Bassassin Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 So - the reviewer returned the bass - and DarkHeart's just bought a B-stock... Hmmm. However - none of these issues exactly sound terminal to me, pretty easy fix if you have a screwdriver and a file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1483908174' post='3211085'] So - the reviewer returned the bass - and DarkHeart's just bought a B-stock... Hmmm. However - none of these issues exactly sound terminal to me, pretty easy fix if you have a screwdriver and a file. [/quote] See what its like when it gets here, I like a bit fettle, certainly not shy of either a screwdriver of a file, its worth a shot, the worst that can happen is its too bad and I send it back as well, would that make it `C` stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 Well it arrived this afternoon just before work so I got a chance to open the box and have a quick look and an even quicker play, action is a bit high due to a small amount of bow in the neck but as its been sat in a cold truck travelling from Germany with only a few refugees keeping it warm for the last 4 days its not suprising, visually it is very nice on the eye, the body looks as good in the flesh as it does on the website, well pleased with that. The neck not only looks like the one on my Yam RBX405 it feels like it as well with only the sharp fret ends reminding me that it isnt my Yam and theyre easily remedied with a whetstone and a small amount of elbow grease. I didnt have too much time to try all the various tone controls but it seems to have a fairly wide pallet of sounds. Overall so far im impressed, its comfortable, got a pretty nice neck and the fan frets arent as daunting as I thought they would be, in fact after about 5 mins I barely noticed, is it a keeper......yes, is it perfect out of the box.......no, is it worth just over £300 ........definitely, a little work possibly even a couple of upgrades and its a killer deal for anyone who wants to dip their toe into the fan fret kerfuffle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Excellent news that DarkHeart. I heard from a fella who'd pre-ordered his and he was over the moon. Main issue he had was the factory forgot to drill for through body stringing Congratulations on the new bass and for taking the plunge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1484276835' post='3214309'] Excellent news that DarkHeart. I heard from a fella who'd pre-ordered his and he was over the moon. Main issue he had was the factory forgot to drill for through body stringing Congratulations on the new bass and for taking the plunge. [/quote] Mine doesnt have through body stringing either and funnily enough neither does the one they used in the gallery on the sale listing....how strange, not a problem for me as I will be fitting flats shortly. Here are the obligatory new bass `pics or it didnt happen pics`. [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5551_zpssgxdaur9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5551_zpssgxdaur9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5552_zpskb4uy5pg.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5552_zpskb4uy5pg.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5553_zps01pfqqvl.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5553_zps01pfqqvl.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5559_zpskqn5gf8j.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5559_zpskqn5gf8j.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5554_zpskeumnref.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5554_zpskeumnref.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Pic with my Yamaha to show similarities with the neck and funnily enough the headstocks. [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5555_zpsxx41b3y1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5555_zpsxx41b3y1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/jeffhop/media/IMG_5557_zps9sr5pyw9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/jeffhop/IMG_5557_zps9sr5pyw9.jpg[/IMG][/URL] If you have a back or shoulder problem be wary of these, theyre chuffin heavy bits of wood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Typical HB quality issues, the pickups are not in straight..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1484319419' post='3214668'] Typical HB quality issues, the pickups are not in straight..... [/quote] Bugger never noticed, i`ll just hold it on an angle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) Oof I really like the idea of this as a backup for the Dingwall. Hmmmmm! Edited January 14, 2017 by Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1484410198' post='3215305'] Oof I really like the idea of this as a backup for the Dingwall. Hmmmmm! [/quote] Ive just stoned the end of the frets and now it plays lovely and doesnt rip you to bits, the bow in the neck has straightened itself now its acclimatised and it really is a joy to play, I may change the tuners it stays in tune but one or two feel a bit notchy but thats all ive got to complain about, its well worth the money, obviously its no Dingwall but for the money its a great way to try fanned frets or be back up for a more expensive model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Brilliant. I'm now going to "unfollow" this thread afore it costs me £300 odds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Noooooo! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 (edited) Ive now had this bass for 6 weeks and ive got to say its the only one ive got that doesnt live in its case, ive swapped out the tuners, stoned the fret ends and changed the strings but everything else is as it came from Thomann, ive got no problems with the bridges and can dial in loads of useable tones with the eq, the B string is as good as ive played and I dont even think about the fan fret thing any more, fit and finish are bloody good for a tad over £300 bass, its a tad heavy but it is a lot of bass. Would I recommend one?............yes, mine was B stock and apart from a few easily sortable niggles its absolutely spot on. As an aside ive also sold my Yamaha TRBX405 as for me this is a better bass. Edited February 26, 2017 by DarkHeart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 Great to hear your up-to-date thoughts on the Harley. I've stuck to my guns and abstained. Car crash, broken leg and no work helped strengthen my resolve ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 [quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1488141444' post='3246294'] Great to hear your up-to-date thoughts on the Harley. I've stuck to my guns and abstained. Car crash, broken leg and no work helped strengthen my resolve ;-) [/quote] Hmmmm cant see why hope your better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted April 20, 2017 Share Posted April 20, 2017 Ahem....... https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_fanfret_5b_black_burl_deko.htm I check the Deco section daily in case anything fun comes up.... £166 for a Fan Fret Single Cut 5er? Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsat34 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Just got one as B stock, and am really impressed. Plays well straight out of the box and a really good range of tones. Finish is very glossy and shiny...... Only criticism is the frets are a little roughly finished, edge only and livable with. Comments on other forums about the tuners also correct, a little sloppy but hold tuning. It looks way more than a €350 bass. Very pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I bought one as a Deko. It has taken a couple of weeks to get the neck just so, but it is now. The frets were atrocious, something that James Bond could have used to slit the throats of meglomaniac musicians bent on ruling the world. I bought an angled fret tool from Ebay and a half hour on each side of the neck has solved all that with no more bloody fingers. I *like* the neck and it took me about 10 seconds to get used to the fan frets. The Preamp is perfectly useable and 18v. I must say the multi-scale thing really works. The G string (nut to bridge) is 33.25" and the low B is 35.5". The lower strings ring loud and strong. I tried flats on it but ended up restringing with steel rounds. Only slight prob is a slightly high fret under low B at 4th fret. Well worth the 166 Euros. G. Edited June 24, 2017 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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