PJ-5 HTR Deluxe Series : Excelent cheap bass

I've been looking for not expensive, 5 string backup bass with Fender Precision pickup layout.

That's why I've gave a chance to Harley Benton.

I'm using it since few months together with "theoretically" better guitar, PRS Kestrel. After this time I can say that this is a great cheap bass with good sound, very comfortable neck, but it requires some work/fixes. It is also a great base for modification because wood, build quality and fret work is OK.

Pros:

- really good sound. It is a cheap instrument but electronics, pickups, pots are very OK.

- good fret work, it will let you to setup pretty much low action.

- neck is very comfortable, well fitted into body, nice satin finish.

- great paint work

- low B string sounds very deep and powerful.

- nice rose wood on fingerboard

- great packaging.

Cons:

- when it arrives, fingerboard was very dirty, but it was possible to clean it up.

- frets were a little rusty, I've polish them using steel wool.

- electronics doesn't have proper EM shield. Without that pickups will be noisy due to power supply's and other source of EM turbulence. No big deal, I've fixed it myself using copper tape. Now they are deadly silent.

- pickguard is awful ;-) I've paint it with black paint. Now it looks very good. Also pickguard is a pretty much uncommon so it will be hard to get drop-in replacement.

- head dive heavily. Leather strap helps. I've also change a bridge to Fender HiMass to add some weight to body. Hint: Fender HiMass bridge fit perfectly, you don't have to drill new holes.

- bad factory setup. It was completely unplayable, strings were lying on frets. I have to make whole setup including setting of truss-rod.

- tuners are not so great, they are very loose. I will probably change them in future

Overall I'm happy with this guitar. If you have a basic luthier skills and you can fix some slips then it is a great choice. I convinced that Harley Benton makes affordable and good products.