Harley Benton CST-24T Black Flame A Great Budget Guitar!

[@deanmichaels4262]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago from Thomann in Germany. It arrived with a broken 3 way toggle switch i contacted Thomann about this they asked for photos of the damaged switch which i sent and they asked me to send it back to them so a replacement could be sent to me i said i couldn't be bothered going to all the hassle of doing that so i had it repaired at my local guitar shop cost me about £20.00 i told Thomann about this and they gave me a €50.00 credit which i used against a purchase of a Harley Benton SC450 plus vintage Les Paul style guitar which arrived in perfect condition and well setup ready to go out of the box so in the end end good service from Thomann and i have since purchased further guitars from them.

[@soozikins]

Have the same guitar in ocean blue, arrived in pristine condition and no problem on the Roswell pickups, very pleased with it, looks really nice and plays well!

[@4stevio]

Fuse Me too, it’s a beauty.......

[@ronnienose8608]

Put the arm in, push it down and you will be able to see the sustain block, and you will be able to see a small grub screw, which you can tighten with an allen key.

[@nachfullbarertrank5230]

Yeah, did that screw actually come with the guitar? Very nice otherwise.

[@gillesgenete9598]

Hi, don't know if you fixed your pick up issue yet, but as you describe the DC resistance at 3.k for a split HB, it looks like the 4 conductors were soldered in parallel instead of serie at the push/pull pot. Easy to fix , goto some Seymour Duncan wiring scheme to find the correct wiring.

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

The trem grub screw is, apparently, located behind the block, accessible between the guitars top and the top bridge plate - insert the trem bar, depress the bar (down tunes strings), adjust the tension on the retention screw to taste and release the tension. BTW, love the multi-guitar wall art!

[@dannywalls8439]

finally someone talking about neck action and radious. This is crucial when buying a guitar. Very informative review thanks

[@addictedtogear]

Thanks for watching!

[@monmixer]

I would put a graphite nut on it right away due to the tremolo. If you have any tuning issues when using the tremolo that will likely sole it. I have been wanting something with tremolo. I have watched a lot of reviews on this model and your is the only pick up complaint. I could live with out the coil taps. Exchange it, I agree with you it's a wiring or faulty component issue. I think they are wilkinson pick ups.

[@paqman78]

I bought the ocean flame a few months ago which was made in China. I have a couple of other Made in China HBs. Bought the black flame last week which is made in Vietnam. I have to say the Vietnam one is of MUCH better quality than my other HBs. This one is my favourite guitar by far.

[@Terry3Gs]

The whole line is good. I got the TE-52 tele & it definately gives the squier classic vibe 50's a run for its money. Thats the only thing that sucks about bringing in the stuff from thomann is the shipping & paying the tax's on it. BUT again for the cost of some of there guitars its still hard for us to match it here in canada for sure im sure you'll agree.

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice guitar, first time I've seen any issues with the pickups on a Harley Benton, the Roswell pickups have been getting some decent reviews on KZbin lately, great for gigging in pubs and clubs if you don't want to risk your high end prs getting knocked about or stolen....

[@zaldy833]

I got HB CST-24 Paradise Flame no problem of pick up. And I’m satisfied of the sound.

[@georgelackey622]

Have not seen one yet, but I got a call from a customer today that just got one in blue. It's coming in for a once over and setup. I'll try to let you know!

[@rickrodrigues2219]

I don't recognise those pickups on that guitar but I've seen & heard this guitar with Roswell P90 pickups & it sounds terrific!

[@carlfrei2419]

Not Sure what is going on with yours but My CST-24hb is amazing and the Roswell Pickups are far better than the Wilkinson in my SC-450plus Gibson Copy. Both guitars look, play and sound fantastic. The SC was 150 US Dollars and the CST was only 200 US Dollars. The shipping was like 35 bucks but... that was for all 3 guitars that I had shipped.

[@BassFace68]

What a great concise review. My guitar was just delivered. I bought a B stock for £120

[@skabidexe]

How is yours? Any major problems with it? I was thinking buying one :/

[@BassFace68]

@@skabidexe just a little paint dribble on the binding

[@elis51501]

The tremolo has a set screw that is accessible once the bar is installed and the term tilted forward

[@addictedtogear]

FPV5150 thank you

[@PatrickDelabrenne]

Wow ! It looks superb for the price 🤩 Is it a light weigh guitar ? (comparing with a Fender stratocaster for example)

[@jackcollins5818]

Tony I bought the emerald green one the deluxe I had a problem with the volume now but everything is good now I put different pickups in it Seymour Duncan 59 classic in the neck and a JB and the bridge

[@addictedtogear]

Nice! Let me know how you like it!

[@tyecook9630]

A good honest review of a decent guitar...

[@mailvilla]

03/08/20234: Great detailed review. I guess the old saying is still true: "You get what your pay for." But, it seems OK for the price point. However, I have only one question. The arched top is not a big deal for me, except there appears to be a sharp edge where many guitars have an arm comfort cutaway or slant. Did you find that this edge digs into your arm?

[@addictedtogear]

I did not have any issue’s with it?

[@joseenriqueperezportugal3409]

Mmm acoustic or electric guitar demo? 🤔.

[@danfango1333]

I have the green one. Perfect finish and set up out of the box. Pickup upgrade required really. The Roswells are not great - I think this is your issue. Vanson Alnico II humbucker set £30 Amazon. Keeps split option and sounds sweet. Was gonna blow £150 on Seymour Duncan's, but I'm glad I didn't!🌴

[@robertferro7021]

4:18 Those guitars are made in the same factory as PRS se... I have 3...

[@themplar]

I think this is going to be my next guitar. Not sure about the colour yet. And not sure i want a Tremelo. I've got a SC 500 from Harley Benton now and its really nice. Although eventually i will upgrade it to a SC 550, which is better.

[@yaguitar]

Just reviewed the TE52 from Harley Benton and have to say I am very very impressed. Thomann is super responsive, so hopefully they will get yours working soon!

[@Twobeers1]

I bought the CST-24T a few months ago, mainly because of the reviews. Love the feel of the neck, ect, blaw, blaw. But, no matter what I did I could not get this thing to stay in tune even with the trem block screwed down. I have just figured out why, the top of the body under the tremolo is not flat. The tremolo block is rocking from side to side. I am going to flatten the body under the tremolo block to eliminate this. Ok, using my precision reciprocating sander I sanded the area under the block flat. It stays in tune now. Of course your going to have to redu string height & intonation setup. Hey, its a fucking guitar, not a piece of furniture. Plays great & sounds great. Push the tremolo down all the way & look near the top of block from the back, directly behind where the arm goes in is a little bitty black set screw which sets the tension of the arm.

[@rads8315]

Two Beers I’m kind of new to guitar so like if I buy this do you think I would have to do a lot of modifications, I don’t really know too much about that stuff, would you recommend this or should I get something else And would I really have to do something with the tremolo bridge, I don’t think I’d use the tremolo at all, so would tuning still still be a problem ?

[@justinrayguitars6024]

Really have thought about getting one in the hard tail version. Already have the semi hollow body SE. I just hate to spend that much for one when for a little more I could buy another SE. Really good review

[@NachoManRandySandwich]

@ ADDICTED TO GEAR I don't see an update on this in your videos. Did you ever get the pickup issue resolved?

[@robbiephoto1]

were is the update of this item was it resolved or not ,heard some bad things regarding problems

[@nendokan]

Hi Gary from Tasmania/Australia. You mentioned that you didn't know how to put the tremolo arm in. There is an actual hole for the tremolo arm to screw into on the bridge. Were you aware of this? Good looking guitar for the price.

[@addictedtogear]

Thanks for the tip!

[@mrgood56]

How did you messure the value on the picups

[@rajmacheruz2613]

Again very nice review. Very pleasant to watch.

[@zettaguitar]

Great video on this awesomely priced guitar - liked & subd

[@nrich5127]

Most likely a cold solder on a common wire to both pickups - any guitar tech should be able to fix this easily.

[@Acncan]

Did Harley Benton fix the pickup output issues with your CST 24T? I’m considering buying one today.

[@addictedtogear]

Yes

[@Acncan]

@@addictedtogear what was the fix or the underlying issue please?

[@chitarrafaidate]

would have been nice to hear how it sounds.

[@edwinmolina2976]

Can you pull the tremolo backwards ore does it only Funcion fowards??

[@puddytat62]

A set screw inside the actual bridge/tailpiece....underneath the chrome cover. As mentioned below.. depress the trem rod once installed and that will raise the body of the tailpiece and you will see it underneath. Frankly I would avoid any trem tailpieces because of the tendency to go out of tune. Some say the HBs are fine but I would only buy this version of the guitar vs the non trem version because of the intonation adjustment. The other non trem versions only have adjustment for the B and G string. I am looking to buy some Bentons...and these specific ones are made in Vietnam...and if I do get this PRS style guitar I will likely block the trem underneath. My two cents. But for the cash I would say people should jump all over these products. For some reason the cases are a bit cheap looking ..nothing like the guitar.

[@woolgum]

For the same price I got a used Fender SQ -83 which I scalloped and now use everyday. Just saying.

[@mirecmusic]

Bought the same cst-24 in October 2019 only it's a lefty and it plays very well.I did my own modification to my taste by changing the strings to 9's (DR) Blues and put black pickup rings on it.I also put black Les Paul type volume and tone knobs on it.I liked it so much that I bought the cst-24 Paradise Flame in December 2019.Modified it a little with DR strings 9's and changed the volume and tone knobs to LP gold.Over all if you like the PRS style of guitars I say buy one of these cst-24's you wont regret it.I have a PRS SE and it's ok but I now use the two cst-24's on satge.

[@garethparry4823]

Good honest review

[@massimhb8674]

How does the whammy system perform?

[@brucep54]

That one in US is $207 plus $33 shipping

[@yagmuer4965]

Hi! I want to buy this guitar or a Chapman Guitars ML1 Modern, which one should I buy? I'm using an sss fender and I want a stronger sound, my infrastructure is ready for use with pedals. Which should I get?

[@addictedtogear]

Harley Benton is a good choice. The Chapman are good too but much more expensive.

[@yagmuer4965]

@@addictedtogear okay so which should i get

[@addictedtogear]

@@yagmuer4965 I would get the HB

[@ravensmistify]

How does it compare, quality wise, to a PRS SE or S2 series ?

[@shagstars]

it has a warmer sound than prs except for splitcoil then HB sounds more bright. So humbuckers are more clear on prs, splitcoil is more clear on HB. PRS has a smoother fretboard edges (fret work is good tho).

[@swibal1]

So and after 4 mounths how it sounds?

[@Chimp_No_1]

Really interesting and helpful. Thanks.

[@1999anarchia]

Hey..... are you sure about the nut to be made of plastic? As written on Thomann's website it's supposed to be a graphite nut. By the way: Roswell pickup is a new pickup brand launched in 2014. Roswell is a new name of WSC pickups, which was known as the main product of WSC over 20 years (www.roswellpickups.com). I own a CST-24T in black cherry flame with the Roswell PUs myself and couldn't be much happier with it :-)

[@joebloggs1444]

Would have been nice to hear it plugged in and cranked up...

[@addictedtogear]

Will do that as soon as I fix the issue with the pickups. Thanks for watching

[@1234588001]

hi did you every sort out the pickups

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Nice looking guitar! I like it

[@vivusbrydyr4039]

this or sc-custom?

[@tiago5a]

Can you get straty sounds?

[@addictedtogear]

Not realy

[@martyn1954]

Nice clear, detailed and honest review. Guitar looks very nice and I was contemplating buying one this review gives me more confidence as I know what to expect. Hopefully with new pickups it will be a very nice guitar.....I already have a Harley Benton rosewood tele which I've carried out a few modifications on...including changing the pickups to Tonerider Vintage plus, Vanson locking tuners, tusq nut etc. and it's a lovely guitar now.

[@addictedtogear]

martyn1954 thanks for watching

[@visionart176]

fretboard is super dry but a very good guitar

[@alvaroruizruiz7538]

No playing?

[@addictedtogear]

Álvaro Ruiz Ruiz trying to get the pickups working properly...stay tuned!

[@jimmymeyer7758]

Did u measure each individual coil?

[@mattterrell4304]

This is my next one

[@xgregi]

Nut is not plastik. Is graphite.

[@diddymies]

u never made sound test

[@DEZZA12]

wtf he didnt play it?

[@mark7166]

How do they get away with making a guitar that's THAT similar to a PRS? Do they have some kind of license?

[@bikeman1x11]

all all likely mad ein same factorues

[@eliolopez3107]

Buy at your peril. I bought an acoustic that was really good for the money. Then I bought a PRS style deluxe model and it was a piece of shit. I tried to work something out with Thomann, where both of us would win and they didn't want to do it. If you buy one and you're not in Europe and it's a bad one you're pretty much fucked.

[@bjtimestar5362]

mr whats important is the sound qualities mmmm

[@themplar]

As for the problems, just send it back to Thomann and get it replaced.

[@addictedtogear]

themplar being in Canada makes that expensive to do

[@themplar]

Ok, dont know what that would cost. Just contact them and talk about it. From what i understood they have a very good customer service.

[@luginonluginon2602]

imho you are on good way can be split switch ...I wrote another comment but when i see this - deleted it, it is crazy due to tremolo is amazing quality, nut is graphite, wood is good sure would be to much to have thick maple cap and Asia have better quality control management then EU and USA - so it is due to Thoman imho. They also cut cost there since working hour in EU is expensive so they get good guitars but honestly to my experience they lie '' we check our gear etc'' it is not truth. Set up of guitar cost more then it is in Canada so simple calculation say that setup is done in Asia ...Sad since Roswell make great pickups....For people who know to do basic soldering, fret edges, trus road all usual stuff then this guitars are still amazing deal, only that trem cost like 60$ ...Good luck i hope you will repair it. But it would be fer that Thoman compensate you for trouble - sent them video maybe..i gave thumb up, sorry for long comment, good luck.

[@tomthumb4325]

Thomann replaced my faulty wampler Tumnus no questions asked free of charge the way it should be

[@Iam_Dunn]

First thing I would do is replace the pickups. Then probably remove the tuners and find some Grovers or Schallers. Then I’ll rip out the pots and switch, replace ‘em with some good CTS’s and a switchcraft. Then offffff with the Wilkinson and replace it with something a bit more solid. Then, I would probably take off the neck and replace it with a quarter sawn maple neck with an ebony fretboard. And, just for good measure while I have the neck off, I’ll just go ahead and upgrade that body to probably a Warmoth or something similar... THEN it would be worth playin’ .... LOL (who actually made it all the way through my post?) :P

[@jerrymichael8177]

I did,it's good to know someone else also know's how to save a little cash!

[@Stratisfied22]

Lol...

[@EDPGuitar1]

I look forward to the delivery of my HB guitar and the challenging role of owning one of these budget guitars. Hope that I will disagree with your listed issues. :-)

[@russelldavis8415]

IamDunn if you are going to spend all the money doing upgrades, just save up and by a better guitar? Most people can’t afford or have the skills to do a lot of upgrades, others don’t have the time, an some really don’t care as they will never play in public or in a band.

[@palody_en-ja]

@@russelldavis8415 someone didn't read the entire comment 😉

[@BazNard]

Just get a used PRS SE

[@TheZooropaBaby]

wow thats a nice Fender guitar

[@addictedtogear]

TheZooropaBaby Fender? Lol

[@themplar]

You sure you didnt mean PRS?

[@DaveMorrisonMusic]

Too subtle for this crowd. ;0)

[@drdoener535]

themplar Because of the Strat.... Oh, i meant the silver sky.

[@draganm7823]

Lol, if it was a Fender it would be umpteen times the price.

[@cockyrokvic]

This guy never plays, right?

[@lovewalruss]

What an odd review. No playing?

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

Did you even watch the video to see why??

[@joebloggs1444]

Personally I'd replace the pickups,bridge,electrics,machineheads,neck, and body....lol

[@addictedtogear]

LOL that would make a nice project!

[@derekhand7904]

More like the Harley Benton black lame