geoham Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 (edited) Merry Christmas! The wife had asked what I wanted for Christmas a few weeks ago. I’d suggested a basic six-string guitar to mess about with at home with my Helix. A Squier Tele or something would have been ideal! Today she surprised me with six-string bass, a Harley Benton progressive B-650. It seems a LOT of bass for the money, but realistically is useless to me, I can’t remember it getting gigged ahead of my Lakland or Fender. She asked my guitarist mate for advice, and even after I told him I’d like to get my hands on a Tele after having a go of his, he still led her to this! I’m hoping Thomann will let me exchange it! Edited December 25, 2019 by geoham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 I’d keep it. Barely any point in the hassle of sending it back and it seems such a lovely gesture for her to have done. One assumes when you were talking to your guitarist about wanting a 6 string he thought you meant a bass! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted December 25, 2019 Author Share Posted December 25, 2019 3 minutes ago, Burns-bass said: I’d keep it. Barely any point in the hassle of sending it back and it seems such a lovely gesture for her to have done. One assumes when you were talking to your guitarist about wanting a 6 string he thought you meant a bass! I am thinking of keeping it, doing a bit of chordal stuff at the traditionally dusty end of the neck, that kind of thing to push my boundaries a bit. I’ve had a strict three bass rule for the past few years, and any that don’t earn their keep have to go. This definitely won’t earn its keep or push any others out the door, so it may end up being a exception! This is the bass - has anyone ever used one? https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_650_black_progressive_series.htm George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 7 hours ago, geoham said: This is the bass - has anyone ever used one? https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_650_black_progressive_series.htm George Not yet, but I ordered that very bass 3 days ago and I'm currently waiting for it to arrive. To be fair the reviews on it are outstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 I’d keep it, it’s a fantastic gesture by someone who clearly loves you a lot and worth a lot more than just money or some self-imposed rule. Don’t think of it as a bass, it’s an extended-range instrument which happens to incorporate some bass frequencies. Lose the low B, shift the other strings down, add a high F string and there’s something really different for you to play which is a lot more than just a bass, problem solved. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share Posted December 26, 2019 9 minutes ago, Doctor J said: I’d keep it, it’s a fantastic gesture by someone who clearly loves you a lot and worth a lot more than just money or some self-imposed rule. Don’t think of it as a bass, it’s an extended-range instrument which happens to incorporate some bass frequencies. Lose the low B, shift the other strings down, add a high F string and there’s something really different for you to play which is a lot more than just a bass, problem solved. An interesting idea, thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pseudonym Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 25 minutes ago, Doctor J said: I’d keep it, it’s a fantastic gesture by someone who clearly loves you a lot and worth a lot more than just money or some self-imposed rule. Don’t think of it as a bass, it’s an extended-range instrument which happens to incorporate some bass frequencies. Lose the low B, shift the other strings down, add a high F string and there’s something really different for you to play which is a lot more than just a bass, problem solved. 8 hours ago, geoham said: I am thinking of keeping it, doing a bit of chordal stuff at the traditionally dusty end of the neck, that kind of thing to push my boundaries a bit. I’ve had a strict three bass rule for the past few years, and any that don’t earn their keep have to go. This definitely won’t earn its keep or push any others out the door, so it may end up being a exception! I agree completely with Doctor J here. Plenty of scope for exploring, especially with a Helix. It's a lovely gesture that also comes as a surprise -- maybe not a surprise you think you want, but a surprise that you might well be delighted by in due course. An exception that encourages you to push your own boundaries sounds like a great present to me. Pure experimental research doesn't always earn its keep in a direct way either, but that's where the wonders are to be found. If ever something deserved a waiver of your three-bass rule, I'd say an intriguing Christmas gift from your wife is probably it. Happy Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pseudonym Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 My previous post should be read with the following caveats: 1. The OP didn't actually request advice, so please feel free to completely disregard what I wrote. 2. The general consensus on Basschat regarding basses seems to be: (a) if in doubt, buy it; and (b) if in doubt, keep it. It is possible that Basschatters are less than objective on those points, but I wouldn't care to generalise. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 The reviews really are fantastic aren’t they? Next big contract I win I might get one of these as a treat! 2 hours ago, Newfoundfreedom said: Not yet, but I ordered that very bass 3 days ago and I'm currently waiting for it to arrive. To be fair the reviews on it are outstanding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 12 minutes ago, Burns-bass said: The reviews really are fantastic aren’t they? Next big contract I win I might get one of these as a treat! DO IT!!!! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Re - string it with guitar strings and give it as a present to your guitarist mate for Christmas next year. 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 Maybe the guitarist thought you were a threat to him. On the serious note, if you get a Tele Squier you want regret. I got one for the Christmas a few years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted December 26, 2019 Author Share Posted December 26, 2019 So after putting the bass back in the box yesterday and convincing myself it had to back, I spent an hour with it plugged in today. I must say, I’m very impressed and have decided to keep it. The neck pickup is a bit dull, but the bridge is great - really powerful and punchy. The truss rod could probably use a slight turn and the intonation needs tweaked, but no fundamental issues with workmanship or playability. Goodness knows how they can make a bass like this for under £150. I reckon I’ll pick up a Harley Benton Tele soon enough! George 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 20 minutes ago, geoham said: So after putting the bass back in the box yesterday and convincing myself it had to back, I spent an hour with it plugged in today. I must say, I’m very impressed and have decided to keep it. The neck pickup is a bit dull, but the bridge is great - really powerful and punchy. The truss rod could probably use a slight turn and the intonation needs tweaked, but no fundamental issues with workmanship or playability. Goodness knows how they can make a bass like this for under £150. I reckon I’ll pick up a Harley Benton Tele soon enough! George There it is, why have a new bass or a guitar when you can have a new bass and a new guitar? 👏👏👏 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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