]

I have access to a rickenbacker 4003 and have spent countless hours playing it and a couple things right off the bat that dont seem very close to the real thing are the tone and the neck width/string spacing. That said a lot of what you pay for with a rickenbacker is the name and all the weird quirks of the instrument like the fairly uniform neck width and string spacing and the stereo rick o sound stuff. Something about the treble knob on a rickenbacker almost sounds like it has distortion built in when turned all the way up. That said this does seem like a pretty nice entry level bass though the rickenbacker pickup placement can be a little awkward for fingerstyle so be aware of that.

[@patrickhunter]

Hopefully I'll be able to play a real Rick soon enough!

[@powerpopaholic876]

Yup..only the tone (and the neck, fwiw). And the rest of the stuff.

[@TheBlargler]

@Jx Jx it's a little thinner than I'm used to on a fender but the real difference is that the rickenbacker barely tapers toward the nut if at all.

[@montys8th]

pronounces Rickenbacker correctly, gets big points.

[@EleanorPeterson]

Oh, behave! 🤭

[@kenvorland]

Lemmy bass ace of spades awesome video rock on

[@greenspiderforce]

Thanks to this video, I went ahead and pulled the plug and ordered one! Always wanted a Ric style, just not the price for what you get. Cheers Patrick!!

[@Muzikman127]

how was it in the end? keep it for a while?

[@garnetbezanson1404]

With the price of this bass you could put in some of seymour duncans rickenbacker pickups or even some old rickenbacker pickups off of ebay or reverb

[@rickywaterman1963]

yeah, its a great mod platform.

[@urwholefamilydied]

too bad you can't get rid of that REALLY cheesy logo. I actually liked the sound of this bass. That stupid script "Harley Benton" in italic script across the headstock makes this look really cheap and stupid. I guess it is really cheap, but they could have done a logo that was... idk... better? lol.

[@layne7742]

Honestly to keep me more interested and wanting to pickup and play everyday this is such a great option.

[@marmc05]

I want to have a Beatles instrument collection and Harley Benton makes it so much easier!!

[@loudmouthstreams2904]

Well, watched this review and was compelled to buy one in black. FOUR DAYS LATER it was on my doorstep (indianapolis, IN) from Germany. Super fast delivery. I too have played Chinese Rickenbacker copies, and yes, this does feel WAY more solid. I made some small adjustments and action can playability were easily within reach. Regarding the shape, it definitely is influenced by the Rick bass shape, but I actually like it better! The shorter top horn actually makes my arm land more naturally at the bridge, whereas an actual Rick bass does not. Thanks for the review.... I’m off to start modding my HB!

[@horse_dog]

That’s a cool bass. I’ve been busy cuz I recently picked up an ‘87 peavey t-40 and I’m loving it! Maybe I’ll send it in for a “show me what you bass” episode

[@tigerscott2966]

Great video. Thanks.

[@looniethemoonie5353]

Yes!! I was hoping you would review one of these! Also, I've always wanted a Rickenbacker and I've played a couple of them but could never just spending the money they cost on one so, this will do nicely. I would probably change the neck pickup to that one Seymour Duncan makes as a Rickenbacker replacement. Other than that it sounds kickass! 🤟😎🤟🎸🎶

[@mattthebassboy]

Once I get enough money from my job this will be the next bass to add to the collection

[@OriginalMixedUpKid]

😂 Well its pretty cheap.

[@tjm516]

Man, they're treading dangerously close to Hagstrom with that headstock shape, but still a very cool rick alternative.

[@ChrisDavis1975]

I immediately thought of a “Hag” too.

[@Rose.Of.Hizaki]

I personally looked at the body and said *"Ha! Rickenbacker"*

[@Mr68Strat]

@@ChrisDavis1975 I own a late '70's Hastrom Swede guitar and, yes, the HB headstock calls the Hastrom to mind right away - but that's not a bad thing at all...

[@ChrisDavis1975]

Jeffrey Bonsal I had a Hagstrom bass for a short while several years ago. It was a newer Chinese made model though.

[@smirgyjoker2484]

@@ChrisDavis1975 does hagstrom make a non 8 string sg bass?

[@michaelkeefer4293]

That bass really does sound nice, especially for $200! Would have been nice to hear some Chris Squire bass lines played on it though. 😎

[@TheHowlingEye]

that Mr Experience riff caught me off guard, nice one!

[@princeoflight8827]

Super playing.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Great review and pkaying too, thanks!

[@keithpasculli7465]

Just ordered one of these basses.

[@NofreedomofspeechonYouTube]

This sound absolutely good to my ear .

[@monkeymindmatters]

That is one sweet bass, especially for the price!

[@BuckFlicks]

I had the same experience with my jet black. The bridge pickup left a lot to be desired, but the neck pickup sounds great. I also raised it as high as I could, and it was still lacking. I will be looking for a replacement.

[@GrevDrake]

I got mine in about a week ago. Awesome sound. I'll replace the bridge pickup, though. I leveled the fretboard, did a full setup and intonation and fixed a few flaws in the finish (polished away some "sandcorns" in the finish). This bass will make you sound like Lemmy when you're on a budget.

[@luis.castro4598]

What would you be replacing the bridge pickup with?

[@GrevDrake]

@@luis.castro4598 a blade mini-humbucker (15k)

[@OGM_OriginalGameMusic]

hey i dno whether you know but this video is unlisted. Just found your channel. really like your stuff! this sounds badass! it really holds that crunch

[@thomasoreilly92]

I bought one a few months ago for my first proper bass guitar. (I got the black version ) Turned out pretty well. Great feel to the body but it is slightly longer scale so you need xl strings. The bass doesnt sound amazing on heavy drop tunings for me but it is a killer everywhere else. Would highly recommend if you like this style.

[@avigayegos1496]

is it heavy ?

[@thomasoreilly92]

@@avigayegos1496 its about 5 kilos i think. Its about the same weight as my p bass and my stingray.

[@maplestorms6224]

Holy shit. That sounded way better then I expected! Great demo.

[@adamcawdle]

i want one, hands down will buy one when i finally decide its time for a rickenbacker in my collection

[@Messerschmitt07]

OMG, this instrument sounds exactly like a... 200 euros electric bass!!!

[@georgyj111111]

I'm impressed.

[@so0p_god]

This is my next mod project!!! Definitely!!!

[@carlitosolow]

my harley benton PJ5 had the same issues with the neck pickup being pretty solid all around, but bridge single coil sounding super quiet, and even killing the volume drastically when ran together with the P. They also buzzed like crazy, but i just swapped the pair for an EMG Active P5 set and its a whole different bass! Harley Benton is a game changer man

[@stefanplaza]

I really enjoy your channel

[@AirshipFury]

It sounds good, but I'm kinda disappointed since it doesn't sound anything like a Ric (at least not a 4001/ 4003 with the pot pulled up). $200 for the bass, $218 for pickups, $170 for graph tech ratio tuners, $13 for knobs, $235 for a hipshot bridge, and $220 worth of setup/refining/graphite or bone nut replacement (this is assuming you don't do the rewiring, setup, and nut filing plus replacement yourself). That brings this to about $1050 if you really wanna edge closer to a Ric. This is STILL CHEAPER than an actual Ric! Hahaha! I'd personally just change the pickups and maybe the nut, as well as do the labor myself. Half the fun of getting an instrument tricked out is doing it yourself anyway!

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

impressive bass as is but it would be a fun MOD PROJECT!! Aftermarket pickups, bridge, tuners and nut!!

[@patrickhunter]

100% yes, dude!

[@samlelowitch]

Absolutely. I would replace the bridge, pickups, tuner, nut, electronics, knobs, neck, and body-by getting a $1,500 Rickenbacker 4003 instead.

[@warc8us]

This would be a killer mod project. I play bass but when I wanted to dabble in six string guitar, I bought a Squier Telecaster and used it as an excuse to replace the pickguard, wiring harness, pickups and bridge. It sings pretty sweet now and I spent maybe $300 total. I can't play it for shit, so I couldn't rationalize dropping $600 or more on a guitar that mostly sits around hearing me be a fuzz lord on bass.

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

@@warc8us Yeah buddy, It's fun to bring an instrument to it's true potential (regardless of price range). Keep on making noise! :)

[@LowEndLobster]

I have one of these on order (since April, multi bass order.. waiting on the Sadowsky Metro chinese warwick thing).. Also happen to have a set of original Ric 4003 pickups laying around... I wonder what would happen those pickups somehow made their way into the HB.... ;P

[@jupiterjames-reynolds2260]

Cant wait to hear what it sounds like.

[@boomerbassmeme]

🦞❗👋 Do it you crazy mad scientist! LOL

[@DMSProduktions]

PUT the 'bucker in the bridge, & single coil in the neck! Makes more sonic sense!

[@caseypayne5138]

Please bless that you do a video on it

[@Turak_64]

Do a video with it done, I'm tempted to do that myself

[@ChrisTheContagion]

Little known in most circles, but the volume drop on the bridge pickup is due to a capacitor in series with the bridge pickup that cuts the low end out. Can be made switchable or put on a tone control for more flexability, but it's a big characteristic of the rick sound.

[@oscarordiano2112]

Nice! I’ve played a real rick for many drunken moons and I can tell you yes, the tail piece is crap casted cheap metal so, I 3D printed my own tail piece and that plastic replacement is much better. Also because of playing a Rick for so long, I am most comfortable playing basses that have near parallel strings such as on a hofner bass or a ricken bass; fender and other basses’ string arrangements tend to fan out towards the bridge. Lastly, my 90’s blond rickey had some serious shielding problems but, has three certified signatures in the vol./tone pot cavity; classy.

[@tubularbill]

It’s a $200 Bass. Looks great and sounds really good. How can you lose?....Enough said.

[@Bass.Player]

Thomann sent a Bass by USPS that arrived yesterday after an over a 3 month lost in shipping problem, I refused it because I have no idea where it had been or the conditions in which it had been exposed. I don't think they use DHL/USPS any longer, however I did get a fretless Harley Benton bass from Thomann last December that is great. BTW: Thomann was supposed to keep me informed and updated which they never did....I was forced to file a claim through my credit card company to receive a refund!! Not a good business model...

[@creativename6832]

Had a bass ordered from Guitar Center, and UPS lost it. I filed a claim 4 days ago, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get *my first bass* until September at this rate! 😒 I'm afraid I will be in a similar boat as you were...

[@Bass.Player]

@@creativename6832 My biggest concern is where it had been for over three months? In a hot container? It might as well have been in the car trunk. This is why I refused it...

[@Electrified1100]

I might just get this some day to satisfy my Rick crave, got to try one a few years back and ever since then, its been on my radar because damn, it felt good. This might just scratch that itch + I dont have to spend my entire life savings.

[@wojtekdrewniak5468]

Waiting fot the short scale version :)

[@silvansky]

Got MusicMan-like bass from Harley Benton, 5 strings, two humbs, active preamp onboard. And it's crazy awesome! One little thing: I'm gonna change pups for more bright. And add preamp on/off switch.

[@ba.attila]

As a multiple 4003 owner I can confirm that this bass has nothing to do with Rickenbacker's sound. End of story. :( Sounds good though.

[@tomebasic2843]

I agree, It sounds like a rick for people that like the look but are not fans of the sound. It doesn't sound like a RB but it sounds like the best sounding cheap bass I've heared. I think I'll definetely get one lol

[@Turak_64]

Would be pretty embarrassing if a guitar that's 10% of the cost sounded the same.

[@garymarra4936]

@@Turak_64 ive owned 2 ricks.. a 77 and an 81 and my neck thru matsumoku lawsuit clone that i got for 400 was better than my real ricks lol. Those old ricks are real shit. Lol.. prob due to the older truss rod systems. They just wouldnt hold a set up at all.

[@Turak_64]

@@garymarra4936 I have heard that despite the price, real Rickies are a pain to set up. I personally wouldn't mind picking up a decent copy and changing out a few bits

[@arielcavalieribassplayer]

HB has a great entry/middle level instruments. This looks and sound good and probably is a good Rick "Look Alike" option, but definitely is not a Rick "Sound alike" Thank you for this kind of videos! To interesting reviews!

[@scottspangler8824]

Bought one for myself after watching many KZbin reviews on these and their entire HB line. I'm not disappointed, in fact the one sent to me is beautiful and with the exception of it being out of tune I could not find one thing wrong with it. And I looked hard. I'll be looking at more of their brand.

[@alanshewitt]

Sounds absolutely nothing like a Ric, but all that matters is whether or not you like how it does sound. I do like the “inspired by” aesthetics though.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

That’s what makes it fun, sure doesn’t sound like a Ric, but you can put whatever you want in it, and have a personalized custom Rickenbacker without needing to take out a 2nd mortgage on your house lol

[@matsgoalkeeping2448]

Thank God that Rickenbacker released the 4003S which they made a new Bridge the V2 and people say that it’s an incredible bridge.

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

There is a semi-hollowe version of this bass, too. It's hanging on the wall right behind me. ^^ I can confirm, this is a great bass.

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

@@jackcooper3983 there is. It's hanging on my wall. Are you working for Harley Benton, or why are you that certain about it?

[@mrsteve3232]

Keep hustling

[@kevinsturges6957]

I own a real Rickenbacker 4003. For $200, if it plays nice, I would be happy to buy this as a spare Bass.

[@keziahsantamariavillalobos3393]

Layin' down the funk with that Donny Benet riff.

[@tabulaaaa]

That drum beat at the start almost gave me a heart attack

[@zamkowicz]

I laughed when I saw the "totally not a Rick, please don't call the lawyers" shape design

[@fredgonzalez6619]

Hell yea dude! I’ma get me one!!!

[@clockworktoastboy]

Artec pickups, IIRC, are Korean-made and a popular choice in better quality budget guitars (read: Harley Benton). Thanks for the review and thanks to Thomann for providing it. Loved the distortion, all else was solid but not my cup of tea.