JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst : good value!

I needed a cheap bass for home recording and to experiment with a fretless. Very pleased I bought this harley benton.

I couldn't believe when I opened the box. This is the cheapest instruments I have ever bought and really does not feel like it. The fretboard is nice and comfortable, the paint on the body (looks like 3 pieces) is spot on, very solidly built. It was almost in perfect tuning straight out the box even after 6 days of travel in freezing temperatures!

PROS:

- keeps the tuning perfectly. It was almost in tune when it arrived. I changed the strings one day after and didn't touch if for 3 days and still it was perfectly tuned

- very solidly built and looks awesome

- no buzzing or humming when plugged in

- very decent sounding

CONS:

- the strings it comes with (very good D'Addario) are roundwound so they scratch the fingerboard

- the PU are rather quiet, although they sound good

- the electonic is average, the PU volume knobs only really works as 0 or 10, so no fine tune volume blending between neck and bridge PUs

- the tuning pegs are not the most precise and tad stiffy, although they keep a perfect tuning

All in all, if you are searching for a cheap bass or your first fretless, you can't go wrong with this instrument. Change the strings to flatwound and you'll have a reliable and decent sounding bass. Thumbs up!