Head to head
Harley Benton MB-5 SBK vs Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black
The verdict
The Harley Benton MB-5 SBK and Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black are closely matched overall — 66 to 68 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Harley Benton MB-5 SBK wins on
- Lower price ($162 vs $250)
Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black wins on
- Better build (65 vs 58)
Scorecard
| Metric | MB-5 SBK | MV-4MSB LH Black |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 68 |
| Build | 58 | 65 |
| Playability | 72 | 72 |
| Sound | 63 | 60 |
| Value | 76 | 78 |
Full specifications
| Spec | MB-5 SBK | MV-4MSB LH Black |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Harley Benton | Harley Benton |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Neck wood | — | caramelised Canadian sycamore with roseacer skunk stripe |
| Fretboard | — | Laurel |
| Strings | 5 | 4 |
| Frets | — | 19 |
| Scale | 34.02" | 30" |
| Pickups | 1 humbucker with coil split | HBZ- custom wound VJB-B Alnico 5 single coil (bridge) and HBZ- custom wound VPB Alnico 5 split coil (neck) |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $162 | $250 |
| Finish | Satin Black | Black |
| Fretboard radius | 350 mm | 305 mm |
| Neck profile | D | Soft D |
| Nut width | 45 mm | 38 mm |
| Scale length | 864 mm | 762 mm (30") |
| String gauges | .045 - .130 | D'Addario EXL170S .045 - .105 (Art. #205074#) |
| String Spacing | 19 mm | 19 mm |
| Bridge | — | Sung Il WB401CR with brass saddles |
| Controls | — | 1 Volume and 1 tone |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid dots |
| Nut | — | white graphite |
| Tuners | — | HB die-cast 22:1 gear ratio |