Harley Benton MB-4 SB Deluxe - Is this the sub $150 SUB killer we've wanted? - LowEndLobster Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2024
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Hey everyone! Today we're reviewing the Harley Benton MB-4 SB Deluxe AKA the Thomannray. This is the cheapest Stingray-ish bass that you can buy at $120 (before t/s) on Thomann, which is less than half the price of a Sterling by Music Man Ray4 SUB AND it has a USA Stingray-ish neck profile!... but there's a catch... Let's check it out!
Big thanks to Dom @ ThirdFloorGuitars for setting up my instruments. You can find him at www.thirdfloorguitars.com
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Please never stop letting your cats interrupt these videos. It is essential to my wellbeing
They're simply doing their job as overlords to this establishment, making sure I'm doing my job ;P. Glad you like em! They've been by best lil buds for nearly 8 years now :)
@@LowEndLobster Hey, Lobster, how about a video introducing us to your kitties? Meowwww? ("pretty please" in Feline)
@@time.5316 That's an excellent idea! Thank you!
Well I was on the fence about this Bass but then the cat gave it's approval, so I'm all in. Thanks, terrific review
Thanks Chuck!
I've had one of these for about 6-7 months now and I absolutely love it. It's my first bass and I've learned so much using it. Once I'm better I'll maybe upgrade to a Music Man but for now this does exactly what I want it to.
Thank you and great comment! These are really amazing instruments for the price and a great way to get a start on the instrument.
I like Harley Benton's approach on many of their guitars that the head finish mirrors the body finish. Maybe other manufactures follow this practice, not sure, but I have noticed on many HB guitars recently. I think this is really cool!
For me, seeing what you do with these value basses is inspiring. I’m a newbie to bass playing, but not to electronics (ham radio operator, building computers, &c.). I have a Cort Action PJ and I replaced the pots on it, and had it setup up professionally. Eying a new bridge. And having a ball learning the bass.
I'm so glad! Thank you and I hope my videos help you learn :)
This bass has been on my radar, so I’m stoked that you did this review. I’m always looking at basses that are great value for your dollar. More please! 🙂
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :). I have another HB video coming soon as well as the preamp and pickup upgrades for this one :)
And Gibson has the guts to sell 4 k guitars with finish and fretboard issues... and people buying them are equally guilty!
Thanks Andrew! I think there's been a real big revolution in terms of instrument manufacturing over the past 10 years, and that combined with the expanding presence of online music retail operations has allowed for some awesome stuff. You have companies like Sire who started out with direct sales only to make high quality instruments that undercut more mainstream manufacturers, and Thomann leveraging their online retail presence and manufacturing network to build incredible budget instruments under their in-house brand Harley Benton. At the same time, we've also seen incredible growth in the boutique bass market with so many great builders to choose from. I think this puts pressure on companies like Gibson, especially considering how heavy they leverage the same tired designs with the same features (for the most part). Ernie Ball is a great example of a manufacturer who has recognized the shift in the industry and taken action. The facelifted Stingrays with the machined aluminum hardware, roasted necks, new preamp and pickup, redesigned body, stainless frets, etc. show forward movement and evolution in their product line. With the SBMM stuff getting very close sound wise to the traditional stingray, the question had to be asked "Why by a USA Stingray?" and now they can answer: "This is why-" and show the tangible benefits of the US instrument over the import. Now, why buy a Gibson? That question gets harder to answer every day. I love my Gibson LP Jr. Tribute bass for what it is, but it is far from enough for me to have any real hope for Gibson as a company.
No more Gibsons in my life any more.This not tuning made me aggressive.Fuck it.For 3 ground i can have 3 guitars with no tuning problems.In recording this is what mattars.
Nice review. I already have a Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4EB and it's one of the best basses I've played although a little bit on the heavy side. Now I'm sorely tempted to get one of these too.
Thanks Andy! I was super impressed with this bass.. and for a hundred twenty bucks!? I installed a Tone Monster preamp and the bass is at my tech getting a battery box route (no time to do it here ;P). Stoked to see what she'll be like when she's back!
Dang!! I have seen many videos of you demonstrating basses that are much more expensive and that do not sound better than that bass. Totally impressed
Thanks Keith! It's funny how one can talk specs and features all day, but it really just comes down to how it feels in your hands and how it makes you want to play. This thing is such a fun bass, and the value at $120 is really nice.
Sounds a hell of a lot better than I anticipated. Nicely done as always.
Thanks Skank! Right? I HATED my OLP back in the day (5'er with tight string spacing), but this one just feels GOOD. I shot this vid right after the Ibanez RGB300 video (same day), and the difference going from the Ibanez neck to this was HUGE. This one is super comfy and just played so well.
Cat approved! Wasn't expecting much, watched once then put on headphones and really listened. Impressed! Awaiting mods. Thanks.
Thanks Matthew!
Great video as usual, Lobster! Looking forward to seeing the follow up with the mods 🤘 crazy what less than $200 gets you these days. Definitely think the preamp and perhaps series/parallel would help this bass a ton. Also found the photo on Thomann to be extremely funny 🤣
Thanks Taconeko! Every time I read your name I crave takoyaki. Isn't that Thomann pic so weird?! The 5H pic looks normal, not sure why they did that for the 4.
Also- it would be nice to hear the reviewed basses played against some backing tracks to get an idea where they fit sonically in the mix.
Thanks Rick! Going to be getting there at some point. I appreciate the suggestion :)
Excellent idea, because that how I judge the performance of my basses by playing along with back tracks that have no bass accompaniment....
Stingray + Lobster = both from the sea... so much makes sense now! Great video as per 👏
Thank you my friend :)
That was some excellent funky bass playing. Great job!!
Wow lobster. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dig into a bass as much as this one.
Thanks Eddie! It's a fun instrument for sure :)
Amazing groove as always you the man
Man, sounds really solid! Especially with the tone all the way down, makes you want to play some Vulfpeck just listening to it.
Thanks! Yeah these are sweet for the price. Not sure on their availability right now, but it seems the passive cheapey Bentons are the way to go
@@LowEndLobster I am especially surprised because I used to own a harley benton jazz which I absoloutely hated. Heaviest bass I ever owned (heaver than ANY active bass), and wasn't that comfortable to play. Tone wise it was ok if you played softly, but if you plucked with any force it wouldn't turn out well. Perhaps I should give them another chance though?
Just bought one based on this video. I've been wanting one for years and I've finally pulled the trigger!
Great review and GREAT playing dude 👏 🙌
Nice review. Mister Lobster, you play like a pro dude. I think that if some day I’ll by a second bass, this is one of my choices.
Thank you Gustavo! I appreciate that :)
Sounds great! Can’t wait to hear the mods.
Thanks Marcus!
Aaaaah the sweet sound of fresh new strings
:)
Great vid. I got two of them. I think it's the best Stingray killer out there. Price is a no brainer. Thing is a little miracle really. Get one as long as you can guys :))
Thanks SimulacronX!
I bought one because I needed a bass to tune in C and I think it sounds quite well. I really like the sort of nasal quality of bass humbuckers, especially when wired in parallel.
Thanks Rob! Did you mod it at all (yet)?
I currently haven't. I have it as a songwriting tool for a band where I am not the bassist so for that it's fine. I might invest in a preamp if I ever decide to use it more but I also think it sounds quiet well as is.
I swear the title only said “LowEndLobster” when i first saw this
Yep, TH-cam Studio was being a butt but it's fixed now!
Thats pretty sweet! I have a SUB and after 2 preamp warranty replacements I gave up...I found a reproduction of the 70's MM preamp, slapped that in and have been happy every since. After seeing this though...I wish this would have been around before I purchased the SUB, would have saved me lots of time with it in the shop and I could have just skipped to adding a preamp. I will say for being passive it does sound pretty good!
Thanks! Bummer about your preamp debacle, but happy you finally got it sorted!
@@LowEndLobster yeha apparently it was a QC problem in the beginning. I think they've got it sorted, but it worked out in the end for me. That Harley Benton though..thats a great starter bass and can be easily modded as people progress.
Audio over youtube is never true to the actual room sound (always better) but it does sound great with passive PUP's and just seeing you enjoy playing and not stopping sold me. One Stingray is good enough for me for now, ganna drop the $209 on this HB with soft case and shipping..What a deal. Also nice to know that noise gets canceled out when both single coils are on; I should know that by now. I'll bookmark this for the tone monster mod in the near future...
Thanks Marty! Indeed Audio over youtube is always going to be a bit variable, as not only does my equipment have an impact but so does your equipment that you're listening from. That's why I always use the exact same settings in every video, and no effects or any tone shaping. Level playing field all around (or as level as we can get it!).
@@LowEndLobster Thanks..I ended up ordering the Ray34 as I am a big fan of fat necks...And i need one roastey toasty maple neck in my collection...HB will be next though...
@@Detownrebel1 I got a new ray34 coming tomorrow. Great minds!
@@LowEndLobster Did you get it? I received my Black-on-Black Sterling 34HH from MF for $649...I have two concerns so am interested to hear your review if indeed you have the same finish type. This guitar has almost an eggshell type of finish, not a high gloss which concerns me. 1. Historically these finishes do not hold up to my recklessness. 2. I can feel dirt-in-paint all over the body and neck...Its as if they painted these in a dusty room. My second concerns is that i have an old 1991 Stingray and these pickups are not the same, the sterling pickups are very, very hot. I know I can just press the -10 db button om my amp but it will be hell for the sound-man's DI input when I swap basses while on stage playing in front of hundreds of thousands of people (billions). Otherwise it play great, good action with versatility.
Great review.
The slap sound is very good
Thanks Hitek!
Awesome review and demo, lobster. 😎🤘🏻🎸I’ve always heard a lot of good things about Harley Benton basses and this bass sounds incredible for the price. Honestly I’m surprised to learn that this bass is completely passive. I do wonder where do you buy these basses. I would totally go for the 5-string version of that bass. Especially since I’ve been thinking about purchasing a string ray bass. My other choice would definitely be a sterling ray 5 either in blue or red finish.
Thanks Alex! They can be had exclusively on Thomann's site (or store). The 5'er has tighter string spacing like the SUB, but is a solid bass. I have one in the matte black finish I'll be doing a review on at some point
I was playing my Squier while you was playing this bass and I noticed you've played this cheap beauty in half tone down tuning! Despite this little note, it was as if we had a jam together. :D
Great review al always, this thing is cheap but it has a good punch, my last guitar player had one of these.
One day, please allow your cats to do a collaboration for the reviews please, it would be awes...ehm, meowsome!
Or maybe you can also start to review.....cats! :D
Cheers as always buddy,
Joe
Whoops! hahaha, I picked this up and was so impressed I didn't tune this thing to A440. Cat review: "So how does she slap?" and then I'll have my beard scratched off ;P. Always great to hear from you my friend!
It's dope HB allows 3 separate instruments or amps for under that flat rate plus that just encourages more buys. HB is Killin it as a corporate entity definitely well ran thoman should be proud. China produced with German quality control and you got something there and am excited to see it only get better with improved CnC in the years to come.
I bought the HB as a back up and $150 gamble and I was pleasantly surprised. Not a bad bass at all. I’ve always wanted a Musicman bass but cost is an issue so I’m going to try the MB 4 and do the same preamp mod.
PS. More cats!
I’d set it up stock then run it through my B3 effects (amp/cab sim, compressor/limiter then a boost from the exciter). It would kill. Still playing stock strings on the SubRay4 and with the right effects/amp settings it gets a close enough MM vibe that is gig ready. In fact...my Modulus is collecting dust.
Nice! I have a B1 sitting here that I haven't played with yet.
I give it a 5-star rating for sound quality and playability. I'm building three active basses right now but I prefer passive (aka) all-natural.
:)
YES...
I got one a few weeks ago...and it makes lot fun to play...!
It looks great. I like the neck shape
A really good base for modding ...
Also for beginners..easy to play..
My opinion:
Really cool and nice for that price..
And your Cat reminds me to my one 🐈.❤
The Slap tone on this is incredible! I hope HB makes them in more colours
This base sounds really good!
Thank you!
Sounds just awesome!
Thanks Bro!
You could probably make this something great by going for a G&L setup:
- Master vol with a push/pull for series/parallel (or single/OMG if you're clever enough)
- Treble tone
- Bass tone
There ya go!
I was about to simply like after the first minute or so, but seeing the cat kind of obliged subscribing as well ;)
Sweet bass!
TY for doing this review Lobster!
Does HB make this in a 5 string?
I am also wondering if you've ever put a battery compartment and door in on a bass.
I bought a MB4 SB Deluxe with a decent gig bag from Thomann for £119 delivered to the UK - took about 4 days from Germany. Bought about 6 months ago.
Total BARGAIN!
I like the fact it is passive (I have the twin humbucker active version as well) and don't mind the control set up. Mine's staying stock. I love the looks too. Well made instrument.
I agree that turning one or the other volume controls off to get a single coil sound makes no difference to the single coil sound with each coil. It is single coil though and mine makes little or no hum when in this mode. You can of course use different volume levels on the two coils for a blended tone. I use it in full humbucker mode (both volumes 100%) and it is powerful, punchy with good tonal range.
If you are a learner/beginner (or need a cheap second gigging bass) or just want a cheap bass that sounds and feels great to play - GET ONE!
Este bajo me costaría 200€ ya con envío y pago de impuestos a mi país, ya por ese precio sigue valiendo la pena?
This bass defies the law of physics. I never would have thought that basswood, could sound so good.
The quality of wood is just as important as the type, and IMO this appears to be some decent basswood. I've already removed the control plate and electronics (waiting on some pots) and the wood doesn't seem as crumbly or fragile as the basswood in the Sterling SUB.
Goon seems to really like that bass. For that price I might check one out myself.
Thanks Paul! Yes she does hahaha
That price is killer! I think I'm off to order one right meow!
:)
Well I got the bass in and after a good setup, it plays very nice and sounds great! It's not going to make it as my #1 bass, but it is a nice backup.
Damn, I love that tone, it's like a more unique MM sound. Nice and thick and punchy!
Thanks Jack! Right?! The pickup is surprisingly solid here.
@@LowEndLobster Yeah it sounds like it's extremely well made, and versatile too. I've only heard pickups that sound that way in Dingwalls.
That actually sounds more like a Musicman than the SUBS. It has the super high end where the SUBS have more of a super high mid which drove me nuts about my SUB. It never had the sparkling highs the $800 and USA Musicmans.
The pickup in this is wired in parallel which makes it much more authentic vs the SUB and Ray24CA (stock but can be modded) pickups which are series. Waiting on a battery box install, can't wait to hear what this pickup sounds like with a tone monster preamp
I had been toying with the idea of getting one of these, or the double pickup version. However, I’ve just commissioned a custom made ‘Telenbacker’ bass from Retrovibe, so it’s difficult to justify it!! Although at only $135 including shipping, it’s still tempting.
Thanks Rev! Bully has the double pickup 5 string version and has been enjoying it! I may get my claws on it sometime soon :). Let me know how the Retrovibe works out!
@@LowEndLobster - I saw Bully’s review - he was like a kid in a candy shop with that one!!
fully passive stingray? i hear Joe Dart approving. adding some flatwounds might be a fun to test hear before modding it with a preamp
Too late ;P
Personally I like how it sounds stocked.
Thanks Dalton! Yeah this pickup isn't bad for sure, I'm curious how the preamp will sound with the stock pickup! We'll see soon.
The slap tone is pretty fine. Nice.
Thanks James!
Well, I got a 5 string HH version of this bass, MM-85A. It has a preamp onboard and a 3-band EQ. What I want to mod is adding a swith to turn the preamp on and off. And sometimes I'm gonna change pickups. Maybe.
Awesome! What do you think of the EQ?
@@LowEndLobster not sure I like it. Bass knob adds too much of low ends, middle freq knob adds mids more slightly. High freq knob acts more like tone knob with a wrong cap soldered. If you're interested in this bass, see my review, but it's in russian: th-cam.com/video/oU0H6KrmBlA/w-d-xo.html (link with timing of EQ testing)
Wow! At $120 I guess you can't go wrong and it sounded also pretty good... Thanks again LowEndLobster!!!
Thanks Guy!
Are you using any kind of compression? It sounds awesome!!! Have you seen the Kramer D1? They're basically a modern/metal styled Stingray with some really nice features for the price. Might be up your alley!
Thank you! I think the Focusrite has some compression built into it (and then some compression on the mic because of my mic mishap), but other than that I'm not using anything dedicated. I have indeed seen the D1, been eyeing them. They seem well equipped! Hopefully will check one out soon :)
PS: I'm a 63 year old pro bassist, my first bass as a 1978 Leo Fender MusicMan Stingray - yes, from their first year of production. So I'm more than a little biased where everything that followed is concerned. But thanks Lobster for another great video.
Cheers mate. I've bought one. 😊
Nice playing-and serious Groucho Marx creds!
Since I want to own a musicman and a sterling I think the harley benton will be a fun addition to the collection since there will be 2 active stingrays and the HB being passive! Lol
I have the MB-4 SBK Deluxe (the satin black model). I love it. I've owned dozens of EBMM Stingrays over the years (and a few Bongos in the mix), but I'm not with a band anymore, just a daily player at home, so I got out of the higher end market some years ago. And I was/am super impressed with how this bass feels and sounds. I love the volume knob per coil setup, that you can solo the coils or blend them as desired. In my opinion, all of the above yield good, usable tones. I'm usually not a fan of painted necks, but the satin finish on this one feels very nice, and more importantly, the neck profile is great. I'd love to get a custom carbon fiber pick guard for it. Anyone got a link or connection for that?
Hello there!!! First of all, thanks your your high quality video, and second, how do you record your bass?? It sound just amazing for the price of that bass!!
Hello! Thank you! I need to make a vid on my signal chain, it's coming! I plug directly into my Orange Crush 50 BXT combo amp (my home amp) and go from the amp's line out directly into my focusrite. I record using Reason 11 :).
@@LowEndLobster Ok thank you very much!! New Suscriber!!
@@PoliBoneless Welcome aboard :)
Just released this and the 5 string in the satin black! Wowzer!!!
Oh boy! I may have to snag one for my next Thomann order. Thanks for the heads up :)
@@LowEndLobster I've just got the sbk p bass and its amazing. Was looking at ordering one of these but wasnt keen on the sunburst.
GREAT VID!
Thank you! :)
I bought one the other night when I was PISSED - It arrives tomorrow. I don´t even play bass but a good friend had her bass nicked years ago .. so I´ll let her have it.
I actually have a 1983 EBMM Cutlass on my bench for a service .... so will make a comparison tomorrow. Hopefully I´ll remember to hit RECORD ! Letcha know how we get on!!!
Cheers from Madrid
Bummer to hear about your friend's bass! :( You're doing a very nice thing. Oh snap, those old Cutlass basses were sweet! How is that CF neck holding up?
@@LowEndLobster hello my name bass doctor...i am waiting for my p. 7 Marcus miller bbass 2 generation with allder and body and ebony fretboard....i want you to help me out with the preamp...ibsee you have a sadowsky preamp and it's great....can i do the same??? change the one he has with sadowsky preamp?
@@LowEndLobster . The graphite neck was replace with a maple one from about 2010 ... apparently its in a box under a bed back in Buenas Aires!!
BertGlobe MusicPerson HorseshoeCrab has a nice ring to it :P
Now review the MM84A! I've had my eyes on getting one of those
Thanks Gino! Going to be placing another Thomann order very soon :)
incredible value!
I bought this bass just because of this review… I can’t wait when it arrives…
I'm having flashbacks to my first ever bass, a Samick stingray clone that cost about 150 bucks back in the late 90's. It weighed about 20 pounds and just had a single passive humbucker. I'm thinking about getting a new bass and guitar to get back into stuff and I'm thinking, maybe I should go back to basics. I mean what do you really use a neck pickup for anyway? All I use it for on my fretless Jazz is to mix with the neck pickup for humbucker sounds.
Since there's two volume knobs, I'd've liked to hear what it each set of coils sounded like individually.
They sound the same. I soloed one of them. They literally sound exactly the same.
🤣😂🤣Goon wanted screen time! Pretty cool for $120, can't wait to hear it after it gets the 🦞 hot rod treatment! 😎👍
Thanks Boomer! :D
This is really helpful
Thank you!
Such a cool groove at 3:16 😎
Hey Lobster, Nice Review of this bass, I get one tomorrow 😏, but I think I’m putting in some cobber tape and trying to get rid of the buzz, maby even Flats D’dario
Love tone of flats 😏….how noisy is the bass out of the box, ?….love your love for your Cat 🐈, best wishes from Denmark 🇩🇰
How is the bass? 🤔
Hey man! Any experience with MIM road worn jazz basses? I've heard the quality is great but haven't put my hands on yet :)
Hey Robert! I have not, the only Fender I currently own (not counting Squiers) is my MIM P bass from 2013. I'd be happy to check one out, but I don't think I could stomach dropping 1200 bucks for a MIM.
I bought this bass and I was surprised how playable it was right out of the box. It´s definitely Stingray-lite… I can play Slightly Annoyed at the Machine or Housefly instead of Flea bass lines. But it was $106 + shipping!
Housefly LOL!
@@LowEndLobster I try to make myself laugh! I’ve always wanted a stingray even though it’s not the appropriate sound for most things I do. But with a kid, a mortgage, and a cat currently in chemo this price point was worth the gamble. I’ll eventually get around to putting a preamp in there like your follow up video but I was surprised how well it played/sounded when I got it.
Crees que valdría la pena por 200$?
Es lo que a mí me cuesta pedirlo en Thomman hasta mi país, pero no sé si ya por ese precio es un instrumento bueno.
I'm actually stunned by its warm and yet articulate sound. I really didn't expect this at all. How's the hardware ? Does it stay in tune?
also curious about this
idk if you already have an answer for this now, but ive owned mine for a couple months now and in my experience, the neck stays pretty much the same and the strings stay in tune for a long while. i picked it up after a week of not playing and it was still perfectly in tune so id say it definitely does stay in tune. i will say that the tuners are pretty sharp and nasty and the fretboard is a little rough but other than that its fine :)
Hey love your videos! I'm torn between this bass or the B-450, what would you suggest after rating them both pretty highly?
Hey Shell! That's a great question. TBH I'd get both as they're very different. You'll save a bit on shipping, and worst case you can sell the one you don't like. The B450 is a more 'complete' instrument in terms of the electronics, where the V/V/T setup on the MB-4 isn't as flexible IMO. That being said, it's still a GREAT budget stingray option and great mod platform. Hope that helps!
Thankyou for your reply 😊 B-450 it is 🦞
$117 on the Thomann website 9/31/21. Shipping to the Midwest is $78 or $195 total - that sucks! Price is for shipping is exactly 2/3 the price of the instrument! Wish Thomann had a US dealer
Thank you for the update!
Sounds better than ANY other 150.00 bass i ever heard i can say that much!!
Right? I think it's the best playing cheepie I've encountered thus far.
Hey Lobster,
Perhaps you might consider reviewing the Jackson J3 Spectra
bass it sub $300 and resembles
the Ibanez SGR300E but plays and sounds much much better, I have one and I really enjoy playing it and
I can dial in a variety of tones from
the onboard 9v preamp. . . Get a chance check out for possible review. I believe I heard it mentioned that you don't particularly care for the basses
Manufactured by the HardLuck Kings, I have never played one,
what's your issue, if you have an issue?
Hey Ramone! Yes, I've been eyeing some Jacksons and will be checking some out :)
Hi Mr. 🦞. May i suggest for preamp you purchase a sterling preamp which is for sale on eBay right now.
Thanks Dalton! I already have a Tone Monster ready to be dropped in
Luv the kitty interruptions.
A very good Review , thanks . And the HB base , for that Price very good ! There are Expensive bases , not so Good ? And than you get sick of it !💡
Lobster big fan! How heavy is harley benton compared to Sterling sub ray 4 ? Weight is a big issue for me due to back issues ..
Hello! This one is in the high 8's. Weight can vary quite a bit form example to example so YMMV.
Cats are a great judge of people, yours says I like the bass but I love you!
Thank you John :)
You should review some budget basses that are typically in stock at every guitar center or sam ash WHICH ONE SHOULD AVOID. Like the Dean Custom Zone, Dean Edge 09, Jackson JS Series Concert Basses, Squier Affinity, or ibanez gio
I do have a Zone sitting around for months that I haven't ever played hahaha. I will be checking out more budget basses for sure!
@@LowEndLobster all of the above which I mentioned do not feel good or comfy to play at all. Nevermind cheap electronics or finishes which matter less for kids or people trying their hand at bass... young beginners will be turned off from playing if it constantly cramps their hand muscles which just defeats the purpose why that tier of instruments exists lol
@@LowEndLobster but the Bronco or SR Mezzo are superb for the kids ya feel
Sounds really really nice for that price
Thanks Ruben!
I love the cat I love the beard, just as much as l love maple fretboards . I would swap my musicman sub electrics but Im on the fence wut cant we have the best of both worlds
Thanks Barbara!
I was at Thomann last week and never played any Harley Benton before. we always made jokes about Harley Benton but when I started playing it I was shocked by the tone. of course playing it doesn‘t feel like a Stingray but the sound is so worth it
Thank you Nisl! You're right. It's easy to dismiss these because of the low price tag, but they're not bad! It's no USA 'Ray by any means, but I feel like the bang of the buck is here for sure! Great comment :)
@@LowEndLobster For $120? Passive? Great starter or backup bass! I wouldn’t change a thing, really. Sounds great “as is.”🤨🎶👍🏾
I owned one of these for a while. The body has a photo finish and the wood underneath seen through the cavities didn't look too good. With a SUB the body will be 2-3 pieces and the finish will show the actual woodgrain underneath. So in my view the construction is inferior to its competitors and this is reflected in the price. Out of the box the setup was poor and it need a truss rod adjustment of half a turn to make it playable. The nut was cut too deep on the A string causing open string buzz. I bought a used SUB (walnut stain) for not much more than the HB and I feel this is a much better instrument. I think Thomman should disclose instruments that use a photo finish as many people mistake this for the real thing (I did think the body wood on the HB looked great when I first purchased it but closer inspection revealed otherwise).
Thanks for sharing your experience Salsa!
@@LowEndLobster No problem. I don't think many players realise the finish on some of the cheaper HBs is a photo laminate. The quality of the wood core is difficult to determine but it looked poor to me. Really enjoy the channel and content ! Thanks
Great bass. I want one.
Thanks Randy! :)
I’m loving the sunburst headstock on this. Killer sound on this cheapster bass as well 😱
Indeed! I think the stylistic differences they made to keep this "different enough" were well done.
ok I'm buying this one. It sounds powerful!
Thanks Gnop!
@@LowEndLobster just purchased it, I hope it will sound well!
I have a question. The thing with the pickguard size and the pickup position was it or is it just a website thing? Because I saw a video of this bass exactly like what you showed. With the pickguard shrunken and the pickup being close to the middle.
It's just the website using crappy photoshops instead of pics of the actual product. What I have here is what you get. However the HH model does have the tiny pickguard and weird bridge placement in real life.
Good evening! I value your opinion on bass mods a lot! Provided that someone has the means to route the body to install a battery compartment, would you suggest this bass over the Sterling SUB 4? The price difference is over €350 now (€509 for the cheapest Sterling) and I can get the MB-4 + Seymour Duncan SMB4DS for €460!
Since i am a passive bass kinda guy are there any fissible solutions without a preamp installation? Although the most possible route for me in 2021 would be the ibanez rgb300 with emg geezer butler pickups and stained/refinished neck, bone nut and fender himass bridge.
Hey Swain! Absolutely. Upgrading the guts to a single V/T and replacing the third pot with a series/parallel/single switch would give you some added flexibility without installing a preamp. I am in the process of upgrading my RGB300 to Geezers, waiting on one last component :)
@@LowEndLobster thanks man. I hope you like these emgs. For me the p style one is one of thw greatests on the market.
Hi Lobster, what if you replace the pickup with a CLF (99$) and build a passive treble and bass tone circuit like the G&L L1000? 😃
Ciao Gianluigi! I already threw the preamp in this but I was thinking THE SAME THING! I'll have to snag one of those Matte ones and do that! I think that's an excellent idea!
@@LowEndLobster after seeing your video about the G&L I got excited, but I don't have the money and I'm too much a bad player for it. On the other hand getting an HB and modding it, step by step could be fun... Twice... 😃
I'm studying, found some interesting guidelines. I'll try to put my hands on one of those HB "Stingray". The matte black ones seems nice.
Mr. Lobster, I live in Canada so there are times when I have to pay duty, customs or extra taxes from merchants outside the country. My question is , are you charged import fees or duties when you order from Thomann?
No, though I believe that may be different if an order is above a certain amount. I've done plenty of international orders, but only have had to pay duties and such on some.
@@LowEndLobster okay thanks lobster 🦞
I like what I'm hearing and the cat approves, so I'll order one...
Thanks Michael!
Do you like the pbass tone on this bass? I'm thinking of getting one, but I still want that pbass tone since I'm a pbass user. Need your advice Thanks!