Annoying Twit Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) That does look very nice indeed. Edited February 6, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Moos3h' timestamp='1423240259' post='2682707'] Well, I finally got round to doing something with my Deko. The neck was garbage, so that's gone in the parts bin and I've thrown on one that's off an Aliexpress 'Fender' which is a little better. It's quite a looker now and the body is REALLY good, nice weight and great grain. I should point out that I'm very much NOT the luthier, the neck wouldn't quite fit and I didn't have such tools as a file or sandpaper, so I just stood on it until it went in. Job done. I reckon I could get a job at Fender with that level of technical skill? Anyhoo - it's together, working and I'll take it for a spin tonight at rehearsal to see how it sounds. [attachment=183087:FullSizeRender.jpg] Cheers, James [/quote] that looks better than either of my 3 Japanese 75RI Fenders! edit: well, two of them. I got one refinished in red because the grain was so ugly Edited February 6, 2015 by mcnach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) This is what went up, and then sold out, last night. First the basses. And given that a basic precision bass for £20 or so might be a good starting point for a bitsa, three basses worth having IMHO. Harley Benton CLB-10SCE NS Deko (Acoustic bass guitar, the one with the solid top etc. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_clb_10sce_ns.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...lb_10sce_ns.htm[/url]) Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deko (Neck through slightly jazzy bass [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbz2004.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ton_hbz2004.htm[/url]) Harley Benton PB-20 BK Standard Seri Deko ('Standard' precision bass [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbp120bk_ebass.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...120bk_ebass.htm[/url]) And a number of guitars. Harley Benton CG-45 NS Deko (Acoustic Guitar [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbcg45.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...nton_hbcg45.htm[/url]) Harley Benton CG200-BK Deko (Classical acoustic guitar [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/Harley_Benton_CG200-BK.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...on_CG200-BK.htm[/url]) Harley Benton HBD120BK LH Deko (Left handed short scale strat [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_shorty_lh_bk_std_series.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._std_series.htm[/url]) Harley Benton HBO-600NT Deko (Ovation-ish acoustic guitar [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbo600nt.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...on_hbo600nt.htm[/url]) Harley Benton ST-20HSS CA Standard S Deko ('fat' strat with humbucker [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_st_20hss_ca_standard_series.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...dard_series.htm[/url]) Rich pickings for anyone awake at that time. Edited February 7, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubass Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Saw these and was tempted by the neck through but if it had straightness issues, it would just be a plank. I'd rather go for a bolt on. Looks nice though. That acoustics spec looks impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 Surely the same would apply to any of the acoustics - if the neck is unusable, the whole bass would be a write-off. If it did have a neck fault, and it was noticed soon enough, it's possible to return it of course. See here for Maude's first impressions of the solid top acoustic bass: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/227421-thomann-selling-harley-benton-basses-as-decoration-only/page__view__findpost__p__2668132 Maude, you mentioned you might return to give us a more in-depth review at some time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) Better late than never Differences between the HBB30 and the CLB-10S. Now one's fretless and the other fretted, and one has Fender tapewounds and the other cheap steel rounds I had kicking about so I can't really do a true tone or volume comparison, the fretted will also have Fender tapewounds when I get some. I'll let some pictures do the talking, you should be able to tell which bass is which as the HBB30 is gloss and the CLB-10S satin. I'll post this now as I'm on my phone and fire up the PC to post the pictures. Back in a mo. Edited February 7, 2015 by Maude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 One thing I didn't realise when ordering, as they list all measurements in metric, is that the CLB-10S is 32" scale where the the HBB30 is a 'normal' 34" scale, it's not a big deal especially considering the price but I would have preferred 34" for both. Nevermind. First up, headstock. The HB lettering and the crown logo are pearl inlays whereas the Harley Benton name is just a silver water slide decal. [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_00822_zpsnx4iibvh.jpg.html"][/url] Next the pre amp, the cheaper model has a more 'tweakable' unit with the addition of a presence control a upper and lower mid control over the Fishman unit in the dearer model. I haven't used the Fishman unit yet so can't compare but the cheaper one sounded lovely when I used it with our acoustic band. The Fishman pre is the top of the range in their isys (unfortunate name choice given recent events) range, the bass came with instructions for the pre amp and the booklet covered three or four different units in the isys range with this one being the top one. [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0082_zpsoyiodzsj.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0084_zpswtkuxk3m.jpg.html"][/url] Inlayed pearl soundhole binding compared to black and white decal under the lacquer, [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0087_zpstjppffik.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0088_zps0zljzsel.jpg.html"][/url] Couple of pictures showing difference in finish, [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0091_zpsign4nzsa.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0094_zpsgi65clha.jpg.html"][/url] Bridge differences, ignore the wonky roundwound E string [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0085_zpsfpkxpqzi.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0086_zps3yi7owat.jpg.html"][/url] Different shaped cutaway, [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0093_zpswiqo5zny.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_00942_zpsobxkv8jx.jpg.html"][/url] Different output units, the XLR is a nice touch, not tried it yet but I assume it should do away with the need for a DI box when going into a desk. Note that the XLR is on the cheaper model. [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0090_zps6uzlzewh.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0089_zpsiwkewzvu.jpg.html"][/url] Even inside, the wood on the more expensive model does look better, this is the inside of the back, [url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_00962_zps0uhxinp9.jpg.html"][/url][url="http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Maudebass/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_00952_zpsu0uiqid4.jpg.html"][/url] So there you go, until I get the same strings on I can't really compare the two soundwise, even then it's fretless against fretted, but looks and feel wise the dearer model does seem a much classier (if that's the right word) instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 The CLB model does look nice, but I still can't help but feel very satisfied with my fretless B-30. What was your total price for both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 The CLB was €60, free shipping because I had a voucher which deleted the shipping, and the HBB was €63 including shipping. So €123 whatever that translates to. Actually just looked on Thomann and the Jazz they have at €125 is £93.59 so about that plus the couple of quid my bank charge me for conversion to Euros, all in just under £100, can't complain at that. I wouldn't worry about the HBB being a 'lower' model, in ways it's better, the eq and XLR out, the finish is just personal preference, I'm using the HBB more than the CLB at the mo and it sounds fantastic plugged in. And when plugged in body woods don't matter. And the HBB is a 34" which to me is preferable. I think an owner of any Deko has the right to feel a bit smug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 I'm not worried If I wanted the CLB my excuse would be that I could have a fretted too, as you did That's a nice pair of basses you have, for not a lot of ££££ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 A number up a few seconds ago. Guitars. Boring. Suppose I'll post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) A number up a minute ago. An interesting looking tele. There is also a standard precision bass. I've bunged that in my shopping cart to see if that reserves it. I'll wait to see when/if it disappears from being available to see if I can buy it. That is a nice looking tele. It's been over a minute and it's still there. Oh, it disappeared while I was typing the previous sentence. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_te_52_na_vintage_serie_deko.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._serie_deko.htm[/url] Edit: Precision Bass still up there. Get buying now people. It's only £20. I want to see what happens to the one in my shopping cart when the stock runs out. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_20_bk_standard_seri_deko.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...d_seri_deko.htm[/url] Precision Bass sold out. My shopping cart now shows a note on availability. [quote][color=#FFFFFF][font=Verdana, sans-serif][size=4][b]otes on Availability[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=verdana, tahoma, arial, helvetica][size=4] Unfortunately, we are thomann unable to give you an exact delivery date for the itemHarley Benton PB-20 BK Standard Seri Deko. [/size][/font][/color] [/quote] So, putting it in the shopping cart doesn't reserve it. I wonder if that somehow would reserve one for next time. Or whether I would get an email like ... was it UglyDog? ... saying that they couldn't deliver it. Edited February 12, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Sold out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 [quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1423742840' post='2688440'] Sold out! [/quote] There's still a left handed set neck SG copy guitar. But everything else new for today has gone. The big list of all instruments that my program has ever seen (not all decos that have ever gone up) is getting long. [quote] Harley Benton B-30 BK Acoustic Bass Deko Harley Benton B-30 NT Acoustic Bass Deko Harley Benton B-30 NT LH Deko Harley Benton B-35FL NT Acoustic Bas Deko Harley Benton B-35NT Acoustic Bass S Deko Harley Benton B-550 QTB Progressive Deko Harley Benton BJ-65Pro 6 String Banj Deko Harley Benton CG-45 NS Deko Harley Benton CG200-BK Deko Harley Benton CLB-10SCE NS Deko Harley Benton CLD-30SCM-CE SolidWood Deko Harley Benton CLJ-503CE NT Deko Harley Benton D-120CE-LH BK Deko Harley Benton E-35 VS Vintage Series Deko Harley Benton EAX-10 Pinky Deko Harley Benton FV-430 BK Classic Seri Deko Harley Benton HBD120BK LH Deko Harley Benton HBO-600NT Deko Harley Benton HBO600 SB Deko Harley Benton HBO850 BK Deko Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deko Harley Benton JB-75 NA Vintage Serie Deko Harley Benton JB-75LH NA Vintage Ser Deko Harley Benton L-450Plus Cherry Burst Deko Harley Benton L-500 BK Vintage Serie Deko Harley Benton PB-20 BK Standard Seri Deko Harley Benton PJ-4 HTR Deluxe Series Deko Harley Benton RG-Mini BK Deko Harley Benton S-200 BK Deko Harley Benton S-580 CH LH Vintage Se Deko Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard Seri Deko Harley Benton ST-20 SB Standard Seri Deko Harley Benton ST-20HSS CA Standard S Deko Harley Benton ST-20LH BK Standard Se Deko Harley Benton ST-62 VW Vintage Serie Deko Harley Benton ST-Shorty BK Standard Deko Harley Benton Santos Series C-40SCE Deko Harley Benton TE-20 BK LH Standard S Deko Harley Benton TE-20 SB Standard Seri Deko Harley Benton TE-52 NA Vintage Serie Deko Harley Benton TE-90QM Trans Red Deko Warwick Mini Rock Thumb Bass 4 [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubass Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Got my b30 today. In all honesty, I can't find much wrong with her. All works as it should, neck is straight, intonation spot on out the box and action is fine. The only flaws I noticed are in the lacquer around the bottom of the neck and perhaps the bridge is a little off horizontally (see pictures) it's not affecting playability at all. Overall, I feel that I've got a bargain here. Going to take it to a jam night in the local tomorrow and see how she fares. Considering I've spent more in the chippy, it's unbelievable value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Happy NDBD (Happy New Deko Bass Day)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planer Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 @stubass - Happy NBD mate I got a bargain-bin B-30 about Chrimbo and, as you are finding, for the money they are fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 BASS UKULELE DEKO NOW!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Yes! Ordered! Just what I was waiting for And sold out! Sorry! Edited February 13, 2015 by Mornats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Still up. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_kahuna_clu_bass_ukulel_deko.htm It says that they are 'available immediately' rather than saying that there are a limited number. I put one in my shopping cart and thought about it, but a bass ukulele isn't top of my list. Still thinking though. Except, that as I was typing this they disappeared. I hope your order goes well Momats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubass Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 [quote name='planer' timestamp='1423845549' post='2689682'] @stubass - Happy NBD mate I got a bargain-bin B-30 about Chrimbo and, as you are finding, for the money they are fantastic. [/quote] Thanks mate, yep, she's a keeper. Didn't get a run out tonight unfortunately. Didn't get home til late, hopefully in a fortnight she'll get her chance. The band are on about going to a few wedding fares and doing a wee acoustic set to lure them in so it will be useful. Looks beautiful too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Cheers AT. I hope it's playable. I've been after a uke bass for a while now having played a really nice Ashbury one and a Kala. I just couldn't justify £200 plus on one. The HB one comes in at £42 including postage which is nice. Kinda wish I'd had a couple of other things in my basket to take advantage of the postage but it's still a bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1423872928' post='2690074'] Cheers AT. I hope it's playable. I've been after a uke bass for a while now having played a really nice Ashbury one and a Kala. I just couldn't justify £200 plus on one. The HB one comes in at £42 including postage which is nice. Kinda wish I'd had a couple of other things in my basket to take advantage of the postage but it's still a bargain. [/quote] With Dekos, time is of the essence. You can still have the instrument sell out on you even when it's in your shopping basket. It might be a good strategy to have the shopping basket pre-loaded with other items ready to go, so that it's possible to check out ASAP when a deko is spotted. Edited February 14, 2015 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Rats! I would TOTALLY have taken the Uke bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted February 14, 2015 Author Share Posted February 14, 2015 This is at least the second time I've seen them, and I think perhaps the third. All things come to those who wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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