Head to head
Harley Benton MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) vs Schecter C-4 Custom LH
The verdict
The Schecter C-4 Custom LH comes out ahead overall — 72 to 64 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Harley Benton MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) wins on
- Lower price ($326 vs $399)
Schecter C-4 Custom LH wins on
- Better build (65 vs 58)
- Better playability (81 vs 70)
- Better sound (68 vs 63)
- Better value (75 vs 68)
Scorecard
| Metric | MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) | C-4 Custom LH |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 72 |
| Build | 58 | 65 |
| Playability | 70 | 81 |
| Sound | 63 | 68 |
| Value | 68 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | MSB-5 Emerald Sparkle (ESP) | C-4 Custom LH |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Harley Benton | Schecter |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Okoume | Ash |
| Neck wood | Roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple | Maple/Walnut Multi-ply |
| Fretboard | Canadian maple | Rosewood |
| Strings | 5 | 4 |
| Frets | — | 24 |
| Scale | 33.3" | 34" |
| Pickups | 2 HBZ Custom Wound ferrite humbuckers | EMG HZ SJ / EMG 35HZ |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $326 | $399 |
| 5 Piece Neck | Roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple / okoume / roasted Canadian maple | — |
| Finish | Emerald Sparkle | — |
| Fretboard radius | 400 mm | 16" (406mm) |
| Multi Scale Length | 846 - 889 mm (33.3" - 35") | — |
| Neck profile | C - thickness at 1st fret: 21.5 mm, at 12th fret: 22.5 mm | Thin "C" |
| Nut width | 45 mm | 1.496" (38mm) |
| Top wood | Maple | — |
| Battery Compartment | — | 9-volt Clip-in Battery Compartment |
| Bridge | — | Schecter Custom Bass String Thru (or Top Load) |
| Bridge pickup | — | EMG 35HZ |
| Construction | — | Bolt-on |
| Controls | — | Master Volume/Blend/3-Band EMG Active E/Q |
| Dexterity | — | Left Handed |
| Fretboard inlay | — | Pearloid Offset Dots |
| Guitar Colors | — | Trans Black Stain (TBS) |
| Hardware | — | Black Chrome |
| Knobs | — | Metal Knurled w/ Set Screw |
| Neck pickup | — | EMG HZ SJ |
| Nut | — | Graph Tech XL Black Tusq |
| Scale length | — | 34" (863mm) |
| Thickness | — | @ 1st Fret- .787" (20mm)/ @ 12th Fret- .866" (22mm) |
| Top Contour | — | Flat Top w/Bevel Edge |
| Truss rod | — | 2-Way Adjustable Rod w/ 5/32" (4mm) Allen Nut |
| Tuners | — | Schecter |