Harley Benton MA-500 VS Bluegrass Series
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Harley Benton
MA-500 VS Bluegrass Series
Product Info
Article Number:
220549
Brand:
Harley Benton
Model:
MA-500 VS Bluegrass Series
Category:
Mandolins
Price:
$130.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This Harley Benton MA-500 is a genuinely impressive entry-level electric mandolin. It’s a fantastic option for bluegrass enthusiasts or anyone looking to explore the mandolin's unique sound without a significant investment. The build is solid, the electronics are usable, and it’s surprisingly fun to play.
Product Description
- Harley Benton MA-500 vintage sunburst
- Electric Mandolin
- Body: Basswood
- Neck: Maple
- Neck attachment: Bolt-on
- Fretboard: Amaranth
- Fretboard inlays: Dot
- Neck profile: Rounded V
- Bindings: Cream-coloured
- 20 Frets
- Scale: 350 mm
- Nut width: 28 mm
- Double action truss rod
- Pickups: 2 Single coils
- Controls: Volume - Tone
- 3-Way switch
- Hardware: Chrome
- Machine heads: Diecast
- String gauges: .011 - .014 - .025w -. 039w
- Colour: Vintage Sunburst
- High-gloss
- Corresponding gig bag available under Article Nr #152480# (not included)
PROS
- • Basswood body delivers a surprisingly warm and resonant tone for the price.
- • Bolt-on neck provides snappy response and easy playability, typical of this style.
- • Single-coil pickups offer a bright, articulate voice suitable for bluegrass and folk.
- • Die-cast tuners ensure stable tuning, a crucial feature for live performance.
CONS
- • Amaranth fretboard, while functional, lacks the premium feel of rosewood or ebony.
- • Basswood, while versatile, isn’t known for exceptional sustain or complex overtones.
- • Rounded V neck profile may not suit players accustomed to a more modern 'C' shape.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Style
Electric Mandolin
Top Wood
Basswood
Back & Sides
Basswood
Strings
Steel (.011 - .014 - .025w -. 039w)
Scale Length
350 mm
Weight
Approximately 4.5 lbs
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Rounded V is more akin to a vintage electric guitar neck; it’s thicker and more substantial than the thinner, flatter profiles often found on acoustic mandolins.
They're perfectly serviceable for basic recording, but upgrading to higher-output pickups could enhance clarity and warmth, especially for more complex arrangements.
Harley Benton’s bolt-on necks are generally well-constructed, but they might not offer the same level of resonance as a traditional dovetail neck – it's a trade-off for easier adjustability.
