discreet

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457186626' post='2996137'] I'm not sure caveat emptor applies any more with the return policies on offer now. It's not a risk to take a punt on a bass like this. [/quote] You're right, especially with Thomann's great customer service and extended warranty. I just wanted to seem clever because I know two words of Latin. Four words if you include [i]Tempus Fugit[/i]...

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1457175021' post='2995987'] Absolutely Marbellous! [/quote]

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457177365' post='2996014'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm going to get a refund. [/font][/color]I've fallen out of love after this bass turned out to be such a pig. [/quote] I don't blame you, there's definitely a point of diminishing returns. I'm quite pleased you didn't buy it on my recommendation though, so there's that to be said for it. It would seem that it [i]is[/i] still possible to buy a bad bass in the twenty-first century and that as usual, you largely get what you pay for. [i]Caveat Emptor[/i]. Good luck. [quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1457185461' post='2996126'] Put TI's on the Super Ferrite fella last night, it's now Super Slinky too. [/quote] Stoatin'!

[quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1457174421' post='2995972'] Ditto for Valerie, although I was fortunate enough to dep with a band that did the original Zutons version and really enjoyed playing it. [/quote] I was in a function band that covered that song. It's an indication of how things were when the MD asked me why I stopped playing in the vocal bridge. Not the only reason, but I left fairly soon after that.

The best hybrid case I found was the Protection Racket 7051. Big, but very well padded and protected with huge pockets into which a Class D amp head could easily be inserted along with cables, effects pedals, etc. And a bargain at around £55. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Protection-Racket-7051-00-Classic-Guitar/dp/B00AKUW4J0"]http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B00AKUW4J0[/url] Has the same problem as a hard case, i.e. if you're doing tight stages there's no room to lie the thing down to access your stuff. Which is where a regular gig bag scores as you can access it vertically and easily stick it behind your rig. So I use a gig bag. Come to think of it, that's probably why it's called a 'gig' bag...

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457130645' post='2995778'] I don't think flats are going to solve this one, its pretty bad. Also TIs are pretty low tension so that isn't going to help. [/quote] TIs certainly are low tension. Shame, I hope you get a good one if you decide to get a replacement.

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1457128400' post='2995758'] Here's one of mine, shame about the screw holes. [/quote] Is that a Peavey Super Ferrite by any chance? Obviously there's a whole scene of PB-50 modding I wasn't aware of!

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457120402' post='2995657'] It's unplayable above the 11th fret basically. [/quote] And your point is..? Seriously though, it may turn out not to be a problem if you were going to fit flats. Otherwise, it's a shame you seem to have got a duff one. I hope it's unusual that you got a duff one and not unusual that I didn't!

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457118850' post='2995619'] What's the mod plan for yours? [/quote] Surprisingly similar... re-shape headstock to tele style, prep neck and apply nitro vintage tint. Spray pickguard gold to simulate a gold anodized... even though such a thing never appeared on pre-57 basses. Should be white with a 54-type, but I don't like white on sunburst. Depending on how that goes I may upgrade the pup, but as you say the stock pup is pretty good. I may also replace the bridge, or at least the saddles and saddle-screws. Brass. I'd really like some vintage-reverse tuners but they're a bit pricey. Might go for Wilkinson tuners, keep it in the family. That's it, really... I may replace the electrics with a KiOgon loom, or the low-budget alternative, wire the pup direct to the jack socket. The one thing that will make a huge difference to the sound and playability of this bass is to fit a set of quality flatwounds. La Bella by choice, but of course you're then in the situation where the strings cost an appreciable percentage of the cost of the bass. But string choice is extremely important (as Kodiakblair said, above), so I think it would be well worth it.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1457118483' post='2995613'] Great review and great photos as always Discreet Following this review they will probably need to stack them even higher. I predict an HB stampede [/quote] Thanks Gary, but the pics are Thomann's own and not up to my usual standard. A bass has to cost at least £100 before I'll take my own pics of it. The modded version will have extensive discreet pics, don't worry.

[quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457117154' post='2995596'] Mine has a few QA issues so I'm hoping Thomann offer something to sort that out. Missing screw from a machine head, a few dents and scratches on the headstock, tone pot shaft seems bent. [/quote] I'm sorry to hear that, though not entirely surprised, as I suspect Thomann are employed twenty-four hours a day packing these up and shipping them out. I reckon there must be thousands of container-loads of them regularly turning up at their warehouse. How else can they offer them at this price? I'm guessing they're selling them cheap and stacking them high. Really cheap and really high... [quote name='No. 8 Wire' timestamp='1457117154' post='2995596'] I really hate the bridge. The saddles on mine don't seem to sit right and look rough. That'll get changed for a Wilkinson at some point. I'm going to leave mine standard for a little bit and then it'll get extensively modded too. Look forward to your thread on it. [/quote] Mine was OK, if not super high-quality. If you're going to mod it anyway it may be preferable for Thomann to give you a store credit so you can spend it on modding items...

[size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]NBD - Harley Benton PB-50 Precision Bass[/b][/font][/size][list] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Bolt-On Neck Construction[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Basswood Body[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Canadian Maple C-Shape Neck[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Maple Fretboard with dot Inlays[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]20 Frets[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]864mm Scale (34")[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]42mm Nut-Width (1.65")[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Double-Action Trussrod[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Wilkinson MWVXPB Alnico Vintage PB -Style Single Coil pick-up[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Electronics 1 Volume & 1 Tone[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Side Mounted Jack Socket on Cat's-Eye Plate[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Deluxe Chrome Hardware[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Classic PB-Style Tuners[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]D'Addario XL 045-100 Strings[/color][/font][/size] [*][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][color=#000000]Hi-Gloss 3-Tone Sunburst[/color][/font][/size] [*][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Price Paid: £85 inc VAT & Delivery[/font][/color] [/list] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...tage_series.htm[/url] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So apparently you can't buy a bad bass any more. Not like the 60s and 70s. Budget basses are great. You can gig with a decent Squier and it can easily be your main bass. All well and good, if true. But is it actually [i]possible [/i]to buy a bad bass these days? [Update: Yes. Now read on.] Logically, you'd think that the worst possible bass would be the one that cost the least. The Harley Benton PB-50 costs £85 including VAT and delivery to your door from Germany. So it must be terrible then, right..?[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Not necessarily! OK, you'd very soon notice the difference if you A/B'd it with a Japanese Fender 51P Re-Issue, and definitely so if you compared with with a genuine 1954 USA Fender Precision. This bass is one of Thomann's own-brand offerings, a vague and approximate amalgamation of Fender's USA 50s P basses. It has the body shape, the 50s rout, the 50s pickguard shape, the 50s single-coil four-pole pickup and the 50s side-mounted jack socket. It doesn't have the Telecaster-bass headstock shape, the heel-end truss rod adjustment, the long vintage-reverse tuners, the through-body two-saddle bridge and obviously it doesn't have an F-decal.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]It arrived wearing D'Addario XL roundwound strings and the SC pickup is by Wilkinson. A pair of good-quality brands to give one hope, then. The action and intonation did need fettling, but not by much. It turns out the tuners, while not pretending to be toppest of gear, work well enough and properly hold tune. Which is handy. The bridge is a top-loading hi-mass job which looks like a clone of the Gotoh 201, but doesn't quite have the quality and finish of that item. However, it adjusts well enough and though a real 50s P would have Leo's original 50s two-saddle through-body bridge, it doesn't bother me. I like accurate intonation and realistically no-one is going to be thinking that this bass is the real thing. So it's not an issue.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So how does it play..? I had some idea of what to expect as I already own a HB Strat, so the smooth, straight, satin-feel neck was no surprise, but very welcome. The fret-ends show no sharpness at all and the frets are level. This isn't the sort of bass you'd start shredding on, but it's no slouch either. The neck is nice, and very playable.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Into an amp next and the pickup produces the fast attack, fast decay and relatively short sustain you'd expect from a four-pole single-coil. It lacks the mid-bump you get with a split-coil 57-type P pickup, but has something of the extended low end and airy highs associated with a SC P pup. But it's not scooped in any way. I was expecting lots of RF noise, but there's none. There is a slight 'click' when you touch strings or bridge with your finger, which hints at a shielding issue. the XL rounds are as you'd expect, but given the vibe of this bass I think Thomann/HB would be better off supplying it with a decent set of flats.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So is it worth it? Yes, well worth it. It's silly money for a brand-new bass and with a little work you can get it playing and sounding way better than it has any right to be. The finish is exemplary (though the body grain is FotoFlame), everything works and there's no real reason you couldn't take it straight out of the box, plug it in and do a gig with it at a push. [/font][/size][size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I'd want to fettle it a little more extensively, myself. In fact I am going to do so and there will be a [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281077-harley-benton-pb-50-modded-audio/"]PB-50 modding thread[/url] in due course... [/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So if you want a back-up P, a beater or a gigging bass that you don't have to worry about, this should be in the frame. It could even be a regular squeeze if necessary. This example is not bad at all and the price makes it extremely attractive. Obviously, if you can afford to buy a better bass then you probably have already, but there's no reason for this bass to attract too much derision or be regarded as completely sub-standard, because it's not.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]For myself I'd feel a bit iffy playing out with the Harley Benton legend on the headstock, but then I'm very shallow... in the real world no punter would give it a second look or even a second listen and would certainly notice nothing amiss. It's good![/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size] [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][/font][/size]

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457112090' post='2995535'] The Mrs on the other hand, she's fell out with people via text for simply asking if she wants to do something. [/quote] Well to be fair, it does kind of depend what it is she's being asked to do...

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1457104208' post='2995406'] I think you've mis-interpreted xgsjx's post. [/quote] I think you're probably right. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457104732' post='2995415'] Have you joined an already established band or are you still in the "working on getting established" stage? [/quote] Already established and becoming more so. I didn't mean my replies to come across as quite so outraged and ranting, btw.

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457100870' post='2995358'] The C&W band sounds more like a job than enjoyment. [/quote] Maybe to you. I'm enjoying my particular version of Band 2 immensely. It's a country band. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457100870' post='2995358'] It sounds similar to being in a functions band. [/quote] It is not. I've done the function band thing, didn't like it, quit. Money's good, though. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457100870' post='2995358'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Weddings, ceilidh, birthday DJ, etc...[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][/quote][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Why would country be suitable only for these kind of events? People are into it in the same way they're into any other genre. I've done loads of gigs since I joined the band, not one has been at a wedding, a birthday, etc.[/font][/color] [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1457100870' post='2995358'] If you're not into watching your band grow & just interested in money, then Band 2 is the one to go for. [/quote] Nope - the band is growing nicely, everyone's into it. We do get paid however, that's just a bonus. Why would we not be interested in having our band grow and progress just because we make money at it..? The opposite is true.

[quote name='Bass Fumbler' timestamp='1457092332' post='2995227'] ...it's already raining here! [/quote] Bright sunshine down here, but we pay extra, so...

Red white and blue ball ends are Rotosound, but apart from that I'm not too sure.

Very interesting. It must have been some task to put that together.

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1457085076' post='2995084'] Have you got the ball bearings though? [/quote] No.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1457039759' post='2994797'] Am I the only one that finds the current 'flowery/warbling' vocals tiresome? [/quote] No, you're not. The word you are looking for is 'melisma'. It's finally going out of fashion, thank God. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melisma

Fantastic! But I think those are ball bearings, not marbles.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1457077790' post='2995004'] I'm going to give something else a go... I've got nothing to lose and if I don't enjoy it I can always pack it in [/quote] That's the spirit. You just don't know what you might find. Those lovely Wals deserve to go out into the world and be heard. Or if you don't like that idea, buy a cheap P Bass and a Rumble combo.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1457075799' post='2994993'] I'm beginning to realize this is the reason I'm not currently involved in a gigging band... what i want just doesn't exist... ...the issue I have is that I'm not that desperate to be in a band that I'll give up any of the things I won't budge on... and I am pretty inflexible in what I will and won't do... [/quote] I was exactly the same - but having had my time royally wasted by idiots I thought, 'what the hell' and decided to take a step sideways... against the odds it has turned out to be brilliant fun and as a bonus I'm getting paid, too. Once again I find that everything I thought I knew is wrong.

I'd be up for Band 2. In fact, I have recently joined such a band - despite the genre not being top of my list. However, I'm unlearning a lot of things I thought I knew about 'country' music and learning a lot of things I didn't know about it - for example, 'country' musicians are great players, super-keen, punctual and reliable. And that's just for starters.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1457041266' post='2994832'] I hope there's a beer filter in those vents. [/quote] Could it be a three-slice toaster..?