Harley Benton B-35 FL

Electro-acoustic fretless bass (not including freight). Brand in Korean, but I think now made in China
It is big is big
Well, it's low-end (acoustic fretless 5 string to 198 euros (yes, new ...)) and unfortunately it shows a little:
- Bridge and bridge plastic ...
- Bridge too high (the strings are too high)
- Original strings barely used
and above all, the most annoying, the "point" on the side of the handle are about 2 cm below their correct position ...
Otherwise, there is a micro piezo under the bridge and a "preamp" active 9-volt battery powered, with four settings: acute, mid, bass and "presence" (?)
the mechanics are simple but correct (it is very good agreement), the tailpiece is cheap (I hassle to put new strings)
on the other hand, and surprise after what I just said, the bass is really beautiful, really it's mouth
Well, I put 6 because of the handle and plastic, despite the price of 200 euros

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice with amazing access to the treble (and there are two full octaves on the neck), it changes the jazz bass ... the handle is quite well done, even though I just received the "scratched" little glue residue on the sidelines.
It is relatively well finished: OK varnish, the table does not have a pet, the rose is finished, the joint shaft / body is OK. For against (probably due to its large size) it is heavy for an acoustic, though, coming from the power this has nothing to do.
Ergonomics is good despite its size and especially his overweight (almost 14 cm thick, again it changes the jazz bass!). Sitting is impeccable, the "hollow" starts on the right thigh, but it does reach out to catch the bass. I have not tried strappée, there is only one strap button! (Or so I'm terrible and I missed sth ...). I think anyway buy what guitarists use (a "hook" that passes from below)

on the other hand, this bass is not completely "finished", our Korean friends rely on their clients to perfect the instrument, let me explain:
- Gratouillage (gently please!) Of the handle to remove the last residues of glue on the button: takes 30 seconds and is not annoying (leaves no traces). I did the nail to avoid damaging the key (of average quality incidentally)
- Strings must absolutely be changed (to my taste at least), for two reasons: 1-strings come standard are "net" and I think it's a great way to gun down its final button in less than 10 days and 2 - they have a horrible metallic sound, as in acoustics via the piezo
- By changing the strings, I removed the bridge (a horrible "end" of plastic) and I grated lime / / papierdeverrisé from below in order to remove approximately 2-3 mm so that the strings are lower . Even setting the leg of the bass (arriving totally relaxed) there is no way to get the strings close to the neck, then to avoid bending the neck to lower them, I preferred file the bridge. I thought initially make another identical timber to improve the resonances, but it is so thin in thickness (2-3 mm) that unless an extremely hard wood (and / or even spent a little fire to harden it), I do not think you get to sth to correct. I'll let you know (if you have a tip, let me know!))
- Finally, and thanks to the nail polish from my lovely wife, I put a little bit of white polish (I recommend the "French manicure", it works well ...) on the "points" of black sleeve to then hide them a little bit of red farting again points to 2 cm below

Well, it sounds rédibitoire to some, but it is done in 1-2 hours and does not disfigure the bass (I used a brush model for "points"). The only other acoustic fretless bass 5 string I've seen happen is a Godin A5 to 1500 euros.
for comparison, I bought a set consisting of:
- Lower to 198 euros
- A set of Rotosound strings 5 ​​"black nylon" RS 885LD (65/75/100/115/135) to 48 euros (ropes, and after Bitonio metal is too large to pass through the holes of the tailpiece, then I have put them on the inside, passing hand in the rose, a little swelling). small "fillers" are plastic cords of very average quality, but they block the strings (as they are told ...)
- A flight case for quality, "rockstar" (warwick) to 65 euros, by the way this great flight, but absolutely huge: 180m and I realize I sometimes just below the shoulder in an upright position. I slaved in the plane rappportant home (I live in Serbia), but it is still last in the cabin (after making the eyes at "Fraulein" from Lufthansa)
- Support low (the same as an acoustic guitar) to 7 euros
Total: 318 euros, Thomann, compared to almost 5 times more for the Godin (not the same instrument at all either). I am not a professional music (and do not want to become! I keep my freedom!) And I'm just totally
I put 7 because the handle is still nice, super sharp accessibility, a nice face and take off 3 points to the side "not finished kit" because it just bothered me anyway to be honest (quickly "fixed" )

SOUNDS

So there you really attack the strengths of the bass. Be careful, I will talk about her once the strings changed by the "black nylon" (not just with the original ones, count the price of an absolutely new game in the purchase price)
Well, as much to say right now, it's much harder to play than electric, and even more with the black rope with a diameter larger than original, and I think less resonant. you really have to support and attack the two hands, to get out of sth (and I'm not talking about the accuracy, another problem!). Good as you can imagine, it's not for slapper, and I do not play with a pick (only the fingers)

- In acoustics: a really good sound, good sustain, very playable guitar with (I tried it with 2 scratch). We could hear me without problems. What is nice to take his instrument and play to connect directly without galleries, lighting, set, biduoiller, etc.. Above all, it is available everywhere, even on the beach, mountain or other.

- In the "electric": everything is done via a piezo under the bridge, and there really big surprise, the sound is incredible, and I weigh my words. I have neither the experience of the acoustic bass or tried tons of bass at all, but you can really have a good sound easily. Another pleasant surprise, the four knobs (low / mid / treble and presence) are really beraucoup vary the sound. Then, playing between the pots and there or you play with your right hand (more on the rosette or more towards the bridge) we obtain all types of sounds very easy: jazz, reggae, even sound a little "pop" fun. By cutting the treble, with 1 / 4 midrange and 3 / 4 bass and playing almost on the rose, it was almost a sound of bass ("almost" I said ... I do not want messages insult) but his bass again in piezo ... No Mingus at Antibes ...
Saturation level and feedback, if you do not put too much treble and that we do not play too much with its multi purpose, there is almost no problems. on the other hand, with more acute, a flanger and a slight distortion to give "body", we get a fast feedback. A cap rose (I cut a piece of cardboard to keep history ... in the spirit "kit") almost cancels the phenomenon

In both cases, the side fretless is extra, we play the same songs in a different way and it's pretty exhilarating. In short, I'm having as a teenager ... (I'm unfortunately more for ages ...)
So in summary sound good in acoustic as electric, I put 9 (and it's worth)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 10 days only, but as there was not yet available for review (and have something to say), I posted mine back quickly even if the change in the future.
What I like most: the sound (once the strings changed) as acoustic than electric, mouth, access to acute, the 5th string bass (my first "5 string") which is practice to avoid playing too much at the bottom (the handle is long!)
What I like least: the whole "kit to finish," the height of the bridge, just the volume (but it is also linked to her ...)
I have not tried other acoustic basses (just fiddled around them) before. Anyway, there is no vendor acoustic bass in Serbia ... And I have found only one electric fretless for sale (big Warwick to 2000 euros ... not for me)
The value for money is good but not great: we must change the string that is quickly the price of the instrument to 250 euros. In addition, this kind of ratio Q / P is also linked to the longevity of the instrument and its evolution over time and there, only time will tell ...
For the moment, and despite the session "assignments" from the beginning, the choice I would do without hesitation. Only a bad aging could make me change my mind.

In conclusion, if you have 250 euros to put in an acoustic (bass + strings), I highly recommend. Be careful though, given its size, the flight case seems to me essential if we do not want the screw up too quickly (it is more fragile than electric), putting the total price of approximately 310 euros. It's better to know everything to compare. I put 8 in the final
Enjoy!