Harley Benton MB-4 SBK
Why I Bought the Harley Benton MB-4 SBK—and Why I’m Keeping It
After sending back a Sterling by Music Man Stingray Ray S.U.B 4, I found myself on the hunt for a bass that wouldn’t break the bank but still delivered in all the ways that matter: sound, build, feel, and style. Enter the Harley Benton MB-4 SBK—a budget-friendly beast that surprised me in all the best ways.
First Impressions
Out of the box, the MB-4 SBK oozes attitude. Its matte black finish, black hardware, and matching headstock give it a stealthy, modern look. It feels solid, tipping the scales at around 4 kg, with a full 34-inch scale and a bolt-on maple neck topped with a roseacer fretboard. The neck has a comfy D-profile and a nice low action, making it easy to zip around the 21 frets.
The Sound
Let’s cut to the chase: it sounds fantastic—especially for the price. The Humbucker pickup with passive electronics delivers that scooped sound you would expect from a Stingray-style bass. It does have versatility with the tone control you can get some mellow sounds, but it really shines when you crank the treble.
But be warned—the output is hot. Like, really hot. So hot, in fact, that it overloads my Digitech Drop pedal. If you’re running into pedals or an interface, you might want to check your gain staging.
Playability & Build
This thing plays beautifully. The fretwork is clean, the finish is flawless, and the build quality feels far above what you’d expect at this price. The body is made from poplar, which is lightweight but still gives a nice, balanced tone. The die-cast bridge is solid and keeps things nicely anchored.
The Downsides
It’s not perfect, of course. A few small issues stood out:
- The volume knobs rubbed against the control plate slightly and needed to be lifted a bit to stop catching.
- The tuners feel cheap, and there’s a little play when you turn them—but they do hold tuning well, so it’s more of a feel thing than a functional problem.
- I’m not in love with the two volume knob setup. I’d personally prefer a single volume control and a standard tone knob, rather than juggling two knobs to blend the coils.
- The matte finish will show fingerprints and smudges, and over time will lose its sheen.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, the Harley Benton MB-4 SBK punches way above its weight. For the price, you’re getting:
✅ Excellent sound
✅ Impressive build quality
✅ Stealth aesthetics
✅ Comfortable playability
✅ Remarkable value for money
✅ Passive electronics (no batteries needed!)
If you’re okay with a couple of minor quirks—and maybe swapping out the tuners down the line—you’ll find a lot to love here. Whether you’re just starting out or need a solid backup bass, the MB-4 SBK is a serious contender.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
Harley Benton MB-4 SBK product page
Back to Black
One thing that bothered me was the tort pickguard. It just didn’t match the sleek black aesthetic of the rest of the instrument.
The Musically pickguard on Amazon fitted with a small amount of trimming at the neck pocket, and it’s 9 holes didn’t quite line up with the original 7, but it works well enough.
BTW - You can see the fingerprints and dust that the matte finish picks up :¬)
