Post by kodiakblair on Feb 10, 2015 20:52:53 GMT
When these were unveiled last year I was in two minds about them.
On one hand I was interested because it was a Harley Benton but as I have zero interest in anything RIC I wasn't in
a rush to get one.
And as I have no interest in RICs there'll be no comparing of the two. I can only name two Ric players Lemmy and McCartney and I'm
not a big fan of either or the prog rock scene where I've heard Rics are common. So this will be about the RB 414 only,that said there's
no denying the inspiration for the look of it.
I bought mines' used late last year and it came with flats so I can only comment on the tone using them. The nut is 42mm but with the
binding the neck measures nearer 43mm and it's a set neck. There's a decent quality gloss finish to the bass,no flaws I could see, and
the neck isn't sticky like some high gloss necks can be. Weighing in at 4Kg it's not a heavy bass and I count 3 pieces making the semi-
hollow body.
The Artec pickups work well as does the controls,no crackles or hiss. The bridge pickup is a monster.I find it quite hard to describe the sound
for a few reasons. Foremost being I don't have a point of reference for it,the unknown flats and the semi-hollow body don't help me here either.
It's over 34 years since I last played a hollow body and it had roundwounds,that the pickup was held in with a nail and I used pliers to tune it
are beside the point
Fit and finish of the bass is great,it's light,it works well doing "Can I Kick It " by Tribe Called Quest. So as a bass it does it's job and has that
Retro look. I'm just not sure it's a bass for me,I haven't decided on a comfortable playing position yet or where to put my hands,that stupid
pickup cover has to go,will I be happier with RW's?
I've still a lot of work to do before I write this bass off.
If anyone has questions please ask and I'll do my best to answer.
KB
On one hand I was interested because it was a Harley Benton but as I have zero interest in anything RIC I wasn't in
a rush to get one.
And as I have no interest in RICs there'll be no comparing of the two. I can only name two Ric players Lemmy and McCartney and I'm
not a big fan of either or the prog rock scene where I've heard Rics are common. So this will be about the RB 414 only,that said there's
no denying the inspiration for the look of it.
I bought mines' used late last year and it came with flats so I can only comment on the tone using them. The nut is 42mm but with the
binding the neck measures nearer 43mm and it's a set neck. There's a decent quality gloss finish to the bass,no flaws I could see, and
the neck isn't sticky like some high gloss necks can be. Weighing in at 4Kg it's not a heavy bass and I count 3 pieces making the semi-
hollow body.
The Artec pickups work well as does the controls,no crackles or hiss. The bridge pickup is a monster.I find it quite hard to describe the sound
for a few reasons. Foremost being I don't have a point of reference for it,the unknown flats and the semi-hollow body don't help me here either.
It's over 34 years since I last played a hollow body and it had roundwounds,that the pickup was held in with a nail and I used pliers to tune it
are beside the point
Fit and finish of the bass is great,it's light,it works well doing "Can I Kick It " by Tribe Called Quest. So as a bass it does it's job and has that
Retro look. I'm just not sure it's a bass for me,I haven't decided on a comfortable playing position yet or where to put my hands,that stupid
pickup cover has to go,will I be happier with RW's?
I've still a lot of work to do before I write this bass off.
If anyone has questions please ask and I'll do my best to answer.
KB