1/ Initial Impressions
At the time of writing, I've had my B-450 for less than a week. So far, it's been subjected to learning 30+ numbers and participating in two rehearsals; around four hours each and with the B-450 being played at considerable volume. It still sports its factory strings and has been played using its passive electronics, only. My rehearsal setup has no intermediary pedals or floorboard. Instead, the B-450 is connected directly to a rugged old Peavey head (set up "clean", no compression or "boosts" and with flat EQ) driving an old HH 2 x 15 bass cab. To be honest, that's enough playing time (and experience) for me to provide some useful initial feedback.
I bought the B-450 as a second bass. I'm getting old and my trustworthy Aria Pro 11 SB900 is getting too heavy for me to hang around my neck continuously for 4 hours. I need something lighter. The B-450 meets this requirement with consummate ease: It is light and well balanced. It looks good and has an immaculate, although perhaps, a slightly delicate finish. It plays pretty well too; the neck being very much on the right side of adequate. The B-450 holds its tuning well; even after some "abusive" heavy petting using a solid plectrum. It sounds excellent (again, I've only used its passive mode) and has the overall appearance and playability of a far more expensive bass. It also arrived, ahead of schedule, superbly packaged (with the gig bag option that I had selected) and backed up by Thomann's renowned Customer Service.
Now, for me, excellent Customer Service is important because this purchase had an associated risk i.e., could such a low priced bass be so good? Well, simply put, yes it can. Indeed, my fears of purchasing (and sending back) a bass of such atrocious quality (given the extremely low price) were completely unfounded. In fact, given the quality of this instrument, I'd consider it worth looking at, whether you are a beginner, or a more seasoned player, like myself. Oh!; and did I mention the extremely reasonable price? [rhetorical]. Yeah, I did, didn't I?
Customer service is also important when something goes wrong; and for the B-450, this meant the "disappearance" of one of the pickups fixing screws. How the screw "fell out" I have no idea (not something I have seen in my nigh on 50 years of bass playing) but I did note that another fixing screw was decidedly loose (but easily rectified). I've reported this issue to Thomann and it's being dealt with. After all, these things happen, right?
With new strings, the B-450 will play and sound better. It's going to be paired with some superior amplification and a three quarter stack speaker enclosure setup; something that I is very much looking forward to. Perhaps it's because I am "old school" but I am not a fan of active electronics. So, thus far, I have only played the bass in passive mode. To be honest, I'll probably stick with that: It grunts, thumps, growls and pummels through an amp strip set to clean, no compression and flat EQ. However, tail-off the controls, just a little (or even switch from nail/plectrum to traditional fingerstyle), and you can trip up and down the 24-fret neck with all the dexterity, precision and touch that you can muster, to produce subtly delicate tones which, although powerful, caress your ears with soulful tenderness as opposed the hammerhead cacophony of a thundering bass line as described above. I find myself almost constantly switching between both of these styles and this bass does not impede me in doing so in any conceivable way.
In summary, despite the minor issue with the fixing screw, I am suitably impressed with the B-450. Not only would I be happy to play with the B-450 "live" (and give my Aria a well-deserved rest) but I am on the verge of providing it with a big brother; this time, in the form of another Harley Benton progressive series model: The B-550 QTB 5 string version.
Enough said?
I hope this helps.
2/ A Month Later
This bass is proving to be an incredibly resilient workhorse. The more I play it, the more I like it. It's thundered it is way, effortlessly, through a dozen or so rehearsals. It continues to sound incredible, even though the factory strings have dulled a little. It is a joy to play, it holds its tuning extremely well, especially given the "hammering" it sometimes gets; you know?; when you're competing against three guitarists, you need a bass that can deliver ~ traditional fingerstyle, fast and furious plectrum work, a bit a slap bass (not that this is my thing, but it sounds okay). Yeah, no doubt about it; incredible value for money. Stunning, absolutely stunning.
Although, I do have one problem now that I didn't have before and it would seem that it's going to get worse, very shortly. You see, so impressed was I with this traditional 4-string bass, that I decided to break with my personal traditions and buy the 5-string version. Needless to say, I'm having the time of my life with that bass too; but, I do get confused: They are both damned fine instruments, so which should I use? Hmm? Right now, I'm alternating between the two, but that's just a temporary fix. You'd be forgiven if you were currently thinking, "He's gone and bought the 6-string version too!"; but, no, I decided that would be nuts (although it looks very nice to me). To be honest, having access to a lower B on my 5-string, as well as the narrower string pitch, is improving my playing, but I just can't justify a 6-string version. I mean, a bottom B and a top B/C!; no, that's taking it too far. So no, I didn't buy a 6-string bass. However, better still, I am "literally" fretless at the moment e.g., I have lots of frets (24 on each bass to be precise) but, a fretless model?; No, I've not had one of those for a while; but I have fond memories of the challenges associated with fretless work. And, seeing as Christmas is approaching, I decided to order the HB 4-string fretless version.
How I'll cope with three of these beauties, I'm not exactly sure. It will, no doubt be infuriating but, you know what?; I have the strangest feeling that my rekindled enthusiasm for bass playing (already bolstered by my two HB basses) is about to take another giant leap forward. Or will it be a slide? I'll let you know later on in separate reviews for the 5-string and the fretless models respectively.
But to conclude, for now; if you are looking for a top-notch, high quality, incredibly priced 4-string bass, look no further than the HB B-450 QTB Progressive Series. I really, and I mean really, like this instrument, and I think you might too.
