Harley Benton JB-40FL

$183.00 Price Tier: Budget

5.0 (1)

All time low price

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Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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4.6 (582)

$184.00 $183.00 $1.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $185

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Harley Benton JB-40FL is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Harley Benton JB-40FL". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.

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Description

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Unlock a world of smooth, expressive sound with the Harley Benton JB-40FL, a fretless electric bass that invites you to explore new musical dimensions. Constructed with a body of rich American ash, this bass combines natural resonance with a sleek, comfortable design. The bolt-on neck, crafted from Canadian maple with a pau ferro skunk stripe, ensures durability and a seamless playing experience, while the laurel fingerboard provides a warm, inviting touch.

Equipped with two Roswell JBA Alnico-5 JB-style single coils, the JB-40FL guarantees a robust sonic palette, offering everything from deep, growling lows to bright, articulate highs. The dual action truss rod adds stability, allowing you to fine-tune your setup with ease. With its 20 fret lines and 2 mm side marks, navigating the fingerboard becomes intuitive, making it ideal for both seasoned fretless players and those new to the style.

For added control, this bass features two volume controls and one tone control, giving you the power to sculpt your sound to perfection. Classic butterfly machine heads and deluxe chrome hardware not only enhance its aesthetics but also ensure reliable performance. Whether you’re laying down a solid groove or taking the spotlight with a melodic solo, the Harley Benton JB-40FL is your partner in creativity.

Key Features:

Fretless electric bass
Body: American ash
Bolt-on neck: Canadian maple with pau ferro skunk stripe
Fingerboard: Laurel
Dual Roswell JBA Alnico-5 JB-style single coils
Dual action truss rod
20 fret lines with 2 mm side marks
Two volume controls and one tone control
Deluxe chrome hardware with classic butterfly machine heads
Scale: 864 mm, Nut width: 38 mm
Strings: Roundwound .045 - .105

Product specs

Available since	December 2013
Lefthand Model	No
Colour	Sunburst
Number of strings	4
Body	Ash
Neck	Canadian Maple
Fretboard	Laurel
Scale	Long Scale
Pickup System	JJ
Elektronic	Passive
Incl. Case	No
Incl. Gigbag	No

FAQs

Is the Harley Benton JB-40FL suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Harley Benton JB-40FL is suitable for beginners due to its affordable price and user-friendly design, making it an excellent choice for those new to fretless bass playing.
What type of music is the Harley Benton JB-40FL best suited for?: The Harley Benton JB-40FL, with its JJ pickup configuration, is versatile and well-suited for jazz, funk, and blues, offering a smooth, warm tone ideal for these genres.
Does the Harley Benton JB-40FL come with a case or gig bag?: No, the Harley Benton JB-40FL does not include a case or gig bag, so you may want to purchase one separately to protect your instrument.
What is the neck profile of the Harley Benton JB-40FL?: The Harley Benton JB-40FL features a Canadian maple neck with a comfortable profile, making it easy to play, especially for those transitioning to fretless bass.
What is the scale length of the Harley Benton JB-40FL?: The Harley Benton JB-40FL has a long scale length, which contributes to its full and rich tone, particularly beneficial for fretless bass playing.

Videos

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Michele della Malva

Smooth jazz bass solo fretless Harley Benton JB-40 FL

Michele della Malva

Harley Benton JB-40FL - How Can Something So Inexpensive Be So Good? - LowEndLobster Review

LowEndLobster

Harley Benton JB-40 FL Fretless Jazz Bass

Cioghan

Harley Benton - JB-40 FL - Fretless Bass -

Harley Benton

Harley Benton JB-40FL MODIFIED Pt. 1 - BIG Tones with Upgraded EMG Pickups! -LowEndLobster

LowEndLobster

Harley Benton JB75SB Vs JB40FL - [Bass Demo] - Jaco Pastorius The Chicken

b.a.s.s.p.o.r.n

Harley Benton JB-40 FL fretless Cosy soulful groove bass solo

Michele della Malva

First notes on Harley Benton Fretless Bass Guitar - JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst

Adrian Ciuplea

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional value, comparable to basses priced much higher
Attractive finish with no visible blemishes
Comfortable, slim neck with a beautiful satin finish
Roswell pickups provide good output and variety of tones
Surprisingly easy to play for a fretless bass
Delivers a full, warm sound with great sustain
Potential for an upright bass-like sound with flat wound strings
Solid build with high-quality components for the price
Minimal neck heaviness, easily countered by a strap
Excellent setup out of the box, requiring little adjustment

CONS

String alignment issues due to narrow bridge design
Stiff knobs make on-the-fly adjustments challenging
Limited tone control variation except at extremes
Slight buzz on the first string, requires saddle adjustment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton JB-40FL.

Build quality

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The plastic nut can break easily; replacing it with a bone nut is a simple fix.
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The bass is notably heavy, weighing over 11 pounds, which might be a concern for older players or those with back issues.
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The control cavity lacks shielding, which causes electronic buzz; copper tape can effectively eliminate this issue.
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The neck is described as very smooth and fast, enhancing the playability for fretless techniques and solos.
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Features and functionality

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The side dots are positioned between the fret lines, which can be confusing for players accustomed to placing fingers on the lines.
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There is no neck dive despite the bass's weight, making it comfortable for seated play.
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The Roswell pickups paired with factory D’Addario roundwound strings are highly praised for their sound quality straight out of the box.
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User experience

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The bass is recommended for seated play due to its weight, especially for older players or those with back concerns.
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Delivery from Germany to the US is exceptionally fast, taking approximately 5 days, and the instrument arrives in perfect condition.
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Use cases and applications

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Ideal for players transitioning from double bass, as it provides a budget-friendly way to explore fretless bass techniques.
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The bass is noted for its suitability in melodic solos, particularly in progressive and technical death metal genres, inspired by players like Steve DiGiorgio.
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Setup and maintenance

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The bass arrives strung with roundwounds, but swapping to flatwounds is a popular modification for improved tone on fretless models.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners refrain from changing stock hardware, fearing it may negatively impact the tone, although string changes are common.
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Comparisons

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The weight of the JB-40FL is comparable to a Sterling Stingray SUB Ray5, providing a reference for potential buyers familiar with these models.
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Value and pricing

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Owners from different regions note price variations, with mentions of purchasing it for $120 in the US and 190 in Europe for left-handed models.
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