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Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage

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Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage

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$195.00

4.0 (3)

1 Review

All time low price

Find out who is using Harley Benton Beatbass FL

1 community setup

1 wishlisted

4 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 7, 2026.

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4.4 (114)

$195.00

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

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Description

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Step back in time with the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage, a fretless bass guitar that marries retro aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. Its hollow body design conjures the warm, resonant tones reminiscent of iconic rock and roll eras, while the flamed maple top adds a touch of elegance and visual flair.

This fretless beauty features an arched basswood body, perfectly complemented by a maple neck and an amaranth fretboard, ensuring smooth playability and a rich, dynamic sound. The set-in neck attachment provides enhanced sustain, making each note you play linger in the air with clarity and depth.

The bass is equipped with two humbucker pickups, offering a versatile range of tones from deep, growling lows to crisp, articulate highs. With its double action truss rod and diecast machine heads, tuning stability and neck adjustment are at your fingertips, allowing you to achieve the exact sound you desire.

Designed with the musician in mind, the Beatbass features a C-shaped neck profile and side dot fretboard inlays, providing a comfortable feel for both novice and seasoned players. The Viola bridge and chrome hardware add to the vintage vibe, while the cream-colored binding ties it all together for a truly classic look.

Key Features:

Fretless model with hollow body design
Arched basswood body with flamed maple top
Maple neck with set-in neck attachment
Amaranth fretboard with side dot inlays
C-shaped neck profile
Scale: 775 mm; Nut width: 42 mm
Double action truss rod
Two humbucker pickups; 2 volume and 3 tone controls
Chrome hardware with Viola bridge
Diecast machine heads
Strings: HB .045 - .095

Product specs

Available since	February 2016
Lefthand Model	No
Colour	Sunburst
Number of strings	4
Body	Basswood
Neck	Maple
Scale	Shortscale
Pickup System	HH
Elektronic	Passive
Incl. Case	No
Incl. Gigbag	No

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage?: The Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage features a comfortable maple neck with a fretless fingerboard, ideal for smooth gliding and expressive playing, typical of fretless bass guitars.
What kind of music genres is the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage suitable for?: This fretless bass is versatile and well-suited for jazz, blues, and rock, offering warm, smooth tones that complement these styles effectively.
Does the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage come with a case or gigbag?: No, the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage does not include a case or gigbag, so you may want to consider purchasing one separately for protection and transport.
What is the pickup configuration on the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage?: The Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage features an HH pickup configuration, providing a rich and full sound, ideal for various musical applications.
Is the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage a shortscale bass?: Yes, the Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage is a shortscale bass, making it easier to play for those with smaller hands or those seeking a more compact instrument.

Videos

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The Bass Barker

HARLEY BENTON BEATBASS FRETLESS TONE REVIEW

The Bass Barker

Harley Benton VS FL beat bass review & sound test

Артем Пягай

Harley Benton BeatBass Fretless

Gregor Fris

groove study: BALLAD (orig. arrangement, incl. standard notation) - HB Beat Bass, fretless

MariUS ukulele

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional value for a fretless, short-scale, violin-style bass with unique features
Stunning finish and aesthetic appeal, including sunburst color continuity across the neck
Delivers a warm, thick tone reminiscent of an upright bass
Super comfortable neck and easy fret access enhance playability
Lightweight design ideal for extended playing sessions or those with physical constraints
Offers versatile sound options with distinct pickup configurations and Rhythm-Solo switch
Short scale makes fretless playing more accessible for beginners and experienced players
High-quality build with minimal blemishes, impressive for the price point
Captures classic Höfner-style thumping tone, perfect for Beatles fans and more

CONS

Factory strings are poor quality, especially the dead-sounding E string
Fingerboard may arrive excessively dry and require conditioning
Some players experience neck dive, common in semi-hollow bodies
Initial setup may require additional investment in better strings and conditioning products

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton Beatbass FL VS Vintage.

Build quality

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The hollow body design contributes to neck dive, impacting playability.
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The instrument may have side dot positions that are between lines, causing confusion for fretless players accustomed to fingerboard placements.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some owners have had issues with fretting and action, requiring adjustments.
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Some users found the plastic nut to be fragile, opting to replace it with a bone nut for improved durability.
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Changing to black nylon tape strings immediately improves playability and sound, especially for players transitioning from roundwounds like Rotosounds.
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Mods and upgrades

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Output jack quality is poor; replacing it may require a new preamp due to design limitations.
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Replacing the dead-on-arrival strings is a common first step for improved sound quality.
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Use cases and applications

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Works well for pop, indie, jazz, and rock, but is less suitable for funk or metal, particularly for slap techniques.
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User experience

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Lightweight, making it suitable for players who prefer less weight, such as those transitioning from other lighter instruments like violins.
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The bass is considered heavy, with some units reported to weigh over 11 pounds, making it more suitable for seated playing.
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Owners find it comfortable and playable, with satisfactory setup and sound quality out of the box, without immediate need for adjustments.
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Owners find the bass fun to play for casual recording sessions, noting it won't replace higher-end models but offers a unique experience.
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A long-time bassist finds this model a perfect low-cost entry into fretless playing without a significant investment, ideal for testing interest in fretless basses.
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Comparisons

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The Ibanez SR370EF and BBT line were mentioned as alternatives for those seeking different options within a similar price range.
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Value and pricing

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Seen as a great affordable option for those wanting a fretless experience without committing financially to a high-end instrument.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

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thcraymer

910

over 3 years ago

Amazing fretless violin bass!

I had been looking at this bass for a while, as I really love the sound of Höfner-style violin basses but did not own one yet, and seeing a fretless one, at such a cheap price, I just had to go for it. This instrument did not disappoint!

The instrument is very well made down to every detail (finish, binding, etc.). Additionally, the pickups and strings themselves are even of great quality, and you can easily get that classic thumping tone heard on so many Beatles albums without any modding, as well as having the freedom a fretless instrument provides (such as sliding and playing microtonal). The short scale also makes playing fretless much easier than on a long scale fretless bass. If you have the treble high enough, you'll get the classic fretless "mwah" sound, so you have the best of both worlds!

Perhaps the only downside is that the E string can get muddy sometimes, but this is a common issue with hollow or acoustic basses and easily fixed with the right eq. (Update: I have fixed this issue with adjusting the EQ)

I'd easily recommend this instrument to anyone, especially if they want that classic Höfner-style violin bass tone, as well as experimenting with fretless playing.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

This has become my main bass, both for live performances and recording. Depending on what style you're playing, adjust the settings accordingly (I've found having the neck pickup louder works better for walking bass lines, while having the bridge pickup louder works well for sliding along the fretboard and making "mwah" sounds).

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Art rock Progressive rock

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