Annoying Twit Posted January 13, 2015 Author Share Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1421169157' post='2657981'] I would have bought one there and then if I hadn't have seen your post late afternoon! I tried a Kala bass uke over Christmas and it sounded immense and was so much fun to play. £450 was too much though but I'd take a pop at one for £39 any day of the week. [/quote] I was looking at the listing this morning thinking that I was sure that someone of the forum would really go for that if they saw it in time. I think I heard that the Harley Benton uke-bass is bigger than the Kala bass. More the size of the Tanglewood Traveller bass. Though, I'm too lazy to go and look up the specs and check that this is correct. Personally I think I'd prefer something of that size than a Kala bass. When I tried a Kala bass, I didn't like it as much as you did. I was playing it acoustically though. When I heard one with a ukulele orchestra, it was being played through an amp, and it sounded good. Edit: Harley Benton Uke Bass: 534mm scale length Tanglewood Traveller Bass: 21" it says, close enough to 534mm scale length Kala U-Bass: 20" scale length, 508mm. Not as different as I thought. Edited January 13, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 [quote name='Vixivi' timestamp='1420912593' post='2654990'] I've actually made a basschat account simply cause i was always checking out this thread. I got a Deko 5 string fretless bass a while ago, great instrument needed a bit of a setup. The only real fault is that the side dot markings are wrongly positioned, which is not really a problem once you get used to it. [/quote] Firstly , a belated welcome ! Are the side dots on your 5 where they would be if it was a fretted , like Tauzero's ( post 142 of this thread ) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vixivi Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 [quote name='DaveFry' timestamp='1421185858' post='2658302'] Firstly , a belated welcome ! Are the side dots on your 5 where they would be if it was a fretted , like Tauzero's ( post 142 of this thread ) ? [/quote] Thanks! And i think they are, since they're exactly in between 2 notes. So i need to play either before or behind the dots but never on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Hi Vixivi Forgot to welcome you too. Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vixivi Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 [quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1421188841' post='2658345'] Hi Vixivi Forgot to welcome you too. Sorry [/quote] Shame on you! Just kidding, thanks for the welcoming mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Vixivi In my defense you are using a stage name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1421179303' post='2658177'] I was looking at the listing this morning thinking that I was sure that someone of the forum would really go for that if they saw it in time. I think I heard that the Harley Benton uke-bass is bigger than the Kala bass. More the size of the Tanglewood Traveller bass. Though, I'm too lazy to go and look up the specs and check that this is correct. Personally I think I'd prefer something of that size than a Kala bass. When I tried a Kala bass, I didn't like it as much as you did. I was playing it acoustically though. When I heard one with a ukulele orchestra, it was being played through an amp, and it sounded good. Edit: Harley Benton Uke Bass: 534mm scale length Tanglewood Traveller Bass: 21" it says, close enough to 534mm scale length Kala U-Bass: 20" scale length, 508mm. Not as different as I thought. [/quote] The body is bigger than a Kala too. Sounds nice though and with a little run over with some sandpaper, feels good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 [quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1421232753' post='2658624'] The body is bigger than a Kala too. Sounds nice though and with a little run over with some sandpaper, feels good too. [/quote] What parts did you need to sand? What sort of finish does it has, and wouldn't the additional sanding do something to the finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) The finish is satin/matt, so the sanding caused no effect whatsoever. There were rough patches around the edge of the body and I gave the fret ends a bit of sand and polish too. Used very fine sandpaper for the body and nail files for the frets, worked very well. I was very careful though :-) Edited January 14, 2015 by DorsetBlue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Interesting. Can I ask what grit paper you used? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 400 grit I think. Just took my time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) A number of instruments have gone up i the last 30 seconds. Inlcuding a 1975 Jazz bass. Explorer electric guitar and acoustic 12 string gone within a minute or less. 1975 Jazz Bass still there. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_75_na_vintage_serie_deko.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._serie_deko.htm[/url] EDIT: Jazz bass gone now. EDIT: Thanks DorsetBlue. This is the 12 string that was very briefly available. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbd20012bk_12stringwestern.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ringwestern.htm[/url] Not a bass obviously, but IMHO it doesn't sound too bad. EDIT: At first I liked the pickup sound on this. But after plugging in some quality headphones and having another listen, I've changed my mind on that. Full price is £84.99. I wonder how much the deko price was. Probably about £30 or so I'd guess. I wonder if the instruments get reserved once they're in your shopping basket. E.g. I wonder if it's a strategy to immediately click on buy, and then have a think about it, then remove it from my shopping basket. However, UglyDog's first attempt to buy a JB20 suggests otherwise. Edited January 14, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Found myself rather intrigued by these and have been looking in great detail. I "may" have found why the fretted is unplayable. The full price B30 is a 24 fret neck. The deco B30 is a 23 fret neck. Comparing the photos seems to suggest that the 23rd and 24th frets are in the same position on both models. This would lead me to believe that all of the frets are slightly high all the way up the fret board and as such the intonation is "wrong"! It won't be an issue for home use buy if you were to try and use it in an acoustic band situation then it'll probably sound off. I could be wrong and I'm sure someone with a set of vernier callipers will take accurate measurements and correct me if that's the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 [quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1421267649' post='2659246'] The full price B30 is a 24 fret neck. The deco B30 is a 23 fret neck. Comparing the photos seems to suggest that the 23rd and 24th frets are in the same position on both models. [/quote] Both are 24 fret its a typo in the description. Someone already debunked this earlier in the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I'll whip out the tape measure when mine appears and check that the 12th fret is in the right place. I'm sure someone would have noticed the intonation being out already though - it wouldn't be a subtle thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1421267944' post='2659251'] Both are 24 fret its a typo in the description. Someone already debunked this earlier in the thread. [/quote] If it's already been debunked then I must have skim read that page of the thread, I was a little late to the party. Can't beat the real world evidence of ownership, but the photograph on Thomann clearly shows a 23 fret bass as described, hence my reason for posting. I'll get back in my box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 [quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1421267649' post='2659246'] Found myself rather intrigued by these and have been looking in great detail. I "may" have found why the fretted is unplayable. The full price B30 is a 24 fret neck. The deco B30 is a 23 fret neck. Comparing the photos seems to suggest that the 23rd and 24th frets are in the same position on both models. This would lead me to believe that all of the frets are slightly high all the way up the fret board and as such the intonation is "wrong"! It won't be an issue for home use buy if you were to try and use it in an acoustic band situation then it'll probably sound off. I could be wrong and I'm sure someone with a set of vernier callipers will take accurate measurements and correct me if that's the case. [/quote] My Deko B30 is 24 frets and the nut to 12th fret distance is 433mm. It intonates fine now I've got the neck relief right and therefore the action at a decent low height. Hope this helps Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Fret 12 at 17 inches. Fret 23 about 1/32 inch under 25 inches (should be 24.99, using 'the 18 rule"). Fret 24 also about 1/32 inch under 25.5 inches (should be 25.5) (subject to the accuracy of a Stanley tape rule, which agrees with a B&Q rule, no expenses spared on measurements here!) Intonation generally poor (to my cloth ears). Fretted at 12th sharper than harmonic, though I have changed the strings, maybe the bridge was set for the original bronze rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Fitted a set of D'Addario black nylons to my black HB30. Not only does it look a million dollars, it has made a marked improvement to the feel and tone too. It has also evened out the string volumes a bit through the PA. It is pretty much as much as I would want and need from an acoustic bass - but with a total cost (bass, strings, postage) of £70.66 !! Has to be up there in the 'best value for money of anything I've ever bought' category Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Loads more dekos up NOW! EDIT: Mostly gone. There is a JB20 Jazz bass still there as of a few seconds ago. EDIT: Jazz bass and some not very attractive (IMHO) resonator guitar still there. EDIT: Looks better in full sized photos and is an interesting instrument. Black resonator guitar with mini hum[size=4]bucker. [/size][url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbn150cebk.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._hbn150cebk.htm[/url]The[size=4] resonator guitar has good reviews, if anyone's interested. Surprised to see the Jazz bass is still there. [/size] [size=4]EDIT: All gone now. Anyone get anything?[/size] Edited January 15, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) 'Custom Series' Acoustic 4-string bass. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clb_10sce_ns_deko.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...sce_ns_deko.htm[/url] The non-deko version claims to have a much shorter scale length????? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clb_10sce_ns.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...lb_10sce_ns.htm[/url] One review claims that the bridge pins limit the gauge of string that can be used. I'm not sure about that. But, I don't really see what the advantage of this bass is over the B-30 models that some of us have. Unless someone really likes abalone shell. It seems to be the guitars that go quickest. One of these 'Vintage' strats went up and disappeared before I even noticed it was there. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_62_bk_vintage_series.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...tage_series.htm[/url] One of these vanished extremely quickly yesterday. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbs200bk.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...on_hbs200bk.htm[/url] I don't know about other people, but I don't find that bolt-on SG guitar copy particularly appealing. Edited January 16, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1421442688' post='2661421'] 'Custom Series' Acoustic 4-string bass. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clb_10sce_ns_deko.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...sce_ns_deko.htm[/url] The non-deko version claims to have a much shorter scale length????? [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clb_10sce_ns.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...lb_10sce_ns.htm[/url] One review claims that the bridge pins limit the gauge of string that can be used. I'm not sure about that. But, I don't really see what the advantage of this bass is over the B-30 models that some of us have. Unless someone really likes abalone shell. [/quote] I think the solid spruce top is the major advantage over the B30 models, which have a laminated top. As much as we bicker over tonewoods in solidbodies on here, it's a big deal with acoustics. If I didn't already have the B35 on the way, I would have been tempted by this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1421443634' post='2661447'] I think the solid spruce top is the major advantage over the B30 models, which have a laminated top. As much as we bicker over tonewoods in solidbodies on here, it's a big deal with acoustics. If I didn't already have the B35 on the way, I would have been tempted by this one. [/quote] Ah, OK. I didn't notice the solid spruce top. It seems a deal then, anyone going to go for it? Edited January 16, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vixivi Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 The custom line deko does have fishman electronics which i assume are better quality than the standard series? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Vixivi' timestamp='1421443802' post='2661449'] The custom line deko does have fishman electronics which i assume are better quality than the standard series? [/quote] I listened to the sound samples of the custom line, and must admit that it didn't immediately strike me as being a step above what I have. I put flat wound strings on mine, so perhaps its not a like for like comparison. IMHO the pickup on my B30FL sounds great. Fishman electronics should be a big bonus however, and with the solid spruce top means that this is a higher specification than the B30. It is, percentage-wise, more expensive. But, at their price point, the absolute price difference isn't too huge. Edited January 16, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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