THIS HARLEY BENTON ACOUSTIC IS SO CHEAP - I thought there was a mistake

[@musicmann1967]

The addition of the Fishman electronics alone make this price point unbelievable. The fact that it's also a pretty nice guitar made from solid woods is just crazy. From what I can tell, it sounds pretty decent too. I wish there was something like this when I was growing up.

[@rominronin]

There’s some confusion here: the solid wood version costs about 100 more, and I’d not try one linked in the description.

[@RobChappers]

Thanks for the feedback and watching this video guys, there is a link in the description box to this guitar if you are interested :-)

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

Great playing Rob. Incidentally I just bought an ML1 Hybrid, blown away by the quality and value for money 🥳

[@ziolek9214]

It's not exactly THIS guitar! In the video you use solid wood version and the link leads to NON solid version (tuners are different)

[@MIGUELANGELOROSA]

Rob , the guitar you have on the video is not the same on the description

[@mrmik42]

Which one is the right one now?!

[@JKM395]

I turned 44 today and I can't believe how far affordable guitars have come in my lifetime. My first acoustic also cost about $200. It's a Fender DG7 and it's not nearly as nice as this. I still have the thing, so that's something.

[@timbaker2597]

Happy Birthday!

[@JKM395]

@@timbaker2597 Thank you very much. I hope you have a great day.

[@kristoperhyde4533]

happy birthday sir

[@JKM395]

@@kristoperhyde4533 Thank you very much.

[@RobChappers]

Happy birthday Captain Morgan!! :-)

[@TexanUSMC8089]

One of the reasons the HB guitars are priced so low is they have no middle man. HB is owned by Thomann Music and only sold by them. Factory direct. That 189 would jump to 300 at a different music store. I have a couple of HB electrics, and an acoustic. The acoustic is meant to be a Martin D16 copy. It looks great. The pickguard was very thin and wrinkled, so I ordered a replacement from Martin and put it on. I had to sand the bridge down a little. It was pretty high. The price was great and well worth it for me though.

[@Thomannfamily.]

Right

[@eftalanquest]

and it's available left handed, hell yes!

[@Stefan-]

Yes, it really seems it was a mistake, the solidwood version costs £248 (still cheap), the one you linked to that cost £189 just has a solid top.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Thats what I was thinkng !

[@guitarofthrones6129]

and you reported this a month ago, I wish the link would have been corrected. I received the guitar today and disappointed it is not the same model…

[@Stefan-]

@@guitarofthrones6129 Ouch ! It often pays to be thorough when checking specs, the problem in this case is that they say in the specs if it is massive/solid wood, but if it says just "Mahogany" then its probably laminated when it comes to acoustic guitars . I wish they would also state if it is laminated in the specs. The top is what really matters to have solid, so the guitar probably sounds quite close to what the solid version would sound like, but you of course rightfully wanted the guitar that was described in the video.

[@guitarofthrones6129]

@@Stefan- The bottomline is that there is a 35% price difference between the guitar being reviewed, and the guitar being linked to for purchasing. The guitar I bought is number #1 in sales ranking, and the actual model from the video is in position #95. This looks like a bad practice from Thomann and no wonder Chappers thought they sent him the wrong guitar… because they did…

[@Stefan-]

@@guitarofthrones6129 Im not sure if it was Thomann or Chappers that got it mixed up but there surely was a mistake done somewhere. Again, its an easy mistake to make since they never really write "Laminated" if its laminated and it isnt just Thomann, from what i have seen its a common trait among guitar manufacturers unforyunately. I do think it is likely that Thomann sent the guitar that was on the order, but Chappers most likely didnt pay anything for it and maybe he got it mixed up.

[@ATOMSKI_MRAV]

Just got the SolidWood model and holy molly is all I have to say. I've been playing for 24 years and I've played numerous more expensive guitars but this one takes the cake. The setup, intonation and overall feel was amazing out of the box. All I had to do is tune it and voila with an accent on top of the a. Just an amazing instrument (for the money). I don't see a reason to spend 3k+ on a guitar when I can have it for $350 to my door.

[@RossMitchell-u7f]

Do you have the link to the model?

[@marklayton5374]

I really appreciate you not putting down this make of affordable guitars. A guy that has such a high standing in the guitar world could go out of their way to say bad things about them but you didn’t and I massively respect you for that. You a really good dude Mr Chapman.

[@1337Gjack]

I do not really question that it is a good guitar, but just be aware that Thomann music is paying for the video and is the only retailer selling this guitar. There is a bias. Again, it doesn't change that the sound is really good, and ill probably buying this guitar :D

[@acebone2]

@@1337Gjack how do you know that Thomann paid for this?

[@acebone2]

oh, I saw the end now - yeah, it's paid ... but nice guitar!

[@aarononeill3]

He could have chose not to review it. But if you like the product and you get paid for it, then the stars align. I wouldn't jump to nefarious conclusions

[@GlennShepMusic]

Those are amazing! A friend of mine has one. Absolute insane quality and value.

[@mrplitsum]

This is the wrong price. The Harley Benton CLA-15MCE SolidWood costs 275 Pounds not 189 Pounds. Very false advertising The one for 189 Pounds is not Solid Wood

[@brianwagoner8899]

A bit mind blowing that a guitar at this price point has solid back and sides and a Fishman preamp. Great demo Rob, as always. Any plans for another return trip to Andertons to film a new block of videos? I really like your content in Malta with Luke, but I can't help it brother, I am a junkie for Chappers and the Captain, especially if you are blindfolded and nose plugged. lol. Cheers from the U.S.

[@rominronin]

Just want add that the solid wind variant costs more - so a great price, but it’s not the one linked in the description

[@barrywebber100]

I love HB guitars, the wood grain of that guitar looks amazing. Thanks for posting.

[@ojie285]

Right now, the CLA-15MCE (B Stock) is just £180! I've got 3 guitars but I'm still thinking of getting this one .....

[@tonyvoxu2]

Never mind all that twiddling. Give us a good 'ol Wonderwall type strum. Does it really hum?

[@Peter-mo3pr]

Awesome to see a manufacturer not ripping people off

[@tedraven9214]

Hi Rob, In my experience the reviewers always get the best there is. What the customers get is quite another cup of tea. My first Bass was a Harley Benton. It had a twisted neck, which I, as the noob on the instrument I was, recognised months later. One can be lucky to get a really good instrument but one can also get complete scrap.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I've had 5 or 6 Harley Benton guitars and 2 basses over last couple years and gotta say no problems with them except one came with broken headstock but that was exchanged.

[@guitarofthrones6129]

@@malcolmhardwick4258 in this case Ted is right. I received the guitar today and it doesn’t have the open tuners. Bought through the link in the description.

[@nick_c_DE]

@@guitarofthrones6129 The link is wrong unfortunately. It points to the non-solid-wood version. Only the solid wood version seems to have the open gear tuners.

[@tedraven9214]

@@nick_c_DE Nope, it is not wrong. It links to the CLA-15MCE, the exact same guitar Rob is talking about.

[@nick_c_DE]

​@@tedraven9214 It is indeed wrong. Rob is talking about and showing the "CLA-15MCE SolidWood" while the link goes to a different guitar, namely the "CLA-15MCE" (which is not all-solid-wood and does not have the open gear tuners). Those two models are 70 Euros apart (299 vs 229).

[@Tunk5000]

I played the HB yesterday in Treppendorf. Indeed a very good instrument. I d bought one if I d had not enough

[@JAROJAN63]

Hi, the guitar you are talking about is different as in the link you gave. In the link there is no solid wood guitar, it is standard CLA-15MCE with solid top only, with no open tuners etc. and related price. The guitar you are talking about doesn't exist currently in the offer of Thomann but if be would cost much more, approximetely 300EUR, what is of course a nice price too.

[@tah19731973]

I had this guitar and a 2500$ Martin Street master, every time I went busking. I subconsciously grabbed this one, and ended up selling the Martin, yes, it’s that good!

[@PhillRobinson]

Harley Benton are the rising stars in budget priced but super quality guitars.

[@meetspeak7796]

Wait. Which model is it?:) I'm confused:)

[@2ES_]

nice, but when plugged in, you must turn off the camera mic. now we hear camera mic (acoustic guitar sound) + piezo from PA, infact there is kind of a "phaser" effect for doubling the audio

[@guiiiiitarfan96]

I've bought it for my work as an educator, but it plays so good and sound really brilliant so I took it home and play it more than my art and lutherie. I love this guitar ❤️😀

[@trebmaster]

It's BEAUTIFUL! And it does well with the bass-y notes!

[@Durberville1]

A guy had one of these at one of my open mics that I run and I was blown away by how good it sounded and looked

[@dio1474]

does this guitar have an under saddle piezo? I'm looking for a guitar that has it, but most ones are not left-handed friendly

[@maddmatt55]

Like the guitar series. What’s the playing like at concert pitch?

[@profanbutan]

Rob seems to be such a positive person, I like his playin

[@Steve-nq8jc]

I used to have one of these, for the price and what they're it's a steal. The big brands at this point with import guitars are ripping you off.

[@argixantzi]

Hey Rob i need some help. I want to get to playing guitar and i am considering this guitar as one of my 2 options. The other one is the ibanez pf15ece-bk (at the time of writing this, both 260€). If you could help me figure out which one is better for a beginner by answering my comment that would be really helpful. Thank you for your amazing video.

[@sproutley]

I used to think people were just meming when they said how good HB guitars were. Realised I was very wrong after trying one of their teles

[@davidhamilton7780]

I'm in the market for a smaller-bodied acoustic and followed the link to check this one out. It doesn't appear to have solid back and sides...

[@ireneuszgargala240]

Hello there. I enjoyed watching your video. Would you be able to explain the fundamental distinctions between these two guitars? Harley Benton CLA-15MCE SolidWood Harley Benton Custom Line CLA-15MCE NS

[@samwhittle2005]

Hey Rob, love the videos mate! How would you compare one of these to a Sigma 000-15m? Thanks

[@mask57000]

Excuse me, why the tuners are not the same on Thomann site ? in your video they are, open and black, and it's not the same with your link, thanks

[@SonicVirtualizer]

That's because he is showing the solidwood variant of this guitar which costs 250£ and not 189£ like he states. People are saying he made a mistake but someone that has his own guitar brand doesn't make these kinds of mistakes. Not to mention that he doesn't bother fixing the description or adding some overlay captions in the video with the correct price.

[@JayTheLane]

From buying experience Harley Benton guitars are generally decent. I bought a Pro series from their top line and the setup on it was dog rough. I had to pay a tech to set it up. There was a chip on the back of the guitar and the ultra maple looked nothing like the pictures. Your mileage may vary with Harley Benton. I've found that what they send to reviewers are logically pre checked by Thomann whereas they do not check everything that goes out of the gate even on their higher end models. So quality control can be an issue. I complained to Thomann and they gave me £60 back after initially offering me £30, covered the tech set up but not the chip or less than ultra flame maple top. I took this as sending things back like guitars to Thomann is total pain.

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Thanks for this review. I will order mine shortly.

[@d.michaelmcbridedc1082]

I got a HB delta Blue for €100. plays great I did need to file redress the fret ends as they were a little sharp. Just bought HB black Strat (Gilmour knock off) when I stopped by Thomann last time for €189 beats the 3.6 mil someone laid out for his

[@nickradev8973]

Hi, do you think that 45 mm nut can be fitted to have more space between the strings

[@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251]

Glad to see you doing budget guitars now Rob

[@lundsweden]

Sounds and looks great!

[@edythereal]

I'm so lost guys. Could anyone help me? There are so many Types of guitars out there I don't know wich one to get. Never had a guitar before so it would be my first one. I see this has a thing on the back with what you could connect to your interface right? That would be an great option for me as I have Scarlett audio interface. I'm obviously looking for any type of guitar in budget range of 200. Except an electric one. Mostly focusing on Pop, country, soul etc. Music. As an example Ed Sheeran. Any good choices out there that I could get a Look into? Thanks

[@MarcoAfonso]

I'm looking to buy an acoustic guitar to play at gigs with PA, but I don't want to spend a 1000€. I tried some Sigma and Martin and I liked them. My main concern is about tunning across fretboard and of course sound quality. How good are these HB guitars concerning tunning across the fretboard and sound quality compared to entry level Martin? Thank you!

[@livemusicseychelles6485]

I don’t own any Martins so I can’t compare but what I can tell you is that this guitar is totally in tune throughout the whole fret. And it’s damn good for the price

[@FernandoLopez-ju4uv]

Buenas, me quiero comprar esa guitarra, pero en negro, desde mi ignorancia, he leído que la negra suena algo diferente, quizás peor, es cierto. Muchas gracias.

[@LOFIGSD]

People think these budget instruments are just for beginners, but I rarely take my Gucci gear out on Gigs, too easily nicked, or broken etc, HB make very useable instruments, my road gear includes a Sire acoustic, a Jet JS400 and a Vintage SG, none of it expensive, all been setup professionally and do everything I need, when I get 4K for a Gig, I'll rock up with a 4K Guitar, but never been a better time to buy Guitars, it used to be acoustics warranted the money, and cheap ones were nasty, not any more.

[@rafaelmeletti]

I bought a CLA-15M 3 years ago which was advertised as solid body. It didn't come with the piezo and sounds great. I installed a fishman piezo myself and for my surprise, when routing the fishman cavities, found out that the body is laminated. Kind of a disappointment.

[@borislangura9554]

there are two versions, one is all solid, and other is only solid top, they look same tho only price is diffrent

[@benoitlhote7041]

Hello Rob, thank you for your demo, lovely. I suggest as a name for this guitar : MadOgany !

[@herbie747]

What does the phase button do on the pickup controls?

[@ClydeBuilt]

Great review mate. HB are so underrated

[@davidviera3347]

With time passed, do you still have the same opinion of this guitar? I'm interested in a guitar like that, with that budget... It actually looks and sounds great... but I'd like to know your opinion of the present

[@Yovelinf]

This guitar is amazing, and the tone of the color of the mahogany reminds me of my wife, who is dark skinned. So I would recommend the name “morena” which in Spanish means “dark skinned woman”. I think it pays homage to the beauty of both the guitar and the women.

[@Barbarapape]

This guitar is very similar to my Fender all mahogany CC-60S, the Fender lacks any electronics, but is very easy to play with a slim bound neck. Harley Benton know how to make great affordable guitars.

[@JaniceLalla]

Great sound and playing

[@MrTatts64]

Rename to the HB CCF That would be the "Chapman Camp Fire". Not to burn it, but just to chill around with camp fire with a bunch of mates, with some easily created great live sounds.

[@MrChris5254]

Hi Robbie.a review from a guy that designs guitars.a must have one.i wonder if they do a leftie.Cheers

[@stephenwhitney8636]

A different name could be Harley Benton 15SCE I think it's shorter still keeping the 15 and you know the S stands for Solid wood, C for Cutaway, E for electric

[@johntate5050]

Rob, what's your opinion of bumming?

[@superorangeish]

How much are they paying you?

[@Alfredo78666]

Actually, that'd being one of the most expensive of their acoustic line. I've got the CLD-1048SCE-LH for $179

[@Rojata19]

I'm about to start my Harley Benton set with the Harley Benton CG-45 NS, heard great things about the Benton's 👌

[@alexkelly8131]

Are the white dove and Tele equivalent still available ?

[@eertje01]

Had this one in the solid top version. It was amazing. Sold it (to one of my mates) because I couldn't get along with the string spacing. The sound was great though! really mis the hog guitar sound. But then again I can always visit my mate and still play it :D

[@HearBeyondMusic]

I owned a western style acoustic many years back, which was more expensive and honestly not great to play… I have also owned a Harley Benton Bass at that time which was very disappointing and lasted a solid 4 months after which the screw of the truss rod just was not possible to turn any more (just wanted to fix the neck, as it was quite … bent xD). However - I do trust Mr Chapman and will definitely have a look, as I want to get a new acoustic guitar to start playing again :)

[@jesperosterberg2588]

The link in the description is not for the solid wood guitar

[@daleonov]

This is so cool! I love mahogany/sapele acoustics.

[@Lacrom23]

This is the wrong link. You are holding a Solid Wood version which is 245 GBP. The link leads to the regular version for 195 GBP.

[@KRASIPARVANOV]

It is interesting (to me) where did you find that price for that model? The price I find is way higher.

[@KRASIPARVANOV]

@Mark Seymour Yeah, thanks!

[@thunderbirdbrown3002]

Thanks Rob 😈🤘🏿I'm getting 1!I also laughed when you almost did during the description of the guitar around the pick guard 🤘🏿😊 Great vid as always Getcha Pull-Cheers 🥃🍻🤘🏿 333.

[@rongus2299]

I own a HB LP and love it, honestly I play it more than my PRS.

[@scottguitarsuk23]

That could be just the guitar i've been looking for as I generally don't like the necks on accoustics.

[@spearmintvole9522]

Try Ibanez acoustics that have necks like electrics

[@keithsmith9889]

I bought a mahagony acoustic Harley Benton i forget i think it was a GA 15 or something like that it was. $115 best sounding acoustic i have ever owned same thing fishman preamp and tuner really just a great value

[@D.Miller]

What's happening with Chapman for 2022?

[@blindcanseemusic]

what about the "all-rounder" model. Great playing. In 40 years, I've never lost a peg on any guitar... but nice that there is a spare.

[@MasterKydis]

How is the low end unplugged?

[@charlieburns1385]

Thanks Rob Love your playing I'm s bass player and l have a HB jazz bass that plays great and sounds as good as any $1500 fender bass Ash body maple neck block inlaws Under $150 US dollars Its heavy but sounds amazing!!

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Wow! Beautiful guitar! Amazing. Buying one.

[@stephanguitar9778]

Shuussh! they'll whack the price up. The £350 Yamaha I bought 3 years ago had to have so many things done to it to make it playable, sand down the bridge, truss rod adjustment, fret filing etc and probably still needs attention on the nut, but sounds no better than this.

[@81Garret]

Does it have a solid top though?

[@thunderbirdbrown3002]

🤘🏿😆🤣😂I agree about the names mate! Who's gonna remember that.

[@coledraper5694]

Not quite as cheap as the HB, but i feel the same way about my Breedlove that I got for around $300

[@christopherquinn5899]

If only good guitars had been so affordable when I was a lad!

[@daveydoodle1916]

Don’t know if I like the tone? Looks nice but unplugged it doesn’t have a lot of volume. This is why ya have ta try them out.

[@livemusicseychelles6485]

I bought one of those and i just can’t stop playing … I recently played a GS Mini and to be honest this guitar feels a lot better to play

[@ChristopheLeveque-td5wl]

Really? Reason? Thanks

[@lhvent]

A mahogany guitar is great with that natural sound

[@phackwer]

I've had some guitars over the years... some of them were "to cheap to believe they are that good". They sounded great, but they are not meant to last... Good thing they are cheap enough for you to get a new one every 3-5 years and not regret using the old one to burn a nice barbecue. Problem on cheap is: wood is not old enough (meaning, strong-dry) to hold the strings, necks bend and sometimes on a twisted way you can't repair, tops are cracking... Anyway, it's cheap enough for you not to regret replacing it later. Afterall, if in 3-5 years you are no longer playing, you're definitely not musician material.

[@stephanguitar9778]

I have a 35 year old Aria, was one of the cheapest guitars at the time but still sounds and plays great. Looks a total wreck and keep it in the kitchen where it gets knocked about quite a lot. The frets are still good, unlike my 3 year old Yamaha costing much more and already feeling like it needs a £100 fret dressing etc.

[@kant20045]

It’s affordable and cheap because their woods are coming from Africa where China includes the authorization to cut down forests in their commercial agreements.

[@See_thru_it_all]

Have a link?

[@Pandamasque]

The real question is what is Harley bent on?

[@TheSpineSplitter1990]

Deez Nutz?

[@mmradio1995]

Is that all solid guitar?

[@guitarmuso1]

Why are you plugging HB guitars when you have your own guitar company ?

[@ChristopheLeveque-td5wl]

Has anyone been able to compare it with the taylor gs mini mahogany?

[@dr_lulz]

There’s a few mix ups and a bit of misinformation here. The materials are not as stated and the guitar that is linked is not the all solid wood version.

[@mmccartney6579]

I live in the states, and don't think I can get that guitar here? :(

[@bfcbro4493]

I bought one of these after watching the video. Its been a nightmare. Out of the box the action was so high it was in playable. The g string tuner is loose, the screw that holds it is stripped. Thomann insisted i sent photos and video. I did. They then insisted i adjust the neck. I did. Still way to high to play. Then they said i would need to take out the bridge insert and reduce its height. Off to the guitar tech. On my own dime. On a NEW guitar. It plays ok but not great. I finally got to plug it in and guess what the high E string doesn’t pick up. The others are fine. Email Thomann again. They want video. They are truly one of the worst companies for help with bad product. If this was Sweetwater or guitar center I would have gotten a new replacement no questions and no hassle. Ill never buy from Thomann again.

[@robinr22]

Assuming you're in the UK, you could have just returned it, no questions asked...

[@bfcbro4493]

@@robinr22 I am in the USA so not the case. The things they asked me to do were unreasonable. Pictures, videos, measurements all of which I provided. They asked me to adjust the bridge by filing it - on a new guitar. Also neck adjustments etc etc. way out of line. Poor customer service. And the guitar came with a sheet saying a tech set it up and what the measurements were. They were not even close. The guitar was unplayable.

[@robinr22]

@@bfcbro4493 that's a shame, sorry to hear you had such a nightmare.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

The Brand Names are putting the screws to us. Some of us.

[@dwightburns6699]

Lol... right!?!

[@michelsomville3209]

I bet you like Stephen Stills, similar playing!.

[@respetaalosdemas]

I bought 4 models and all after 8 months all bridges unglued, after thomann told me sorry no warranty... FANTASTIC BRAND.😅

[@Thumbii]

There's always a reason for the price.. Got gifted a HB 12-string and the bridge got loose.

[@Customercf]

Really? In my experience thomann warranty has been excellent and they have always replaced any faulty products.

[@valley_robot]

I bought an MC 101 , that was beaten to within an inch of its life , it’s still worked but the package was smashed , trying to get a refund out of them was a night mare , I gave up in the end , they did eventually agree to refund me my money , but I decided to keep it and just never use the company again

[@icevelvetzen]

I own three Gibsons: SG and LPs. Yet, my HB packs a punch and gives these more expensive guitars a run for their money. Ridiculously affordable and with high quality!!! AND forget these Chibsons that always have some sort of defect in quality and craftsmanship.

[@StratsRUs]

Could it be the availability of cheap labour ?

[@Jason22Douce]

Acoustic -- p.a -- mic = awesome in the room feel 👍

[@1972Georges]

wow. just wow . sounds great