Harley Benton RB-414 – As Good As Rickenbacker? [REVIEW]

If you’re thinking about getting the Harley Benton RB-414 bass and you’re not sure if it’s worth it 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 popular model. Surely, it’s way cheaper than Rickenbacker, but is it actually good?

The answer is YES! Harley Benton RB-414 offers a fantastic value for the money. Although it’s not as good as the original bass made by Rickenbacker, it still offers a surprisingly good quality. On top of that, it’s really cheap!

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the RB-414 model so good and so popular all around the world. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll investigate the biggest pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well.

Specs & Pricing

Harley Benton RB-414 Classic Series is an affordable 4-string bass guitar that exceeds all the expectations. This guitar has everything that you potentially need from a bass guitar – it sounds awesome and it’s pretty cheap!

What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a solid mahogany body and a comfortable mahogany neck with an easy-playing Amaranth fretboard. The neck is a big advantage of that guitar – it’s really well made and it makes playing very nice and easy.

The manufacturer equipped this model with two really good pickups – Artec Mini humbucker (neck) and single-coil pickup (bridge). Both of these pickups offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone, so I’m sure that a lot of bass players will be pleasantly surprised because of that.

When it comes to pricing, it’s not the cheapest bass guitar made by Harley Benton, but it’s still a very affordable instrument. In comparison with the legendary Rickenbacker, this guitar is actually up to ten times less expensive! That’s a huge difference.

Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GlyUJ-JtQw

Who Is It For?

Harley Benton RB-414 Classic Series is suitable for guitarists of all levels. In my opinion, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a bit more advanced bass player – you will definitely notice and appreciate the high quality of that bass.

Since it’s a budget bass, it is a particularly good choice for everyone who’s looking for their first bass guitar.

At the same time, it’s also a fantastic option for everyone who wants to get a guitar similar to the legendary Rickenbacker, which is far more expensive.

Just like the original model, the RB414 is a really versatile bass guitar. It can be used for a lot of different styles of music, so whether you’re into blues, rock, indie or grunge – this guitar will be a perfect fit.

Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that bass. Considering how affordable it is, it definitely exceeds all the expectations.

Pros & Cons

Just like any other budget bass guitar, Harley Benton RB-414 has its own advantages and disadvantages. That’s totally normal! Still, it seems pretty obvious that this particular model has far more pros rather than cons.

The main advantage of that bass is the price – you won’t be able to find a 4-string bass that looks and sounds like that at this price level. This is a fantastic alternative for everyone who can’t afford getting a true Rickenbacker.

But on the other hand, the RB-414 usually comes without a gig bag. This is not a huge issue, but an included case would save you a lot of time. Sometimes finding the right case isn’t that easy.

Additionally, some guitarists complain about the minor issues related to the quality control. There’s a chance that you’ll have to adjust the string action a bit to make this bass more playable.

Nevertheless, I’m positive that the advantages of that bass outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not too much to complain about when you think of how affordable this bass actually is.

Here’s an another demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtHbWURxf_I

Best Gig Bag For Harley Benton RB-414

As you’re already aware, Harley Benton RB-414 usually comes without an included case. Since finding the right case isn’t that easy (especially if you’re a beginner), here’s a really good case that should be excellent for that bass.

This is a hardshell case manufactured by Thomann. It offers a really good quality and it will definitely keep your guitar safe from any damage. On top of that, it’s not as expensive as some of the other hardshell cases made by Gator or Fender!

Any Alternatives?

If you’re not satisfied with the overall quality with Harley Benton RB-414, that’s not a problem! There’s still quote a lot of fantastic bass guitars out there that also deserve a lot of attention. Of course, it all depends on how much you are willing to spend.

Here’s a few more bass guitars that you should definitely check out.

High-End Alternative – Rickenbacker 4003

Firstly, have a look at the legendary Rickenbacker 4003. This is the model that RB-414 is based on – but it’s significantly more expensive. Since it’s a high-end guitar, it’s much better than the Harley Benton in reviewed in today’s article.

Who is it for? Well, the original Rickenbacker is a perfect choice for passionate and professional bassists who know what they’re searching for. But if you’re on a very tight budget, sticking to the Harley Benton RB-414 is probably a much better choice.

Cheap Alternative – Squier Bronco Bass

Squier Bronco Bass is a fantastic alternative option for those who don’t want to spend too much on a new bass guitar. This is a really affordable short-scale bass suitable for both amateur and more advanced bassists.

Although it’s not the best bass guitar in the world, it’s definitely one of the best basses that you can potentially get as a beginner bass player. I had the pleasure to test it out and I have no hesitation in recommending it!

Check Out More Bass Guitars On Thomann

FAQ

Where is Harley Benton RB-414 made?

Harley Benton RB-414 is manufactured in China.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes, Harley Benton RB-414 is a fantastic bass guitar for beginners!

What is the scale length of the RB-414 bass?

The scale length of RB-414 bass has 34″.

Where can I find out more about Harley Benton guitars?

If you want to find out more about Harley Benton guitars, make sure to visit their official website.

Summary

As you can see, Harley Benton RB-414 is a really good and affordable bass guitar suitable for the most demanding bassists out there. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who are looking for an inexpensive and reliable 4-string bass. There’s a high chance that you’re going to love it!

What do you think of that bass? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? 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 and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:

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