Harley Benton MB-5 SB Deluxe Series 5-stars Reviews

This bass is sooo good for the price. I really like the tone, the 5th string is powerful. It came in perfect condition, no problems. It feels comfortable playing right out of the box even though I use to play with the lowest action possible.

I love my Harley Benton

For the price of this bass it is amazing. The sound is so clean, more on the light side. For slapping, you cant wrong with bass. I use it to do a lot of studio work but I have used for a live set and it was phat. Now I did have to boost the volume some because its not as hot as my other basses but I expected that, being a passive bass. This is such a beautiful bass I have gotten so many compliments on it I most definitely recommend.

Amazing MOD platform

I bought it because I new about its sound quality which I love. The master plan was to remove the whole cheap hardware and put new one.

pickup is very good. No issues if someone wants too use it but my new Warman alnico one is a bit less powerful and clearer in high mids.

Original strings are terrible and needed to be replaced immediately for Stainless Steel DR drop tune set. The whole electronics incl. hardware had to go too. New brass nut ass well.

A-major awesome bass

The packaging arrived unscathed and was delivered in a super quick time.

I had read some reviews that had me doubting the quality control, but this bass has arrived in perfect condition and just needed a quick tune and was ready to play - unbelievable!

Once I was happy everything was as it should be I replaced the strings with some Ernie Ball of the same size, I couldn’t be more grateful - thank you!

Surprisingly good for the price!

This was my first 5-string.

Where to start... The pickups do a really good job with the noise (if you are in humbucker config.)

The stock strings are good-quality and for this price, it is a bargain. The maple neck and fretboard feels amazing, and it is a sturdy bass. Not as heavy as you would expect it to be.

The humbucker split feature is very cool, allowing you to get a big variety of tones.

The build quality is very good, and that goes for any Harley Benton product I have, but for this bass specifically, I would say the frets could have had a little more care. Nothing a visit to your local luthier can't fix.

Definitely would recommend.

Fantastic Bass!! Harley Benton should be proud!

Where to start with this? The bass is strong and sturdy with a fantastic weight. The bridge is top notch in my book. The stock strings come bright and perfectly playable. The neck is wonderful. It is quick and feels wonderful to play.

Out of the box the action was low but perfect for me. It doesn't dive and the weight adds to the feel of it wonderfully. The tuners hold up well to boot. More on the neck: no frets where sticking out, nothing required grinding or sanding, the nut feels really good, and the fret height is nothing short of marvelous. It is versatile and very fast for a neck. The finish on it was lovely and it always brings a smile to my face whenever I play it.

The stock strings, as mentioned before hold up really well. Especially the B string, which this bass holds really well. It is comfortable and the sound is remarkably balanced. The sound while seemingly lacking a little bit in volume from what I'm used to is really consistent and bassy. When slapping and popping it sings, not to mention the beauty of harmonics on new strings. But after frequent playing this bass has provided nothing but supportive tone rich lines.

Due to its slightly quieter volume it can struggle to cut through mixes but its truly a joy to play. It gets bonus points for the fact that it resembles a Stingray. Its a perfect Stingray substitute. The single double coil pickup is super solid and great to play with. It feels like the perfect blend of versatility and reliability. This bass is great for different styles, I've used it for Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Blues and it can play all of them really really well.

It is well built and well tested by quality control. I could not think of a better introduction to the five string community. It looks beautiful as well, I was not sure about the sunburst finish but now I could not be happier. The orange sunburst fading to black, accompanied by a black Stingray-esque pickguard which lies so aesthetically below the strings, makes for a gorgeous visual appeal. On that note the finish of this coloration is superb! And the headstock holds up to that as well.

Now what are my complaints? My grievances? Firstly I do not understand the need for two volume knobs (one for each of the coils in the pickup). They drastically reduce the volume of the bass and its difficult for the bass to shine. Maybe I need more experience with it? Also it could just be me but this bass hums a little bit more than I was expecting, I will set it down and hear a hum or buzz, I thought it was my amp until I plugged it into my friends and the hum was still there. But that in my books does not knock away any points or value for me.

Lastly, I would like to address the cost. It blew my mind at the cost, a budget bass that not only seems good but sounds fantastic? I never thought that it would exist. Its perfectly priced for all that one gets, and what one gets is a bass that is dependable, versatile, sturdy, and both fun to play and listen to. I could not recommend this bass enough. I have been playing for two years and this bass for 4 months and I could not sing its praises higher. It plays like an instrument not in this price range and sounds like an instrument 3 times its price. The reviews have not been wrong about this, and this bass and Harley Benton as a company have been praised again and again.

Awesome Bass!

I was torn between the two different options you offer of this style. This one and the MM-85A. Not a huge fan of passive basses nor the 2 vol 1 tone set up. However, I didn't like that the headstock didn't match on the MM 85. These were the deciding factors in my choice.

Upon arrival, had to file most of the frets. They weren't too bad, but still was necessary before playing(hence the 4 stars for features). But once I plugged her in...WOW! Totally blown away by the sound! Crispy highs. I slap often, so definitely a must. Felt the lows in my chest and that was with the volume on my amp below 5. I have a Sterling Sub 5, which I also love, but it's EQ set up is a bit aggressive at times.

This bass is just as good or better (sub 5 is active). More than satisfied. Will be purchasing more Harley Benton basses from Thormann in the very near future. Gotta figure out how, without upsetting the Mrs! 😆

Best bass buy ever. I'm only buying Harley Benton day forward

This is Big_Bottom in the US. This is a best bass buy ever. I just purchased my second Harley Benton and if the quality of this bass is unreal. If the quality of the second bass is the same as the first I'm done I'm only going to buy and gig with Harley Benton. I'll make some mods to some of the bass others I'll leave as is, with this said I'll be order more and many of which will be the same bass twice. Can't wait to order another. I've been playing for about 7 years now and can't wait until the band hears this. If your a bass player at any level buy this product.

Insane value

It would have been stupid not to buy this low priced bass but expectations were low. But its beautifully made and plays well./ A bit heavy and the sound isn't quite as solid low down or flexible as a MM. Might vonvert to coil blend and vt rather than vvt which is a bit clumsy. But for the price it's far too good.

Great Bass!!!

Amazing quality all around!!! Nothing bad to say about it. Highly recommend it!!!

Feels good, sounds good, looks great!

First of all I must say this is the first 5-string bass I ever played, and I've been playing a bass in different bands for 20+ years.

I've always liked classic Fender stuff and my main guitar for a quite some time was American Standard Precision bass, but in a band I currently play 4 string bass is just not enough...

Guys are in drop C tuning and I really don't wanna change from standard E, so I decided to go five string...

I heard only good things about ''Benton's'', so why not try it?

This bass is cheap, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

Out of the box is really playable and it gives you a feeling of proper instrument. Feels good, sounds good, looks great!

I tried it with SansAmp which is basically my live rig for precision bass guitar and the only thing I noticed is that the output is a bit quieter than the precision bass with the same settings.

The tone is great, but you have to turn the volume up a bit.

All in all it's a great instrument!

Incredible value

I have been playing this for about 10 months now and I am shocked at the quality for the price. I have no idea how Harley Benton can pull this off, but they're the best kept secret in the States. I will be coming back for years to come.

Solid Bass. Sounds Great!

I bought this as am affordable option for me to start recording my own bass tracks. This really does the trick. I loved that it's a 5 string as well as how smooth the fret edges feel. No sprouting or sharp edges. Overall a great option for a bass!

5 stars

I've own musicman basses and other high end basses. But theres was always something that needed to be fixed or taken care of for better playing. This I bought it because I miss my ernieball bass because ai trade it alo g with a Rickenbacker 4003 for A yamaha bbne2.

So this was something just for fun. But ever since I got it. Haven't stop playing it.. Just minor adjustments and is good to go.

I highly recommend it.

Ever need an endorser.. Count me in.

Utterly fantastic value!

Can't get over how much bass you get for so little money. I can't even buy the blank wood to make one at this price, let alone the parts.

If you're hovering over buying one, just do it.

Just to put it into perspective, I sold a £2500 Yamaha and thought I'd buy this as a stop gap whilst choosing a new bass. I don't think I'll bother now, I'll just keep this and pocket the difference!

Neck is lovely, paint is flawless. Hardware a little cheap looking, but does the job. Could probably upgrade the tuners at some point, but no rush, they seem to hold tune.

Pickup does the job, easy enough to swap out if you fancy something more boutique though.

Perfect for modding too - I've routed the back so I can install a battery box and Stingray preamp. Not that there's anything wrong with the sound as-is, just figured it would make it a little more authentic.

Looks Good

Not the greatest pickup, but certainly looks the part. Plays well enough with some setting up.

GREAT BASS

This bass, once I put La Bella strings on has a GREAT SOUND for any genre.

I have also de-fretted mine which suits me better. Best budget bass on the market, well finished, tuners,bridge and pick-up fine.

Its a stingray without the price tag!

By far my favorite bass I own. Stock pickup isn't bad either! Throw in a pre amp and your golden!

Easily worth 5 times the price

Great well balanced bass, playable right out of the box. Great fit and finish, and amazing tone!!! I couldn’t be more pleased.

Big Bang for your buck

The bass arrived well packaged with a lead and 2 Allen keys.

After a quick tune up and slight lowering of the action, the bass was ready to go. Even the intonation is correct. Really nice to play. Well balanced and a great tone.

Crazy value for money. Can’t believe a bass can be this good at that price.