Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Jamie Thorne Guitar
Written by Jamie Thorne

June 19, 2026

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton specs and details

  • Body: Meranti
  • Set-in necks: Meranti
  • Fingerboards: Rosewood
  • Trapezoid fingerboard inlays
  • Headstock inlays
  • Neck and headstock bindings
  • Neck profiles: C – thickness at 1st fret: 20.5 mm, thickness at 12th fret: 22.5 mm
  • Fingerboard radii: 350 mm each
  • Scales: 628 mm
  • 22 medium jumbo Blacksmith stainless steel frets each
  • Nut width (6-string neck): 42 mm
  • Nut width (12-string neck): 48 mm
  • 2-way truss rods
  • Pickups (12-string): Two Tesla Opus-G1 Alnico-5 vintage-style humbuckers
  • Pickups (6-string): Two Tesla TM VR-60 Classic Alnico-5 vintage-style humbuckers
  • One volume and one tone control
  • Two 3-way pickup selector switches
  • One 3-way neck pickup selector switch
  • Two 3-ply pickguards
  • WSC Tune-O-Matic bridges
  • HB machine heads
  • Chrome-plated hardware
  • Colour: Cherry, high-gloss
  • Includes case

Images

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry Review: First impressions

Additional Information

Customer Review Summary

The Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry is a striking and well-crafted guitar that has exceeded my expectations in many ways. The finish is beautiful, particularly the Cherry colour, and the overall design pays homage to the legendary Gibson EDS-1275, making it a captivating choice for fans of classic rock.

One of the standout features is the dual neck configuration, offering both a 6-string and a 12-string neck, which provides incredible versatility for different musical styles. The pickups deliver a rich and resonant sound that truly impresses, especially with the 12-string setup. The guitar holds its tuning exceptionally well, thanks to the reliable Grover tuners.

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While the guitar is undeniably heavy, which can lead to a bit of neck dive when playing standing up, it remains comfortable when seated. The necks are well-finished, making playability surprisingly enjoyable, though those with smaller hands might find it a bit challenging.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the guitar’s setup; it arrived perfectly adjusted, with polished frets and a good action. The only minor downside is the positioning of the pickup selector switch, which could be more intuitive, as using the middle position can lead to a significant drop in volume.

This guitar is an excellent choice for intermediate players or those looking for something unique without breaking the bank. It offers remarkable value for money, and for anyone wanting a piece of rock history, it’s a fantastic option. Overall, I highly recommend the Harley Benton DC-Custom II 612 Cherry for its craftsmanship, sound quality, and aesthetic appeal.



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Jamie Thorne Guitar

With over 15 years in the UK music scene, I've worked as a session guitarist and touring tech from London to Manchester. Whether it's setting up a vintage Strat or stress-testing the latest DSP modeling amps, I break down the gear so you know exactly what you're plugging into. No fluff, just the facts from the fretboard.

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