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Thomann selling Harley Benton basses as 'Decoration only'

Annoying Twit

By Annoying Twit,
in Bass Guitars

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fusdepilee Rookie

fusdepilee

Posted
Posted

My deko acoustic bass is here and seems totally fine apart from fret buzz up around the 12th to 14th frets on the D and G strings.

I've tried adjusting the truss rod in both directions but it isn't helping - any advice here? Not sure how to adjust the bridge?

Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

Posted
Posted (edited)

[quote name='jeweytheroux' timestamp='1440611871' post='2852434']
My deko acoustic bass is here and seems totally fine apart from fret buzz up around the 12th to 14th frets on the D and G strings.

I've tried adjusting the truss rod in both directions but it isn't helping - any advice here? Not sure how to adjust the bridge?
[/quote]

It's probably a high fret, as that appears to be the most common issue on the acoustics. On mine the 17th fret was sitting a little too high on the treble side, which made the notes below that on the top strings buzz. I tapped the fret with a hammer to check it was seated, then carefully used a file to spot-level it in that area until that fret was the same height as the others.

Edited by Beer of the Bass
miles'tone Grand Master

miles'tone

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1440604472' post='2852345']


Ahh.... ok. Thanks. So we're not looking for a faulty component or dry joint then.

I'm sure it can be fixed with a capacitor across the switch, or the battery. It's just a matter of finding out what size that needs to be.

The other solution could be to make it passive and take the pre' out.
[/quote]

Yup mine does it too. I just turn the knob down, then pull (fnarr).

yorks5stringer Grand Master

yorks5stringer

Posted
Posted

[quote name='jeweytheroux' timestamp='1440611871' post='2852434']
My deko acoustic bass is here and seems totally fine apart from fret buzz up around the 12th to 14th frets on the D and G strings.

I've tried adjusting the truss rod in both directions but it isn't helping - any advice here? Not sure how to adjust the bridge?
[/quote]

Don't think you can adjust the bridge on an acoustic as it is all fixed.

pfretrock Proficient

pfretrock

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1440612241' post='2852437']
It's probably a high fret, as that appears to be the most common issue on the acoustics. On mine the 17th fret was sitting a little too high on the treble side
[/quote]
Same problem with mine, the 17th fret was loose on the treble side and had lifted. I pushed it down - needs careful application of superglue which I've not got around to yet, but the buzz has gone.

Andytre Enthusiast

Andytre

Posted
Posted

https://m.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_mb_4_sb_deluxe_series_deko.htm?o=18&ref=mal_a_18&search=1440673831

https://m.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_beatbass_vs_vintage_se_deko.htm?o=13&ref=mal_a_13&search=1440673831


Musicman copy and beat bass up on mobile site

tauzero Grand Master

tauzero

Posted
Posted

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1440604472' post='2852345']
Ahh.... ok. Thanks. So we're not looking for a faulty component or dry joint then.

I'm sure it can be fixed with a capacitor across the switch, or the battery. It's just a matter of finding out what size that needs to be.
[/quote]

I don't think a capacitor across the switch would do it. The active/passive switch changes the signal path rather than switching power to something. It does make me wonder if there's a DC offset somewhere that shouldn't be there. You could always replace it with a cheap and cheerful Artec preamp.

tauzero Grand Master

tauzero

Posted
Posted

[quote name='jeweytheroux' timestamp='1440611871' post='2852434']
My deko acoustic bass is here and seems totally fine apart from fret buzz up around the 12th to 14th frets on the D and G strings.

I've tried adjusting the truss rod in both directions but it isn't helping - any advice here? Not sure how to adjust the bridge?
[/quote]

You'd need to pull the bridge saddle out and shim it.

pfretrock Proficient

pfretrock

Posted
Posted

[quote name='jeweytheroux' timestamp='1440611871' post='2852434']
My deko acoustic bass is here and seems totally fine apart from fret buzz up around the 12th to 14th frets on the D and G strings.

I've tried adjusting the truss rod in both directions but it isn't helping - any advice here? Not sure how to adjust the bridge?
[/quote]

Are you checking the relief as you adjust the truss rod? No point otherwise.
I'd check frets are level before messing with the bridge. The action is quite high, I would imagine, so this is not likely to be a major cause of buzz.

tauzero Grand Master

tauzero

Posted
Posted

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1440684068' post='2852943']
Would that not affect the Piezo underneath?
[/quote]

It shouldn't if it's a flat shim (not necessarily uniform thickness) making good mechanical contact all along its length with both the bridge saddle and the piezo strip.

Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I was amazed to read that there was a deko neck through Les Paul. I would guess that was an experimental prototype. "guess". Any chance of a link? I had a look at the mobile site, and there are two sold out Les Pauls, but both are set necks. I'm thinking that HB may have looked at doing something like the Agile set neck LPs.

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1440686130' post='2852971']
It shouldn't if it's a flat shim (not necessarily uniform thickness) making good mechanical contact all along its length with both the bridge saddle and the piezo strip.
[/quote]

Wouldn't it be easier to replace the bridge? Surely they can't cost much.

Edited by Annoying Twit
TheButler Enthusiast

TheButler

Posted
Posted (edited)

eBay has more than double the amount of these deko basses than Thomann has... for more than double the price. Nothing in description to say they are seconds/B-stock. What a shyster.

Edited by TheButler
Annoying Twit Proficient

Annoying Twit

Posted
  • Author
Posted

[quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1440708315' post='2853244']
eBay has more than double the amount of these deko basses than Thomann has... for more than double the price. Nothing in description to say they are seconds/B-stock. What a shyster.
[/quote]

Can you post a link or two?

TheButler Enthusiast

TheButler

Posted
Posted (edited)

The LH jazz that was up earlier in the week on Thomann:
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Jazz-Bass-In-Natural-Ash-Left-Handed/262013707642?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dff34daae0b3b4b009fcd9d8efe4d4db1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262013670968"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D262013670968[/url]

The progressive... same seller

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Active-Bass-In-Black-Right-Handed/262013670968?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D32cb50003745409489a4d13352d6cce1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262013707642"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D262013707642[/url]

The acoustic bass...same seller

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Left-Handed-/262013733006?hash=item3d013c488e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3d013c488e[/url]

"There is a mark on the back of the body which I have tried to show in the last photo."

Edited by TheButler
CamdenRob Mentor

CamdenRob

Posted
Posted

[quote name='TheButler' timestamp='1440709016' post='2853262']
The LH jazz that was up earlier in the week on Thomann:
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Jazz-Bass-In-Natural-Ash-Left-Handed/262013707642?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dff34daae0b3b4b009fcd9d8efe4d4db1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262013670968"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D262013670968[/url]

The progressive... same seller

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Harley-Benton-Active-Bass-In-Black-Right-Handed/262013670968?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D32cb50003745409489a4d13352d6cce1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D262013707642"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D262013707642[/url]

The acoustic bass...same seller

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electro-Acoustic-Bass-Guitar-Left-Handed-/262013733006?hash=item3d013c488e"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3d013c488e[/url]

"There is a mark on the back of the body which I have tried to show in the last photo."
[/quote]

Cheeky bugger...

Maude Grand Master

Maude

Posted
Posted

I haven't looked but assume they're in Newquay.
I have no problem with someone taking their chances on a deko, sorting any problems and selling it on with an honest description of what is. But the seller in Newquay is is being dishonest in my view.
I work in the car trade and liken it to 'total loss' vehicles. If repaired properly there is nothing wrong with a written off car but it will never be worth as much as a non total loss.
How would you feel buying a car only to discover afterwards that it had been written off.

TheButler Enthusiast

TheButler

Posted
Posted

Also screws our chances of picking one up. Probably sitting there sweating in front of the deko page hitting F5 when i'm busy at work making sure kids aren't chewing gum and swearing.

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