Harley Benton R 446 in Depth Review

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

Aztec pickups I’ll be changing the magnets too alnico 2

[@ToroKchannel]

Aztec pickups ? I should compare them with Incas or Mayas :)

[@justsomerandomname3201]

Can I play metal riffs and solos on it? And how long does it stay in tune?

[@ToroKchannel]

It sounds pretty good with some hi gain tones eventhough the pickups don't have that much output. The tuning stability is correct, I can't tell you exactly how long it will stay in tune cos' it depends upon how hard you attack the strings and if you play rhythm or lead parts. A better nut would improve the tuning stability for sure but as such, you can probably play several tracks without thinking about it. And yes you can play solos on it very comfortably.

[@Alfredo78666]

Great video, as usual unbiased and to the point, the left handed version only have the lamest color of all, syphilitic grey (or so:-7), I know it's a matter of tastes but most of the review videos are showing this killer blood (cuac!) metallic version, they surely would had only made it this color, for economics reason I mean, although the pink is also flashy. PS: Are you from Strasbourg or some place near Germany, I mean your accent is kinda mixy:-)

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks man ! Well, for the metal player than I am, the blood metallic was the most obvious choice :) Hopefully this s gonna puch Harley Benton into releasing this color for lefties as well. I'm from the north of France, my mixy accent comes the fact that, sometimes, I don't pay enough attention to it :)

[@lucifer_tox6434]

Mine doesn't sound like that(

[@ToroKchannel]

I guess we don't have the same rig, so it's normal that we don't have the same sound :)

[@user-wv5zd6ks6r]

hey man would you get a st20 or r446? Both are ok guitars and I cant pick between them. Can you help me out please?

[@ToroKchannel]

If we're talking about the "classic" ST 20 with passive pickups, I would pick the R-446. Better player, better tone. If we're talking about the ST 20 HH (Jim Root style) things are more complicated !

[@bluetopia42]

When my HB R-446 flip flop color arrived, I was so stunned... until I tried some bendings. Oh god! So sandy! I give it some treatments of Lemon Oil (several layers time after time) and had to polish the frets with steel wool a few times. Now it's NEARLY perfect! It will be soon. :D TYSM for you vid, dude!

[@ToroKchannel]

With those affordable Harley Bentons, there are several things to do before it's really playable. But once you do the job, you're generally very satisfied with your axe. Thanks to you :)

[@miguelangeltorolondono8653]

Hey man, just wondering. How's the guitar weight? cheers.

[@MundMoriginal]

What pretty much all reviewers fail to mention, is how much Thomann manages to avoid inflation with Harley Benton. I guess it's so they get their brand name out in the open, which obviously works. If I think back to when I startet E-Guitar about 22 years ago, 150€ got you an absolute piece of crap. Some rebranded stuff from who knows where that can only fool a beginner because it resembles a popular model, like a strat in black and white.

[@ToroKchannel]

The prices on the Harley Bentons are increasing, but not as fast as big brands. The addition of stainless strel frets on some models like the SC-550 II, fusion II and so on didn’t generate a big change in prices. I also remember my first electric, I don’t remember the brand but it was a cheap copy of a strat and it was a very poor guitar to play. That’s why I love Harley Bentons, even the most affordable models are real guitars :)

[@nicosonic]

It's not bridge split it's bridge and neck split.

[@grumpycat6665]

Do these pickups use a 9 volt battery ?

[@ToroKchannel]

These are passive pickups so no battery :)

[@-gassswsignal1447]

+1 But! 16:45 - 2d-Position - Bridge split + Neck split - both together! 1 - Bridge (H), 2 - Bridge (S) + Neck (S), 3 - Bridge (H) + Neck (H), 4 - Neck (S), 5 - Neck (H). Thanks!

[@MaximusAdonicus]

Hi! You said early on in the video that u polished the frets and oiled the fretboard. I'd be really interested if u'd actually show what u did and what products u used?! 'Cos I'm about to buy this guitar too and might need to do the same job!

[@ToroKchannel]

The amount of work I have depends a lot upon what I see on the axe. So I will talk about this one. Tre frets were leveled but not polished, so I have used some Goldo Polishing rubbers (#400) and polished the frets one by one. For the fretboard I have used some very classic Dunlop lemon oil.

[@nosub8969]

I just ordered one in black :)

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

You must be very proud of yourself…….

[@nosub8969]

@@GeorgeZimmermen at 120 quid I'm overflowing with pride 😀

[@studioponytlc]

hello torok which one is better jackson js 11 dinky or r-446? ım beginner

[@ToroKchannel]

Never tried the Jackson JS 11 but I don't think it could be better than this R-446

[@studioponytlc]

@@ToroKchannel I bought a green one today thank you torok ı really like your videos

[@ToroKchannel]

@@studioponytlc thanks ans have fun with your R-446 :)

[@andresc2939]

this one or cort x300?

[@ToroKchannel]

2 very different guitars. If you want a guitar with a FR ans good active pickups the Cort is a very good value for the money. In the other hand, the R-446 is a guitar with a hardtail and passive pickups with lower output but a pretty good tone anyway.

[@omgnerv]

thanks! very good, informative & helpful review as always 👍 i guess a lucky one will get this r446 as a b-stock and will be surprised about the oiled fretboard and polished frets 🤣

[@ToroKchannel]

Thanks Maggie :) I always do rn my Harley Bentons in better conditions than what I have received :D

[@omgnerv]

@@ToroKchannel 🤣

[@jraoulmer9962]

I personally think it looks & sounds great, I think I might purchase one 😎🔥😎🔥😎🔥😎

[@ToroKchannel]

Would be a pretty good choice !

[@axelmirko]

Hi Torok, for first electric guitar under 200€ do you think this is the go to option? Is versatile for genres?

[@ToroKchannel]

Hi ! For a first electric, it would be in my top 3. Very good player, versatile pickups, amazing quality overall, it's a no brainer !

[@axelmirko]

@@ToroKchannel thanks, you'll make a top 3 video guitar?

[@ToroKchannel]

@@axelmirko At the end of this year I'll make a Torok Award video, and I'll give my top 3 for different price ranges :)

[@cthunder8502]

This or LTD lxmt 130?? Im a metal player

[@ToroKchannel]

I had no idea an LTD lxmt 130 existed ! Never saw it anywhere here in european online stores, but it looks like it's pretty close to the MH-10 I have just reviewed (the lxmt has a mliddle pickups and a trem, but it looks like it's built on the same basis). The LTD pickups are great for metal, it's a very good player and the hardware is good quality. This R 446 is pretty good too, the Artec pickups sound good and will be more versatile thanks to the 5 way blade, but for metal, I prefer the tone of the LTD (that's personal, but they have a heavuer tone, they sound full and the output level is really good). The neck is a bit thinner on the Benton, the radius is 16" (vs 14" on the LTD) so if you wanna shred, it might be a bit better. I think the safe bet is the LTD, you can"t go wrong with it, but the R-446 is a pretty good deal with a minor risk of disappointment.

[@cthunder8502]

@@ToroKchannel tysm, i bought the ltd and im just waiting

[@Topppladd]

Im about to get my second guitar but i cant decide between this r446 or used ibanez rga42ex. Is r446 much more heavier and uncomfortable than Ibanez? For me i like the look of both , i just care about comfortable playing

[@ToroKchannel]

The R-446 is not heavy but the RGA is incredibly light. As far as the neck goes, the main difference comes from the access to the 24th fret that’s effortless on the Ibanez and just good on the R-446.

[@Topppladd]

@@ToroKchannel i will probably go with rga even though it’s expensive because its lighter and has better pickups

[@bjornd.4805]

I love to play in Drop D ...what you think to play with both Humbuckers im Drop D. Will it sounds good?

[@ToroKchannel]

It will sound dark but good. Matte of amp setup as well (on my PRS MT 15, presence is at 3 o'clock and trebble is on max).

[@chromebuoy]

Lovely looking guitar and colour, the deal.breaker is the trem for me. Floyd Rose 1000 and its a purchase. Just bought the Fusion 3 HH in Bengal Flame, I'm normally an Ibanez guy but I have to say they knocked it out the park with this guitar. The Roasted neck is easily as good as you would find on a 2-3k guitar.

[@ToroKchannel]

This R-446 is really amazing for the price ! I still wonder how they manage making such a good axe for less than 150€.

[@-gassswsignal1447]

+1 Super! But - Harley Benton R-446 vs Ibanez GRG121DX? Thanks!

[@ToroKchannel]

I have reviewed an Ibanez Gio, the GRGR221PA-AQB and I would give an advantage to the Benton that has better pickups.

[@-gassswsignal1447]

@@ToroKchannel Thank You very much!

[@jackwheelington6049]

Since you have reviewed both st20 hh active and r446 whihc do you think is better for metal and a overall guitar

[@ToroKchannel]

Both are very good ! I have a preference for the feel of the neck on the R-446 but I prefer the tone of the ST-20 HH. Now, if you intend on tuning very low, the R-446 could be a problem for intonations as I explain in the video. Maybe it's just my R-446 that had this problem, but it's something I haven't noticed on the ST-20 HH.

[@jackwheelington6049]

@@ToroKchannel ok, I’ll prolly go with st20 hh so I don’t have any limitations with tuning. Cant live without drop C

[@anthonystark5412]

Very good demo, as always. 👍 In particular, I appreciate the fact that you briefly compared it to the RGA42, as the Ibanez is a cheap guitar I've been wanting to try for more than a year. FYI, Artec is a pickup manufacturer from East Asia. It's possible that they're the biggest pickup maker in the world, as they make white label and OEM pickups for hundreds of companies - including Ibanez. 😁

[@ToroKchannel]

Oh well thanks for this information !

[@anthonystark5412]

@@ToroKchannel Any time, brother. By the way, until a few minutes ago, the comments section faied to display your response. That left me under the impression that you'd not yet read my comment, so I kept adding details.

[@drdeadbrain1007]

I'm torn between this one and the SC-1000 from Harley Benton. Any advice?

[@ToroKchannel]

2 very different guitars ! The SC-1000 has tons of output thanks to the HBZ pickups and it will chug indeed ! But the massive neck heel will stop you from shredding beyond the 20th fret. This R-446 has less output bet enough to chug and shred, it's more versatile with its 5 was blade and, overall, I think the quality is better than on the SC 1000. I would chose the R-446

[@Oilid]

Man, I tried a Gibson Les Paul Slash Signature Vermilion Burst, the fretboard was dry AF!!!

[@ToroKchannel]

Well, on such an expensive guitar, that's indecent ! Was it the only flaw you noticed ?

[@Oilid]

@@ToroKchannel it's not a flaw but the Slashbuckers (I had the Duncan Slash) were horrible. Plus, the top was not flammed.

[@JoeBaermann]

Was dry on the Studio and Tribute upon arival too, so doesn’t seem to be an incident.

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

When you change your strings to 10-52, do you file out the nut slots?

[@ToroKchannel]

I rarely need to file the nut when I change for 10-52 and for this R-446 I didn’t have to.

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

@@ToroKchannel interesting. I find that if I use a 52 gauge, it always makes the first fret intonation go sharp, and makes it hard for me to set up the rest of the guitar. Thanks for the reply brother.

[@MultiRocknmetal]

It looks like a Cort X1

[@ToroKchannel]

True ! But the neck feels like an Ibanez.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I got the lefty changed everything sounds better

[@MetalDeprival]

Very nice and useful review, i wanted a cheap guitar to keep in drop c tuning and i thought this one could do the job but it seems like i have to look elsewhere, it's a real pity...

[@ToroKchannel]

You could be happy with the ST-20 HH, I didn't encounter the same problem as on this one.

[@MetalDeprival]

@@ToroKchannel Merci beaucoup!

[@danielkleber2282]

Juste pour savoir tu ne serais pas français ? D'après ton accent ??

[@GuilhermeSantos2003]

Would you choose this one or the Harley Benton S-620 ??

[@ToroKchannel]

these are 2 very different guitars since the S620 has a FR. But I do prefer the neck on the R-446, it's thinner (19-21 vs 21-23 on the S-620). The tone is good on both, so it depends upon the type of bridge you prefer. Now if both had the same type of bridge I think I'd chose the R-446 for its neck and its 43mm nut and 16" radius :)

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

Looks and sounds great. I loved your demo track.

[@ToroKchannel]

Thabks !

[@FkCriminalJoe]

I swear these phone listen to us bc I just bought the exact same guitar today Harley Benton Pro series only difference is my EMG pick ups aren’t covered and mine fades from blood 🩸 out to midnight black on the exterior of the body and mine is neck thru design , I love it man. I’m into some pretty heavy stuff and it definitely does the job , very chunky and I’m playing it thru a Randell Satan 50.

[@ToroKchannel]

When I read your comment I'm wondering if you wrote it under the goos video. You're talking about a Harley Benton Pro series, this R-446 is not. You're talking about EMG pickups, this R-446 comes with Artec pickups... What Harley Benton Pro Series did you buy ?

[@guenz2K]

Salut. Avec le tirant d'origine, 10-46, es-ce que le réglage de l'action est correct? Combien de mm à la 12ième fret? Sur le même sujet, que penses-tu des réglages généraux des HB?

[@ToroKchannel]

Salut, quand je l'ai eue avec les réglages d'origine, on était sur du 2,20 sur mi grave et 1,90 sur mi aigu sans frise. Possible qu'on puisse faire un peu mieux puisque j'y suis parvenu avec mes 10-52. Les réglages des HB, c'est comme pas mal de choses concernant la marque, c'est un peu aléatoire. Globalement c'est correct, y'a jamais de catastrophe, mais parfois c'est fait avec des cordes dont la tension est si faible que rien qu'en passant sur une marque sérieuse avec le même tirant, ça change tout. Mais si la Benton que tu achètes est montée en Daddario et que le réglage de base est bon, tu devrais pouvoir le garder.

[@guenz2K]

@@ToroKchannel Merci.

[@Cross8ow]

What is the song playing around 5:50 please? Is it yours or some cover?

[@ToroKchannel]

It's mine, I generally avoid covers.

[@Cross8ow]

@@ToroKchannel Nice, very cool, sounded a bit familiar. Thanks for answer, This guitar is on its way to me now :D