It wasn't easy to set the right expectations for this bass, as it is a big and yet low-cost instrument of a brand that isn't commonly seen in the music shops – a special Thomann brand, and such low-cost, lesser-known brands often have one thing in common: they have been produced as cheaply as possible, meaning low quality.
However, on the other side, I see very many positive reviews for Harley Benton products here on Thomann's website, and I have come to the conclusion that it has to be because there are many happy buyers/users of these products.
So, I decided that my first bass guitar should be this one, hoping that I would not be mistaken.
And I did right! I received it this evening, so having had it for a few hours only will not have revealed all thinkable problems, but so far, I'm impressed: The build quality is excellent, the instrument looks and feels like a much more expensive one, and even when not considering the price, just comparing across all instruments I have seen and touched, I still find that this one is in the top range. And it doesn't just look and feel good, it also works as it should. The tuners are precise and easy to adjust, the connector for the jack plug is easy (these can sometimes be very tight, but not this one), and the frets are nicely filed and pleasant to touch. Even the built-in electronic tuner works well, as does the EQ.
I have tried it out on its own, acoustic, and find the sound pleasant, and through the pick-up and with headphones (through a K-Audio USB interface's monitor output), and I enjoy the sound from here just as much.
What was truly surprising: The instrument came with good and new strings, mounted and everything set up perfectly, ready to play –– the strings were even almost in tune, out of the box!
I had considered similar basses from Fender and Ibanez, but they cost more, and right now I can't see what more they could possibly offer than this, despite their higher prize point.
The only thing I can think of that is slightly negative, but know beforehand, so not dragging down: It is a jumbo size guitar body, and it is quite big to sit with in the sofa; will have to sit on a chair instead, I suppose ;)
This instrument is now going to support me in my learning journey, and I'm confident that it will do it well.
