It's so refreshing to watch a video where someone is playing rock music with a pick in a bass demo. It's always either somebody doing some shreddy metal style bass, or technical slap bass, or anything other than just rock music. So, thanks for playing all sorts of different styles but especially rock!
Yeah man I feel you! It's definitely neglected in reviews. It's a niche I wanted to help fill. A lots of super technical stuff is not actually appropriate a demo to the average player 🤪 Cheers!
@@JonnyDibble I don’t entirely agree. Even if you hardly slap yourself, slapping reveals a lot of sonic differences in a second. The difference between 2 pick- played basses is usually harder to hear.
The Harley Benton had far more balls to it, and sat better in the mix than the Squier. To my ear it sounded better throughout its tonal range too, with the Squier losing volume and becoming muddy when the tone was rolled off.
The Squiers pickups are definitely lower output! Definitely comes down to personal preference and whether you want a more traditional Jazz tone methinks. Thanks for tuning in!
Harley won. As far as classic sound every bass player will adjust tone knobs and EQ settings on their amp differently. The HB sounded clearer, louder and cleaner.
Maybe live it does another effect, but hearing it with headphones the HB sound is much, much richer and fuller. Maybe the Squier sounds more like the original, but the HB sounds a lot better in my opinion.
I prefer the tonal quality of the HB. You can definitely hear the definition difference between the two with the tone rolled off. The Squire just doesn't have as much as punch, and seemed to get lost in the mix. Bonus points to the HB for the nicer wood grain. In the US, the Squire is a little bit over $400.00 USD, and the HB comes in right around $200.00, with shipping. I've bought from Thomann before, and you get up to 35kg for one shipping price, so you can use the money to buy another instrument, and still beat the price of the Squire. And, the shipping from Thomann is ridiculously fast!! I bought a Strat and a P-bass from them, and received them in FIVE days!! I have a Squire, and it is a pretty decent instrument, but I grab the HB more... A lot more. As always, Johnny, thanks for another great video, and for being one of the only bass players on TH-cam that actually uses a pick!!
I own both of these brands in these models. Let's check the current prices on each as of December 2022: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 75: $449 (new) from Guitar Center Harley Benton JB-75: $149 (new) from Thomann ..............this is a no-brainer, gentlemen. You can literally buy THREE Harley-Benton JB-75's for every ONE Fender Squier Classic Vibe 75.
The only 2 things that really matter are the feel and the sound. Subjective opinions on which ‘looks nicer’ really don’t mean shit. Considering the HB is so close in both feel and sound (I think it sounds a little better) it’s obviously the clear winner because it’s LESS THAN HALF the price.
Aside from the looks, the HB sounds just better to me. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on that one as soon as they re-stock the left handed version...
The HB does sound better but having briefly tried one it's too heavy for me "weighing in a 1 metric ton". Obviously not quite that heavy(and it is nicely balanced) but gigging with it or playing it for a long rehearsal would mean "it's a no from me". Great video as always Jonny, and the double entendres are getting better and better.
the squier has THAT jazz sound that i look for and expect from a jazz bass. the harley benton still sounded good, but didn't nail the jazz sound i want and expect
it is the bridge pickup on the HB that seems to have more presence to me. It sounds really good. I think I like it better than the Squier. I actually personally own the Squier and I love it.
Here in California I can get free shipping from numerous sources on the Squier. Whereas, the shipping costs for a Harley Benton to California is $200 US dollars. It is for this reason that I do not own any Harley Benton's. The shipping cost wipes out any price savings.
Great comparison of 2 great basses, Johnny! If I had to choose, I would personally go for the HB (actually, I already did and I have 2 of them), not just for it's tone, but it's unbelievable price tag! It's a steal! Fair enough, it's weight will literally wear you down but for recording or seated practice you could do a lot worse! Maybe someday you'll review their even cheaper (and lighter) Standard series? I'd like to hear your opinion on those, maybe compared to a "made in China" Squier.
Really helpful review and side to side comparison. I am a beginner, actually don’t have a bass yet, only a guitar. But the way you present this is really helpful. Thanks!
I have a squier classic vibe 70's jazz bass and a squier classic vibe 70's precision bass and high quality fender player series jazz bass and i will say that squier by fender is a great way for fender to sell scap's of wood and components that are cheap
Awesome review, Thank you Jonny D. That Harley Benton (to me) wins across the board; I only wish they were available in a 5 string version, THAT would be TOTALLY AWESOME. Thanks again, Great job and Great playing as well.👊🏾
The gloss finish is one reason I sold my CV and, have owned and, still own VMs as they have satin finish necks. Those Squier VM necks are absolutely sublime. My HB jazz's are too chunky in my experience feeling more P bass to my poor hands. HBs are great basses though for the money......for the money is the important bit. Great video as always 😎👍
Awesome video! I have the Squier, and was really excited to watch this vid! Love the looks and the feel of the Squier! Pickups might be a tad weaker than the HB. I just turn my volume up...! Didn't know the HB was that much cheaper! I totally agree with your final outcome! Both rock!
I prefer the tinted neck look of the Squier, but the Harley Benton body looks better with more noticeable wood grain. For half the price, I agree, Harley Benton is the way to go.
I wouldn't pick any of those two... but just because I don't like Jazz basses ;) After a break of 25 years I decided to pick up bass playing again. After some research I choose a Harley Benton PJ4-HTR - and I didn't regret it. Ok, living in Germany there's no risk at all - 30 day money back and you don't even have to pay shipping. I'm quite impressed for what you get for the money. For 130 € the PJ4 is a very decent bass. I tweaked the setup to my preferences and upgraded the shielding (roughly one hour of work and 5 € for material). That transformed the PJ4 from decent to good ;) It's a keeper. Not only for rekindling my love for bass playing, but also for being a good, reliable bass for a bargain price.
3 issues 1 is the HB's weight roughly 2 lbs heavier which can wear on you while standing for awhile 2 shipping I can go around the corner and grab a Squire and 3 I don't mind modding so throwing in another set of pick ups (Fender) isn't a issue I'd feel much better about putting money into a Squire than a Harley Benton if I wanted to do that
My 1983 BC Rich NJ Series through neck was wonderful with none of that star shaped rubbish! I have never seen a bass as good looking. Unfortunately it got nicked at my daughters 21st birthday party.
In America you have to put the shipping cost into the mix and it cost me around 75$ to get the HB Thunderbird sent to my house in N.Y. I have Fender P and J and two Squier basses with the PJ pups. Squier makes good basses, and I have a couple of Squier guitars that are O.K. If all the HB bassas are as good as my T-bird they are not bad for the money, had to give it a set up and that's it. I have had the HB T-bird for about 2 weeks and definitely needs new tuners and a upgraded nut, I thought about new pups but the ones on there are very likable.
Thanks for this comparison. I thought the HB sounded much better and fuller. The Squier sounded like it had a bandpass filter cutting off the highs and lows, as well as a bit less volume. I've been debating on the Squier for a while but I know I'll hate the gloss neck and none of the sound demos have impressed me. I wish they kept the satin neck like it was on the pre-2013 Vintage Modified series. The Duncan Designed pickups in the VMs is said by many to be really good too.
I think I'm gonna get that harley benton as my first bass. I live in Europe so with a few useful accessories the shipping will be free, that means bigger budget for an amp.
Update: I bought a used one yesterday. It's beautiful, but really heavy. Feels pretty comfortable in my small hands, but I think that I have a problem... The volume knob doesn't lock? It's hard for me to explain that in English, but when I turn other knobs all way up and down I can't go any further, but with this one I feel like I could turn it all around. I don't know if this is going to affect the sound...
@@kamelele4638 sounds like the knob just keeps turning when you turn it. Probably just need to tightened it up.....but would be a good idea to remove the control plate to make sure you have twisted and broken any wires.
Ok Timberlake, I just discovered you as I'm sitting around enjoying my rona virus and ordering cheap basses that I don't need and I'm going to say your reviews, demo's and comparisons might just be the best out there. There are SO many reviewers that play the same thing over and over and over... and over and they're saying they boosted this or cut that and it all sounds the same. Your stuff sounds great! You play hard, you use a pick sometimes as do I sometimes and I can really hear what the damn thing sounds like! Nicely done! And I do not like fender style (especially p basses) or the way they play... I never have, I can't explain why but you made both of these sound really good. My vote is for the Harley. Not just because I swore I'd never own a Squire but it just sounded and looked better. I ordered their weird HH stingray 5 an hour ago out of pure boredom. I have a real one. ...and a 4 string one that looks nice on the wall. I'm a 5 string guy, always have been. Anyway, thank you for doing it right! Oh was that a cat 🐈 that walked in front of the camera? What is it with all the bass guys and cats? I'm a bass guy and I have a little goon of a cat staring at me right now. I gotta do some research on why bassists own cats. Probably because they're both fuckin awesome. Yeah... no need to research it. I figured it out. Keep playin em hard like they're not yours! 👍
Mate, this comment made me smile A LOT. Thabks so much for tuning in! Bass 0layers + cats = heaven. Unfortunately my cat passed away a few moths ago, but her legendary memory lives on! Great to hear from a fell ow pick players. Love hitting those strings with some POWER! 😄 Cheers
@@JonnyDibble Aww I know the feeling, my 22lb big black Buddy passed away about 4 years ago. He was the only kitten to survive from the litter and was abandoned by his mother under my porch. Had him for 15 years. I went a couple years with no cat and I was watching TV one day and this little cat was looking at me through the sliding glass door. I opened the door to try and pet her and she walked right in. Over 2 years now and she's still here. 🤷♂️ I definitely play more finger style and some slap but when that pick sound is required, like covering the cure songs which I've been doing a lot of recently 🤷♂️ I dunno I was playing a lot of funky stuff, trying to improve my Primus and the next day I'm trying to keep the repetitiveness of the cure going. And now, I just saw that HB makes their version of a fender bass VI... but I'm not seeing anyone demo it as a guitar like Robert Smith used it on Disintegration. Which is exactly the type of use I'd put it to. I got basses for bass. Real basses I mean. Ahhh! I think I'll wait and see how this first HB plays and sounds. Those worry me. They all seem to have issues and I can set stuff up and adjust but I'm not Mr fix it. That and it's not available right now lol
The only negative I can see with the Harley Benton is it's weight - if it is indeed 5 Kg that equals 11 lbs. That can be a real issue for some people. The Squier CV 70's I've seen on Sweetwater vary from 9 lb 3 oz to 10 lb 1 oz. You might want to upgrade the tuners on either bass for some expensive ( $140 US ) Hip Shot Ultra Lite's ( 1.4 oz weight each ). Sound wise the HB has more body and punch from it's pickups but in defence of the Squier you should be able to address any weakness with your amps EQ or an EQ pedal. What stands out with the 2 basses is the price difference with the HB about 1/2 the price of the Squier. It must be noted that the shipping cost to get the HB from Thomann to your door should be calculated before you make your decision.
I have a HB bass (the Aria RSB-618/4 knockoff) in sunburst on an ash body. I ripped out the electronics and put in a passive system (PIO cap @ 1.0, not 0.45) with Bartolini 9S. Incredibly punchy! They make great basses for the money.
Wow,a full review,that's the way to do it.... I was surprised by the sound of the Harley Benton, if I think that it costs half of the Squier is really a bargain ... in the end, however, I prefer the Squier, but one thing does not drive me crazy about it, the sound of the pick up of the bridge.... of course is that as price the Harley Benton is unreachable, for those who want to start playing is perfect....as always great video Jonny....good boy, Cheers..🤪🙂✌
I feel like with the Harley Benton, you'll never be disappointed because of the price, and whilst the Squier is great, it's not double the price great! All cones down to which elements you prefer in each I think. Cheers mate!
@@JonnyDibble Honestly I'm a little biased about the Squier, and having one already it's like I feel at home ....but maximum respect for Harley Benton...yeah...
Great review 👍 I’ve just bought the squire in sunburst (it is truly beautiful) 2nd hand for £200 and after a bit of setup I love it to bits! My only criticism is the bridge pup is a little weak but overall the sound is awesome. I didn’t even consider a HB as I am a bit of a snob .. more fool me as they are obviously fantastic bang for buck 😂
The Harley Benton has a more midrange grindy tone, it comes trough better in a mix, maybe the Squier fit better in genres where it is better with a more mellow tone. But it is possible to get a mellow tone with the Harley Benton to with some adjustments. But the Squier looks better
10:09 I think I have seen a cat :D :D :D :D Hi Jonny, The most important difference between these two is the pickup positions. Squier has the correct position in terms of "70's" which means the bridge pickup is a little bit closer to the bridge. On the other hand Harley Benton has the 60's position and in the end it makes HB a 60's jazz with 70's cosmetics. In the past Squier did the same mistake too. The early Vinatge Modified (which are replaced with Classic vibe later in bass models) models are nothing but a 60's jazz with 70's look just like the HB here. Any way Squier sounds correct but HB sounds louder. If I have to choose one, I think I won't go with any of them. Most of the jazzbasses sound so weak in the mix. You need to shape it until it became unrecognizable. I can tel the same for these two as well.
Good video Jonny. So in the end it really comes down to how much you are willing, or can afford, to pay? Squier have, arguably, a better reputation as a brand while HB (rubbish name btw) win on vfm. I have a Squier 70’s vibe precision and it is a superb instrument so I know which knobs I will be twiddling……
Could've just saved everyone 18 minutes and summed it up like that! Haha, yeah Squier is a way bigger company that's been in the game for a long time so it's no surprise, but it is a surprise when a smaller company can challenge! Thanks mate x
Hi, I already have a bass ( Ibanez Mikro ) but I'm looking to upgrade. Which one of these 2 would you recommend? I plan on using it for recording Hip-Hop, RnB, Rock and Funk.
JUST PAID IN 3 WITH PAYPAL CREDIT. 140 for the harley benton. 38mm nut width and nicer grain and better neck pickup what sold it for me. and of course..... 140 quid helped lol
There is no way to go with HB. Squier is much more recognized brand in market meaning you will receive a good money selling your Squier when you are planning to upgrade your Bass.
You buying for playability and tone, or just resale value? Spending $200 means you shouldn't care. The HB already sounds punchier than the Squier by far. Everything I own was bought based on tone and feel, so I don't own a Gibson or Fender, and I can afford them.
I'm not a bass player but I need a bass for my recordings. At that price, I am really tempted by the HB, but the weight might be a concern. Has the weight caused you uncomfort? Would you recommend a lighter instrument?
If you're using it for recording at home, the HB should be totally fine 😊 only if you're doing long stood up performances will the weight start to become an issue imo
@@henrikbrunberg1357 Hi! Personally, I prefer the JB75. For a first bass I would recommend sticking with a passive bass with no active preamp on board. I think it's more important to get to know your way around a more stripped down but classic sounding bass 😁
Were The Settings On The Basses The Same? The Harley Had Much More Presence And Tonal Variety Than The Squier .... Maybe You Got A Bad One. I've Been Trying To Decide Between 3 Different Fender Jazz Basses (Final Instrument Acquisition ..... REALLY!!! .... & I Wanted To Take A Nostalgic Look Back To My Musical Beginnings). I Played A Squier Classic Vibe Jazz 70's At My Local Guitar Center And That One BLEW MY FREAKING MIND .... 🤯 It Was THAT Good. I Thought I Had Settled The Issue, But DAMN, THE HARLEY BENTON WON! So, Now THEY'RE In The Running For Christmas ⛄🎄
Man i want that HB so bad, bought their best seller Pbass and although the setup ain't great and the sound needs heavy mixing to sound good to my ears I need another one from them. This. God why did Flabba Holt have this exact Jbass in the original fender version? 😭
well.. H.B. is, actually, not what we call 70s j.b. today. You have noticed difference in tone of basses and it is because bridge pickup on 70s j.b. is placed half of an inch further to the bridge which is not the case with H.B. So...
Hi! Slowly getting there with the Distributions. Didn't want to pay straight away and people didn't like it. Luckily feedback has been good so I'll be increasing accessibility 😁 Its on Spotify now, more to come! Cheers
I think you’re getting paid by Fender!!! Other than the great look of Squier… the HB sounded far superior (at least on my speakers)…so were you endorsed by Fender???
![เปิด อาณาจักร หมื่นล้าน "สาระตั้ม" l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3XE0nPF4YkQ/mqdefault.jpg)
It's so refreshing to watch a video where someone is playing rock music with a pick in a bass demo. It's always either somebody doing some shreddy metal style bass, or technical slap bass, or anything other than just rock music. So, thanks for playing all sorts of different styles but especially rock!
Yeah man I feel you! It's definitely neglected in reviews. It's a niche I wanted to help fill. A lots of super technical stuff is not actually appropriate a demo to the average player 🤪 Cheers!
@@JonnyDibble I don’t entirely agree. Even if you hardly slap yourself, slapping reveals a lot of sonic differences in a second. The difference between 2 pick- played basses is usually harder to hear.
@@JonnyDibble especially a true technical advance player isn’t looking at squiers or HB basses . usually something a bit more pricy
Agreed! 👍
Well said 👍
The Harley Benton had far more balls to it, and sat better in the mix than the Squier. To my ear it sounded better throughout its tonal range too, with the Squier losing volume and becoming muddy when the tone was rolled off.
The Squiers pickups are definitely lower output! Definitely comes down to personal preference and whether you want a more traditional Jazz tone methinks. Thanks for tuning in!
Hard disagree in the tone scoring. The HB sounds waaay better. The squier sounds anemic tbh. 4 HB 3 Squire.
Harley won. As far as classic sound every bass player will adjust tone knobs and EQ settings on their amp differently. The HB sounded clearer, louder and cleaner.
Maybe live it does another effect, but hearing it with headphones the HB sound is much, much richer and fuller. Maybe the Squier sounds more like the original, but the HB sounds a lot better in my opinion.
The HB seems to have more “presence”, more “balls” than the Squier, at least when you played with a pick/plectrum.
Yeah the pickups are slightly higher output! I think the Squier is more like a classic jazz, but the HB definitely has a more unique sound?
squier is just not as loud but that can easily be remedied.
HB's open E when slapped is effin aggressive. I love it.
I prefer the tonal quality of the HB. You can definitely hear the definition difference between the two with the tone rolled off. The Squire just doesn't have as much as punch, and seemed to get lost in the mix.
Bonus points to the HB for the nicer wood grain.
In the US, the Squire is a little bit over $400.00 USD, and the HB comes in right around $200.00, with shipping. I've bought from Thomann before, and you get up to 35kg for one shipping price, so you can use the money to buy another instrument, and still beat the price of the Squire. And, the shipping from Thomann is ridiculously fast!! I bought a Strat and a P-bass from them, and received them in FIVE days!!
I have a Squire, and it is a pretty decent instrument, but I grab the HB more... A lot more.
As always, Johnny, thanks for another great video, and for being one of the only bass players on TH-cam that actually uses a pick!!
That's great about Thomann! Didn't realise that about the shipping, so that's such a bonus! Thanks very much Scott 😄
But, on the other hand, the Squier sounded brilliant 👍😎
I own both of these brands in these models.
Let's check the current prices on each as of December 2022:
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 75: $449 (new) from Guitar Center
Harley Benton JB-75: $149 (new) from Thomann
..............this is a no-brainer, gentlemen. You can literally buy THREE Harley-Benton JB-75's for every ONE Fender Squier Classic Vibe 75.
Sound and playability and price should matter most, Hands down it has to be the Harley Benton.
Both perfectly acceptable basses, but the Squier for me. If I were on a low budget, I would be happy to get my hands on the HB. 🤗🤗
The only 2 things that really matter are the feel and the sound. Subjective opinions on which ‘looks nicer’ really don’t mean shit. Considering the HB is so close in both feel and sound (I think it sounds a little better) it’s obviously the clear winner because it’s LESS THAN HALF the price.
I preferred the HB! Louder and fuller sound. 👍
Aside from the looks, the HB sounds just better to me. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on that one as soon as they re-stock the left handed version...
Awesome! It's more unique I think. Less Jazz bassey 😊 Let me know how you find it once you have it!
The HB does sound better but having briefly tried one it's too heavy for me "weighing in a 1 metric ton". Obviously not quite that heavy(and it is nicely balanced) but gigging with it or playing it for a long rehearsal would mean "it's a no from me".
Great video as always Jonny, and the double entendres are getting better and better.
It is a beast. Thanks as always Andy!
It's heavy, but a wider strap and don't have it dangling around your knees.. (R Trujillo I'm looking at you) ... Will help.
Mine is just a whopping 5.7kg...
the squier has THAT jazz sound that i look for and expect from a jazz bass. the harley benton still sounded good, but didn't nail the jazz sound i want and expect
The Harley Benton sounded better to me. Thank you.
it is the bridge pickup on the HB that seems to have more presence to me. It sounds really good. I think I like it better than the Squier. I actually personally own the Squier and I love it.
I really love my HB JB75 ! Great look, great feel, great sound!! Thanks to HB for this! 👍🏽
Awesome! Thanks very much 😄
Here in California I can get free shipping from numerous sources on the Squier. Whereas, the shipping costs for a Harley Benton to California is $200 US dollars. It is for this reason that I do not own any Harley Benton's. The shipping cost wipes out any price savings.
Such a shame! I suppose that's the drawback of exclusively supplying through their own retailer
Great comparison of 2 great basses, Johnny! If I had to choose, I would personally go for the HB (actually, I already did and I have 2 of them), not just for it's tone, but it's unbelievable price tag! It's a steal! Fair enough, it's weight will literally wear you down but for recording or seated practice you could do a lot worse! Maybe someday you'll review their even cheaper (and lighter) Standard series? I'd like to hear your opinion on those, maybe compared to a "made in China" Squier.
Cheers Alan! Yeah that would be great! My favourite HB so far is actually the PB-50! The new contemporary squiers are made in China too!
Great video again, Jonny. It would be the HB for me - I don't know how they do it!
Thanks Dave! Never ceases to amaze me
Really helpful review and side to side comparison. I am a beginner, actually don’t have a bass yet, only a guitar. But the way you present this is really helpful. Thanks!
I have a squier classic vibe 70's jazz bass and a squier classic vibe 70's precision bass and high quality fender player series jazz bass and i will say that squier by fender is a great way for fender to sell scap's of wood and components that are cheap
Awesome review, Thank you Jonny D. That Harley Benton (to me) wins across the board; I only wish they were available in a 5 string version, THAT would be TOTALLY AWESOME. Thanks again, Great job and Great playing as well.👊🏾
For me, the HB has much more warm punch and sustain. The roswell-pickups seem to be not the worst. Nice comparision, thx :-)
So cool to see for a bass under £200! Cheers 😊
The gloss finish is one reason I sold my CV and, have owned and, still own VMs as they have satin finish necks. Those Squier VM necks are absolutely sublime.
My HB jazz's are too chunky in my experience feeling more P bass to my poor hands.
HBs are great basses though for the money......for the money is the important bit.
Great video as always 😎👍
I always recommend sanding off the gloss finishes on the CV necks. Transformed my P bass! Thanks very much 😀
Awesome video! I have the Squier, and was really excited to watch this vid! Love the looks and the feel of the Squier! Pickups might be a tad weaker than the HB. I just turn my volume up...! Didn't know the HB was that much cheaper! I totally agree with your final outcome! Both rock!
Thanks very much! 😄 Yeah its slightly lower output, but both sound great in their own way
Sound comparison starts @ 7:30
I prefer the tinted neck look of the Squier, but the Harley Benton body looks better with more noticeable wood grain. For half the price, I agree, Harley Benton is the way to go.
I wouldn't pick any of those two... but just because I don't like Jazz basses ;) After a break of 25 years I decided to pick up bass playing again. After some research I choose a Harley Benton PJ4-HTR - and I didn't regret it. Ok, living in Germany there's no risk at all - 30 day money back and you don't even have to pay shipping.
I'm quite impressed for what you get for the money. For 130 € the PJ4 is a very decent bass. I tweaked the setup to my preferences and upgraded the shielding (roughly one hour of work and 5 € for material). That transformed the PJ4 from decent to good ;) It's a keeper. Not only for rekindling my love for bass playing, but also for being a good, reliable bass for a bargain price.
I'm more of a P bass guy too overall. The Harley Benton PJ is great! 🔥
I came here for the innuendos, tossing up… fnar, fnar! …knobs 🤣
I hope I left you satisfied 😏😏
@@JonnyDibble you did mate 😂
The HB is incredible regarding its price... you're right.
Insane value guitars!
3 issues 1 is the HB's weight roughly 2 lbs heavier which can wear on you while standing for awhile 2 shipping I can go around the corner and grab a Squire and 3 I don't mind modding so throwing in another set of pick ups (Fender) isn't a issue I'd feel much better about putting money into a Squire than a Harley Benton if I wanted to do that
Came for the bass shootout; subbed for the "tossing"
My 1983 BC Rich NJ Series through neck was wonderful with none of that star shaped rubbish! I have never seen a bass as good looking. Unfortunately it got nicked at my daughters 21st birthday party.
In America you have to put the shipping cost into the mix and it cost me around 75$ to get the HB Thunderbird sent to my house in N.Y. I have Fender P and J and two Squier basses with the PJ pups. Squier makes good basses, and I have a couple of Squier guitars that are O.K. If all the HB bassas are as good as my T-bird they are not bad for the money, had to give it a set up and that's it. I have had the HB T-bird for about 2 weeks and definitely needs new tuners and a upgraded nut, I thought about new pups but the ones on there are very likable.
Thanks for this comparison. I thought the HB sounded much better and fuller. The Squier sounded like it had a bandpass filter cutting off the highs and lows, as well as a bit less volume.
I've been debating on the Squier for a while but I know I'll hate the gloss neck and none of the sound demos have impressed me. I wish they kept the satin neck like it was on the pre-2013 Vintage Modified series. The Duncan Designed pickups in the VMs is said by many to be really good too.
I think I'm gonna get that harley benton as my first bass. I live in Europe so with a few useful accessories the shipping will be free, that means bigger budget for an amp.
A phenomenal first bass! Let me know how you find it 😊
@@JonnyDibble I will!
Update: I bought a used one yesterday. It's beautiful, but really heavy. Feels pretty comfortable in my small hands, but I think that I have a problem...
The volume knob doesn't lock? It's hard for me to explain that in English, but when I turn other knobs all way up and down I can't go any further, but with this one I feel like I could turn it all around. I don't know if this is going to affect the sound...
@@kamelele4638 sounds like the knob just keeps turning when you turn it. Probably just need to tightened it up.....but would be a good idea to remove the control plate to make sure you have twisted and broken any wires.
@@dm4728 thank you, I'll try that
Ok Timberlake, I just discovered you as I'm sitting around enjoying my rona virus and ordering cheap basses that I don't need and I'm going to say your reviews, demo's and comparisons might just be the best out there. There are SO many reviewers that play the same thing over and over and over... and over and they're saying they boosted this or cut that and it all sounds the same. Your stuff sounds great! You play hard, you use a pick sometimes as do I sometimes and I can really hear what the damn thing sounds like! Nicely done! And I do not like fender style (especially p basses) or the way they play... I never have, I can't explain why but you made both of these sound really good. My vote is for the Harley. Not just because I swore I'd never own a Squire but it just sounded and looked better. I ordered their weird HH stingray 5 an hour ago out of pure boredom. I have a real one. ...and a 4 string one that looks nice on the wall. I'm a 5 string guy, always have been. Anyway, thank you for doing it right! Oh was that a cat 🐈 that walked in front of the camera? What is it with all the bass guys and cats? I'm a bass guy and I have a little goon of a cat staring at me right now. I gotta do some research on why bassists own cats. Probably because they're both fuckin awesome. Yeah... no need to research it. I figured it out. Keep playin em hard like they're not yours! 👍
Mate, this comment made me smile A LOT. Thabks so much for tuning in! Bass 0layers + cats = heaven. Unfortunately my cat passed away a few moths ago, but her legendary memory lives on! Great to hear from a fell ow pick players. Love hitting those strings with some POWER! 😄 Cheers
@@JonnyDibble Aww I know the feeling, my 22lb big black Buddy passed away about 4 years ago. He was the only kitten to survive from the litter and was abandoned by his mother under my porch. Had him for 15 years. I went a couple years with no cat and I was watching TV one day and this little cat was looking at me through the sliding glass door. I opened the door to try and pet her and she walked right in. Over 2 years now and she's still here. 🤷♂️
I definitely play more finger style and some slap but when that pick sound is required, like covering the cure songs which I've been doing a lot of recently 🤷♂️ I dunno I was playing a lot of funky stuff, trying to improve my Primus and the next day I'm trying to keep the repetitiveness of the cure going. And now, I just saw that HB makes their version of a fender bass VI... but I'm not seeing anyone demo it as a guitar like Robert Smith used it on Disintegration. Which is exactly the type of use I'd put it to. I got basses for bass. Real basses I mean. Ahhh! I think I'll wait and see how this first HB plays and sounds. Those worry me. They all seem to have issues and I can set stuff up and adjust but I'm not Mr fix it. That and it's not available right now lol
Sounds completely as you described for me. But HB is also usable and good.
The only negative I can see with the Harley Benton is it's weight - if it is indeed 5 Kg that equals 11 lbs. That can be a real issue for some people. The Squier CV 70's I've seen on Sweetwater vary from 9 lb 3 oz to 10 lb 1 oz. You might want to upgrade the tuners on either bass for some expensive ( $140 US ) Hip Shot Ultra Lite's ( 1.4 oz weight each ). Sound wise the HB has more body and punch from it's pickups but in defence of the Squier you should be able to address any weakness with your amps EQ or an EQ pedal. What stands out with the 2 basses is the price difference with the HB about 1/2 the price of the Squier. It must be noted that the shipping cost to get the HB from Thomann to your door should be calculated before you make your decision.
I have a HB bass (the Aria RSB-618/4 knockoff) in sunburst on an ash body. I ripped out the electronics and put in a passive system (PIO cap @ 1.0, not 0.45) with Bartolini 9S. Incredibly punchy! They make great basses for the money.
Wow,a full review,that's the way to do it.... I was surprised by the sound of the Harley Benton, if I think that it costs half of the Squier is really a bargain ... in the end, however, I prefer the Squier, but one thing does not drive me crazy about it, the sound of the pick up of the bridge.... of course is that as price the Harley Benton is unreachable, for those who want to start playing is perfect....as always great video Jonny....good boy,
Cheers..🤪🙂✌
I feel like with the Harley Benton, you'll never be disappointed because of the price, and whilst the Squier is great, it's not double the price great! All cones down to which elements you prefer in each I think. Cheers mate!
@@JonnyDibble Honestly I'm a little biased about the Squier, and having one already it's like I feel at home ....but maximum respect for Harley Benton...yeah...
I prefer the Benton as far as tone goes. Great reviews.
I liked both but the Squier had a brighter tone to me. But given the Squier cost twice as much..if I was on a budget I would go for the HB.
Pro tip: if you’re switching between pickups…move your right hand to dial it in.
Yeah def getting the HB I’m convinced
Finally, a proper demo. 👍
Great review 👍
I’ve just bought the squire in sunburst (it is truly beautiful) 2nd hand for £200 and after a bit of setup I love it to bits! My only criticism is the bridge pup is a little weak but overall the sound is awesome. I didn’t even consider a HB as I am a bit of a snob .. more fool me as they are obviously fantastic bang for buck 😂
Love my HB JB 75
Only down side is it's heavy ,but plays n sounds and looks great
Ash body ,block inlays , binding
$150 ?
Random question, can you tell if they're actual inlays? Heard a few people say Squiers inlays are painted on.
Awesome video Mr. Dibbley.
Thank-yoooooou!
Based on those scores, I'd get the Harley Benton, chuck a 3ply pick guard on, new machine heads and crack on. I "preferred" the sound of the HB
The fact its half the price means it should get bonus points for keeping up! 🔥
Please review the Vintage Vj74! These look amazing on paper.
The Harley Benton has a more midrange grindy tone, it comes trough better in a mix, maybe the Squier fit better in genres where it is better with a more mellow tone. But it is possible to get a mellow tone with the Harley Benton to with some adjustments. But the Squier looks better
Agree! Both have their merits. Depends what is more important to you 😁
2023 I paid no extra money besides shipping. And I split that between 2 basses . I liked the HB better in the sound department.
10:09 I think I have seen a cat :D :D :D :D
Hi Jonny,
The most important difference between these two is the pickup positions. Squier has the correct position in terms of "70's" which means the bridge pickup is a little bit closer to the bridge. On the other hand Harley Benton has the 60's position and in the end it makes HB a 60's jazz with 70's cosmetics. In the past Squier did the same mistake too. The early Vinatge Modified (which are replaced with Classic vibe later in bass models) models are nothing but a 60's jazz with 70's look just like the HB here. Any way Squier sounds correct but HB sounds louder. If I have to choose one, I think I won't go with any of them. Most of the jazzbasses sound so weak in the mix. You need to shape it until it became unrecognizable. I can tel the same for these two as well.
Always causing mischief! 😼 I regret not measuring the distance and comparing it. Thanks for tuning in!
Hi, thanks for the video. I want to do some experiments on a Jazz Bass style. Do you think that HB is the best choice?
Harley Benton all day long.
Both are great basses
I prefer the HB
Good video Jonny. So in the end it really comes down to how much you are willing, or can afford, to pay? Squier have, arguably, a better reputation as a brand while HB (rubbish name btw) win on vfm. I have a Squier 70’s vibe precision and it is a superb instrument so I know which knobs I will be twiddling……
Could've just saved everyone 18 minutes and summed it up like that! Haha, yeah Squier is a way bigger company that's been in the game for a long time so it's no surprise, but it is a surprise when a smaller company can challenge! Thanks mate x
The G&L Tribute JB is worth considering too although it costs a bit more.
NEED to try a G&L! Hear great things about the tributes 👍
@@JonnyDibble They are delightful but weight/mass is often a problem.
Absolutely good job man!👏👏👏👏👏
Thank-you! 😄
Thanks for this video, I like it very much! :) I prefer the HB against the Squier, it's a beast! :) I think, I 'll buy one! :)
Hi, I already have a bass ( Ibanez Mikro ) but I'm looking to upgrade. Which one of these 2 would you recommend? I plan on using it for recording Hip-Hop, RnB, Rock and Funk.
Great comparison! I'm thinking of getting this Harley Benton. I don't play in a band, just in my room seated. The HB weight won't bother me at all?
Thanks! Awesome, yeah I think you'll be okay 😄
@@JonnyDibble Thanks, mate! Appreciate it.
JUST PAID IN 3 WITH PAYPAL CREDIT. 140 for the harley benton. 38mm nut width and nicer grain and better neck pickup what sold it for me. and of course..... 140 quid helped lol
Brilliant production!
Thank-you! 😄
There is no way to go with HB. Squier is much more recognized brand in market meaning you will receive a good money selling your Squier when you are planning to upgrade your Bass.
I would totally agree that the Squier definitely holds its value more. But the HB is a great alternative if you're on a budget!
why would you ever sell a HB bass instead of just modding it down the line.
You buying for playability and tone, or just resale value? Spending $200 means you shouldn't care.
The HB already sounds punchier than the Squier by far.
Everything I own was bought based on tone and feel, so I don't own a Gibson or Fender, and I can afford them.
The HB sounded way better, fuller and most importantly had depper bass extension, for a bass guitar that helps ;)
So impressive!
I'm not a bass player but I need a bass for my recordings. At that price, I am really tempted by the HB, but the weight might be a concern. Has the weight caused you uncomfort? Would you recommend a lighter instrument?
If you're using it for recording at home, the HB should be totally fine 😊 only if you're doing long stood up performances will the weight start to become an issue imo
@@JonnyDibble thank you so much for your answer, this is so helpful 😊 Enjoy your Xmas week!
Hi great comparison! I'm about to buy my first bass. Is the Harley Benton a good beginner bass? or would you recommend something else?
Thank-you! Yeah definitely :)
@@JonnyDibble Hi again found one of your older reviews so now im thinking Harley Benton JB-75 or MJ-4 for first bass? what do you suggest?
@@henrikbrunberg1357 Hi! Personally, I prefer the JB75. For a first bass I would recommend sticking with a passive bass with no active preamp on board. I think it's more important to get to know your way around a more stripped down but classic sounding bass 😁
Hi Jonny. Nice comparison video! Non bass related question... where did you get that r2d2 shirt??Brilliant! Cheers-Brent
Hi! Thanks so much 😊 haha its a Levis top, it was a limited edition one from Topman. Couldn't not get it!
I think the fact that the Harley Benton is nearly half the price, you can upgrade hardware and have a better instrument for around the same price
Such a deal!
The HB has a warmer, deeper and defined sound than the S
SO impressive for the money 👌
Thumbs up for the cat.
RIP 🙏
Well that will be interesting
Place yer bets!
Were The Settings On The Basses The Same? The Harley Had Much More Presence And Tonal Variety Than The Squier .... Maybe You Got A Bad One. I've Been Trying To Decide Between 3 Different Fender Jazz Basses (Final Instrument Acquisition ..... REALLY!!! .... & I Wanted To Take A Nostalgic Look Back To My Musical Beginnings). I Played A Squier Classic Vibe Jazz 70's At My Local Guitar Center And That One BLEW MY FREAKING MIND .... 🤯 It Was THAT Good. I Thought I Had Settled The Issue, But DAMN, THE HARLEY BENTON WON! So, Now THEY'RE In The Running For Christmas ⛄🎄
Yeah all the same in teach comparison, interesting eh?!
Hmmm interesting video mate, lets compare some japanese samurais like aria pro ll and greco🙃
Omg can you imagine. Would love a Greco!
Which triggers music store owners the most? That is the true winner.
Man i want that HB so bad, bought their best seller Pbass and although the setup ain't great and the sound needs heavy mixing to sound good to my ears I need another one from them. This. God why did Flabba Holt have this exact Jbass in the original fender version? 😭
H.B. mid range , Squier, low and bass range
Why is there so much fret buzz? Did you adjust the truss/bridge?
Aggressive playing style for you!
well.. H.B. is, actually, not what we call 70s j.b. today. You have noticed difference in tone of basses and it is because bridge pickup on 70s j.b. is placed half of an inch further to the bridge which is not the case with H.B. So...
Any chance you could add your podcast to Google Podcasts please?
Hi! Slowly getting there with the Distributions. Didn't want to pay straight away and people didn't like it. Luckily feedback has been good so I'll be increasing accessibility 😁 Its on Spotify now, more to come! Cheers
You remind me of the English man in the movie 'Something About Mary'
Lee Evans is a funny man. I'll take that 😝
and Sire v5 ???
This review is not helping my GAS for one of those Harley Bentons... Those Roswell pickups sound fantastic.
Many apologies
I prefer the Benton sound. So sad my back is not strong enough for that 5 kg bass.
It is a heavy beast. Good for studio work!
@@JonnyDibble I LOVE the neck, so far.
do some exercises
Squier just sounds better in mix and live.
Nice video
I like it a lot
Thank you
I like you a lot
THE KNOBS !!!!!
I think you’re getting paid by Fender!!! Other than the great look of Squier… the HB sounded far superior (at least on my speakers)…so were you endorsed by Fender???
I wish 😂😂😂
…nothing wrong in being a team player!!!…just my opinion….great job on the video!!!👍❤️😊
HB WINS EVERY TIME...EASY
Si sente benissimo che è equalizzato
Troppo forte le alte
Squier forever...never liked copies
The irony is strong with this one😂
I don't like to play exepsnive instruments I am afraid to break them
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!!! Squier got knocked the fck out!!! 🤕🤯😅😂😆
.... tooooo much words - come on :-((
Can always skip my face 😄
Ma dove lo hai attaccato? Si sente uno schifo
Why not show the items while you talk about them. Is this a video about your mug?
So I did have some B roll, but I accidentally wiped the card 😆😆😆 plenty if shots in the other videos