So, these Harley Bentons.....

[Funky Dunky]

....has anyone got a five string?

I have heard that the rule of thumb on fivers is that cheap ones have flappy B strings, but I want a cheap (and I mean cheap) fiver and wondered if anyone can vouch if the HBs are any good or not?

That was grammatically awful....sorry....but you hopefully get the gist.

[Andytre]

I've got one, and it's really well built and sounds pretty good if a bit low output, but as its my first 5 string I can't vouch on how flappy he B is compared to others, but feels good to me!

[Myke]

See if you can pick up a Deko. Not a large outlay and 99% of the time you get a perfectly playable instrument.

[yorks5stringer]

Mine is fine and fretless too:http://basschat.co.uk/topic/269839-harley-benton-progressive-5-string-fretless-art-deco-special-edition-l7500/

[Painy]

The low B is fine on mine. Again I'd say the output from the pickups is pretty week but the actual tone is good and playability is pretty reasonable - although I should really give the nut some attention when I get a moment to get the action down to where I'd like it.

[geoffbyrne]

I've got the 5 string fretless accoustic and it's pretty decent. However, probably will let it go as, even with a feedback buster fitted, I'm still getting feedback because of the volume we play at. But it's pretty good to play & with Status black nylon strings on is nice & thumpy.

G.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1442745628' post='2869117']
....has anyone got a five string?

I have heard that the rule of thumb on fivers is that cheap ones have flappy B strings, but I want a cheap (and I mean cheap) fiver and wondered if anyone can vouch if the HBs are any good or not?

That was grammatically awful....sorry....but you hopefully get the gist.
[/quote]

I have a five string PJ. I don't think the B string is too bad, but it's not as firm as my Rockbass fiver. Strings are not the same, so that may make a difference. I don't have any expensive 5 (or more) strings, so cannot compare as others will be able to.

[bartelby]

I have a PJ 5string, as other's have said the pickups are the weak point.
But as it only cost me £35-ish I can't complain.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1443177568' post='2872820']
I have a PJ 5string, as other's have said the pickups are the weak point.
But as it only cost me £35-ish I can't complain.
[/quote]

I'd like to ask what it is that makes pickups weak. But, perhaps that's another thread.

[bartelby]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1443178881' post='2872837']
I'd like to ask what it is that makes pickups weak. But, perhaps that's another thread.
[/quote]


Low output, compared to every other bass I own, and a touch on the noisy side.

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1443179819' post='2872850']
Low output, compared to every other bass I own, and a touch on the noisy side.
[/quote]

There's a bit more than that, I think. My Rockbass has low output pickups, but when boosted they sound great. My HB PJ has low output pickups, and when boosted the sound is still ... comparatively unimpressive.

[bartelby]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1443179891' post='2872851']
There's a bit more than that, I think. My Rockbass has low output pickups, but when boosted they sound great. My HB PJ has low output pickups, and when boosted the sound is still ... comparatively unimpressive.
[/quote]

I've yet to really use mine in anger.
Gave it a quick trial a month or so back at a band practice, using my Zoom B3 with a compressor running.
It sounded ok.
I've joining a second band soon and was going to use the HB as my main instrument.
So I'll get to see how well it gets on.