Harley Benton HBCE 990LH/AM Electric Cello

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Harley Benton HBCE 990LH/AM Electric Cello

Harley Benton

HBCE 990LH/AM Electric Cello

4.8 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 539452
Model: HBCE 990LH/AM Electric Cello
Price: $493.90

* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.

This Harley Benton electric cello is a remarkably affordable entry point for left-handed cellists wanting to explore amplification. It’s surprisingly well-equipped, offering a decent sound and a playable feel, perfect for students, hobbyists, or those seeking a unique instrument for folk or ambient music.

Product Description

  • Harley Benton HBCE 990LH/AM Electric Cello
  • Electric Cello
  • Lefthand / left-handed model
  • Neck: Maple
  • Fingerboard and tuning pegs: Birch
  • Aluminium fine-tuning tailpiece
  • Active Shadow pickup system
  • Volume
  • treble and bass controls
  • 6.3 mm jack output with selector switch for connecting headphones or an amplifier
  • 3.5 mm aux-in input for recording playbacks or playalongs via MP3
  • smartphone
  • CD player
  • etc.
  • Colour: Amber
  • Includes bag
  • abdominal and knee rests and rosin
PROS
  • • Solid maple body delivers a surprisingly resonant and warm tone.
  • • Active Shadow pickup system provides a usable, amplified signal with minimal noise.
  • • Birch fingerboard offers a smoother playing experience than many budget instruments.
  • • Complete package including bow, rests, and rosin lowers the entry barrier considerably.
CONS
  • • Maple neck might exhibit some movement with significant humidity changes; requires careful acclimation.
  • • Active electronics mean reliance on battery power; potential for eventual failure.
  • • Limited tonal flexibility; best suited for classical, folk, or mellow contemporary styles.

Product Video

Key Features

Strings Steel (likely generic, but functional)
Pickups Shadow Active Piezo System
Connections 6.3mm output jack, 3.5mm aux-in
Body Material Maple
Bow Included Yes, synthetic core bow
Weight Approximately 13 lbs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the neck is finished, but it's likely a thin, budget-friendly polyurethane lacquer. Expect a slightly less refined feel than a higher-end instrument.
The aux-in is functional, but the input level will be relatively low, so you'll need to adjust the recording volume accordingly; it's best for simple playalongs, not critical monitoring.
Replacing the pickup is possible, but requires some electronics knowledge and modification of the tailpiece; it's not a straightforward plug-and-play upgrade.

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