JPJ Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 As I am going to be spending the next 18 months or so in Holland, returning home every other weekend or so, I decided to buy a cheap bass to keep at the apartment in Holland. I decided on a whim to scratch my acoustic bass itch and went with this five string acoustic from Harley Benton via Thomann. [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/7383DD24-AE49-4E5F-81B4-331EAF033E9C_zpsr2ks4luk.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/7383DD24-AE49-4E5F-81B4-331EAF033E9C_zpsr2ks4luk.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The bass arrived very well packaged (cardboard box inside cardboard box with lots of air filled padding) as we have come to expect from Thomann. Immediate impressions were of a well made playable bass, in need of a little fettling to get to where I like it. True, the frets and fret ends need a bit of fettling, and I've junked the original bronze strings for a set of Fender flats, and now I have a bass that's a pleasure to play for the grand sum of £172.00 (£150 for the bass plus £22 for the strings). Sure, like all acoustic basses, it's not going to keep up with a couple of acoustic 6 strings on its own but as it is electro-acoustic with built-in tuner and a surprisingly good preamp with both jack and XLR outputs, you could gig this quite happily. Yes, this is definitely a budget instrument, there are a few flaws in the finish, and as I've tried to show in the photographs, there are a couple of spots where you can see the binding has penetrated the wood leaving little spots of 'light' glowing through the binding. But I really am quibbling now, other than the noted defects, this is a hell of a bass, nicely made for not very much money at all. Now the question is, do I rip the frets out and make this one fretless or do I buy another fretless version, decisions decisions😎 [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/BA0CDBCC-6041-42F0-BBF4-C26EB9BB61C6_zpsk48ig39n.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/BA0CDBCC-6041-42F0-BBF4-C26EB9BB61C6_zpsk48ig39n.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/B6672E1B-29B0-44FF-8F95-1A3E2CEB0A92_zpsjdkqo2pd.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/B6672E1B-29B0-44FF-8F95-1A3E2CEB0A92_zpsjdkqo2pd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/8D33E536-DDCC-470D-9EC8-650B3C06830A_zpsqiyenws9.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/8D33E536-DDCC-470D-9EC8-650B3C06830A_zpsqiyenws9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/76BA2EEB-DD1D-404E-B7D9-71DF7839827B_zps5r8zxine.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/76BA2EEB-DD1D-404E-B7D9-71DF7839827B_zps5r8zxine.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/D1D40979-0AEA-4E03-ACE7-842BCC1D0D4E_zpsv7vfr1gt.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/D1D40979-0AEA-4E03-ACE7-842BCC1D0D4E_zpsv7vfr1gt.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JPJ/media/17CEB2F1-3ECF-4DA2-957E-5EABAD7B8B35_zpscvoqonw9.jpg.html][IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/JPJ/17CEB2F1-3ECF-4DA2-957E-5EABAD7B8B35_zpscvoqonw9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Sharman Posted August 7, 2016 Share Posted August 7, 2016 I have to say I bought one of the Deko versions of these and had AndyJR1515 of this parish restring it with Nylon wound strings and work some of his magic on it and it is now brilliant. I think these are a bit of a bargain to be honest. Up Side: A lot of bass for the money (particularly if you can get a Deko or B-Stock) and capable of holding it's own against much more expensive items. Down Side: variations in finish (even on the non-deko's) QC not necessarily top line (fret ends as discussed seem a re-occuring theme) does tend to have a higher feedback level than other electro-acoustic basses I have tried. I know EA basses are quite prone to feedback anyway but certainly my HB seems particularly sensetive. I would appreciate anyone elses experience on this front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 So having lived with this bass for a month or so, I've started to fettle her a little to iron out a few of the niggles. This weeks task has been to shave about 2mm off the bridge which has improved the action and the playability immeasurably. One thing I've noticed is that she eats batteries (2 since I've gotten her) and I'm only using the tuner. I did try her electrically through the iRig into the iPad, but the jack socket (or the cheap jack lead I was using) was providing an unreliable connection. Could be that there is something amiss with the wiring too, so my next task will involve opening her guts up to see what is going on. Having said all of that, this is still an amazing bass for the money, and well worth spending a little time to iron out. I'm loving just picking her up and noodling away and as a tool for song learning whilst away from the main herd, she's become invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huge Hands Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1474454685' post='3138093'] ....One thing I've noticed is that she eats batteries (2 since I've gotten her) and I'm only using the tuner. I did try her electrically through the iRig into the iPad, but the jack socket (or the cheap jack lead I was using) was providing an unreliable connection. Could be that there is something amiss with the wiring too, so my next task will involve opening her guts up to see what is going on.... [/quote] I reckon you might be on to something there (i.e. there is a fault). I bought mine (identical to yours) as a deko and have had it about a year - I've not had to change the battery yet and I probably turn it on for the tuner about once a week. I have mine strung with Roto 88s (black wrapped). I had to dig the bridge out a bit to get the wrap on the bottom of the B-string through the hole, and sort the truss rod out a bit, but it was worth it. Those brass strings that came on it were way too zingy for me! I love it, it just sits next to the sofa so I can pick it up as and when I want. Enjoy yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Chris Sharman' timestamp='1470569330' post='3106749'] .....I know EA basses are quite prone to feedback anyway but certainly my HB seems particularly sensetive. I would appreciate anyone elses experience on this front. [/quote] I had an Ibanez Electroacoustic bass, and it was lovely. I only got rid of it because I had too many, and my son liked it so much... So I gave it to him - he now plays it all the time. I have to say, I didn't gig the bass all the time, but I never had any feedback issues from it whatsoever. A mate has the same Ibanez bass, which he gigs regularly, and I've never heard his feedback either. I know EA basses can't "keep up with" acoustic guitars volume-wise, but they are great for jamming along to CD's, to work out tunes etc. And just a small, portable amp makes them much more prominent. I used mine at unplugged jams, with a small battery powered Ashton buskers amp (15W 8" speaker) and it was great.... The Harley Benton does look similar to the Ibanez EA bass (though the Ibby was a 4 string) and for what the OP has bought it for, I'd say it's a brilliant instrument. If it sounds anything like my old Ibanez when plugged in to a decent amp - it'll be great. I'm sure the issues with them are sorted easily enough, and when you consider what you used to get for low money years ago - I think this is a great price EDIT: The preamp in the Ibanez was pretty good too. The bass looks so similar - I wonder if there are several "common" parts? Small blemishes in finish don't worry me - guitars get bumped about anyway, unless they stay in glass cases..... Edited September 22, 2016 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 I have the H.B. fretless acoustic and they are great for the money but beware of putting the battery in the wrong way round as i did this and now it doesnt work ! i have been meaning to contact Thomann for ages and get some replacement electrics ... i still play it acoustically you can hear it here https://soundcloud.com/timothy-terrence-higgins-iv/alt-ohm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 7, 2016 Author Share Posted October 7, 2016 A further, less than positive update. Whilst playing the bass last night, and during tuning, the G string tuning peg gave up the ghost. Basically, it appears the tuning post has sheared off the worm drive cog as the post is now freely rotating and does not turn when you turn the tuning key. I have contacted Thomann about a replacement, watch this space for updates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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