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Second Harley Benton in a row with a buzzing, unusable string
The lesson I’ve learned after having two faulty Harley Benton (HB) guitars is an old one – if you buy cheap, you buy twice. Clearly HB guitars have to cut corners to keep costs down, and if you don’t have issues initially, it’s only a matter of time before one or more of the cost-cutting parts will fail or become a problem. At least now I know, if I every buy HB again, I’m taking a gamble (I did, see final paragraph).
Initially this instrument played OK (first month). I then ignored it for a few weeks, during which time it gave off worrying cracking noises as it sat beside me. I thought it might be one of the strings 'settling' but when I came to play it the E string had developed a buzz in the open and first fret position. It's possible that something has happened to the bridge saddle, but I'm no expert of luthier. YouTube videos suggest that working on the bridge of this HB is a nightmare.
This is my second Harley Benton instrument in a row that's had a buzz on a string. The first was returned and couldn't be repaired. But, since I no longer had the product, Thomann removed my ability to write a review, which is WRONG! So I'm writing this review before returning this bass (if it comes to it).
Update 30th Apr 2026. Foolish me bought another Harley Benton bass! Will I never learn?! This time the Thunderbird copy, finally available for lefties. Guess what? At least two of the four strings are buzzing. It's like nobody at Harley Benton checks left-handed basses. I will try and solve the issue myself, otherwise it's going to be an expensive ornament. But it does look good! Shame it can't be played. No more Harley Benton!!!
Initially this instrument played OK (first month). I then ignored it for a few weeks, during which time it gave off worrying cracking noises as it sat beside me. I thought it might be one of the strings 'settling' but when I came to play it the E string had developed a buzz in the open and first fret position. It's possible that something has happened to the bridge saddle, but I'm no expert of luthier. YouTube videos suggest that working on the bridge of this HB is a nightmare.
This is my second Harley Benton instrument in a row that's had a buzz on a string. The first was returned and couldn't be repaired. But, since I no longer had the product, Thomann removed my ability to write a review, which is WRONG! So I'm writing this review before returning this bass (if it comes to it).
Update 30th Apr 2026. Foolish me bought another Harley Benton bass! Will I never learn?! This time the Thunderbird copy, finally available for lefties. Guess what? At least two of the four strings are buzzing. It's like nobody at Harley Benton checks left-handed basses. I will try and solve the issue myself, otherwise it's going to be an expensive ornament. But it does look good! Shame it can't be played. No more Harley Benton!!!
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