Harley Benton GuitarBass VS Vintage Series

With the exception of a few sharp fret ends and the pickups being really noisy when soloed (which is the only reasons I could only give it 4 stars for Tone/Sound and Build Quality) whenever your skin is not in contact with any metal parts (making a ground route for the bridge ground wire), this instrument is practically flawless.

Despite the mentioned couple of sharp fret ends it feels amazing in my hands to play, and despite the pickups being really noisy they otherwise sound genuinely great.

I can spot no finish flaws at all, and I can get the action as low as I prefer it, and could quite probably go even lower if I wanted, without any fret buzz whatsoever, meaning practically perfectly leveled frets, which is amazing for an instrument in this price class.

Absolutely amazing instrument, period, regardless of the price.

You should expect to do a proper setup though before use, as you really should with any new guitar or bass regardless of price class.

Also the stock strings feel a little rough and the gauge of the low E string just being .084 making it way too floppy (though I realize that is identical to the D'Addario string set for this type of instrument (Fender Bass VI)).

The gauge rest of the strings seems to actually work really well with this instrument and it's scale length, but I would use at least a gauge .090 string for the low E, properly even a gauge .095 string.

Ernie Ball makes a set of strings for this type of instrument that I think works much better than the D'Addario set, which you can find on this page under Other Guitar String Sets, the "Ernie Ball 2837 Slinky Baritone" (gauge .090 to .020) set.

But really, getting a brand new set of strings should be expected on by far most new guitar and basses anyway, regardless of price.

Cons:
- Couple of sharp fret ends (though nothing that really ruins the playability)
- Really noisy pickups (when soloed and not touching any metal parts)
- Will need a proper setup (though that should really be expected with any new guitar or bass, regardless of price)
- Will need a new set of strings (though that should really be expected with any new guitar or bass, regardless of price)

Pros:
- Just about everything else, though I can highlight a few things:
- Plays and feels amazing in the hands (despite a few sharp fret ends)
- Pickups sound genuinely great (despite being really noisy)
- Practically perfectly leveled frets (which means you can get the action really low and comfortable without any fret buzz whatsoever)
- Looks beautifully (I can't spot any flaws in the finish whatsoever)
- Amazing fun instrument to play, and also really versatile
- Great modding platform (though it isn't really need, except perhaps for adding some shielding and filing the few sharp fret ends down properly)

I have been a fan of "Bass VI" instruments since the 90's when I first tried out a Japanese "F" brand reissue at a local shop (still kicking myself for not buying it). A few years ago I indulged myself and bought the "S" brand "vintage modified" version, and aside from a couple VERY minor complaints it is damned near perfect. When I saw Harley Benton did their own take on this unique, inspiring instrument, I had to try it. And I am glad I did!

Aside from a slightly trimmed-down body, this is very close to my "S" branded VI. The neck, while a thicker profile on the HB, is visually similar, and insets into the body at the same place as my Bass VI. The inlays look nice, and mine came with well-finished frets and binding. The pickups sound good, and are in fact fiber-base AlNiCo pickups, not cheapo bar-magnet bottom-of-the-heap pickups. The only complaint I have is I do kind of miss the individual on/off switches for the pickups, and the "strangle" switch like my real VI has. The hardware is solid, and again, if I were to complain about anything, it would be the lack of a vibrato/vibrola/tremolo (some may actually prefer this hard-tail/stopbar configuration though).

So when I got my HB, I started by adding a tiny shim to the neck to even out the action a bit, and it plays like a dream now. I then decided on two other mods to make this my go-to gigging Bass VI (I've preferred to leave my "real" one in my studio). First I added a VibraMate V5 and a Bigsby B5 vibrato so that I get my wiggle-stick action going on this one like on my other one. Secondly, I replaced the volume pot with a 1M pot, and the tone control with a push-pull pot wired as a traditional tone pot, but with the push-pull function to act as a "strangle" switch (high-pass), similar to the original design. Now this HB is every bit as versatile as my "real" Bass VI, and it really makes me want to write more songs to perform on it instead of standard guitar.

Pros:
- Excellent bang for the buck
- Nice build quality
- Sounds great
- Good hardware overall
- Fit/finish is awesome

Cons:
- No vibrato/vibrola/tremolo
- No "strangle" switch
- Neck is a tad too "beefy" for smaller hands
- Pickguard is a little plain without the metal control plates of the original design
- Only one finish option

Overall, this was a terrific first instrument purchase for me from Thomann/Harley Benton, and I really recommend it for guitarists and bassists looking to inspire some "outside the box" playing/writing. You won't be disappointed!

As a guitarist I'm most interested in the lower end, often tuning down to C, but as a bassist I end up playing chords like a guitar. So this is exactly what I've been looking for! Right out of the box this thing plays perfectly. The GBVS has a simple setup of volume, tone, and a 5-way pick-up selector that gives a wide range of sounds. The stock single-coil pickups & strings can be a little thin, especially if you're expecting a traditional bass sound, but the tone knob gives a lot of variety. And you could always change to a heavier string gauge or install different pick-ups. Cosmetically I have zero complaints. I love the offset body and neck shape, and the finish is great and light on the neck so it's easy to move your hand around. No frills needed.

It's an ideal rhythm instrument that has a distinct timbre from a bass or guitar that can give you massive backing tracks and low-end lines. Famously used by Peter Hook in New Order, Robert Smith on "Disintegration", and Glen Campbell in "Wichita Lineman", there's a lot of sonic possibilities available. I bet this would be killer for a 2-piece band, or a looper-based solo project!