Harley Benton RB-414 "Thomannbacker" Revisit - Still The BEST Budget Ric? - LowEndLobster Fresh Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
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Hey Everyone! Today we're revisiting a bass from one of my most popular reviews - The Harley Benton RB-414 "Thomannbacker". This bass has some HEAVY Rickenbacker influence, but also has a lot of things to set it apart- the biggest of which is the price! Coming in at $200 USD (plus shipping), this bass is nearly 1/10th the price of a true Ric. The RB-414 also has some secret sauce with Ric style mounting mechanisms for the bridge and pickups, meaning that you can swap in authentic Ric components (or aftermarket ones... hint hint!). Let's check this bass out!
Harley Benton RB-414: harleybenton.c...
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This bass is really tempting just because it’s affordable and looks like my first dream bass a rickenbacker
get one ,,I have ...well pleased
I'm ganna do it!!!!!
You can't really have a rickenbacker style bass without a completely ridiculous bridge.
So true. A comically-oversized bridge is a must.
It just wouldn't look right without one!
It doesn’t sound like a Ric, however, it has its own fat, funky sound. I have to admit that I like the sound of the pickups on their own merits
It's got its own thing going on. Not horrible. I would not buy one (6 is more than enough) but there are so many great choices for the beginner player.
I think they designed it to sound exactly like the Seinfeld bass.
You can get an even better sound, not to mention quality, from a Squier. The only reason to buy this POS is because of the body shape. But if it can't sound even slightly like a Ric, then why bother? Only a HB fanboy would argue with that.
@@Great-Documentaries POS? Harley Benton's have improved their QC a lot in the last 4 years and are on par and in most cases dollar for dollar much better than Squier products.
It sounds like the Dan Armstrong bass they had back in the 70s, Bill Wyman played one those Clear Plastic body basses
by Ampeg. It was a very nice bass, sounded allot like this.
I modded mine.I changed the pups to Nordys and put in a tone Monster and passive switch.I don't know if it sounds like a Ric but it sounds and plays great.I"m going to put hip Shot but I've held off as this one has been ok,my luthier got it set up 👍 nice.
Seems to have a vintage tone to it. I really like it, not sure it I'd change anything because it seems to have its own character, & it's very nice. I could imagine this bass would sound great put through an EQ pedal as a pre amp also to beef up the sound, I'd probably prefer this than changing out the pickups. Definitely would like one to try.
Ordered the red one last week after watching your last video on it, should be here in a few days! Super excited to give it a try!
That really is a good looking bass regardless of its inspiration. Sounds really good as well. I wish they would have went with a narrow nut width. Seems like a great deal.
I'm intrigued. I've always wanted a Ric, but have never been able to justify the cost. Looking forward to the mod video!
I got one of these last year and really like it (especially at the price). Agree the bridge isn't good and the electronics are a bit weird. The only other problem I have is the very square edge to the body ...it's not comfortable, even when you wear the bass low, like I do. Look forward to the modding video.
Thomann said they wouldn't have this in stock until OCT, but then suddenly, they announced it had been shipped...
I have a 60's Vibe Squier Jazz Bass, but I'm putting it away for awhile- this thing is fantastic.
It's got a clean and twangy sound. Doesn't sound like a Rickenbacker but it's not a bad sounding bass overall especially for the money
I have had one of these basses for around a year and I love it. I played through my GK MB500 and a bass player who actually owns a Ric and plays it as his main bass said that he wished he could get his Ric to sound that good. I respectfully disagree that this bass sounds nothing like a Ric. Does it sound exactly like a Ric? No; I think that it is in the same family though and has characteristics of Gibson, Ric and a little jazz bass thrown in for good measure. There are a few demonstrations of this bass on TH-cam and one series of videos has a guy playing this bass to Rush and he straight up cops the tone. I hate the bridge and I will replace that someday. I’ve gotten used to the wiring so it doesn’t bother me. Very curious about how this bass will sound after the mods.
I have a Rickenbacker 4003 but as much as I love my Rick, it’s a pain in the a** to setup. I finally took out the awful bridge and put the hipshot bridge on but the erratic weather here in the Northeast completely ruined the truss rods in my Ric. It’s in the shop right now getting them replaced and it hurts lol
Dude I feel you. I love Wally but it can be temperamental during seasonal climate shifts
@@LowEndLobster hopefully you’ll never need to replace the rods. My tech said they’re almost impossible to get right now
New subscriber here. Really enjoying the content. When I first came across your videos, I thought to myself, this dude looks like a live action R.Crumb character that plays bass really well!
I always wondered how the rest of your studio looks like, thanks! 😃🕺
Damn! Now you got me on the Thomann website 😎🇵🇹. As ever, great video Lobster 🦞
Killer bass for the money!! HB really gives you great product for the price!! Can’t wait to watch the mod videos on this! It would have been cool to watch you mod your dingwall. Your going to whip out what! Ohh your pic, I thought you said something else 😂😂🤘🦞 great video as always brother!!! Really enjoying the discord! Some really nice people on there!
Truthfully, I hate a flat radius on guitars and basses, but they seem
to be all the rage. There’s certainly been more than one occasion where I took a pass on a bass because of that one parameter..Didn’t even watch the rest of the video after you said 13” 🤯🥳Cheers & Salutations!
Salutation Crustacean, because of your vids on this bass I went ahead and bought one. So glad!
I was expecting much worse....I ended up going the used route, so mine was dialed in at purchase, but the action is fine for me and the sound is better than expected (tho not especially "Rick-ish").
Thanks for your channel.
Sweet! Congrats :)
Damn you, Lobster! Now I have to get one of these as a stand-in for my most-prized 1974 Greco RB 800 (a "Greconbacker"). These HB basses have recently won me over.
My red one is on the way -- looks super close to my '74. But is there any trick to getting the bridge chrome pickup cover off? Do you have to completely disassemble the bridge pickup mount by removing the side screws all the way? And then re-stack without the "cover layer"? My Greco is all original with the cover still attached, but I have removed a Ric cover from a prior bass. Thanks again.
For anyone who may not know, you need to completely remove the bridge assembly to remove that controversial pickup cover. Then re-stack with the long screws through the springs (which are essential pieces). Then reattach the whole thing to the body with the 4 short screws. Hope this helps somebody. Have to remove strings and completely disassemble. Then reassemble w/o the cover. Oh, and this bass is exceptional for the cost. More than pleased with mine. HB is solid.
I had read the saddles on the bridge are not mounted to the bridge, they are held in place by the strings,... not a good design and it is probably pretty easy to lose or misplace the saddles when changing strings. That was the biggest criticism that I have read and seen in video reviews.
Personally, I like the shape of this bass more than most Rickenbachers, I was never a fan of the belly cut on the top,but I know Im in the minority on this.
I'm really looking forward to the mod video of this particular bass.
just apply some glue underneath those pieces and you're set, no need to worry anymore
these look so good for such a little price!
I’ve got a “Rockinbetter” that I acquired from a former bandmate. The body and headstock shape is a clone of the Ric. It’s got that same POS bridge but it sounds great. I really need to adjust the intonation but I’m terrified of losing the bridge saddles
just apply some glue underneath those pieces and you're set, no need to worry anymore
I’m really looking forward to see the modded version of this bass. Just ordered one myself just for fun. I’m also thinking about modding it. It would be great to haves some references!
BTW, love your channel!
actually sounds really nice - very surprised! also really brought out some great playing from you - little run at 12:45 v tasty! looked and sounded like you really enjoyed playing it
Nice! Looking forward for that next video. I just recently bought the same JB pickups for mine.
Nice! I'm hoping to execute this mod this week (video will be some weeks after that). Join our discord channel to get updates on this and more :)
Sounds awesome. Never been so tempted by a Harley Benton. Super cool.
I just picked up a kit version and it has very similar bones to the Benton. I plan on modding it to get close to a 4000. Love the channel!
Wouldn’t there be a problem fitting a genuine Ric bridge or hipshot one? It’s looks to me as though the saddles on the RB are where the mutes on a Ric bridge would be.
...... Shit you might be right.... We'll figure something out haha
@@LowEndLobster - How about a Bad Ass bridge on a Ric shaped backplate - like Geddy Lee did to his Rics??
@@revlewisrees9880 Looking at the two bridges, I think we'll be OK. The footprint is 'moved up' a bit on the hipshot, so it appears as if it won't intonate. I think it should work however as the screw location in relation to the saddles is roughly the same. I plan on doing the mod soon!
I dig your right-hand technique. Your playing here reminds me a bit of Geezer (N.I.B.) :D
Thank you!
Looking forward to the Trickenlobster. I’m tempted to pick one up and do some shenaniganry to it myself.
Also looking forward to seeing the mods. Why not go all the way and add some Hipshot Ultralite Tuners?
Got one at the start of lockdown and while a few cosmetics (hey at €240 what ya expecting). Love it and great for a beginner bassist.
Upgraded my RB-414 with Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups (bridge and neck). The improvement in output is like night and day. I enjoy playing my Duncanbacker even more.
A Duncan Benton is more like it.
@@9999plato Duncan Benton Backer (try saying that fast 10 times)...
Did you have to mod the neck position to fit the pickup? I’m close to buying an RB-414 and I would like to explore some options in pickups.
@@AllbeeHivezChristianAllbee No mods necessary. The neck pickup dropped in there quite nicely. One thing to note - I would make sure to use the hardware that comes with the Seymour Duncan pickup. Did the same thing with the Seymour Duncan bridge pickup.
@@dantesinfernopurgatory7826
All I needed to know, because I was leaning towards these👍
I was just watching your test on Wally the Rick with JBE pickups before - commendations on using the tone controls on your basses by the way. Sorry to say this but when you started playing that bass I thought "This sounds like the Fender Jaguar I just heard (or was it another Fender?)". To me, the Harley Benton sounds more like a real Rick, and unbelieveable value at the price. That's just my opinion of course but the JBE pickups have been highly rated...
I dig it! It sounds great, is not too heavy and I'll trust your assessment of the construction. My only issue would be if I were to own one having people either mistake it for a Rick or think I'm trying to pass it off as a Rick. I don't know exactly why that doesn't bother me with the myriad of Fender clones but for some reason it does when it comes to the Rickenbacker.
Looking forward to your future mod video!
No one who knows what a Rickenbacker looks like will mistake this for one. Sounds nice.
Can't wait for the modding video!!
I can’t wait to see the battle of the beatle basses!!
Great as it is! Why spend more than it costs to make it sound, as well as resemble, like a Richenslacker? Great bass for the price.
A decent mod platform by design and yet a nice bass for the money that has its own thing going on. I would buy it.
I've had mine for a couple of years. The bridge was the only thing that scared me and I've not heard this concern from anyone else. What would you do for a bridge piece if a string broke in the middle of a show. The first thing that would happen is that the bridge piece would be under the drum set or out in the crowd, then you are out of business. The pinching adjustment screws are kind of wonky as well. I changed my bridge early on.
1:10 ohhh now I see why I have trouble with some instruments... I learnt to play guitar on a 13.7 " radius neck... and bass on a 16" (Yamaha guitar & Peavey bass)
I don't know if you've measured the nut on your RB-414, but mine is 42.6mm instead of the reported 43.6mm. So always do your own measurements on a Harley Benton, at least when they're at the super low price point.
subscribing for the channel 5 shirt, probably gonna end up gettin one of these
sounds great to me for 200 bucks but im sure the player makes a difference
In my opinion, the stock pickups sounded a lot more like the real Rick than the Barden pickups did.
Wow impressive tones for the price
My only wish is that it had a black pickguard, then it would've looked absolutely killer!
A Gibson style humbucker? (Insert Homer Simpson shriek) I love Rickenbackers and owned a few. I never should have sold my ‘78 but circumstances dictated… I really like the walnut version. They are maybe even more “clanky” than the maple. I have my eye on a walnut 5 string. This actually doesn’t sound bad. It doesn’t sound like a Ric but it’s alright…I’m anxiously awaiting your mad scientist mods!
I like the head-stock on that Harley Benton… that’s it.
Babicz now has Rickenbacker bridge replacements now.
I had one but I couldn't get along with the neck. Too chunky for me. Apart from that, great bass :). And I do have a '75 4001
Not gonna lie, even the factory pups sound nasty! In a good way.
oh wow - i wish you'd mentioned the Jack'n'backer in your title or had in your thumbnail - i was *specifically* looking for that! :O and if you really do them up against an originally 'Rick, that'd be PRIME......... (ok, onto more video)
Cool bass, dope shirt, good vibes
Hey Lobster, lots of differing opinions out there, but do you feel that just upgrading the bridge changes and/or improves the sustain and tonality of the HB bass? Also looking forward to your step-by-step video of installing the JB pickups. Thanks.
I love the jackson, but this thing would be pretty nice with some pickups and a bridge like you said. It almost sounds squire-ish with those electronics but the slap sounded suprisingly good. I'm glad I have no money at the moment, I dont want to make any rash decisions but I want to eventually own a Real precision bass (a mexican would be fine with me), A sterling sting ray, a sire p7 4 string, and one of these frankenbackers of some sort, but of course I want a real ric haha. Currently my dumb I mean very nice sterling sub series will hold me over for now.
Harley Benton has definitely stepped up its game in the budget guitar and bass market over the years. Especially in terms of quality.
I can't wait to see this modded
Lemmy bass rock on
Dewd! I like this MORE than the rick! Please tell me to buy this.
At first I wasn't into your lobster thing and found it maybe lame, but you're one of the few TH-cam channels that do comprehensive reviews and have solid playing so I guess I can look past the lobster thing. You got a new subscriber from Romania!
I got 1 recently! It sounds nice! But that BRIDGE! I can't get enough string lowering! I was going to get 2mm ground off the bottom of the saddles, and file out the slots on the 'roller' saddles! Hoping to get 3mm off!
IS this worth it or shouldI get a replacement bridge with more travel up & down!
Love the sound of it tho!
But WHY put a single coil near the bridge and a humbucker in the neck? WOULDN'T it sound BETTER the OTHER way round?
Apart from the crappy bridge, it's a really WELL made bass! HAD they given the neck a bigger backwards pitch angle the bridge would be adequate!
I will have a better answer soon. Doing the mod of this bass sometime this week with a video following in the coming weeks. I'll be swapping in the Hipshot bridge. We shall see!
@@LowEndLobster Ok cool Lob! I found several after market bridges for Ric 400X basses. ( On Ebay!) Hipshots are over $300! A bit much for a guitar worth less than that!
Can you share the video for the mods? links to the pickups recommended?
I own a Rb414 and was thinking to mod it (Seymour Duncan Pickups) but the bridge is worrying me. Can be used a AllParts Ricky (it seems to be like a old rick bridge).
I had issues with the action, did You had issues with that?
Dang! That bass sounds great!
Great stuff.
Walnut basses can be heavy. I have a Walnut 5 string Warmoth Jazz with a Bubinga neck and Cocobolo fingerboard. It's too heavy for the kitchen scale but it's definitely heavy. It has a rubbed gun stock oil finish.
I wonder how Thomann can sell these when you can’t get a Ric shaped kit of any kind. I’m sure they must have some kind of arrangement. Also, good to know Lobster is keeping it 55th. No custers!
They are the Ric distributor for all of Europe and the world largest music store, they sell more Ric's than anyone.
And yes everyone else that tries to emulate or even sell a kit gets sued and shut down
Very interesting info!
@@LowEndLobster I have one , just starting to play and it's my first electric Bass, had an acoustic before this one.
Didn't want a P bass , didn't want a Jazz bass was almost going to get a PJ as I wanted a bit of both.
Then I saw this and was sold on the sound, it's a unique sound and just doesn't sound like a bass , it's just different and appealing to me.
Well I can't really play and have to rely on clips of reviews.
But every clip I've seen , I close my eyes and listen to that sound.
It hasn't got that Ric sound and it's not trying to , it's got its own thing going on and it just works.
Plus it's a good looking bass.
Hi there, i wanted one of them for Christmas, but then i had to wait for 7-9 weeks, and....nope.. so i did buy a Epiphone Thunderbird iv 2014 with a Roksak for 250 dollar almost unused... but i want a Harley Benton to... maybe the 414 or the HB-60 i like that one to...and if that wasent inuf..i found another one i wanted yesterday 😂 what do you think i need to go for? The Thunderbird is not a typicaly just play all you want kind of bass, i have also looked at the chinese Rick clones, but are they any good ? ... best regards from Norway
You know how to make it sing.
Have you measured the impedance and/or inductance of that neck pickup? Certainly it sounds like a typical mudbucker, i like it.
This is very surprising tone-wise. I expected some real muddy garbage. These tones are pretty darn good for the price!
You obviously don't know the bass guitars in that price range. Because Squier has this beat up and down 8 ways from Sunday.
@@Great-Documentaries I actually know a lot about these type of basses. I have some squiers and other brands. I think this bass is trying to do a unique tone and nailed it.
Is the bridge string spacing the same as a Ric? I ask cause many Ric copies with 34” scale also have 19mm spacing, which is not what the Hipshot Ric bridge is.
Nice review, but the only reason to get a Ricky is the sound. As. you correctly note, that bass sounds wooly, like a gibson. Gibson basses are not especially popular, because they sound like this. I am a Thomson fan, but this bass wouldn't be for me. Give me a nice precision bass any day!
Jacksonbacker is the true king of the Rick copies, one of the best bass I’ve own, hb is meh
Would anyone happen to know whether the pickups are in the Ric positions?
Both yes and no. They appear to be in the correct modern positions for a 4003, however because of the slightly longer scale I'd think they'd be slightly off
Hi, Lobster!
Will you mod this bass?
should i trade my Ibanez talman for this one?
Real good looking bass in good price the sound is not amazing
I like it \m/ Bentonbacker
what amp are you using for the demo?
LETS GOOOOO
1:05 - ROFL
Hahaha glad someone said something
@@LowEndLobster Great minds, Lobster, great minds ;)
"This is one of the stupidest bridge designs I've ever seen...."
Lol!😄
Rickenbenton.
When you play a Rick, YOU HAVE TO play Motorhead.
Chris Squire's bass line for Roundabout by Yes
Harley Benton? Best budget [X]?
Probably. ;-)
The constancy of German engineering...
That thing sounds so horrible it ruined my breakfast this morning 😁😁😁
LOL thanks ;P. Maybe the mods will tickle your fancy a bit better. I'm excited to do em!
3:45 - it’s lobster’s biggest fan 😂 sorry!
I think "Bentonbacker" is better.
You can get an even better sound, not to mention quality, from a Squier. The only reason to buy this POS is because of the body shape. But if it can't sound even slightly like a Ric, then why bother? Get a real bass and not a bad copy. And only a HB fanboy would argue with that.
At first when I watch it your video I thought you where a weirdo, but after listening to what you have to say ,and watch you play, great respect bro. Good show !
Shit Harley Benton. They all good for the cash.
Coño!!! Si es Ignatius farray
Thank god it doesn’t sound like a Ric.