Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural
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Harley Benton
MV-5JB Natural
Product Info
Article Number:
570603
Brand:
Harley Benton
Model:
MV-5JB Natural
Category:
5-String J-Basses
Price:
$273.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural is a seriously impressive offering. The combination of alder, caramelized maple, and those custom pickups delivers a surprisingly authentic vintage J-Bass vibe at a budget-friendly price. It’s a fantastic option for players looking for a solid 5-string workhorse without the premium price tag.
Product Description
- Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural
- 5 String Electric Bass
- Deluxe Series
- Body: Alder
- Bolt-on neck: caramelised Canadian sycamore with roseacer skunk stripe
- Fingerboard: Laurel
- Fingerboard inlays: Pearloid block
- Neck profile: D
- Matching headstock
- Fluorescent neck markings
- Cream coloured neck binding
- Double action truss rod with adjustment wheel
- Fingerboard radius: 305 mm (12")
- Scale: 864 mm (34")
- Nut width: 43 mm
- White graphite nut
- 20 Premium Medium 2.9 mm nickel-silver frets
- Pickups: HBZ- custom wound VJB-B AlNiCo 5 (bridge) and HBZ-custom wound VJB-N AlNiCo 5 (middle) single coils
- 2 Volume and 1 tone control
- 3-Ply black pickguard
- Sung Il WB501CR bridge with brass saddles and 18 mm string spacing
- HB die-cast machine heads with 22: 1 gear ratio
- Factory strings: D'Addario EXL165 .045 - .135 (Art. #242048#)
- Chrome hardware
- Colour: Natural
PROS
- • Alder body provides a balanced, resonant tone with good sustain.
- • Caramelized maple neck offers a smooth, fast feel and enhanced high-end clarity.
- • Custom-wound VJB pickups deliver a surprisingly articulate and punchy vintage J-Bass tone.
- • Sung Il bridge with brass saddles improves tuning stability and adds a touch of warmth.
CONS
- • Caramelization process might introduce inconsistencies in neck finish and feel.
- • Bolt-on neck construction, while stable, lacks the inherent warmth of a set-neck.
- • Graphite nut, while consistent, might not offer the same 'organic' feel as bone or Tusq.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Material
Alder
Neck Material
Caramelized Canadian Sycamore with Roseacer Skunk Stripe
Fingerboard
Laurel
Pickups
HBZ-custom wound VJB-B AlNiCo 5 (bridge), HBZ-custom wound VJB-N AlNiCo 5 (middle) single coils
Scale Length
864 mm (34")
Frets
20 Premium Medium 2.9 mm nickel-silver
Strings
D'Addario EXL16
Weight
4.5 kg (approximately 9.9 lbs)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The caramelization adds a subtle sweetness and clarity to the high frequencies, making the bass feel more responsive and articulate, though the difference is nuanced.
While not exact clones, the VJB pickups capture a similar tonal character – punchy, clear, and responsive – with a slightly more modern edge in clarity.
The 'D' profile is a fairly standard shape, but it's on the slimmer side; players with very large hands might find it a touch narrow, though the 43mm nut width helps.
