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Harley Benton JB-75
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Harley Benton JB-75
Linn Sondek Linn Sondek
Published on 10/17/13 at 02:26
Value For Money : Excellent
Here is a copy of Jazz Bass, more accurately Vintage Model 75, which is above the rest of the quality of wood used:

Solid ash-body (which is itself amazing for a fee of € 125)
-Maple neck
-Maple fingerboard

Both pickups are marked "Wilkinson" and mounted original strings are D'Addario.
The settings are identical to that found on the original model: two volumes (by a microphone) and a common tone.

Here are some really excellent features for an instrument with such a budget.

UTILIZATION

I note here that I am not bassist and guitarist but my requirements are not the same level. I bought this bass to record my compositions because although previously I was doing with virtual instruments, I wanted nuance and expressiveness of a real instrument. If I do not skimp on the price of my guitars, I had neither the need nor the desire to invest a lot in a low.

The bass is heavy and recalled how she was born of solid wood. The shape is that of a Fender JB, I guess the ergonomics are good. In any case it pleases me.
The handle fits me without being able to say, without comparison, it is in good or average. It is not a problem for me so I concluded that it has a nice profile.
Access to treble is good but I do not have to venture very high.
Independent volume settings for both pickups are a real plus. Accustomed to the LP, I find myself on familiar ground and know all the nuances again due possible by this type of electronics. The single tone control does its job, it shows the progressive and effective.

SOUNDS

Well, regarding the sound I remember that I have not tried anything other than this model, but I listen to music enough to know what a good bass sound means. And I must admit that I am amazed by the Harley Benton because, yes really, it has something of how famous O model which it is based. I wonder how it is possible that a quality instrument as cheap to exist. Only € 125, it is almost incredible. It sounds really good, fat and set on the middle pickup, slamming and rich on the bridge side. The sound changes depending on where you attack right hand and the handle end up close to the bridge, the bass provides differentiated tonal colors.
For me, it's all good.

OVERALL OPINION

A word about the finish: excellent. The instrument arrived perfectly set, the low action, perfect intonation. Mechanical seem quite satisfactory, but I still remember that I do not really have any experience in the bass.
The woods are lovely, the handle has a very light coat of varnish which makes it nice for my taste, the microphones do not blow and react perfectly to the settings of the knobs.
I find the sound I hear on disk, this wooded and full-bodied tone and firmness.
And I say that because of the rather unexpected quality of the violin, it will not be silly to upgrade this bass, if the need arises, with a pair of Fender JB found to € 85.

Sure, Harley Benton does not dream. If I was bassist, I doubt JB possèderais a Fender Precision or, or Ricken, but I'm not! And I think young bassists in very tight budget, here is a model that should be considered.

If I would not realize that the services offered on the basis of price, I would definitely put 10 out of 10 for this instrument. But it is not reasonably possible to allocate a "perfect"!