Harley Benton RB-414BK Classic Series 4-stars Reviews

"I LOVE the smell of Harley Benton in the morning"

1. It looks GREAT [a gold-effect for pickup cover/surround would look even better, I think],

2. Feels great [albeit a tad - just a tad - heavy]. Very nice balance,

3. Plays really well - no dudders (well, what you YOU call dead spots?),

4. Or rattles. I prefer the action a little high,

5. It holds the tuning really well - no slippage(s),

6. If you (also) use a double-octave, the 414 should compliment it nicely,

7. All-in-all, recommended. I'm well happy with my purchase - give me another 30 years or so (practice) and I'll give you a decent copy of Stanley Clarkes iconic School Days....

good for the price

i dont play bass, and this is my first bass ever, im a guitar player at heart. with that being said this is pretty decent for the price, needs alittle bit of setup but other than that it sounds good and plays well.

Nearly excellent ....

The sound is brilliant, the build is very good - except the fret heights were terrible and needed £110 spending on a full fret dress and set up after. Factor that in when buying! Still, at £309 total it is an excellent bass. I also angled the pick ups high at the g string side as the sound was weak coming out compared to the E string when factory set.

Honest hommage to the mighty RIC bass

How many of us bass players dream of owning a Rickenbacker? Its fans are legion, but how many of them can actually afford a $2000+ instrument? Harley Benton offers a viable and very affordable solution : the RB-414.

Though it doesn't sound exactly like a genuine Rickenbacker 4003, the RB-414 offers the classic look and spirit of that legendary bass, in a package that opens many modification options (bridge and pickups can be substituted for higher end Rickenbacker or aftemarket parts), for a total price tag which still remains far below the price of an actual RIC. The mahogany body and set neck provide good resonance and sustain, and though the pickups do not successfully emulate the RIC sound, this bass has a unique and full-bodied tone, especially for rock or funk-minded bassists.

Though probably not destined to become a classic vintage instrument (it is, after all, a clone), the RB-414 offers the budget-minded bassist an affordable and eminently moddable option that won't break the bank. I own one of these, and would recommend it.

Great rickenbacker alternative for the price!

Plays well with some tweaking can getting close to a rick o sound !