Harley Benton HBMA-50E Mandoline VS

Not bad, not good.

Unfortunately the pick-up is very weak and doesn't quite amplify as well as the rest of my instruments, which was a let down for sure. That aside, it sounds great acoustically. I'm assuming a performer would most likely be purchasing at a higher price point/quality point than this, so this is pretty good for a beginner to the instrument. I wouldn't recommend it to a novice/pro.

Great for the money

Looks and sound beyond expectation, no blemishes or loose screws, fretboard not too sharp either.

Changed strings with some effort, tailpiece cover was on very tight, but the result is great, a big bright sound.

Good intonation and tuning stability.

Playable and fun.

Great value for money.

Affordable and quality

I am satisfied with my mandolin, it sound great with or without amplifier. If you do not have acoustic amplifier you might need to adjust the tone and effects a little to get the authentic mandolin sound

Disappointed to say the least

My first mandolin. I've been playing ukulele and guitar for a while and wanted to give the mandolin a go. I got the electric one because I thought it would be interesting to play through an amp with distortion and some effects. After waiting 10 days for its arrival (held up in customs), my first initial impressions were good. It looks beautiful and feels good to hold. However, that was outweighed by the sound. The overall sound is very tinny and there is an obnoxious buzzing when you plug into an amp. The tuning pegs are tough to turn and sound like something is cracking when I tune. I am disappointed and wish I had saved some money and just got the basic mandolin.

Pretty good

for its price it is an amazing product, although i wish the sound was better when plugged in

At this price - a very good arrow !

I have been looking for travel and/or harsh party instrument low price (not to fear to damage or loss); tuned and should be played 4-5hours without finger-cramp. This is it - Simple, zen-builted, easy, no flimsy parade, but real workhorse! Test!

1. Tone & sound - high, clear, almost cut-through-stone (high freq.) with some middle range taste, as "A" mandolins have. Fine.

2. Tunning machines and tunning at high possitions: so-so to well. No miracle, no tragedy.

3. Electronics - eeeh... single pickup. High, little silent, with some noise - minihumbucker would be a better choice; think evryone pay cheerly some euros more for clear, non-affected sound..

4. Touch and neck - from acceptable to - good. Great possitive surprise!

5. Look and processing - fine. No considerable reservations. Back is black!

6. MINUS: dot frets - tiny and flimsy. I dont wait long durability.

CONCLUSION: for its price a VERY FINE INSTRUMENT for beginners and also experisenced players as a less-care paddle-board, where the beers-flies-through-the-air-with -glasses-and-dent-prosthesises... :-)

DRINK A LAMP & - ENJOY!

really nothing special

It's cheap so that's why 3 stars, but besides that it feels like one step above toy instrument.

After having bought it two or so years ago, i really don't find myself picking it up anytime. It's just not fun to play.

Bon instrument moyennant des réglages et modifications

D’abord changer les cordes, comme c’est un micro magnétique, mettre des cordes avec du nickel, genre daddario ej67

Baisser l’action avec les roulettes sur le chevalet, régler l'intonation, il y a des tutoriels sur youtube si vous ne savez pas comment faire, dévissez le micro,, virez les ressorts qui ne servent à rien et remontez le micro, il est beaucoup trop bas donc le niveau est trop bas, il doit remonter au moins de 5 mm, à faire faire par un luthier si vous n’avez pas l’habitude, demandez lui de mettre un fil entre la masse et le cordier ce qui supprime complètement le bruit de fond, indispensable ! Et voilà vous avez un excellent instrument parfaitement utilisable même en concert !

Awesome little instrument

I bought this as a novelty as I did not play a mandolin before. The build quality and the sound of the instrument is worth all the money. Pick-up is quite ok also.

I should have spent more for a mandolin

The price is what makes this instrument attractive, especially if you are not a demanding player. However, the construction and the sound does not meet even the basic standards (especially when you use the whole fretboard and not only basic chords). Next time I would spend more to get more when it comes to mandolin....