hooky_lowdown Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 I know many peeps around here are gear snobs, so this thread is [b]not[/b] for you. I've been looking for a cheap, fun, lightweight set up for small gigs and rehearsals for a (long) while, and now I've got it. After reading lots of good reviews about the Harley Benton PB Shorty bass I pulled the trigger on one. Lowered the action and set intonation, changed the stock pick up (which sounded ok, but was a little hollow for my taste) for a GFS PB Pro Vintage (overwound) pickup I had stashed away for a project like this, and put on some new flatwound strings - D’Addario ECB81S Chromes (Short Scale 45-100). Wow, this thing now sounds full and round, and has tonnes of low end. In fact it sounds as good as my Fender Precision CIJ '62 Vintage Reissue PB62. I know many people don't like short scale basses, but I don't mind them. The HB body is about 20% smaller than standard p bass size, neck is fast and fun to play (42mm at nut), frets came level and crowned pretty well, and best of all the bass only weighs slightly more than a Danelectro bass, so good for my back. I teamed the little HB up with the TC Electronic BG250-115 (weighs 39lbs), I have the amp on its 'Vintage' setting with a bit of drive, and the sound of these two is brilliant. I did some research to find the best prices, and this is what my rig ended up costing... Harley Benton PB Shorty bass cost £66 new (can pick them up on ebay for less than £50) GFS PB Pro Vintage pickup cost £25 new D’Addario ECB81S Chromes (Short Scale 45-100) cost £33 new TC Electronic BG250-115 cost £280 new (can pick them up on ebay for around £160) [b]Total for new gear[/b] £124 for bass and upgrades / £280 for amp = £404 [b]Total for secondhand[/b] £105 for bass and upgrades / £160 for amp = £265 Conclusion, for less than 300 notes secondhand I've got a rig perfect for small gigs and rehearsals (I play indie rock), and for medium gigs I use the amp as a monitor and run DI to PA. With the amp on a hand truck I can cart my gear to gigs and rehearsals without any bother, even on a bus if I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) The most sensible post I've seen in ages. If your gear works for you, that's all that matters. Before I got involved with this forum some years ago, I had one bass and one rig that I used exclusively. They were just tools. I spent my time playing, not gassing... Edited July 24, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Great..... Tho it may depend if this translates to people who played or want to play with you. Poor sound is one thing that won't get you booked, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Similar to Discreet here, for years I had a very simple set-up, no constant swapping things about for the tone nirvana, then I joined Basschat and all that went pear-shaped. I`m there on basses, there on strings, pretty much there on cabs (new ones on way from same manufacturer as current ones), amp-wise for some reason I want to be using Ashdown, so at some point will try one out if only to reaffirm that I`ve already made the right choice with what I currently use. So congrats hooky, very pleased for you, concentrate on having fun playing, that`s what it`s really about - tho must admit the endless GASSING has been fun along the way as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted July 24, 2016 Author Share Posted July 24, 2016 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1469357611' post='3097602'] Great..... Tho it may depend if this translates to people who played or want to play with you. Poor sound is one thing that won't get you booked, imo. [/quote] Sound is one of those subjective things. But this rig sounds great, I nail the sound I want/like. So I'm a happy bee, hence why I posted my set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted July 24, 2016 Author Share Posted July 24, 2016 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1469358086' post='3097605'] Similar to Discreet here, for years I had a very simple set-up, no constant swapping things about for the tone nirvana, then I joined Basschat and all that went pear-shaped. I`m there on basses, there on strings, pretty much there on cabs (new ones on way from same manufacturer as current ones), amp-wise for some reason I want to be using Ashdown, so at some point will try one out if only to reaffirm that I`ve already made the right choice with what I currently use. So congrats hooky, very pleased for you, concentrate on having fun playing, that`s what it`s really about - tho must admit the endless GASSING has been fun along the way as well. [/quote] I hear you Lozz. I've been playing for over ten years, and have been gassing for all that time, always looking for that better sound or fun set up. I used to use my Fender Precision CIJ '62 Vintage Reissue PB62 with an Ashdown AMB 500 combo, and that set up I really liked. But wanted a light weight set up, to make gigging more fun, as lugging heavy gear around, especially during winter is not much fun. I really like Ashdown amps, though if you get a chance try the TC Electronic BG250, there's a BG500 head which is really good as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 I love good value kit.....well done and i'm glad you've got some gear that is comfortable and plays well. I agree that far too many people love talking about the name on their headstock rather than actual playing. Enjoy the gear, play the gigs n rehearsals and enjoy it 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 I had my my mate's [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]BG250-115 combo for a few gigs last year. Well impressed !! [/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Oooooh expensive strings!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Yup, I had the same bass (a BB3000a) from new in 87-88 until a few years ago when I discovered this place. I've since had dozens, and dozens of amps/cabs. What I've also had is fantastic fun buying and trying every sort and make of bass and amp and cab I fancied (and even some I initially didn't) - it's been a great hobby and a journey. And I'm a much better player than I ever was. What's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckman67 Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 Well done to you for liking and enjoying what "you" want to own . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1469645312' post='3100047'] Oooooh expensive strings!! [/quote] String choice is SO important and can radically change the sound and playability of a bass. I think they get overlooked sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I'm not really one to tinker... don't change my gear much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1469736228' post='3100803'] String choice is SO important and can radically change the sound and playability of a bass. I think they get overlooked sometimes. [/quote] Agreed 100%. Decent strings can bring in so much character, one of the most important components in making the sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1469736228' post='3100803'] String choice is SO important and can radically change the sound and playability of a bass. I think they get overlooked sometimes. [/quote] [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1469774914' post='3100911'] Agreed 100%. Decent strings can bring in so much character, one of the most important components in making the sound [/quote] And a relatively cheap and fully reversible mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.