Harley Benton - Fishman Fluence Mod | PART 3 | Guitar Tweakz

#guitarmod #fishmanfluence
In the 2. episode I found out that the Fishman battery simply doesn't fit in the electronic cavity of the Harley Benton Fusion-II. I figured out a way to solve that issue. Yes. It includes some unconventional routing. haha!
Enjoy Guitar Tweakz!
Part 1: • Finally modifying my H...
Part 2: • Modifying my Harley Be...
Gear used in this video:
(the Bitly links are Thomann affiliate links)
-Harley Benton Fusion-II Roasted: bit.ly/31FVawf
-Fishman Fluence Classic HB: bit.ly/336kZbB
-Fishman Rechargable Battery: bit.ly/3vwjHCA
Follow me on instagram: @kris_barocsi
** Why the "Includes paid promotion" message? **
According to german laws everyone has to mark their videos as advertisements as soon as there's a single "subject relevant" product, tag or link in it. Even if you didn't get paid for making that video. Sounds confusing and it really doesn't help the viewer to see which is a paid review and which isn't.
--- The line of truth: Is this actually a paid review? The pickups were provided by Fishman, so technically yes, it's a paid video. (I update this line for every video).
Timestamps:
Introduction
00:34 Reacting to your comments
02:36 The tool to save the day
03:44 Routing the cavity for the battery
06:17 The battery fits!!
08:01 Painting the cavity black
09:11 Wax the oiled body
10:45 The battery rattles...
12:29 What should I do with that hole...
14:26 How to solder in a small cavity?
15:20 Taping the USB port on the cover
17:48 What's left to do?
Other gear I use in my videos:
-Fender Telecaster Custom Shop '53 reissue
(a similar custom shop tele: bit.ly/2KFVJld)
-Honey Bee Double Trouble: bit.ly/33COaU3
-Walrus Audio D1 Delay: bit.ly/2W4McqU
-REVV Dynamis 7/40 head: bit.ly/2IxwoId
-Universal Audio OX BOX bit.ly/2IyOeuj
-Two Notes Captor X: bit.ly/33FPfcW
-One Control Agamidae switcher: bit.ly/2YZgiib
-Ernie Ball cables and strap: bit.ly/2Io0dfg
-Cordial CRI series cables: bit.ly/2XiVLBR
-Evidence Audio patch cables: bit.ly/2Ixylo1
-Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop '58 reissue bit.ly/2FxKvek
-Gibson Les Paul CM 2015 - heavily modified (thin nitro refin; Lollar Dog Ear P90; Emerson electronics)
-Barocsi Troublecaster - Custom built T-style guitar with Gretsch Filtertrons
-Barocsi "Frankenstrat" (2000 Fender American Standard body + Warmoth neck)
-Supro Tremolo
-REVV G2: bit.ly/2NbpV9R
-REVV G4: bit.ly/2ZhxX39
-Tate FX Antares overdrive www.tatefx.co.uk/
-Walrus Audio Lillian phaser: bit.ly/3czfxB8
-Analogman King of Tone www.analogman.com/
-Tate FX Raise the Dead Ge: www.tatefx.co.uk/
-Dunlop Gypsy Fuzz pedal: bit.ly/2VKw4K0
-SIB Nick Nitro
-J Rockett Archer overdrive: bit.ly/2Ges1z8
-Morgan 1x12 cab Twilight: bit.ly/2KFihDq
-NUX SOS Looper bit.ly/31TMxPx
The speech mic:
-SENNHEISER MKH 416: bit.ly/2w1EAMP
Audio Interface:
-Audient iD44: bit.ly/2Jo73zN
Check out the Thomann Music channel for some wicked guitar videos:
/ musikhausthomann

[@jitsroller]

Kris this series is a blast. I'm learning a lot. This beats TV hands down, thanks!

[@martinferencik8538]

Kris! I just have to say you are awesome. I’m too old to be a fan of any youtuber, I just watch things I like/need to watch. But you are so great! I just watch your videos from beginning to the end. And I enjoy every second of them. You are great guy and it is pleasure to watch you, listen to you. Thanks for your content, take care and stay as cool as you are! Looking forward to see how you’d finish this amazing project.

[@fedest]

Project is coming out great!! looking forward to the next part!

[@celox]

My only complaint is, is that I wish these videos were longer

[@KrisBarocsi]

So cool man, thanks a bunch!

[@boomerbassmeme]

Awesome! Can't wait to see and hear the finished guitar Kris! 😊👍

[@fodorgyozo6135]

Na ezen a ponton dobta le az agyam az ékszíjat: ennyi beletett munkaóra után még mindig csak a sziszifuszi megoldandó problémák...és még nincs vége! Tisztelet Kris!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Ez elég tipikus gitár babráláskor sajna. Amikor azt hiszed, hogy minden passzolni fog, akkor jönnek a „kellemes“ meglepetések. Haha

[@Oilid]

YES! I was waiting for this video!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Awesome dude, nice to see you here! Enjoy

[@Oilid]

@@KrisBarocsi This video should be renamed: learn to tame your frustration! Can't wait for "PART 4"!

[@lfigueroa97]

Hi Kris, I've been enjoying each of the Harley Benton Fusion II modification's, Can't wait to here it. Chao!!

[@LMGuitarCorner]

Clicked Like before watching... But I'm pretty confident it will be good after part 1 and 2!

[@GabiOprea]

Me too

[@denis_kleshchev]

Oh come on! Two videos in the row and both are interrupted in the most interesting places? Just... Just know it, Kris. My bell is enabled, my notifications are on. I'm watching you! If seriously, you somehow keep balance between complete DIY, custom shopping, playing and reviewing right in the middle. Which make your content magnificent. I'm subscribed to many channels but your one is probably the one where I watch all new videos. I don't know what but there is something special. Keep that direction please

[@jellyfishinterrupted8085]

I just bought the exact same guitar with the intent to put in fishman Modern humbuckers, then I find your video and your mod is nearly identical, Awesome, thanks!

[@konradtomaszewski3077]

Can't wait to see and hear the final guitar :D Thanks for doing this great content :)

[@KrisBarocsi]

Same here! Can’t wait to rock that beast 🤟

[@mikaeljohansson83]

Yeah I second that the videos could be longer. You have a wealth of guitar information and explain it in a way that makes it easy to understand and on top of that gives me a desire to start modding my own guitars again(used to do it many years ago). Keep up the good work m8🤙

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks so much man! 🙌 KZbin analytics say something else unfortunately. This video has an average view time of 9:30 minutes. Which is WAY beyond the youtube standard. Still, according to that, this video is 10 minutes (!) too long. Now go figure that out. Haha! I think I’ll just try to make my videos as compact as possible without losing anything that’s worth showing. And I of course try to ignore all the “stfu” and “blablabla” comments. 😆 Thanks again, you rock my world 💪

[@MajorUpgrade]

LOL, man, you're killing me! "FINISH HIM!" (Mortal Kombat voice). So stoked to hear this thing!

[@KrisBarocsi]

😂 I know. We’re close don’t worry.

[@guitarflyer172]

Good job Kris! I love modifying my guitars too!

[@rybateman]

I just finished up this exact pickup install in my Harley Benton Fusion-T (third gen fusion, t-style) and was going into it fully prepared to need to rout out the control cavity, but to my surprise, the fusion-t has a huge cavity with more than enough room for the battery and pots and all the extra wiring. Very nice to not need to get the dremel out! I’m loving the voicing options! Thanks a ton for making the video, it was a really valuable resource for planning my own conversion to a set of fluences.

[@KrisBarocsi]

I guess I should’ve waited a little longer and get a Fusion-T then. 😂 Thanks Ryan, glad to hear that you liked the video. Enjoy the Fishmans!

[@Andy_Yates]

I've been really enjoying this series. I've been working on a project for my fiance's aunt. She asked me to turn a couple antique glass door knobs into a hat/coat hanger. I was trying to figure out how to finish it until I saw your last video in this series, and ordered some of that oil. I still have some work to do before I can use the finish, but every time I see that guitar body, I know it's going to look great with the oak slab I bought. I am going to wire up some LEDs to make the glass door knobs glow, seems like it'll be fun 😁🤓. Also a learning... it turns out properly kiln dried oak is hard AF and takes forever to sand 😂

[@adriansoul7223]

This time im right on time for the update!

[@donald-parker]

Good stuff. Not sure if you saw my comment on part 2. I suggested using the switch that used to be for coil spit in the original wiring to disconnect the battery from the new active PU. Two benefits. 1) You can leave your guitar cable pugged in without draining the battery and 2) it acts as a kill switch since those PU make no sound when there is no power. I still recommend wiring the battery to the output jack so you are guaranteed to have the battery off when there is no chord (it would be easy to forget which position the switch was in before putting your guitar back in the case). So basically, two OFF switches in series - either one disconnects the battery.

[@KrisBarocsi]

I’ve seen your comment and I find the idea great! Unfortunately I have no space for a mini toggle switch anymore because of the position of the rechargeable battery. That’s why I had to fill the hole and give up having a small switch there. It’s unfortunate but that’s alright. Anyways, thanks for the suggestion!

[@PaulLGuitar007]

The suspense is killing me!!!!! I need to hear those Fishman pickups!!

[@tonakkie635]

Great work, impressive 👏👍

[@redlespaul8139]

Nice to know you liked my idea of removing the Trem springs for a battery, but keeping your options open incase you wanted to use the Trem in the future is a wise choice. Well done Kris

[@darkman6092]

Awesome project.

[@thoras1297]

Super Video ! Ich hatte damals die Batterie von den Emg´s 81 mit Kerzenwachs im E-Fach befestigt. Hatte super funktioniert ;)

[@400_billion_suns]

"Is it ridiculous if I spend more time tidying up the routing...?" No, not at all! It means you take pride in your work and don't half-@ss it like many would. Nice job, too! I think I probably would have mounted the battery the same way you did, for the same reasons. Your wiring template idea was also a really clever solution. I'm a mechanical & aerospace engineer, and in my opinion you have the natural aptitude of those who make good engineers (is that your trade, perhaps?).

[@espertempo]

Beautiful guitar and really thoughtful process. I'm just not convinced about the long-term durability of the foam in the electronics cavity and the adhesive of the charging port. Otherwise I'm really loving it.

[@hearpalhere]

The back of the body is looking great after the oil and wax Kris! The figuring in the wood is super nice. Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) the final product. After seeing Greg Koch play the Fishman pickups years ago, I know they are going to sound amazing.

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks! Yeah, many play Fishmans and that for a good reason. I’m not much of an active pickup player, but these Fluence pickups are outstanding.

[@hearpalhere]

@@KrisBarocsi Yeah, none of my guitars have active pickups but these seem like they are pretty amazing. I haven't tried them personally but would love to give them a shot someday.

[@Steven_SK]

Kris... I have always enjoyed your build videos. It is clear that you have lots of xp modding. I'd pay you well for a Kris Barocsi Special!!! You did remind me of my dentist doing all that drilling.... btw.. I have a bad tooth and was wondering............. LOL Great job my friend!

[@rolandbuza7291]

Hey Kris very good diy skills well done so fare mate. Mi magyarok jok vagyunk ebben. Can't wait to see, hear the final results. Keep up the hard work on your channel. Udv Roland angliabol

[@KrisBarocsi]

Köszi Roland! 🙌 End results coming up soon! Szia!

[@antonyyuryev9750]

Hi) You can hide that hole from minitoggle after filling it with a silver painted stick with a nail polish lacker with sparkles. I think you can find some to match the sparcles on top of the body) ( i've got similar problem with repearing chipped sparkle finish on drumshells). Cheers)

[@MauricioGarcia-mk5bz]

Geez. Finally. Lol. Ty. I’ll have a beer just because.......

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

Installing Fishman Fluence Pickups is a real nightmare! I did it on 3 of my Guitars. I'm happy when i've never have to open the cavity again............ but i must, on 2 of them: i just thrown the Battery inside like that, because its so crowded with wires, the Battery will literally move nowhere ;-). On my JEM Jr it was a hassle and took me close to 3 weeks to install everything because there is simply nearly not enough space in the electronic cavity for all the required wires. Not to mention the Battery. On this one finally i choosed to go with the Strat Battery USB Charging Backplate, no matter i stick out a little fat -as you mentioned.

[@TheKensusi]

Installing fluence is no diffrent than any other install. You just need to plan for what you're about to install. If you don't, you may find yourself struggling to make room for wires and switches. There is no other set if pickuos thag would give you the freedom or flexibility with tone while being noiseless

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

@@TheKensusi You are right. But still installation remains a nightmare (and i did lot of PU swaps with Passives). Don't know why Fishman don't offer them solderless?

[@TheKensusi]

@@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist I've personally had poor experiences with solderless pickups. There's nothing like an install that makes a solid connection (point to point) We made the back of the pickups quick connect so you can mix and match any of our pickups without having to rewire your guitar. It's the best of both worlds.

[@joshuamichael4312]

Lol bro is working in a sick Alpinestars hoodie 👌

[@KrisBarocsi]

🏍 🤘thanks buddy

[@knommi]

Ok..Jetzt versteh`ich das mit der Batterie..;-) Good work.

[@KrisBarocsi]

Danke Patrick! :)

[@TBoyer]

you could've filled the hole from the toggle switch by using it to install an LED power indicator. It would switch on when you're plugged in to an amp and switch off when you remove your instrument cable from the output jack.

[@PooNinja]

The backplate looks very nice brushed (hides finger prints...if anyone’s looking?) . Will there be any fancy glowing dots ( non radium) added to the neck or fancy (stickers or actual) inlay additions to the fretboard? Maybe a clear fluorescent accent paint that only shows or... glows in a blacklight to make the fretboard pop onstage? It could be a symbol or words or just all Jackson Pollock sparkles on sparkles of tiny dots scattered around everywhere, again I repeat ONLY visible under certain lights 🟪🤘🏽 Ohhhh sparkle don’t sing yet!!!!

[@TheKensusi]

Great Video! Really like the content here. ~Ken Susi (Fluence Brand Manager)

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks a lot Ken! 💪 The last part is coming up next week and it’s gonna be reeeeally interesting. Haha! I think you’ll enjoy watching it.

[@TheKensusi]

@@KrisBarocsi totally will! Keep up the good work and thanks for making this content

[@martiboucat]

Great video as always! I'd like to install the Greg Koch p90 set on a Paranormal Baritone Cabronita but i'm not sure there's enough space in the cavity and i really don't want to route the body. It was a FSR Andertons Oxblood and anodised gold and i don't wanna mess with the body. Any ideas?

[@jerrymckenzie6205]

Kris, you're a badass

[@KrisBarocsi]

Haha! Nah I don’t think so. 😅 I’m just old enough to not worry too much about things and stubborn enough to stick to my plans whatever it takes. Haha

[@anto7199]

hi, thanks for the video, can you tell me what kind of wax you use at 9:17?

[@guitarvirtuoduder]

What size drill bit did you use for the charger Input?

[@JW-zj8wn]

Great job mate. This is gonna end up a thing of beauty! I'm trying to decide between this exact model or the HSH roasted. I already have the HH in OCT (Green) so am leaning to the 24 fret HSH. Have you got one by any chance?

[@KrisBarocsi]

Hey, thanks a lot! That’s my only Fusion-II. I’m not that much into superstrats, this guitar is my exception. Haha! Maybe go for the HSH for a different vibe. 🤷‍♂️

[@JW-zj8wn]

@@KrisBarocsi I think I will, I definitely prefer 24 frets on a 25.5" scale. The sparkle just looks so high end compared to the horrid "flame" in the HSH. I asked Thomann and they release new Fusion this summer 🤘 I may hold off untill then. Again, great work buddy! I enjoy all of your videos, you calm me down by being so chill, so thanks! Haha!!

[@littlewing62]

finally 😬

[@olafnelsonduerksen9676]

Na man, no need to hurry. As long your happy with the result don't mind to take your time.

[@luca7x689]

I would have taken passive PU's with a killswitch toggle.. It's an awesome guitar though.. The back looks really silky..

[@nevesnow]

Where could I get this foam? Is it available at Thomann? Thanks!

[@lorentracy006]

Attempting to install active pickups in a passive guitar for the first time. So thanks for this video. Any reason you are using a dremmel and not a router?

[@KrisBarocsi]

Reason 1: I don’t have a good router at home. 😆 Reason 2 (which is the actual reason): a Dremel is way more agile and smaller so I can get into the electronic cavity with it way better than with a big and clumsy router. That being said, if you have to cut out a straight-walled battery compartment, a proper router is gonna be way better than a Dremel of course.

[@jimkiousis]

Hey Kris nice video ! Is the back of the guitar a veneer top?

[@KrisBarocsi]

Hey Jim, nope. It’s a solid three piece body. The only veneer is the flamed maple binding (instead of using a plastic veneer). Cheers and thanks!

[@jimkiousis]

@@KrisBarocsi pretty nice guitar , waiting for the next video

[@jellyfishinterrupted8085]

What was your consideration for putting in the Fishman fluence classics instead of Moderns? I already have PAFs in my Gibson so I was thinking of moderns for a different sound. Any advice is welcome

[@KrisBarocsi]

The Fluence moderns sound way more like active pickups (more compression and a very clear tone) and I don’t like that too much. I mean I like that tone, just not so much the feel. These Classics are closer to pafs but still enough defilierend for me. Especially the hot rodded bridge pickup voicing. That’s the reason I went for the classics. 👍 Have fun with this mod!

[@CaptainWrinkleBrain]

Is it safe to hook it up in parallel with a 9V battery for extended life?

[@joeljezequel]

for the little dowel you could have used glitter nail polish, it's cheaper and really solid ;-)

[@KrisBarocsi]

Why didn’t I think of that... 😅 Thanks, I might mod that dowel some more. Haha

[@mattcrisp5548]

Hi great modifications going on! What oil and wax did you use? Cheers

[@KrisBarocsi]

Hey Matt, here's the oil: bit.ly/33m1CeC And the wax: bit.ly/3epk24n Thanks!

[@GabiOprea]

You made me wanna become a guitar tech

[@KrisBarocsi]

So cool man! It’s an awesome job 🙌

[@LMGuitarCorner]

Self advertisement: if you like build videos and mods, check out our channel! Today we release a video on how to build the Clapton mid boost into a wah pedal! Cheers, Lukas

[@cornfieldexpress]

Can you do a mod on a Steinberger Spirit with Fishman Fluence Classic Humbuckers and SSA along with a Power Bridge. This would make for an all in one for home producers.

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

This will be a mean machine Thanks for sharing all the great ideas! I got a question How I can find this roll of black foam? My friend is playing his Jazzmaster with a random rag in strings. I was hoping to buy a foam piece designed to sit under the pickup but they are unreasonably expensive. Is it something special or just a thick door gasket?

[@KrisBarocsi]

It's from Göldo and I bought it at Thomann for my Squier bass. I can't find it in the shop at the moment, it seems to be sold out. It might be back in stock soon. It's called Göldo PL000 Foam rubber for pickups.

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

@@KrisBarocsi Thank you 💗 It fits in many exotic cavities so I'll find it and use a lot

[@m.balauszko]

Listen mate, you can slice this video into as many parts as you wish. Just make them more often! Cheers ;)

[@7stringbassist]

Looks great!! Could I ask, what oil you used? It's turned the wood such a great colour!!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Thanks Mark! It’s an all natural oil made by Sandberg (german bass brand). It’s for fretboards normally, but you know: wood is wood. 😆 The colour you see is the body wood‘s actual own colour. The oil just helped to show it. Cheers

[@7stringbassist]

That's great!! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply 👍👍

[@jamesonpace726]

Even this old dog learns tricks from you others don't mention, as you do weirdo stuff I would think of. Thanks...!

[@KrisBarocsi]

Glad to hear that! 👍 I’m all about the weirdo stuff. Haha

[@KimmeU]

Release the birds in your basement. They are all clucking like hell, so release the Kraken.... 🤘😁

[@KrisBarocsi]

😂

[@andyt5559]

you should never wear gloves using a tool like a router, bench or chop saw, drill press as they prohibit vision, give you a false sense of security, and if the tool catches the glove your hand gets more mangled by the tool

[@tranka6112]

good that you mentioned it. Many people do not know about that... worst on an angle grinder, but most people use gloves there!

[@VladimirBubnov]

Why not to use the hole for Killswitch instead of a stick?

[@KrisBarocsi]

The rechargeable battery is in the way so no switch is possible to fit in there. Otherwise I would’ve went for a killswitch.

[@VladimirBubnov]

@@KrisBarocsi I saw rubber material you've used to tighten the battery Maybe it leaves some space? Or to move the battery up a little bit. Anyway the guitar looks coooool ))

[@GabiOprea]

Finally I'm First!!!

[@TheMarkvanes]

You could have filled the hole with a fret dot.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

what's so special about Fishman Fluence pups?

[@tranka6112]

Also, dass der Graphitlack bei aktiver Elektronik weniger wichtig wäre kann ich so nicht ganz glauben oder unterschreiben. Ein JFET Preamp ist meist so dermaßen empfindlich und hat so viel GAIN, dass das Gegenteil der Fall sein könnte... Ich werd's aber wahrscheinlich selbst in ein paar Wochen /Monaten bemerken oder nicht, weil ich plane einen piezo preamp von schatten design in meinen bass zu verbauen...

[@robertschultz7612]

The obvious question- why didn’t they just put those pups in the guitar stock -- ? People will pay extra - if there is a genuine upgrade in sound …

[@KrisBarocsi]

I’m sure there are people who would appreciate the upgrade and pay the extra cash. Most people though… they would just see a Harley Benton for around 600€ and laugh. Or even more so, get angry about the high price of an affordable brand‘s guitar. 🤷‍♂️ It wouldn’t matter, that it could easily compete with 1000+ € guitars. At least that’s how I see it. 👍