Where is the freaking catch? HB JJ and JP Basses Review

[@sfule]

I think, we should view this price issue from the other side. Not the Harley Bentons are cheap. The big names are crazy overpriced.

[@LowEndLobster]

I had the same thoughts in my review. I'm shocked at the quality of these instruments for the price. The JP especially, it's really hard to find flaws without nitpicking. Great stock pickups for the price, ridiculous build quality, top shelf materials. What's the catch!?

[@themigwel6185]

Having mine now, it’s amazing what I got for 330$CAD everything included. Frets are smooth, nice bridge and neck. Put Gotoh tuners and it rocks.

[@bens4295]

Love your channel Lob! You Rock. Are you still favoring the PJ version over the JJ Bass?

[@LowEndLobster]

@@bens4295 Yeah I like the PJ more TBH. The passive tone control is more usable than the two band and pairs better with the vintage voiced alnico V roswell pickups IMO

[@bens4295]

@@LowEndLobster Thanks for the reply! Cheers 🍻

[@Nekschot3006]

China. China's the catch. Labour conditions, impact on the environment, supporting a dictatorship, etc. Although apparently HB also has factories in Indonesia and Vietnam. Not a lot better for labour and environment, I reckon.

[@myopicautisticmetal9035]

I've seen so many people attack HB guitars calling them crap because they're not Gibson guitars, the more they do the more I want one.

[@Ottophil]

Thats very autistic

[@josearaujo8616]

Just try them, for the price its not going to break you. I bought 2 basses from HB, a JP and a beatlebass and both were unplayable like they came, it took a good setup, fret leveling, new nut, strings and tuners, in the end they stopped being inexpensive instruments. Also bought a tele and a tele kit and the quality was crap, when compared to Yamahas or Ibanez, so I stopped buying HB and other cheap guitars and basses. I think its better to spend the extra 100-150 euros to get them to playable instruments in an more expensive one to start with.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

Gibson fanboys are just people who have so completely fallen for a bunch of marketing bullshit that they now identify with it strenuously. Poor, weak-minded souls... HB has better QC and customer service than Gibson at 10% of the price. Gibson as a company fleeces and shows utter disdain for their customer base, and just milks the established brandname for all it's worth, when they're not busy sueing smaller companies out of business. And people not only put up with it, but sing their praises, all for headstock bragging rights 🙄 Gibson is the most overrated name in the instrument business. Because of marketing obsessed posers who just want to peacock with a brand logo.

[@ilovemusic68]

I bought a HB SG 12 years ago, it was a real crap. Maybe they are better now ? I doubt.

[@josearaujo8616]

@@Broccoli_Highkicks Its just a question of math and cost. If you have to set-up the HB bass, just go and buy the original Aria detroit bass, you will end up spending the same and this way you get a better instrument.

[@TheEssexCat]

I've had the JP 550 for a few weeks now, it was the first time I've bought an instrument unseen, I was sceptical. I have to say I'm a convert, it's an amazing instrument in both build and playability.

[@TheWGLOVER]

I can't play bass, don't need a bass, but would love to have that white one just to look at. Great review.

[@docdis1980]

I'd have to fight a whole lot of gas right now, if I didn't already own a sunburst jp55... From a bass-newbie's perspective this is a pretty great instrument and lots of fun to play

[@dominicrossitto5890]

They are pretty much exact copies of the Aria Detroit basses, the only difference in their appearance is the headstock. But I prefer the headstoock on the Harley Benton versions.

[@VatroCramer]

Two weeks ago I got the blue one. Amazing what you get for that price!

[@sassycat]

I've been waiting for your review of these and I am now sold on getting one. Thank you for your review.

[@2WheelsGood.01]

I have the 4 string version of the white one, got it used for $170. Slapped on a Hipshot kickass bridge and hipshot tuners, it's awesome.

[@1234drums]

Never been so much into 5 stringed basses, but this is a game changer. Thank you for reviewing 😊

[@mattbrillhart2922]

I like how it’s leans into Lakland-ish territory with a Fodera-ish headstock…stable neck is hard to determine from a video but tones seem really good. I would’ve gone with a humbucker option tho…

[@josephbania4564]

Perhaps you are unaware, however as a Luthier I can tell you a scarf joint on an angled headstock is actually preferable as it creates a stronger neck joint. If you look at the side of the headstock you will see the grain runs along its length, this is what give it its strength. Furthermore, a properly glued joint is stronger than the surrounding wood. I have tested this on my own scarf joints by placing the neck on the floor and standing on them, I'm 250lbs or 114 kgs.

[@Kutamitasa]

"a properly glued joint is stronger than the surrounding wood" and it should be treated as a defect.

[@religionoffreedom]

I got a cheap HB stingray copy for $109 and it plays really nice. I wish they had them in the US

[@dumptodreamhome2630]

Ordered 2 HB guitars today the JJ-450 and the guitarbass VS. Can't wait!

[@vasotoe]

I'm here just to say that I saw that 24 seconds livestream LOL....now I'll watch this video

[@PooNinja]

That was a fun live…. Wait it’s gone 😂

[@EytschPi42]

oh boy…. I was testing the new Atomos Connect

[@raulbrandibur7770]

What!??? There was a live stream? Why I was not notified 😂? 🥺😁

[@PooNinja]

@@raulbrandibur7770 I believe it was an accidentally launch, probably later this month… or not???

[@PooNinja]

@@EytschPi42 ooooh Your working with another NINJA ? V or V+?

[@L.Scott_Music]

So, to connect your JP-550P to your amp you have to put your plug into the ash hole? (arrgg, sorry. I'll leave now.)

[@johnstitt2615]

No no no...don’t get up. I will find my own way out. 🤣🤣🤣🤣✌️🤣

[@giovannibonapace4250]

I think all the money goes on the roasted maple neck.... the pick ups are really low output and lack personality but at that price point u cannot complain ... if you budget 200 euros on top for better pick ups you reach Sire territory which are outstanding value for 400 for a 4 string bass plus here in UK .. unfortunately even HB cannot provide an instrument for that price point that does not require immediate modding .

[@charlesgrey8651]

Incredible awesome intro 🎶👌💖🙏👍 You became quite a bass buff, after your first bass reviews, bloody good one, cheers 🍻

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

Love that intro song. The top horn in those is wild. Great review and demo per usual friend 🤘🏻

[@dr.s.]

Not a bass person but the finish of the white one looks amazing. (Just the pick guard on the JP model doesn't fit the design.)

[@johnstitt2615]

Confusion sets in when you play an instrument made by people who care and sold for a good price. No magic. Just “giving a shit” is what is going on.

[@RodrickLodowica]

If they ever bring out a 6 string version, I'll jump on it! don't another 5er atm. good video!

[@muhammadaimanbinmohammadza9666]

Same

[@RyoCanCan]

They have similar looks to one of my absolute favourites; the Conklin Sidewinder. Will be getting some.

[@rmccain99]

Yes! I Would like to see Lobster do an EMG upgrade on the Jazz model using the Hz pickups with the stock preamp.

[@Traumglanz]

Not my cup of tea, but I have a weird bass taste. Still, having a blue one is always good. The world needs more blue guitars and basses.

[@andrewmorgan1640]

You’re right, scary good for that prices range. Although I think they are becoming influenced by Ibanez model numbers. Gonna need a phrase book from them too

[@pedalscapes]

Great demo thanks, I have the jp 450p in natural - astounding value/quality...

[@fredgonzalez6619]

Nice review man! Thank you so much!! Is the spacing on these pickups 70’s style?

[@Bass.Player]

I have the JP 550 Natural finish. well worth the money...Mine has a dark neck and those black marker dots are hard to see...

[@allanbilka6184]

I tried to order a JP-55OP on 11/29/23 from Thomann and was told they are discontinued. Do you have any idea why? Are they going to relabel it and charge more or what? I'd really like one of these. Is there anything else that compares at its price point? Thanks! Love your reviews!

[@gorillaump5869]

The first time a buddy recommended Harley benton, I thought $140-200 must be garbage Im to good for cheap gear plus im a fender guy. Well I realized im no bass guitar god and just an averagel bassist at best. I seen the flat black P bass with tortise shell pic guard for $185 shipped- ordered it- Man, that thing is phenomenal for the money, so much so I hust ordered a J bass and a short scale mustang bass from Harley Benton for under $450... the squire mustang I was looking at was $365..dont knock it till you try it!! Highly recommend HB.

[@paulizzyrollins]

Recently got a HB bass for £203. Utterly astonished by the quality.

[@squirelova1815]

The "catch" is simply that Harley Benton via Thomann has no separate warehousing distributor's profit up-charge attached, at least that's what is obvious. Harley Benton is the in-house brand of the Largest dealer in Europe and likely the world, is it not? Makes sense to me.

[@Stoitism]

Glad I stumbled onto this. I've been looking for a 5-string P/J and have struggled to find one I like the look of. These look sweet and I really enjoy roasted maple necks. What's the string spacing?

[@lone-wolf-1]

(Borat voice): "Verre niice bassesises! Low five!" ✋🏼☺️ Guitar beginner here, and for the few bass lines I need, I'll stick to my 28" miKro bass, because of my baby hands. edit: pause at 2:49, with a chrome pick guard the blue one would look better.

[@elijahjones2889]

Mine jp55 in natural is almost here. Its getting modded

[@jessealot]

Seriously considering a Harley Benton for my next bass purchase but they have so many models at great prices. Looking for a 5 string or maybe a fretless, which they have and seem to be just as solid and decent sounding as any. Unfortunately I just broke a finger so I guess I have time to decide.

[@tobinmorse5150]

I can feel the price. Mine has sharp frets, and the worst tone ever. With upgraded electronics, and a trip to the shop it will be awesome though.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

I wish HB would make a 30 inch short scale bass using this shape or something similar

[@StudioChimiel]

The Ibanez Talman could be something you like. Same price range.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

@@StudioChimiel Bit ugly imo, there's just not a big selection of decent short scale basses, as many of them tend to be super budget. I'd love an Ibanez Premium Short Scale SR but the closest to that is that ugly headless bass Ibanez released.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

@@StudioChimiel same price range, but HB specs offer so much more value

[@amsalespush]

Glad to hear that in recent videos you are seriously letting the dogs out in your playing.

[@Bcuzieatiron]

I LOVE THAT SHIRT

[@fredgonzalez6619]

I love what you do man!

[@etrarkia]

I'm looking for recommendations: I have Ibanez GSR200 and I'm happy with it, but I'm more then curious to try an HB that sounds different to GSR200. Can you recommend me a few models?

[@henkwesselsbass1810]

Which replacement tuners pj pickups can I by for modification? Any suggestions. Thanks for your excellent video. Subscribed Ofcourse.

[@henkwesselsbass1810]

Anyone?

[@vince8081]

These basses are an absolute copy of the ARIA Detroit. Only the headstock is different.

[@sicilianmammalian]

The start of the produced track gave me major silent hill vibes

[@SirRigbyBaconKaiser]

The freaking catch? It just doesn't exist any more. That and the Marquis just seems to have been 404'd.

[@stonemunkyUK]

I got the 4 string version of the JP a couple of months back. Every time I pick it up I find myself wondering how they can be making any money with what they're charging for them.

[@PooNinja]

Again pandering to your Bass base. 🤘🏽

[@JMal883]

Henning you are making me GAS so hard for both basses! By the way is there any instrument you can’t play?

[@EytschPi42]

many

[@JMal883]

@@EytschPi42 😂

[@vaughnwebbermusic]

That is serious value

[@griminale1334]

I'm torn between the JP and the HBZ 2005, can anyone recommend which one I get for my first 5 string?

[@StudioChimiel]

I'd go for the HBZ 2005, based on the neck through and the the 2 band EQ.

[@griminale1334]

@@StudioChimiel Legend, that was the answer I wanted deep down hahaha. Cheers!

[@drdoom8793]

Very different animals imo. JP if you wanna cop a slightly more vintage vibe/tones, HBZ for more modern tones. Personally, I prefer the PJ configuration but everyone will have different tastes.

[@shyfawxproductions]

the b distorts more on the JJ the pre amp cant take it

[@dralic88]

Dude I love your content ! Harley Benton used to great but lately their quality control are failing big time ! It feels like the beginning of of behringer hahahahha when you ll but the same 2 products and they ll be 2 different things ! They do have some really great products but their shipping services are very slow

[@discobassgroove]

Where are those incredible road and mega block shirts from?

[@EytschPi42]

Mrgugu.com… Link below

[@rhamphorhynchusmetal2038]

Is there a passive model of these basses?

[@rustinsteele7683]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the basses are awesome, but WHERE DID YOU GET THAT SHIRT???!?? :)

[@EytschPi42]

link below

[@rustinsteele7683]

@@EytschPi42 Thanks!

[@Noothgrush420]

Wanna get the sunburst jp55 and take off the scratch plate

[@k.t.ingram375]

Aria Pro II // 313-MK2

[@thegaindane]

Argh!!... I want a bass now 🤔

[@marontesla2982]

Hb maby tried to make f-bass looking bass, but why they are loot like cort...

[@WDeeGee1]

Quarter sawn necks?

[@greyfoxzero]

They look like Conklin basses.

[@eng2005]

The HB JJ-550P is better then HB Marquess-5? which one do you prefer?

[@EytschPi42]

Marquess

[@eng2005]

@@EytschPi42 and between marquess and Enhanced series? which one do you prefer?

[@elmoe2831]

How does the FGN Odyssey Standard compare to a Vola OZ?

[@EytschPi42]

I’d go for the OZ, it is more unique and has more of its own character

[@aryopratama4622]

#stopplayingboxshapedpentatonic

[@Kutamitasa]

But this is bass based on Aria Hotrod. ;)

[@jeffmcadam9071]

That's a very noisy active pickup. They get a lot of reviews with that same theme.

[@annakissed3226]

I am sitting here having a professional Berkley trained musician & producer & teacher demonstrate & advising on the relative merits of various instruments I might buy who has a reputation as an expert to uphold & whose trust can instantly be destroyed by a substantiated proof of biased reporting. And I am paying absolutely Zero for it???? Before the KZbin I would be expecting to pay you as a teacher to advise on guitar shopping & I assume I would be paying you hundreds of Euros for your advice. So instead a company is paying for you to do the same thing but to only focus on their product. I can't believe their are companies out their that think they can buy your editorial position, that can dictate what is said, that for a pifiling amount of money that you would throw away all the respect you have earned to shill for them?? Yet their are some companies that stupid that any KZbin creator that is willing to do that for them, they would never be able to build a channel large enough that such companies would ever want to approach in the first place, as subscribers would eventually recognise that the idiot is a shill & stop watching. Yes I am sure in generic products like makeup its possible to shill & survive, but not in something in the tech KZbin community like you. Yes your focused on Music Tech, but your just as much Tech as Camera Tech channels, or Linus Tech Tips/Gamers Nexus/Level 1 Techs etc. My mother is lawyer & people pay a LOT of money for her advice & to facilitate numerous financial transactions for instance in relation to buying a house. How is this any different?? I just feel lucky that your utterly wonderful community of people that exists in this bit of the KZbin geography is willing to let me be here, without my actually contributing much of anything substantial!!

[@annakissed3226]

I just wanted to make an additional comparison about why your a tech KZbin channel: the need to have high end kit to demonstrate the limitations of low end kit. So when demoing graphics cards, everybody uses threadrippers or 16 performance core Alder Lakes because the CPU isn't bottle knecking the GPU. Equally when demoing games people run them on RTX3090ti to demonstrate what they can look like when pushed to the max. But they also demo them on lower spec cards so people can understand that if they want to play photo-realistic Grand Theft Auto 6 a GTX 1050 is just not going to cut it anymore.

[@pietrostimoli]

Weight?

[@servicemeisterquitt1212]

As good as the look and the materials might be, the pickup noise on your recording is appaling. Would never use such an instrument live or in studio.

[@smalltown4855]

the fog of a seeded bap

[@dinonuggies2276]

Dont trust anyone playing this bass. They are 100% a wizard with a big ass hat and a wizard robe with little moons on it

[@CountNetsrac]

Bockwurst-Bass? Orange-brownish with mustard yellow pickguard? 😂

[@daveringer9535]

I have a jp 450. The pickups are pretty bad!

[@paolozak3014]

really …it buzzes annoyingly and sounds rather sterile to me

[@JorisPosthumus]

lol, so they pay you to make a bad review right;)

[@EytschPi42]

No, they pay me to make an honest one

[@callingchristiano]

So ugly metallic sound ...

[@tickmagnet]

The catch is they were made in a Unitary Marxist-Leninist one-party socialist republic 0:58

[@jamcam9]

Nah, they're made in China.