Gear Guides

Harley Benton Budget Basses: Affordable Quality for Every Player

Logo for the Harley Benton instrument company

Harley Benton has become a go-to brand for budget-conscious musicians looking for quality instruments at a fraction of the price of bigger brands. Known for their impressive craftsmanship and affordability, Harley Benton basses offer great value, making them a solid choice for beginners, gigging musicians, and players looking for a reliable backup instrument.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best budget Harley Benton bass guitars, breaking down their features, pros and cons, and what makes them a great alternative to pricier models.

1. Harley Benton PB-20

Best for: Classic Precision Bass tone on a budget

The Harley Benton PB-20 is a fantastic entry-level bass for those who want the iconic P-Bass thump without the Fender price tag.

Key Features

  • Poplar body with a classic Precision-style design
  • Maple neck with a comfortable C-shape
  • Single split-coil pickup delivering warm, punchy tones
  • Standard open-gear tuners for stable tuning

Pros

  • ✔ Extremely affordable
  • ✔ Good build quality for the price
  • ✔ Classic P-Bass sound, great for rock and blues

Cons

  • ✖ Stock strings and setup may need adjustments
  • ✖ Basic electronics: may benefit from an upgrade

The PB-20 is a great beginner bass or a solid backup for more experienced players.

2. Harley Benton JB-75

Best for: Vintage Jazz Bass tones at an unbeatable price

For those who love the versatility and punch of a Jazz Bass, the Harley Benton JB-75 is a surprisingly high-quality option at a low price.

Key Features

  • Alder body for a resonant, balanced tone
  • Maple neck with a block inlay fretboard for a vintage aesthetic
  • Dual single-coil pickups for a wide tonal range
  • Vintage-style bridge and tuners

Pros

  • ✔ Amazing value for a Jazz Bass-style instrument
  • ✔ Versatile tones for funk, jazz, and rock
  • ✔ Comfortable neck and smooth playability

Cons

  • ✖ Can be on the heavier side
  • ✖ Pickups are decent but may lack the depth of higher-end Jazz Basses

The JB-75 is perfect for slap bass, fingerstyle, and players who love bright, articulate tones.

3. Harley Benton MB-4

Best for: Players wanting a Music Man-style bass on a budget

The Harley Benton MB-4 is a great budget alternative to the famous Music Man StingRay, delivering aggressive, punchy tones that suit rock and funk players.

Key Features

  • Basswood body with a sleek StingRay-inspired shape
  • Humbucking pickup for a powerful, growling tone
  • 2-band EQ for tone shaping
  • Bolt-on maple neck with a modern feel

Pros

  • ✔ Killer looks and punchy sound
  • ✔ Great for slap and pick playing
  • ✔ More affordable than other StingRay-style basses

Cons

  • ✖ Hardware isn’t top-tier
  • ✖ Some players may prefer a more traditional tone

If you want a high-energy, modern bass with a bold, aggressive sound, the MB-4 is a solid pick.

4. Harley Benton BZ-4000 NT

Best for: Players looking for a modern 5-string bass on a budget

The Harley Benton BZ-4000 NT is a high-end-looking bass at a budget price, offering a sleek, contemporary design and great playability.

Key Features

  • Mahogany body with a natural wood finish
  • Five-piece neck for added stability
  • Dual humbuckers for a powerful, versatile sound
  • Active electronics for extra tone-shaping options

Pros

  • ✔ Looks and feels like a premium bass
  • ✔ Versatile sound for various genres
  • ✔ Great value for a modern-style bass

Cons

  • ✖ Active electronics may not suit everyone
  • ✖ Slightly heavier than traditional basses

If you need a budget-friendly 5-string bass with a modern design, the BZ-4000 NT is a fantastic option.

Which Harley Benton Bass is Right for You?

  • 🎸 Harley Benton PB-20 – Ideal for beginners and P-Bass lovers on a budget.
  • 🎸 Harley Benton JB-75 – A great choice for those who want the versatility of a Jazz Bass without spending too much.
  • 🎸 Harley Benton MB-4 – Perfect for players looking for a StingRay-style bass with aggressive tones.
  • 🎸 Harley Benton BZ-4000 NT – A modern, professional-looking bass at an affordable price, great for extended-range players.

No matter your style, Harley Benton offers incredible value, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a quality bass guitar.

Which Harley Benton bass do you like the most? Let us know in the comments! 🎸🔥

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Jake Skudder

Jake is an SEO-minded Football, Combat Sports, Gaming and Pro Wrestling writer and successful Editor in Chief. Most importantly, he is a Bass and Guitar player with over 20 years of experience of both. Currently, he is using an Ibanez Talman Bass and Trace Elliot Series 6 715 Bass Amp when playing in his punk band Creature Arcade. Jake has more than ten years of experience covering mixed martial arts, pro wrestling, football and gaming across a number of publications, starting at SEScoops in 2012 under the name Jake Jeremy. His work has also been featured on Sportskeeda, Pro Sports Extra, Wrestling Headlines, NoobFeed, Wrestlingnewsco and Keen Gamer, again under the name Jake Jeremy. Previously, he worked as the Editor in Chief of 24Wrestling, building the site profile with a view to selling the domain, which was accomplished in 2019. Jake was previously the Editor in Chief for Fight Fans, a combat sports and pro wrestling site that was launched in January 2021 and broke into millions of pageviews within the first two years. He previously worked for Snack Media and their GiveMeSport site, creating Evergreen and Trending content that would deliver pageviews via Google as the UFC and MMA SEO Lead. Jake managed to take an area of GiveMeSport that had zero traction on Organic and push it to audiences across the globe. Jake also has a record of long-term video and written interview content with the likes of the Professional Fighters League, ONE and Cage Warriors, working directly with the brands to promote bouts, fighters and special events. Jake also previously worked for the biggest independent wrestling company in the UK, PROGRESS Wrestling, as PR Head and Head of Media across the social channels of the company.

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