Upgrades to Harley Benton Shorty. Cheap-but-good DiMarzio alternatives?

[solo4652]

I've just ordered an HB Shorty from Thomann to see how I get on with short scale and to give me a bit of a project while I wait for my neck operation. I've been reading various threads about modding these basses - Blablas' projects look really nicely done: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/253875-turning-a-harley-benton-pb-shorty-into-a-jb-shorty/page__hl__harley%20benton%20shorty

Looks like the stock strings and P pickup will need to be changed. I'm aiming at a mids-forward, punchy tone, and I like halfwound strings. So, couple of questions;

Dimarzio model P 122 pickup would be great, but is expensive new. What would be a cheap-but-good alternative?

Any suggestions for halfwound strings to fit the short scale? I have some standard scale Status Hotwires here - shall I just trim off the ends for a first go? Any other string suggestions?

Steve

[blablas]

The stock strings are [b]bad[/b], would be better if Thomann sold this bass without strings!
I don't know if there are halfwounds in shortscale, I always use roundwounds. The strings I like most on my shorty's (at the moment) are from Höfner, these nicely priced and they sound and feel very good.

The P-pickup mounted in these shorty's is standard size so you can use any replacement you fancy. It doesn't sound that bad so I advise you to give it a go before replacing it. Can't give you too much advise on a replacement though, I've only got two basses with a P-pickup, one is still stock (Squier) and the other is the SD quarter-pounder sitting in one of my shorty's.

[solo4652]

@blablas. Thanks for your advice. If anybody knows their way round these basses, it's you.

Remembering that I'm ideally looking for high-volume, punchy mids-forward tone and not old-school muddy-thuddy, anybody know about these pickups?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/232010487717?lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=1006559&poi=&campaignid=628859225&device=c&adgroupid=28306099746&rlsatarget=pla-184492187826&adtype=pla&crdt=0"]http://www.ebay.co.u...type=pla&crdt=0[/url]

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Wilkinson-P-Bass-Black-Pickup-For-Bass-Guitars-MWPB-Model-/371675355411?hash=item568993d913:g:T1YAAOSwzJ5XfS8g"]http://www.ebay.co.u...1YAAOSwzJ5XfS8g[/url]

Edited August 6, 2016 by solo4652

[solo4652]

Well - good grief! The HB Shorty arrived this morning. I cut down some used half-rounds and slapped them on. Tightened up the truss rod a half-turn, and re-set the intonation. I'm very confused - it cost under £70, complete with an instrument lead, and it plays unbelievably well. For under £70. What!? Neck pocket looks good and tight, just a couple of slightly sharp fret ends. Pickups sound better than I was expecting - not as muddy as some have suggested. Bridge looks pretty thick, and it feels solid enough. Tuners are doing their job, but are not the smoothest operators I've come across. Pots aren't scratchy, jack socket seems secure. All screws are tight. Back of neck is as smooth as any other bass I've had, so no need for wire-wool there, much to my surprise.

There is a smidge of neck dive when playing. No problem, i thought - my weight-bearing waist strap will hold it up, like it does with the Yamaha BB's. Nope - the smaller body of the HBS means that no matter how much I lengthen the lower bout support strap, the strap actually drags the bass downwards. So, I'll try it without the waist strap. I've just been told that the band's meeting tonight for a short rehearsal and I already feel comfy enough with the short scale to take it along. I have £800 worth of basses sitting in the corner of the dining room, and the HBS feels easier to play. For £67. Bonkers.

We'll see how we get on tonight.

[solo4652]

Quick update on the Harley Benton Shorty, following rehearsal last night with stock pickups - not yet fitted the PBXN's. Not far short of extraordinary! I felt much more comfy with the short scale compared to the 34" Yamaha BB's, and was making appreciably fewer mistakes, mainly because of the closer fret spacings, and the shorter reach to the bottom frets. The band said it was the best-sounding best they's heard me play, and the best playing from me! This cheap little bass is making me have a fundamental re-think about The Herd. I'm fairly certain the BB424 will be up for sale shortly, perhaps even the BB1024, replaced with a light, 30" scale P/J - something like a Marooshthingy Jake, or a Scott Whitley SWB-1. All change here, folks but I'm feeling a lot more positive about my bass-playing prospects.

Off now to get the PBXN's put into the Harley Benson by B/C's Bassbunny. That's a lovely gesture by him.

[scrumpymike]

And here's another s-s bargain:

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Better positioning/balance on the strap than the stock SWB-1 too (I've modded mine)!

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[scrumpymike]

Ooops - something wrong there! This link takes you to my modded SWB-1, then click left Photobucket arrow to see the Ibanez Talman TMB30 'bargain'.

[scrumpymike]

OK, trying again:

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