You Should NOT Buy This Harley Benton Bass! Harley Benton PB-20 SBK Review

[@BurtsCounty]

Just got this bass delivered. No hum or strange noise. Intonation and string height spot on. Tuned it to pitch. All is well and working.

[@Rosborough]

Brilliant, glad they've fixed the issue in production

[@randomcitizenname]

Got myself a HB PJ-20 SBK recently and the grounding was fine. Also, it was intonated perfectly. The only issue I had was with the solder joints on the pots, which were a bit lacking and when I turned to volume for the J pickup all the way, it would disconnect briefly. Nothing my tech couldn't fix. Also, I have a TE-20 HH in the same color scheme that I upgraded with new pickups and it plays beautifully. My one and only gripe with HB is that the QC is hit and miss, and on the cheaper models a setup is 100% needed.

[@Rosborough]

They definitely are on the lower ones. I've the same te hh and did the upgrades too! When I first got it I didn't play it much but it really grew on me, I love it now!

[@thunderider1]

I cant get mine to intonate!

[@josedelasheras4733]

It's a £100 or thereabouts bass! I agree, the detail about grounding the bridge should not happen, it's so basic... but then it's super easy to fix in 5 minutes. I bought one a couple of years ago, it was £89 then. There were some sharp fret edges too, which again took 10 minutes to go over. With cheaper instruments I think you need to manage your expectations and be prepared to do a little setup work. It turns out to be a pretty nice sounding Precision bass, light weight too. For ~£100 and maybe 20 minutes of my time. Let that sink in. This is a bass I would gig, I just don't because I prefer a 5 string Stingray, but there's nothing wrong with it. I also have their passive 5-string Stringray style MB5 SBK, same finish... similar kind of situation. Now, that one I have used quite a bit for rehearsals and live. It's not as good as the Stingray 5, but it sounds good and feels great (it's a very light bass too). It's probably the bass I'll take to my New Years Eve gig: travelling, overnight stay, general mayhem... Yeah, the Harley Benton MB5 will do just fine and I won't have to worry too much about the party getting out of hand ;) That one was £125. So I had to smoothen the fret ends and adjust a few things... big deal. :)

[@Rosborough]

I hear what you're saying, and for someone modding tland with a bit of instrument experience this isn't a problem, but these are mainly marketed to beginners who wouldn't know. I've reviewed their pj which is amazing and at the same price point. I think they scrimped on functionality for nice looking hardware on this

[@H0kram]

Nah nah nah...dude, you validate crappy practices. This is not charity and they're not giving you a service. They make a profit at that price. 10 euros or 1000 it doesn't matter, you don't screw up a product and ask the customer to fix it...just ask yourself, is that how you do business? It's not as if the complaint is that it doesn't play like a 1000+ euros instrument or something unfair like that. Honestly that's not a way to support a brand you like, and that's not thinking about the target audience : the beginner, who has no business fiddling with paint and whatever. Might as well let you do the whole wiring while we're at it.

[@shakkersphotography5906]

Hey ! I was searching for a bass only to use in studio, i am not a bass player, i just need it to record. And i was wondering, your review is great, but it seems that this earth problem comes from the paint job, so if we take the same model, with a regular painting, would it be the same ? Do you think the same bass without the earth problem would be worth it ?

[@Rosborough]

I haven't seen this problem on the other basses in the range that don't have the black bridge. I super enjoyed their PJ bass range for studio as there is a little more time choice for different tones and it's really affordable

[@shakkersphotography5906]

@@Rosborough thank you !

[@Rosborough]

@@shakkersphotography5906 sorry I ment tone choice. They're all around the same price too

[@musicmesse1]

Mine needed new strings, made it sound like a new guitar. Also had to regrouped the bridge. Then it was for a long time my main gigging bass. Such great value. Buy it.

[@rickpeeters7774]

I am with you here, excellent review, many thanks ;)

[@Rosborough]

Thanks Rick, appreciate it

[@kevinmillan6499]

This video really helped! I bought a HB TB-70 and had the same issue on the bridge with the paint. It was honestly driving me crazy but this has helped me fix the issue, Thanks!!

[@Rosborough]

Ah super, Kevin! Glad I could help out. The tb70 is mean looking!

[@Skorpp13]

I have the black/white version of it and no problem at all :) But then again, that's a chrome bridge :)

[@Rosborough]

For me, those ones look beautiful too!

[@Arc-popz]

Need a p&j pickup config on a precision chassis was called a " hotrod" with fretless neck 😒 wonder if HB offers dat?

[@thunderider1]

Iv bought on recently....i didnt have a problem with the earth...but the neck was like a bannana and i cant get it to intonate properly!!

[@Rosborough]

Ah that's horrible! I've seen a few people complain on the QC of their lower priced range. I've a few more "expensive" guitars and basses from them that have all been bang on

[@thunderider1]

Iv got it done now...but took me a long time!! Bout 4 hours of intricate turning!!

[@thunderider1]

I found u have to move the bridge back bout 125mm as the pitch is too steep snapped A string!! Done this seems fine!!

[@Rosborough]

@thunderider1 thats a proper handy tip, thanks for popping back to say! I'm sure at least a few will find it really useful

[@martindoman7315]

Got an HB Jazz Bass and it's amazing (especially with added ashtrays). I've got an HB Stingray on order, can't wait.

[@Rosborough]

Friend sent me a link to one of their white Jazz's and I've been going back to that link all the time!

[@martindoman7315]

@@Rosborough I got the black one and added the bling. I also put flatwound strings on which I much prefer.

[@martindoman7315]

I also have a Rickenbacker 4003...which is by far the best...in my opinion!

[@thornea7015]

This is not a general problem with the black Harley benton bridges, but occurs with some of them. With this bass, for example, it's the first time I've heard of the problem occurring. I haven't seen any other reviews where this has also been noted, whether at Thomann directly or on other sites.

[@misery13666]

Honestly if to do is unstring and hit the string ferrule points with a countersink or just a drill bit or file to make contact , that's minimal work for an oversight that they should have dealt with. I'd have it unstrung and apart to put copper shielding in anyhow. 3-4 min extra work nothing more. also I'd be putting a pickguard sticker over that toriseshell anyhow. that vintage brown on a matte black instument was a poor chice. (you didnt need to scratch the body of the bridge just where the strings hit, youll get continuity thru the bridge under the paint.)

[@Rosborough]

Ah great, thanks for all this!

[@thefool2007]

All issues aside- after the fix, it sounds great. For that price, I would upgrade the pickup and hardware.

[@Rosborough]

For the neck alone it is a really cheap price. I do think if you're a beginner and looking for something to start on, they've a lot better basses in their line of products

[@pd1jdw630]

I just wonder how the Epiphone Thunderbird compares to the Harley Benton version of it.

[@Rosborough]

Someone commented saying theirs had the same earth buzz issue. The neck profile, woods etc are different though so I'd like to hear how it sounds

[@pd1jdw630]

@@Rosborough then I’ll think I’ll go for the Epiphone.

[@Rosborough]

I would, I've played the Epiphone before and remember it being a solid price of kit. Hope you enjoy it when you get it!

[@jaimeurbano3653]

I think I overpaid for my HB PB-20. I got it used at a guitar center for 250 USD last year. I’ve been looking for a new bass since I’ve been playing nonstop, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen a review of my bass. I did just kinda buy it impulsively but worth it

[@carlosgongil]

Minute 8:20 you almost swallowed the pick

[@Rosborough]

😂😂

[@chrislaarman7532]

1) I have just received the short-scale black-and-white PB-Shorty. I didn't have a 30" bass yet. I like it! 2) I didn't hear any ground noise, but then my "reception test" involved a Boss Dual Cube Bass LX amp on battery power. 3) Another noise-cancelling approach could be: going wireless. - Me, I keep two sets of cheap wireless sets charged. (The ones that sport the model identification "A8", regardless of the brand.)

[@Rosborough]

Hi Chris, I wouldn't expect the short scale bass to have the same grounding issue as it hasn't the same coated bridge. I've tried quite a few HBs basses and all the chrome bridges basses haven't had ground issues. I'd love to try one though, short scales are always really fun to play!

[@Midemabass]

Hi Chris. How is the output? Lot of video talks about low output 😢

[@chrislaarman7532]

@@Midemabass Well, I don't consider the output itself low. (Of my PB-Shorty, not the PB-20 SBK in the video.) But then, I have only played in my apartment yet, using that Boss Dual Cube Bass LX amp. - However, there was so much play in the output that the jack tended to lose contact. Just yesterday, I have removed the four screws nearest to the output, then bent the long lip so that it exerts more pressure on the jack, then remounted the screws. That seems to have done the trick! :-) (Same issue and corresponding solution with my Harley Benton ST-20HSS guitar.) (Regarding the low output: also note that this is my first solid-body bass with just one passive pick-up. My others have two humbuckers that can be set to active.)

[@stevenbolinger5176]

I purchased this bass and it arrived with a poorly set neck - the action is way too high with the bridge saddles bottomed out. The fret sprout on the treble side of the neck was 1/16" : the finish was ruined the mitre treble side of the neck, not to mention the sharp fret ends and damage to the fingers. I was a repeat customer and this is how Thomann treated me: they claim these defects are 'acceptable' on this bass. They refused return/refund and encouraged me to sell it locally (pass it on to some other sucker). Please buy your gear from anywhere but Thomann.

[@Rosborough]

That's a horrible experience to go through, steven

[@mp5285]

Thats 100% Bullshit. You can return with in 30 days with out any reason. Thoman customer service is absolut brilliant, and if you fucked it up..... then dont blame other, may last issues where handled absolute 10/10.... you are full of sh**

[@taken852]

So what do you recommend you just say buy something better, but you dont recommend anything bro, for that price what do you recommend then?

[@Rosborough]

Their other basses that don't have the black bridges are great starters. I also love their pj series

[@iabzyi]

ez just get a di box or a noise gate and ur good to go

[@wretch1]

WHAT?! It must be you.

[@jjfloyd618]

That Harley Benton guy is a brilliant instrument designer, always nice to have to actively damage a brand new instrument to get it to operate properly. Ass long as it looks cool right?

[@Rosborough]

When they keep it simple, they make some really good entry level guitars and basses. When they start deviating from that there's problems like this!

[@jjfloyd618]

@@Rosborough fair enough, I do realize that they generally make quality instruments for the price point but I also have a somewhat intrinsic dislike for the brand based on the cloyingly transparent marketing strategy of co-opting the Name Harley from Harley Davidson just to capitalize on that brands already established “cool” factor.

[@Rosborough]

Yeah, I agree. And they've earned a good name but they still have these cash grabs of things that look cool but don't perform. It's the customer that suffers and let's face it, you're not buying this if you're a millionaire

[@josedelasheras4733]

damage?

[@jjfloyd618]

@@Rosborough exactly, which reminds me of another HB review I saw where the instrument in question had completely microphonic pickups making it an unplayable instrument if you wanted to plug it in.Thomann’s expert engineer teams response was that the instrument was functioning as intended.

[@slidersson]

maybe less drugs??

[@Rosborough]

Less?!

[@stephencampbell2018]

You bought your wife a cheap bass then you complain that it is a cheap bass.

[@Rosborough]

Nah, I complained that there's better quality for the same price

[@slidersson]

Well you can't even play it! ha ha

[@Rosborough]

Better that than being a ball bag x

[@rockoutmichigan]

P-basses are NOT for beginners/rusty players.

[@221b-l3t]

Being a guitarist who is bass-curious, would you recommend a J bass? I quite like the sound of a P bass but maybe it's too much for my puny weak guitarist fingers?

[@jester333]

how come? what else would you recommend?

[@Rosborough]

HB do great PJ basses, best of both worlds for me, who is also a bass curious guitarist

[@jugglerj0e]

Wrong!!! P-basses are Great for beginners. They have a passive pickup with 1 volume & 1 tone knob so you can focus on playing and not have to worry about a battery. The necks can be wide but some like it and some don't.

[@killingzoe75]

Che noia.

[@Rosborough]

perché l'hai guardato allora?

[@killingzoe75]

Come faccio a sapere se è noioso o no se non lo guardo?

[@Rosborough]

@@killingzoe75 non mi interessa. questi commenti aiutano l'algoritmo

[@александрхасьянов-у7д]

Купил 85мм..прекрасный инструмент. Тактильно и по звуку

[@bm3410]

Nonsense. This is a 100$ guitar. If people are just starting they can learn to setup a bass while learning to play it. Every guitarist should know how to setup their guitar.

[@Rosborough]

So the fact that I've stated in the video there are literally multitudes of other basses at this price point that function perfectly is just called nonsense? Why would you buy it? If you know there's a fully functional product at the same price

[@bm3410]

@@Rosborough There are not "multitudes of other basses" for 100$. And the maybe ONE that you can find, is no better than this one.

[@Rosborough]

@@bm3410 hb alone have a whole range at this price point that don't have the bridge that was causing this issue. Not one, a range. That's not to mention basses from the likes of gear for music, sx etc and other budget brands. All functional without this noise issue. Maybe it's different in the states, but here in Europe, we have a lot of choice for entry instruments and I'd like to recommend ones that I haven't found issue with out of the box and that someone who has no experience or is a child can play straight away

[@Rosborough]

@@bm3410 this video isn't telling people to not learn to set an instrument up, I've a few videos on upgrading your instrument. I agree it's super important. It's about an issue out of the box that someone who may be getting heir very first instrument might run into. That in turn could lead them to not play and enjoy it as much as they can with another bass at the same price that doesn't have the issue