Head to head
Cort B4FL MHPZ vs Harley Benton MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP)
The verdict
The Cort B4FL MHPZ and Harley Benton MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) are closely matched overall — 65 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Cort B4FL MHPZ wins on
- Better playability (75 vs 70)
Harley Benton MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | B4FL MHPZ | MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 65 | 64 |
| Build | 61 | 58 |
| Playability | 75 | 70 |
| Sound | 60 | 63 |
| Value | 65 | 68 |
Full specifications
| Spec | B4FL MHPZ | MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | Harley Benton |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany | Okoume |
| Neck wood | Hard Maple | Roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple |
| Fretboard | Roasted Jatoba with Walnut Binding | Canadian maple |
| Strings | 4 | 5 |
| Frets | 26 | — |
| Scale | 34.02" | 33.3" |
| Pickups | Bartolini® MK-1(N) & Fishman® Piezo Pickup | 2 HBZ Custom Wound ferrite humbuckers |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | — | $326 |
| Body Finish | Matte (Open Pore) | — |
| Bridge | Fishman® Power Bridge | — |
| Colors | Open Pore Trans Black Burst (OPTA) | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Fishman® Power Chip for Power Bridge | — |
| Fretboard radius | 15.75″ (R400) | 400 mm |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Inlay | None with White Side Dots | — |
| Neck Finish | Matte | — |
| Neck profile | C Shape | C - thickness at 1st fret: 21.5 mm, at 12th fret: 22.5 mm |
| Neck Thickness | 1F : 20.5mm, 12F : 22mm | — |
| Nut | Black PPS | — |
| Nut width | 1 1/2″ (38mm) | 45 mm |
| Scale length | 34″ (864mm) | — |
| Top Material | Ovangkol 3.5T | — |
| Truss rod | Two-way Adjustable | — |
| Tuners | Hipshot® Ultralite | — |
| 5 Piece Neck | — | Roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple |
| Finish | — | Emerald Sparkle |
| Multi Scale Length | — | 846 - 889 mm (33.3" - 35") |
| Top wood | — | Maple |