Harley Benton JB-20 SB LH

I bought this bass 1 year ago to learn to play bass. I needed a cheap instrument just to see if I could stick to the instrument, so I chose this model. The colour scheme is another reason for my choice.

I played it for a year, and now I'm ready to replace it with a better-quality instrument. I can't compare it with other instruments, as I haven't had other basses so far.

Now about the advantages: it’s the price, and good Jazz Bass looks.

There are plenty of disadvantages:
- use the file to smoothen frets at the bottom of the neck because they scratch your hand;
- the instrument is not in tune down the neck;
- the strings were raised high above the neck. When we tried to lower them, it turned out some strings touched frets and "rang."
- poor noise reduction. No matter how hard you try to mute the strings while playing, they will make a buzz. The same thing happens when you hit a string with your fingers on the neck. The result is a sound mess.

However, for a beginner, this bass is quite suitable. If you quit playing, at least you won't spend a lot of money. 😀😀

However, you will definitely want a better model after a while.

Idk if I'm the only one, but this bass feels toxic to hold. Literally. I experience anything from a rash on my skin to severe elbow pain that extends the length of my arm whenever I hold the bass in my hand.

Overall the bass seems really nice, is good quality wood and well built. Everything about it screams great buy aside for this toxic materials feeling. Shame because it throws a huge wet rag all over Harley Benton for me.

Update - I've abused this thing to the Nines. I sanded off the top layers, hit it many times with wrenches and such and have completely upgraded it to active, including drilling a hole in the bottom and routing out a spot for a battery box. I kitted out the neck and the bass has become its own usable thing. I'd rather have any other J-bass, though. Even the HB JB kit.