If you’re wondering if Harley Benton JB-75 is a good Jazz Bass copy or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that budget bass. Undoubtedly, it’s a very popular model, but is it actually worth the hype?
The truth is that Harley Benton JB-75 offers a fantastic value for the money. Although it’s not perfect, it’s definitely one of the best cheap Jazz Bass copies that you can find on the market right now.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the JB-75 so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the major pros and cons of that bass. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Harley Benton JB-75 is an affordable bass guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. In fact, this is actually one of the most popular Jazz Bass copies that you can find on the market right now.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a solid ash body, a comfortable bolt-on maple neck and a maple fretboard with black inlays.
For those who don’t like maple fretboards, there’s also an another version of that guitar available – the JB-75 SB, which has a laurel fretboard instead.
Harley Benton equipped the JB-75 with a pair of Roswell JBA AlNiCo-5 JB Style single coils, which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. They give you access to the classic Jazz Bass tone, which is really warm and punchy.
What’s important, this bass is available in a few different color versions: 3-Tone High Gloss Sunburst, Natural and Black. Surely, anyone will be able to find a model that fits their own preferences!
When it comes to pricing, this is really affordable bass. Although it’s not the cheapest bass in the world, it’s definitely one of the best cheap Fender Jazz Bass alternatives that you can potentially find on the market. That being said, it’s definitely worth every cent!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Harley Benton JB-75 is suitable for both amateur and more advanced bass players. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an experienced musician or not – you will definitely be pleasantly surprised by the quality of that bass.
However, since it’s a budget bass, it’s a particularly good choice for everyone who’s searching for their first bass guitar.
Honestly, the JB-75 has everything you need in order to start your musical journey as a bassist. It sounds good, it’s comfortable to play and it’s inexpensive. Who needs anything else?
Additionally, just like the original Jazz Bass made by Fender, this is a really versatile guitar. Whether you’re into blues, rock, jazz, grunge or country – you can be sure that the tone of that model won’t disappoint you.
Since it’s a cheap guitar, it’s recommended for bassists who don’t want to spend too much money on new gear. Additionally, it’s a great instrument that can be used for further modifications.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of bass players will really enjoy playing on the Harley Benton JB-75. Finding a better bass guitar available at this price level will be pretty much impossible!
Pros & Cons
Just like any other cheap bass guitar, Harley Benton JB-75 has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can’t expect it to be flawless – this is still a budget guitar. However, it seems that the JB-75 has far more pros rather than cons!
Pros
- Great Tone
- Affordable Price
- Highly Versatile
- Looks Fantastic
- Stays In Tune
Cons
- No Gig Bag Included
- It’s Really Heavy
As you can see, there is a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of Harley Benton JB-75. It looks, sounds and feels like a much more expensive guitar. On top of that, it’s stays in tune and it’s available at a really low price. How can you even argue with that?
On the other hand, the JB-75 usually comes without a gig bag, so you’ll have to get it separately. It’s not a big issue, but finding the right case may be challenging for complete amateurs.
Additionally, this is a pretty heavy guitar. It’s all because of the solid body made of ash wood. Some people may consider it as an advantage, because it makes the guitar sound better, but that heavy weight can sometimes be uncomfortable. Especially if you want to perform live or play for a few hours!
Still, I’m positive that the advantages of JB-75 outweigh its disadvantages. It’s not ideal, but it offers an undeniably high quality which is really hard to find at this price level. Well done, Harley Benton!
No Gig Bag Included? No Problem
As you’re already aware, Harley Benton JB-75 is usually sold without a gig bag. And since it’s a pretty heavy guitar, you need a high quality case that will be capable of handling that kind of weight.
You can find the cheapest bass gig bag on the market and it will be fine for a few weeks, but at some point the shoulder strap or grip handle will break because of the heavy weight JB-75.
That’s why you need a good reliable gig bag that will provide a high level of protection against any damage and scratches.
Here’s a really good case that will be a good fit for the JB-75 bass – feel free to check it out below. It’s not too expensive either!
Harley Benton JB-75 vs Fender/Squier Jazz Bass
The JB-75 is a budget copy of the legendary Fender Jazz Bass – we all know that. But how good can it actually be when you directly compare it with a Squier or Fender Jazz Bass guitar?
Normally, you’d think that a more expensive Fender Jazz Bass is a much better guitar, right? Well, that’s true to some degree. In general, Mexican-made Fenders offer a fantastic quality and they’re often used by a lot of working musicians.
However, the undeniably high quality of the JB-75 bass makes it sound very close to much more expensive Mexican-made Fenders and Indonesian-made Squiers.
Choosing between these guitars will depend on your own personal preferences and most importantly, your budget. If you’re okay with spending a bit more, choosing the Fender Jazz Bass is never a bad choice. But if you’re looking for the best value for the money, Harley Benton will work just fine.
Here’s a really good video that compares a budget Harley Benton bass with a mid-range Mexican-made Fender Jazz Bass. Feel free to check it out below – the results will pleasantly surprise you.
My Thoughts About Harley Benton
I had the pleasure to test out quite a few Harley Benton guitars on my own and I was always really impressed by their overall quality.
In the past, I used to think that cheap guitars are always bad. I associated Chinese-made axes with poor quality, bad pickups, uneven frets and buzzing strings. Still, I have to admit that Harley Benton guitars changed my mind.
Undoubtedly, Harley Benton is a really solid brand. Somehow they manage to create a lot of fantastic instruments that are available at very low prices. I’m not surprised that so many guitarists decide to choose their gear!
Alternative Options
If you’re not satisfied with the quality of Harley Benton JB-75 SB/MN and you simply feel that it won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other great bass guitars out there.
Of course, it all depends on how much are you willing to spend and what kind of bass are you searching for. Whether you’re looking for a short, medium or long-scale bass, here’s a few more recommendations that you may like.
Alternative Option #1 – Squier Affinity Preicision Bass
Squier Affinity Precision Bass is a really cool and inexpensive bass guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is not a Jazz Bass like the JB-75, so it has a bit different body shape and it sounds a bit differently too.
Additionally, in comparison with Harley Benton this is a bit more lightweight guitar, so it will be a more comfortable instrument for quite a lot of players. Of course, just like any other Precision bass, it offers a very versatile tone.
Overall, I’m sure that both amateur and more intermediate bassists will really enjoy playing on that model. I’m a big fan of guitars from the Affinity Series by Squier, these guitars sound and feel like much more expensive axes. Great choice!
Alternative Option #2 – Ibanez TMB100
Alternatively, you can also check out the Ibanez TMB100. This is an another excellent bass guitar suitable for both amateur and more advanced bass players.
In comparison with the JB-75, the TMB100 has a bit different pickup configuration. It has a very cool vintage sound, so if you like that kind of vibe, you should definitely consider adding it to your own collection.
Undoubtedly, this is a great alternative for those who are looking for something different than the Jazz Bass copy by Harley Benton. It’s a bit more expensive than the JB-75, but it’s definitely worth the money!
Alternative Option #3 – Squier Bronco Bass
Squier Bronco Bass is one of the most popular cheap short scale basses that you can find on the market right now. Let’s be honest – it’s not the best bass in the world, but it gets the job done and it’s available at a relatively low price.
The Bronco model is a short-scale bass, so it will be perfect for all younger bassists and adults with small hands or short fingers. It’s very comfortable to play and it sounds surprisingly good. Just like the JB-75, it’s a pleasant surprise.
Overall, I have no hesitation in recommending the Bronco bass to all guitarists who are looking for an affordable and great sounding short-scale bass. There’s a high chance that you’re going to fall in love with that model!
FAQ
Where is Harley Benton JB-75 made?
Harley Benton JB-75 is manufactured in China.
What is the nut width of that bass?
The nut width of that bass has 38mm.
What is the scale length of that bass?
The scale length of that bass is 34″.
Where can I find out more about Harley Benton guitars?
If you want to learn more about this brand, make sure to visit the official website of Harley Benton.
Summary
As you can see, Harley Benton JB-75 is a fantastic bass guitar. No matter whether you decide to choose the MN or SB version, you will definitely be pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of that affordable guitar. As I mentioned before, it exceeds all the expectations!
What do you think of that bass? Do you think that it’s worth the hype? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for. If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
