The Harley Benton JB-40FL in 3-Tone Sunburst is a traditional Jazz-style fretless bass combining an American ash body, Canadian maple neck and laurel fingerboard with a straightforward passive twin-pickup electronics layout.

Its lined fretless fingerboard provides the expressive slides, vibrato and fluid phrasing associated with fretless bass while retaining clear visual reference points for accurate intonation. Two Roswell JBA Alnico 5 JB-style single-coil pickups offer everything from warm neck-pickup sounds to the focused bridge-position growl closely associated with fretless Jazz-style basses.

This example is presented in Very Good Condition, weighs 10.34 lbs, and is sold without a case or gigbag.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Harley Benton
Model	JB-40FL
Finish	3-Tone Sunburst
Type	4-String Fretless Bass
Body	American Ash
Neck	Canadian Maple
Fingerboard	Laurel
Scale	34"
Fretboard	Lined Fretless
Pickups	2 x Roswell JBA Alnico 5 Single Coils
Electronics	Passive
Weight	10.34 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Bass Only – No Case

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Harley Benton JB-40FL is presented in Very Good Condition.

It shows some cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

The lined fretless fingerboard, electronics, hardware and general setup have been checked as part of our pre-owned assessment.

What's Included?

✔ Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned bass has been checked for general operation and playability, including:

• Neck pickup operation
• Bridge pickup operation
• Both volume controls
• Tone control
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Fretless fingerboard
• Nut
• Tuning machines
• Bridge adjustment
• General hardware
• Overall setup
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned basses at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Intonation
• String height
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Tuning stability
• General playing feel

Fretless instruments are particularly sensitive to setup and playing technique because accurate pitch is determined directly by finger placement.

What Makes The Harley Benton JB-40FL Special?

The JB-40FL takes the familiar Jazz-style bass formula and replaces conventional frets with a lined fretless fingerboard. This gives players access to smooth slides, expressive vibrato and continuously variable pitch while retaining visual fret lines to make accurate intonation easier.

Its ash body, long-scale maple neck and twin Roswell Alnico 5 pickups provide a traditional foundation, while simple passive electronics keep the sound direct and responsive.

American Ash Body

The body is constructed from American ash.

Ash is valued for its:

• Strong note definition
• Clear attack
• Solid low-end response
• Present upper frequencies
• Distinctive visible grain beneath transparent finishes

The 3-Tone Sunburst finish highlights the natural character of the timber.

Canadian Maple Neck

The bolt-on neck is made from Canadian maple and incorporates a contrasting pau ferro skunk stripe.

Maple provides the stiffness and clarity particularly useful on a long-scale fretless bass.

Laurel Fretless Fingerboard

The bass uses a laurel fingerboard with 20 visible fret lines.

Unlike conventional metal frets, the player's finger directly determines the vibrating string length.

This allows:

• Smooth glissando
• Wide expressive vibrato
• Microtonal control
• Singing melodic lines
• Upright-inspired phrasing

2mm Side Markers

The neck includes 2mm side markers, providing additional visual reference when navigating the fretless fingerboard.

These are particularly helpful for players moving from a fretted bass to fretless for the first time.

34" Scale Length

The JB-40FL uses a standard:

34" / 864mm scale

This provides familiar long-scale bass tension and spacing while maintaining strong definition across all four strings.

350mm Fingerboard Radius

The fingerboard radius is:

350mm / approximately 13.8"

This relatively flat surface suits fretless playing well, providing an even feel for:

• Slides
• Fast position changes
• Fingerstyle technique
• Melodic playing

38mm Nut Width

The nut width is approximately:

38mm

This gives the bass the relatively slim lower-neck feel associated with traditional Jazz-style designs.

Twin Roswell JBA Alnico 5 Pickups

The JB-40FL uses two Roswell JBA Alnico 5 JB-style single-coil pickups.

The traditional neck and bridge positioning provides two noticeably different tonal characters.

Neck Pickup

The neck pickup delivers:

• Fuller lows
• Warmer mids
• Rounded fingerstyle sounds
• Smooth fretless tones

Bridge Pickup

The bridge pickup emphasises:

• Upper-mid definition
• Tighter lows
• Greater articulation
• Classic fretless growl

Blending the two allows a wide range of intermediate sounds.

Passive Electronics

The control layout consists of:

• Neck Pickup Volume
• Bridge Pickup Volume
• Master Tone

There is no active preamp and no battery requirement.

The independent volume controls allow the two pickups to be blended continuously.

Classic Butterfly Tuners

The headstock uses classic butterfly-style machine heads, reinforcing the traditional Jazz-style appearance.

Chrome Hardware

The bass features deluxe chrome hardware, complementing the 3-Tone Sunburst finish and traditional styling.

Factory String Gauge

The standard specification uses roundwound strings approximately:

.045 – .105

Roundwound strings provide plenty of attack and articulation.

Players looking for a smoother, more upright-influenced fretless response may also choose flatwound strings.

Weight

10.34 lbs

This is the actual measured weight of this individual bass.

The ash body gives this example a substantial feel, and a comfortable wide strap may be useful for longer standing performances.

Fretless vs Fretted Bass

A fretless bass does not automatically fix each note to a predetermined pitch.

Instead, the player controls intonation directly.

This provides much greater expressive flexibility but also requires greater accuracy.

Fretless Advantages

• Smooth slides
• Expressive vibrato
• Microtonal pitch control
• Distinctive singing sustain
• Classic fretless growl

Things To Consider

• Intonation requires practice
• Finger placement is more critical
• String choice influences tone and fingerboard wear
• Setup has a strong effect on playing feel

The visible fret lines on the JB-40FL make the transition considerably easier.

Who Is It For?

Players exploring fretless bass – Lined fingerboard provides useful pitch reference points.

Jazz and fusion bassists – Bridge-pickup articulation works particularly well for melodic fretless playing.

Rock and pop players – Traditional passive Jazz-style sounds fit easily into a full mix.

Recording musicians – Fretless provides a distinctive tonal option alongside conventional fretted basses.

Soul and R&B players – Neck-heavy pickup blends produce smooth, rounded tones.

Experimental musicians – Continuous pitch control offers creative possibilities unavailable on a fretted bass.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Jazz
• Fusion
• Rock
• Pop
• Soul
• R&B
• Funk
• Progressive rock
• Ambient music
• Singer-songwriter
• Session work
• Studio recording
• Melodic bass
• Fretless solo playing

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	4-String Fretless Electric Bass
Brand	Harley Benton
Model	JB-40FL
Finish	3-Tone Sunburst
Body Material	American Ash
Neck Material	Canadian Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Skunk Stripe	Pau Ferro
Fingerboard	Laurel
Fingerboard Radius	350mm / Approx. 13.8"
Scale Length	864mm / 34"
Nut Width	38mm
Frets	Fretless
Fret Lines	20
Side Markers	2mm
Number of Strings	4
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	Roswell JBA Alnico 5 JB-Style Single Coil
Bridge Pickup	Roswell JBA Alnico 5 JB-Style Single Coil
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 1 Tone
Tuning Machines	Classic Butterfly
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Factory Strings	Roundwound .045–.105
Weight	10.34 lbs
Included	No Case or Gigbag
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Fretless Fingerboard Care

Fretless fingerboards receive direct contact from the strings.

To help minimise unnecessary wear:

• Keep strings clean
• Wipe the fingerboard after playing
• Avoid excessive string pressure
• Monitor the board for developing grooves
• Consider flatwound strings if a smoother feel is preferred

Roundwounds generally provide more attack and growl, while flatwounds offer a smoother surface and warmer response.

Case Note

No case or gigbag is included.

Suitable protection is recommended for regular transport and storage.

Power Requirements

None.

The pickups and controls are completely passive.

No battery or external power supply is required.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Harley Benton JB-40FL 3-Tone Sunburst is an accessible and practical route into fretless bass.

Its ash body, Canadian maple neck, lined laurel fingerboard and twin Roswell Alnico 5 pickups provide a traditional foundation, while the fretless construction opens up a completely different range of expression compared with a conventional fretted bass.

The 20 fret lines make accurate pitch placement considerably easier for players developing their fretless technique, while the passive Jazz-style electronics provide plenty of tonal flexibility without unnecessary complexity.

This example weighs 10.34 lbs, is presented in Very Good Condition, and is sold without a case or gigbag.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned bass at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition, measured weight and included accessories are clearly represented.

This Harley Benton is offered with:

• Very Good condition
• 3-Tone Sunburst finish
• Lined fretless fingerboard
• Twin Roswell Alnico 5 pickups
• 10.34 lbs actual measured weight
• No case or gigbag included

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing bass or other equipment could help towards your next purchase.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Harley Benton JB-40FL in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic evidence of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Is the JB-40FL fretless?

Yes. It is a lined fretless four-string bass.

Does it have fret markers?

Yes. The fingerboard has 20 visible fret lines plus side markers to assist with accurate pitch placement.

What is the body made from?

It has an American ash body.

What is the neck made from?

It uses a Canadian maple neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a laurel fingerboard.

What is the fingerboard radius?

It uses a 350mm / approximately 13.8" radius.

What is the scale length?

It uses a standard long-scale 34" / 864mm scale.

What is the nut width?

Approximately 38mm.

What pickups does it have?

It uses two Roswell JBA Alnico 5 JB-style single-coil pickups.

What controls does it have?

It has two independent pickup volume controls and one master tone control.

Are the electronics active?

No. They are completely passive.

Does it require a battery?

No.

What strings does it normally use?

The standard specification uses approximately .045–.105 roundwound strings.

Can I fit flatwound strings?

Yes. Flatwounds are a popular choice on fretless basses and provide a smoother feel and warmer tone.

Is a lined fretless easier to play than an unlined fretless?

The fret lines provide useful visual reference points, which can make accurate intonation easier while learning.

How much does it weigh?

This individual bass weighs 10.34 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

No. No case or gigbag is included.

Is it suitable for jazz?

Yes. The bridge pickup and fretless fingerboard are particularly well suited to articulate jazz and fusion sounds.

Is it suitable for beginners to fretless bass?

Yes. The lined fingerboard makes it a relatively approachable way to develop fretless technique.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the individual condition or hear the neck, bridge and blended pickup sounds before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another bass against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of instruments and musical equipment.