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[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1433163282' post='2788405'] I'm under the impression that dead spots span more than a single fret/note where you would indeed find that sustain was reduced either side of the dead spot itself. You could try holding the tip of the headstock against a wall as you play the G at the 24th just to see if the sustain improves - my Curbow 5 suffers from a dead spot at the 16th fret on the G and sustain is reduced either side but when I hold the headstock against a wall the sustain improves markedly. Also, from what I've seen of pictures of BTBs online the 24th is the final fret for the G and D strings (it has a 'wavy' end to the fretboard?) so it can't be a bad fret. [/quote] Actually, the wall trick is a brilliant idea. That will definitely be my first concern as soon as I get home! Thanks!

Thanks mates! And yes, I know, I know, but... the fact is that my SR506, for example, sustains the note for ages compared to this, which also happens to be neck-through-body. I do understand that it is a very minor thing, and definitely a pet-peeve. Still, I think it may be a matter of bad frets.

Guys: my BTB is easily the best sounding bass I have, but it has little sustain on its highest note, the 23th-24th fret on the G string. Granted, it's usable and, in the end, it's not like it's a crucial note. It does, however, bother me. Now, neck is straight, action is low and I've tried different strings. The most irritating thing is that the D string plays perfectly well at the 24th fret. I have been thinking that it might be a dead spot, as it does sound like it might be a resonating frequency problem when I play on the 24th fret, but that wouldn't quite explain why the sustain is not so great at the 23th fret as well, albeit to a lesser extent. I have also thought about blaming it on the monorail bridge, but that does not explain why the other strings sound fine... Any suggestion would be most welcome! Thanks!

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1428696523' post='2743950'] Me too. That's a great pickguard. Is it a custom one? [/quote] Thanks guys! It is actually the original tortoiseshell-like pickguard. I sanded it down back to white and then my significant other agreed to doodle all over it.

Well, my Harley Benton has undergone some transformation...

Enjoy your G5. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I did mine. Howeeeever, if you dont't... If you ever sell it, please, please, please do let me know

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1422986892' post='2679205'] Aha! Watched that video when researching, very funky The one I've bought has a micro tilt adjuster for the neck, so If needs be the adjustment is there. From the pics I've seen though it looks like a low action - I'm sure it's eminently tweak able though. Hoping tomorrow is the day! [/quote] Mine too had a microtilt, but it seemed a bit flimsy to me. Actually, I didn't really shim the neck, but rather had a luthier friend add some angle to the neck pocket (á la Gibson). But then again, I used to play with crazy low actions. I am sure you'll be fine! Also, the radiused pick ups were very nice!

One of the best basses I've ever had. It had a couple of issues I had to work on (like shimming the neck pocket for lower action), and it required a little more relief than I cared for (but that's just me being an annoying nerd). It was, however, an awesome bass and I deeply regret having sold it. You can see mine in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQ046y39RY

I just bought a Paul's bitsa P. Extremely kind person, smooth transaction, great bass (perfectly working, as described) and great coffee! Recommended!

I have a Harley Benton JB (the 75 model) and a Les Paul model guitar, both with Wilkinson pick ups. In terms of quality, I am very, very happy. The Les Paul I received had a cracked tuning machine, but that was hardly Thomann's fault - I decided to repair it myself, but they had offered to replace the item. The good: both instruments play beautifully. The fretwork is very good on the guitar and flat-out incredible on the bass. I have written about it: the only bass I owned that would have compared was my Peavey TL-Six - my Status S1 wouldn't have come ahead. As to the bass, the truss rod works flawlessly and the neck is stable. I like the Wilkinson PUs, which are yield a very good, if modern, tone. In terms of finish, the pieces of the body could have been matched slightly better, but nothing ugly going on. That does not apply to the pickguard, which is one of the most horrible specimens I have ever witnessed. However, it is just paint, so three minutes with fine sanding paper will make it plain white if needed. Or, you know, you can always replace it. The bad: there is a very tiny 'crack' on the back of the neck (over the skunk stripe). I am using the inverted commas because it is actually quite difficult to say whether it is in fact a crack or just some rougher finish. Certainly it is not the skunk stripe coming out of the neck. (It's on, not on the sides of the stripe.) It is invisible unless one looks for it quite carefully or makes a commitment to feel it running the fingers on the neck. It's not a major concern, and doesn't really bother me. (The thought of it being there does, but that's just me!) The shielding could be better, I guess, but it's good enough for recording anyways. In short: worth the money? Big time. How does it compare with similarly priced items? I can speak of Squiers (I had a Deluxe V active) and SXs, and I think this is is far better than the SX in terms of sound and fretwork. Perhaps the body of the SX was a tad nicer in terms of colours, but I sold it long ago.The Squier was an entirely different beast, but its cost was not at all justified when considering the HB as a comparator. Hope this helps!

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1415005380' post='2595424'] The V4 I used to own had the nicest feeling P neck, rock solid. An added plus over Squier is that the V4 has a full length headstock so it can wear true large vintage spec (like a Fender) tuners whereas the Squiers have a stubbier headstock so you need smaller bodied tuners. [/quote] Thanks man! I might have to take the plunge then!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1414960696' post='2595139'] The necks on the couple of vintage instruments that I've owned were good enough for me to not feel the need to swap them out. [/quote] Thanks! I have no doubt that this is the case. The two 'Vintages' I have tried were very nice instruments, and I am sure the neck will be more than fine. My concern is partly a matter of precaution, partly me being a diehard tinkerer. (As in 'hey, this Status neck looks very nice!')

[quote name='barkin' timestamp='1414956429' post='2595068'] I think the neck pocket's a couple of mm narrower - ~61mm against 63.5mm (2.5 inches) for Fenders. [/quote] Thank you barkin! Oh dear, this is some kind of a disappointment, especially considering how good the bass looks. I might have to wait for the right Squier I am afraid. (Although sanding, could always be an option.)

Hi all, just a very quick question. (Apologies in advance for not being able to use an older topic - the brand name just makes it very difficult to find suitable ones!) I just laid my eyes on a very nice Vintage V4 Tony Butler signature model. I don't care so much for the signature thing, but boy the bass looks good and the price would be right for my taste. However, as I like to tinker with my guitars I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in replacing the neck. I don't plan to, but you never know... Hence my question in more straightforward terms: are Vintage basses (Vintage as in JHS Vintage) compatible with Fender replacement necks? Thanks!

Just a quick note to let you guys know that I took a couple of minutes to measure - in a very sloppy fashion - the neck pocket, and if I am not mistaken, a fender/fender replacement neck should fit nicely in it.

I have recorded a short sample of the bass: neck pick up, tone fully open, pick and some foam at the bridge to mute the strings (à la Carol Kaye). Straight into my Focusrite interface and Logic, just a tad of compression and some highs rolled off. https://soundcloud.com/ballpointmusic/harley-benton-jb-75sb-vintage-series Apologies for the truly embarrassing keyboard sections.

[quote name='Lucien' timestamp='1410821280' post='2553667'] it's also very heavy (14Kg). [/quote] Did you get the uraniumburst version?

Ok, I am going to chime in to give the community some news about my most recent purchase. Today I received a Harley Benton JB-75 too, the sunburst version with a rosewood fingerboard and fancy blocks and binding. What can I say? I was genuinely surprised a bass so cheap could play that well. I am, unfortunately, still unable to record it because I am temporarily sans audio interface, but I am quite sure I am not going to have surprises -- I am familiar with the pups, as I had installed them on a SX jazz bass I had. The PUs might not be your thing if what you're after is supervintage tone -- I am after a decent sounding Jazz Bass, which is the epitome of the concept of "good enough" in bass world. Sounds good in a crappy built in input, so I guess it works well enough. Speaking of which, I must say that I found the build quite better compared to the SX. Except for the pickguard, which truly is astonishingly ugly (and will, in due course, nay, immediately, replaced with a black one), the bass is reasonably well made. The sunburst looks more or less the same as the SX. The body is, I think, two pieces, reasonably well matched. The neck has a satin finish, unlike the SX, which may or may not entice you. It does feel excellent. The neck is, perhaps, a bit bulkier than a regular J, but then again, I like it this way (I'd very much have a P neck on every four stringer). The nut is low and the fret job is excellent. I am playing with basically no relief and my action on the G string is a hair less than 1.5 mm at the 20th fret, perhaps 2 on the E string. I have a reasonably light touch, but I must say that of all the basses I had only my Peavey TL-Six could handle something like it. My Status S-1 just couldn't, to name a classic name. I don't know what they do to these new guitars, but when I think to my first crappy bass around the year 2000, I am just baffled. The bass arrived well packed, in tune and was definitely playable out of the box (I only set it up because I need something to tinker with, and I prefer a lower action). Finally, I don't know if anyone noticed yet, but the saddles on the bridge are look like brass. It reminds me of the Squier Classic Vibe series bridge. The bass does have a lot of sustain, albeit with the usual dead spot at the 5th fret of the G string -- not worse than that on much more expensive counterparts. Bottom line, I would use it in serious live or recording situations, no doubts on that. I will, however, have to replace the pickguard, or better yet cover it with something. Hope this helps!