I love those. I had the HB, liked everything about it except for the weight. I believe it was close to 11 lbs.
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to whomever it may concern in the future when browsing - Hipshot licensed lightweight Tuners are drop in replacements for tuners in Harley Benton B-650FL (and so i think even on regular B-650).
Hi guys.
After a while that I don't play and I don't have any instruments, I want to start again. I like the standard pb20bk, simple,stil fender.
I could take it and modify the pick ups if I want, is it worth it? Or better to spend and buy something else like squire affinity,or sonic,or other maybe second hand ?
After a while that I don't play and I don't have any instruments, I want to start again. I like the standard pb20bk, simple,stil fender.
I could take it and modify the pick ups if I want, is it worth it? Or better to spend and buy something else like squire affinity,or sonic,or other maybe second hand ?
I've found Harley Bentons to be as good as every other budget bass out there and better in some ways. A Squier is probably made in the same factory using the same jigs as a HB. The difference between Squier and HB is that HB are owned by Thomann and make their guitars there, whereas the Squier is backed by 7ender but they will want to sell through a middleman so you may be paying higher prices. I own both, a Squier Bronco and a HB PB-50 I can't say there is any difference in the quality, both are superb. All I can say is you can mod either to destruction but my advice is stay with whatever you buy and getting used to it and it's sound before thinking of changing pickups. Surprisingly, IMO pickups don't make that much difference despite what hungry manufacturer's will tell you. Plenty of advice in the Squire/Glarry sections as well if you just want to spend an hour or too over there.
Many years ago I bought a 'decor' PB-20 for £27.
For newer members here 'decor' instruments were items from Thomann with faults rendering them unsellable as functional, basically they were QC fails. My PB-20 had one piece making the body thinner than the others so had a step across the back. Around the same time I took a Squier Affinity P-bass in a trade.
TBH I preferred the PB-20 as the Squier just felt a tad too light for comfort, am extremely dumb reason to prefer one over the other
As far as either bass was concerned both looked like a P-bass, played like a P-bass and most importantly both sounded like P-basses; either will allow you to perform your role as a supporting band member.
The actual 'role' we play is often forgotten on forums like TB. Here folk pretend they need X number of $2k basses with numerous functions to basically play root notes for most of a show, reminds me of the "small penis, drives a Hummer" mindset
PB50 is wonderful. I have played several gigs with it. My main gigging bass is a Player P. (See avatar) which I also love.
I also have a Squier CV 50”s equivalent of the PB50 and although I like it I think I like the PB50 a little better.
I also have a Squier CV 50”s equivalent of the PB50 and although I like it I think I like the PB50 a little better.
Said this many a time. My Fenders are lovely basses, the Modern Player has a great thumpy tone and the fit/finish on the Paisley is perfect, yet the PB-50's are my go-to for comfort and tone
absolutely! Most people don't even hear the bass! No one knows the brands of the instruments except the enthusiasts. These are just twisted thoughts of us bass heads!Many years ago I bought a 'decor' PB-20 for £27.
For newer members here 'decor' instruments were items from Thomann with faults rendering them unsellable as functional, basically they were QC fails. My PB-20 had one piece making the body thinner than the others so had a step across the back. Around the same time I took a Squier Affinity P-bass in a trade.
TBH I preferred the PB-20 as the Squier just felt a tad too light for comfort, am extremely dumb reason to prefer one over the other
As far as either bass was concerned both looked like a P-bass, played like a P-bass and most importantly both sounded like P-basses; either will allow you to perform your role as a supporting band member.
The actual 'role' we play is often forgotten on forums like TB. Here folk pretend they need X number of $2k basses with numerous functions to basically play root notes for most of a show, reminds me of the "small penis, drives a Hummer" mindset
great instrument. I've had it and resold. Right near my house a guy is selling a second hand PB50 HB with upgrade!Said this many a time. My Fenders are lovely basses, the Modern Player has a great thumpy tone and the fit/finish on the Paisley is perfect, yet the PB-50's are my go-to for comfort and tone
View attachment 7083772
BASSO HARLEY BENTON PB-50 FR VINTAGE SERIES + EMG
Basso Harley Benton PB-50 FR Vintage Series Monta pickup EMG attivo Come nuovo Prezzo non trattabile... | su Mercatino Musicale in Bassi Elettrici 4 corde
www.mercatinomusicale.com
Have you bought it yet?great instrument. I've had it and resold. Right near my house a guy is selling a second hand PB50 HB with upgrade!
BASSO HARLEY BENTON PB-50 FR VINTAGE SERIES + EMG
Basso Harley Benton PB-50 FR Vintage Series Monta pickup EMG attivo Come nuovo Prezzo non trattabile... | su Mercatino Musicale in Bassi Elettrici 4 cordewww.mercatinomusicale.com
boh...i'm not sure maybe tomorrow i'll try itHave you bought it yet?
I bought one of their roundback acoustic basses. It looks practically identical to the equivalent HB model, just different inlays and binding. For the rest, identical finish optionjs and the same price. I am very happy with it, except for the logo. But that;s just me.
Considering all, I have little doubt they come out of the same factory.
As aleays, I could be wrong......
I have a short-scale PJ bass of theirs, and TBH its output lacks character, even after replacing the strings. I'd go for an HB equivalent every time.
They sell plenty of cool stuff.
Biggest draw was Tony James of Generation X/Sigue Sigue Sputnik fame playing their Chicago bass for the last Generation Sex tour. Tony choosing to a play a £99 bass in front of crowds 40k to 80k strong ties in quite nicely with my comment in post #16886 regarding the need for £2k basses
View attachment 7083986
Chicago Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Black at Gear4music
Chicago Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Black at Gear4music
I'm not one for PJs so it was their LA II Select denim burst that caught my eye. I wasn't alone in that as there is a decent Basschat thread regarding those. That's it to the left on the HB Mosrite mod. Finish is sweet, roasted neck is nice with good fret work. Ash body will place it on the heavy side for some.
LA Select Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Denim Burst at Gear4music
LA Select Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Denim Burst at Gear4music
Another I picked up was this ash body LA Select, who can resist a P-bass for £20
Funny thing about the previous two, the ceramic mag pickups are low output so it's that rare instance where I'd recommend gigging players do a swap
Next up is their fanned fret multi scale. Mine comes from the earlier RedSub range. First two batches were fast sellers then as QC dropped to an all time low with the third batch, G4M dropped the line. It's recently been re-introduced, production handled by one of the many companies Ali-Ex middle man 'Music Zoo' deals with. Bought used for £120, nice price to see how you handle fanned frets
Personally I was surprised just how easily I took to fanned frets, I barely noticed the change. Neck feels really comfortable. Would have preferred either a third soapbar or a wider spacing.
Crazy they sell these for just £280
G4M 972 Fanned Fret 5-String Bass Guitar, Blue Burl Burst at Gear4music
G4M 972 Fanned Fret 5-String Bass Guitar, Blue Burl Burst at Gear4music
I remember having the fear when this arrived on the doorstep.
Double fear when I spotted this inside
Luck was with you that day Good Brother
Aye brother, I remember your very concerned messsage back then, but in the end all was well!I remember having the fear when this arrived on the doorstep.
View attachment 7084043
Double fear when I spotted this inside
View attachment 7084044
Luck was with you that day Good Brother
I couldn’t say they are competing directly with Harley Benton – remember HB are huge in terms of manufacturing and boxshifting – I’d say more like adding to the budget bass gene pool like Glarry etc giving us VFM chasers more choice especially for ‘oddball’ designs.
To be brutally honest I don’t know a lot about this brand other than the 5 string fanned fret I bought last year which I moved the neck pickup closer to the neck and added a different preamp and tuners. Soundwise it was very good before I did any work on it. The basswood body is utter sh*te though as the guy who did the respray for me will attest to. When I visited him while it was stripped it was like balsa wood with lots of holes and cracks, I hear basswood is good for carving but you’d be hard pressed to carve this, in places it was like sponge. Other than that the build quality was excellent especially the neck which was outstanding, but some of the hardware was a bit flakey like stripped grubscrews in the bridge(s) adjustment which I had to replace, although they did a great job of drilling the holes for the wire for the individual bridges ground.
If I was in the market for another bass, I’d not hesitate having a good look at G4M basses and as I live in the UK shipping is only £1 for next day delivery. You’re in the US though so you may want to weigh up the costs for shipping and whether it’s worth it.
