Harley Benton HBV 890 Electric Violin User Manual
- June 4, 2024
- Harley Benton
Table of Contents
Harley Benton HBV 890 Electric Violin User Manual
General information
This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the
device.
Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for
future reference. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this
device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure that they also receive
this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We therefore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.
Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the following points:
| Download | This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download. |
|---|---|
| Keyword search | Use the search function in the electronic version to find the |
topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides| Our online guides provide detailed information on technical
basics and terms.
Personal consultation| For personal consultation please contact our technical
hotline.
Service| If you have any problems with the device the customer service will
gladly assist you.
Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
Letterings
The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and
italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Instructions
he individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result
of a step is indented and highlighted by an arrow.
Example:
- Switch on the device.
- Press [Auto].
- Automatic operation is started.
- Switch off the device.
Symbols and signal words
In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.
| Signal word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| DANGER! | This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an |
immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if
it is not avoided.
CAUTION!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a
possible dangerous situation that can result in minor injury if it is not
avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible
dangerous situation that can result in mate‐ rial and environmental damage if
it is not avoided.
|
Warning signs| Type of danger
| Warning – danger zone.
Safety instructions
DANGER
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of and are not
in the reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard! Ensure that
children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the
product. They could swallow the pieces and choke! Never let children play
unattended with the product.
CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
Using headphones for a prolonged period and at high volume can cause hearing
damage. Avoid using the device at high volume, especially when using
headphones.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never
expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy
dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient
conditions specified in the chapter ‘Technical specifications’ of this user
manual. Avoid heavy temperature fluctuations and do not switch the device on
immediately after it was exposed to temperature fluctuations (for example
after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can damage
the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine,
fog, etc.), the unit should be main‐ tained by qualified service personnel at
regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
NOTICE!
Possible damage by leaking batteries
Leaking batteries can cause permanent damage to the device. Take batteries out
of the device if it is not going to be used for a longer period.
NOTICE!
Risk of fire due to incorrect polarity
Incorrectly inserted batteries may destroy the device or the batteries. Ensure
that proper polarity is observed when inserting batteries.
NOTICE!
Possible property damage by magnetic fields
Loudspeakers produce a static magnetic field. Therefore, maintain an
appropriate distance to devices that can be adversely affected or damaged by
an external magnetic field.
Scope of delivery
Thank you very much for purchasing this electric violin. The package includes the following components:
- 1 × electric violin
- 1 × bridge (pre-assembled)
- 1 × strings set (pre-assembled)
- 1 × composite bow
- 1 × bow rosin
- 1 × case
- 9 V battery
Assembling and tuning your instrument are described in detail in the following sections.
Assembly instructions
Overview
| A (front side) | 1 | Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Chin rest | |
| B (rear side) | 3 | Machine heads |
| 4 | Operating elements | |
| C (operating ele‐ ments) | 5 | [VOLUME] |
With this control you can adjust the volume
6| Battery compartment
7| [TONE]
With this control you can adjust the tone
8| [LINE OUT]
3.5 mm jack to connect the instrument cable
9| [MIC]
Microphones socket (3.5 mm jack)
10| [PHONE]
Headphones socket (3.5 mm jack)
11| [ON/OFF]
With this switch, you can turn the instrument on or off. The associated LED lights up or goes out.
Tuning the strings
Tune all strings with the machine heads using a tuner device to the correct pitch (usually g–d’–a’–e”).
Connections and controls
CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
Using headphones for a prolonged period and at high volume can cause hearing
damage.
Avoid using the device at high volume, especially when using head‐ phones.
NOTICE!
Risk of breakage, possible deformation
When placing the instrument with the fretboard down, there is a risk of
damaging the fingerboard and the tailpiece.
Avoid any compressive load on the rear of the instrument, if it is placed for the assembly or for service work with the fretboard down on a solid surface.
Before you connect amplifiers or microphones, the volume controls of the violin and the devices to be connected must be set to “Minimum”. This avoids loud crack noises when switching on.
Connecting and inserting the battery
On delivery of the instrument, a suitable battery is enclosed.
Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the instrument and connect
the lead wire with correct polarity to the battery. Insert the battery into
the battery compartment and close the battery compartment cover.
NOTICE!
Possible damage by leaking batteries
Leaking batteries can cause permanent damage to the device.
Take batteries out of the device if it is not going to be used for a longer
period.
Connecting the instrument cable
The connector for the instrument cable (3.5 mm jack, mono) is located on the back of the instrument.
Connecting headphones
The connector for the headphone (3.5 mm jack, mono) is located on the back of
the instrument.
Slide the selector switch towards the headphone icon.
Connecting audio devices
The connector for audio devices (3.5 mm, mono) is located on the back of the instrument.
Adjusting Volume and Tone
The controls to adjust the volume [Volume] and the tone (treble, bass) [Treble]/[Bass] are located on the back of the instrument.
Maintenance
Changing strings
Strings are subject to a natural aging process, which is also affected by the frequency of use of the instrument. Changing the strings is recommended if the sound quality of the instrument decreases audibly. Always replace the complete set of strings (strings of 4/4 length) and always go string by string. In this way you avoid a strong temporary bending of the neck due to reduced string tension. The bridge also remains in the correct position and does not have to be readjusted.
Proceed as follows to change the strings:
- For example, loosen the run-down E string from the capstan of the machine head and from the tailpiece.
- Thread the new E string into the tailpiece, pull it over the bridge into the cap‐ stan bore of the machine head.
- Hook the string end to the capstan and tighten the string tension slowly. At the first windings, pay particular attention that the string is taut to the mechanics.
- Make sure that the string is running correctly through the grooves of bridge and nut at the upper end of the neck.
- Slowly increase the string tension until the correct pitch is reached. Use a tuner or a pitch pipe for reference.
- Proceed in the same way with the A, D and G strings and then tune all strings again successively to the correct pitch. Note that the string tension will drop a little and the instrument needs to be retuned several times until the strings stay in tune.
Battery change
Replace the inserted battery if necessary (weak output signal) or at regular intervals.
Open the battery compartment cover on the back of the instrument. Remove the battery and unplug the connection cable from the battery terminals.
Clamp the power cable with the correct polarity to the new battery. Insert the battery into the battery compartment and close the battery compartment cover.
Technical specifications
| HBV 900BCF
Item no. 285305
| HBV 890BCF
Item no. 285331
---|---|---
Colour| Black Carbon Fiber| Black Carbon Fiber
Output connections| Instrument cable| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket, mono
Headphones| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket, mono
Microphone| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket, mono
Scale| approx. 32.6 cm
Body material| Paulownia
Fretboard material| Birch
Capstan and chin rest material| Jujube
Pick-up| Active piezoceramic pick-up system with 9 V battery power supply
Machine heads| Machine heads
Power supply| 9 V battery
Dimensions| Total length: approx. 60 cm
Lower bout width: approx. 20.5 cm
Body length: approx. 36 cm
Weight| 500 g (without battery)
Ambient conditions| Temperature range| 0 °C…40 °C
Relative humidity| 20 %…80 % (non-condensing)
Further information
| HBV 900BCF
Item no. 285305
| HBV 890BCF
Item no. 285331
---|---|---
Number of strings| 4| 4
Fretboard| Ebony| Ebony
Body| Plywood| Plywood
Bag included| No| No
Case included| Yes| Yes
Bow included| Yes| Yes
Shoulder support included| No| No
4 fine tuners included| Yes| Yes
Plug and connection assignment
Introduction
This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equipment in such a way that a perfect sound experience is ensured.
Please note these advices, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is
indicated:
Even if a plug fits into the socket, an incorrect connection may result in a
destroyed power amp, a short circuit or ‘just’ in poor transmission quality!
Balanced and unbalanced transmission
Unbalanced transmission is mainly used in semi-professional environment and in hifi use. Instrument cables with two conductors (one core plus shielding) are typical representatives of the unbalanced transmission. One conductor is ground and shielding while the signal is transmitted through the core.
Unbalanced transmission is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, especially at low levels, such as microphone signals and when using long cables.
In a professional environment, therefore, the balanced transmission is preferred, because this enables an undisturbed transmission of signals over long distances. In addition to the conductors ‘Ground’ and ‘Signal’, in a balanced transmission a second core is added. This also transfers the signal, but phase-shifted by 180°.
Since the interference affects both cores equally, by subtracting the phase shifted signals, the interfering signal is completely neutralized. The result is a pure signal without any noise interference.
Three-pole 1/8″ mini phone jack (stereo, unbalanced)
| 1 | Signal (left) |
|---|---|
| 2 | Signal (right) |
| 3 | Ground, shielding |
Cleaning
Clean the instrument and especially the strings after playing with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. Stubborn dirt can be removed with a slightly dampened cloth.
Never use cleaners containing alcohol or thinner.
Protecting the environment
Disposal of the packaging material
For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that they are fed to a recovery. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.
Disposal of batteries
Batteries must not be disposed of as domestic waste or thrown into fire.
Dispose of the batteries according to national or local regulations regarding
hazardous waste.
To protect the environment, dispose of empty batteries at your retail store or
at appropriate collection sites.
Disposal of your old device
This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with your normal household waste.
Dispose this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.
Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
02.05.2022, ID: 285331, 285305 (V3