Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS BK
Unique details of the Harley Benton electric guitar
- Body: American alder
- Bolt-on neck: Roasted flamed Canadian maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Dot fingerboard inlays
- Fluorescent side dots
- Right-angled rounded fingerboard edges
- Neck profile: D – thickness at 1st fret: 20.5 mm, at 12th fret: 22.5 mm
- Double action truss rod with adjustment wheel
- Ergonomically designed neck-body transition
- Compound fingerboard radius: 305 – 406 mm (12″ – 16″)
- Scale length: 648 mm (25.50″)
- Nut width: 42 mm (1.65″)
- Nut: Graphite
- 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets
- Pickups: 1 Tesla VR-Nitro Alnico 5 covered humbucker (bridge) and 2 Tesla TV-S1M Alnico 5 single coils (middle and neck)
- 1 volume control
- 1 tone control with push/pull function for coil split
- 5-way switch
- 3-ply black pickguard
- Babicz FCH 2-point Z-Series C full contact tremolo
- Chrome hardware
- Staggered machine heads
- Factory strings: Elixir Coated .010-.046 (tuned to E A D G B E standard)
- Colour: Black, high-gloss
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Additional Information
Customer Review Summary
The Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS BK is a remarkable guitar that feels like a quality instrument right out of the box. The rounded fret ends provide a comfortable playing experience, making it feel familiar as if you’ve played it for years. The pickups are surprisingly good; they deliver clarity without being overly sharp, and even the humbucker complements the single coils well. When split, the humbucker offers a convincing single coil sound, making it versatile for different styles.
While the bridge design has received mixed reviews, I found it to be a highlight, providing excellent sustain and tuning stability. However, the appearance of the string trees and some of the knobs feels a bit cheap, which is a minor flaw in an otherwise high-quality instrument. It’s worth noting that the frets could use better polishing, as they can cause some string snagging during bends. Despite this, the overall fretwork is commendable.
The neck is comfortable, although there are discrepancies in the reported roasting of the wood; it appears less caramelised than expected. The guitar is quite heavy, which may be a consideration for some players. The pots and selector switch work adequately but could benefit from a more premium feel.
Overall, the Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus HSS BK is an outstanding choice for its price point, offering impressive sound and playability. It stands out as a great option for those seeking a modern take on the classic Strat style, combining quality materials and craftsmanship without breaking the bank. Despite its minor quirks, it’s a guitar that delivers significantly more than its cost suggests, making it a strong recommendation for players of all levels.
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