Round Back Harley Benton HBO 850 Classic Blue Nylon String Guitar Reviewed - Are You Serious!

[@vincentryanborres]

Bought the same guitar a year ago and up to now really happy with it. The feel and sound of this guitar is really amazing.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Glad to hear you like the Harley Benton HBO Classical Nylon String Guitar Vincent they're fantastic guitars and really good value for the money 👍

[@vincentryanborres]

@@AlanRoyHocking totally agree with you. In fact I used it one time busking and the guy thought it’s very expensive guitar because of the sound. But was surprised when I told him of the price.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

I can well believe that. I was amazed at how good this guitar sounds for such a low price!

[@daleradeleff900]

I purchased one of these for my wife on our 36th wedding anniversary and it is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! It sounds fantastic and is VERY easy to play, no sore finger tips for my lady ;) She loves it and I pay for the lessons.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

What a lovely gift Dale 👍

[@daleradeleff900]

@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you, My wife's first husband gave her a Yamaha FG35 45 to 50 years ago but it being a steel string guitar it hurt her fingers, she has never played it but her Son did use it. This guitar, the HBO-850 Classical, doesn't hurt her fingers to play, it is easy on the fingers and a beauty to look at

[@daleradeleff900]

@@AlanRoyHocking I also ordered an HB brand 5 string banjo, the best one of 3 or 4 that they sell, for ME!!! See if you can try one of these 5 string banjos out if you get a chance. I guess they only build them as orders come in, so 3 or 4 weeks before they ship so I have about that much time before I will receive it. Can you do a review of it before mine gets here?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@@daleradeleff900 Yes I love the feel and playability of nylon string guitars 👍

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@@daleradeleff900 I would love to Dale but unfortunately I can't get my hands on a Harley Benton banjo that quick

[@franckgauthier1978]

I love how people get emotional when trying a Harley Benton for the first time

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Absolutely Franck they're really impressive. Well built guitars and great value for the money! 👍

[@JorgeBarnet]

I own one of this in natural finish! Nice review!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Thank you Jorge I'm glad you liked the review 😊

[@jitkaglosova5736]

Hi Alan, thanks a lot for this review, I am trying to find out body dimensions but no luck so far, any chance you would know it?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Jitka. No I'm sorry I don't know and I don't have this guitar any more so I can't measure it for you but if I remember correctly it's a copy of the Ovation nylon string guitar so should be very similar dimensions to that

[@mirceadolineanu9715]

I randomly found this guitar on a nearby store's website while trying to find a new guitar and I really love how it looks. I already have an acoustic and 2 electrics, so I was thinking of buying a nylon string guitar that's easy to hold and play. I see from the comments that the sound and out of the box adjustments are pretty good for the price. Unfortunately the store only has it available at the distributor (i.e. no model in store I can pick up and try). I like to use classical position when playing, but I'm not sure if it won't feel slippery with the rounded back and all? Also, how does the size of the body compare to a dreadnought for example? (I despise dreadnought size because it's very tiring for my arms and my back. The smaller the better😅 I'm only playing in small indoor locations anyway)

[@AlanRoyHocking]

It's nowhere near dreadnought size. More like a grand concert size. The round back will make it slightly awkward to use sitting in a classical style position although you can get around it by using a strap. You could try any Ovation nylon string guitar to see how it feels in classical position as this guitar is a direct copy of the Ovation nylon guitars

[@mirceadolineanu9715]

@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you for the answers!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@mirceadolineanu9715 You're welcome 😊

[@snakemont]

Thank you so much for the Review!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

You're welcome Dario I'm glad you liked it and hope you found it useful 👍

[@snakemont]

@@AlanRoyHocking I have seen the Harley Benton Guy play with metal strings on this bad boy. I am looking for Western Guitar and saw the HBO. Im going towards intermediate. Should I look for a more expensive guitar? Or could this be also very cool. I want something for acustic street music and playing jams.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@Dario Di Donato They actually do a steel string acoustic version of this guitar which would be better than the nylon string classical version for street use and jamming with other musicians. I've just picked up a beautiful Harley Benton Custom Line CLP-15 Exotic Koa Parlor that I absolutely love and is my main gigging guitar now. You see my review on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHXMlpR6acSehKc Harley Benton make some excellent acoustics at fantastic prices! Any of them would be perfect for what you're looking for 👍

[@snakemont]

@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you so much! I will check out your Review of your main giggin Guitar. Yeah i guess I kight go for a Harley Benton. I live in Germany, so it's only a few days of shipping. I would get myself the Steel version. Is the HBO only sligthly lessn loud for streets. I love the looks of the HBO! But yeah...it should be as loud as possible^^

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@Dario Di Donato The HBO 850 is a great guitar. I also own an Ovation Celebrity CC57 Shallow Back which has been my gigging guitar for over 30 years The Harley Benton HBO 850 is a copy of the Ovation Celebrity which are very tough guitars and will stand up to all sorts of abuse and weather conditions because of the plastic bowl backs so as a street guitar it would be perfect. Here's a link to the steel string version: redir.love/thoprod/408647?offid=1&affid=729 And here's a link to my 30 year old Ovation Celebrity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ-qhnSBec-AbdU Let me know what you decide to get 👍

[@robertmoore6263]

Hi Alan yes the are very good guitars I have a couple of ovations but my students I give guitar lessons to have these HBO guitars and the did really surpise me so I have guitars that cost 2 grand or more but just proves you don't have to spend that type of money anymore or wouldn't again on guitars don't have to by afraid to play these if the get broken just buy another one although these are pretty insturdable keep up the good videos

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Absolutely Robert I was really impressed with the build quality, sound and playability of this Harley Benton HBO-850 Classic Blue Nylon String Guitar. I own an Ovation and a Taylor but after reviewing this Harley Benton I don't think I'll ever buy another expensive guitar. As you said you don't have to worry about it getting knocked over or dinged. In fact I'm looking at their new wide neck acoustic (looks like a Taylor) as my day to day sofa guitar. At $248 with a solid spruce top and fishman electronics it's a steal 😊

[@robertmoore6263]

Thanks for the quick reply Alan hopefully you will do a review of it if you get it

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@@robertmoore6263 Will definitely be reviewing it Robert If you haven't already make sure you're subscribed to my channel and hit the bell icon so you get notified when I upload any new videos I review something new every week circumstances allowing and normally publish every Wednesday 😊

[@robertmoore6263]

Will do Alan you should try some rathbone guitars very good acoustic guitar for around 4:50 euro's I have on with solid cedar top and laminate rosewood back and sides but it resonates for ages I play it a lot so comfortable as well

[@AlanRoyHocking]

They're on my list to check out Robert thanks for the tip 👍

[@giomarte4496]

is there much difference withe the ovatione elite nylon or the OVATION AB24CS-4S Applause ?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

I don't really know either of these guitars but I think the Applause is the budget line so the Elite will likely have better tone woods and appointments. I would go to the Ovation website and do a proper comparison there 👍

[@rokinrandy]

175.00 with shipping. 2021 in the usa, still ok. depending if

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Paul yes still a good price for a great little guitar. Unfortunately the situation at the moment has put shipping costs through the roof I believe it used to be around $37 to ship to the USA. I also understand that you get free shipping when your order is over a certain amount but not sure if that still stands?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@iamtubuler9266 It depends on where you live. Shipping is free to a lot of places and free everywhere over a certain order value 👍

[@Tolbens]

I've already got two Harley Benton electric guitars (SC-450BK and HB-35) that their quality and sound is like the original ones. I'd like to have an electroclassical too. This one sounds good but how can you fix problems like pickup system or jack input damage without the main guitar hole?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Good point and one I forgot to mention in the video so thanks for bringing it up. Ovation Guitars have a removable plate on the back to access all the electrics but the only way I can see to access them on the Harley Benton round back is by removing the battery box and tuner. They do other classical guitars like the Santo series with electrics built in so probably a better bet to go for one of those 👍

[@Tolbens]

Thank you for the good work on your videos!!!

[@marbellabride-spain2229]

It's looks a fab guitar Alan! Have you tried the acoustic version of it? I have an acoustic dreadnought HB guitar that are 79 Euros and it's amazing! I ordered it B stock and paid just 59 Euros, at the same time I ordered a 450 Euro Yamaha for my friend Jonny Tristram and when they both arrived, we both preferred the Harley Benton!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Wow that was a steal! I bet it's lovely I'm looking at a new wide neck acoustic they've just added to the Harley Benton line up. It's a steel string grand auditorium body size but with cutaway, a 48mm wide neck, solid spruce top, walnut back and sides with fishman electronics for €248 (looks like a Taylor) Might be adding it to my Christmas list 😂😂

[@snakemont]

Incredible!

[@ryant3600]

how deep is this roundback? Is it a deep roundback or a shallower one?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Ryan, it's a shallow back although it's slightly deeper than my Ovation Celebrity Shallow Back. It actually sits very nicely and doesn't roll around and face upwards like the old deep bowl Ovations when you play sitting down

[@imobates125]

How is the intonation on this guitar?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

It was fine on this guitar 👍

[@andreapoliti3110]

I want one too! too cool!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

They're fantastic guitars Andrea and great value for the money! 👍

[@op-1g.s]

What happened if you plug in headphones directly?

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Nothing. The pre-amp and pick up only works when it's plugged into a external amplifier

[@darioscomicschool1111]

A question: Is yours still blue? My guitar went kinda turquoise.... from the Sun? TIme?...

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Dario, I don't have it anymore but it kept it's blue colour while I had it although it was always kept in its case when I wasn't playing it and I never left it in the sun. Any guitar will change colour over time and especially if it's not kept in a case

[@darioscomicschool1111]

@@AlanRoyHocking Well thank you for your Response. I used it for gigs in the Summer, and it's always on my guitar stand, ready for play. Makes sense. Thanks!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@@darioscomicschool1111 You're welcome 😊

[@nigelstudio6123]

Thank you

[@AlanRoyHocking]

You're welcome 😊

[@antonellaromano2441]

Buongiorno Chiedo un consiglio. Mi vorrebbero barattare questa identica chitarra, simile a questa che vedo a lei. La mia è una “tamaki”. Cosa mi consiglia, vale la pena oppure?!. Grazie

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Antonella I really don't know what it's worth without looking at it depends on the condition. I would recommend you search Google for similar guitars or maybe some local Facebook Groups to see what other people are asking for their guitars for.

[@antonellaromano2441]

@@AlanRoyHocking grazie 😊 buona giornata. God bless you!.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

You're welcome Antonella I'm sorry I couldn't be any more help 😊

[@brCharlieNagy]

very nice, sir :-)

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Thank you 😊

[@daylighttt1]

Hi Alan, I think it's too good for a $ 99 guitar

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Okan, I've played a lot worse that cost much more! It's obviously not aimed at professional guitarists but for the hobby guitarist who just wants something cheap to play at home without worrying too much about whether it gets knocked about then this Harvey Benton HBO-850 Classic Blue Nylon String Guitar is perfect!

[@daylighttt1]

@@AlanRoyHocking absolutely, the appearance of the guitar is beautiful also.

[@AlanRoyHocking]

@@daylighttt1 Yes it's beautiful and really well finished

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Yes it's an excellent way of making quality instruments affordable and available to a much wider audience Giacomo 👍

[@jerroldshelton9367]

The "inlays" are "epaulets" to us old-school Roundback Revolutionaries. They weren't inlaid on the original Ovation-made guitars. Imagine spending thousands in 1980s money for an Adamas or top range with the same epaulets!

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Thanks for the info Jerrold I appreciate it 👍

[@joerichardmartyn4795]

hi, Alan sorry it´s one of those things, you know, haven´t we met before?....sorry my name´s joe richard.....aren´t you on the voice? tv program show.....maybe i´m confuse......

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Hi Joe, no I haven't been on the voice 😊

[@jakey1988]

nice tattoo

[@AlanRoyHocking]

Thanks 😊