The €299 Guitar Mastodon Would Play?! || Harley Benton EX-76 Classic Demo/Review

[@agufish]

I'm definitely more into the "Hetfield-y" ones, but it was a lot closer than I thought... Modern or Classic? What's your bias??

[@drcks]

More of the Modern look, but with a more of a Classic sound. It's a nice blend of looks and tone.

[@porcubot]

The classic for sure. I like both but those knobs are too close to the pickups on the modern. I tend to swing my pick hand wildly and knock volume knobs around if they're too close Is it weird that that's my sticking point?

[@Shevchenko_DBR9]

Agufish I don’t have a particular bias against classic or modern, I feel it is situational.

[@bigquen1]

I like both of them.

[@fezthecat1]

Hunter, stop telling people that it's "aged white". The guitars people are getting are "arctic white".

[@classicrocker91]

You fixed the explorer shaped HBs now fix the Flying V please

[@choveshka.boksova.krusha.6203]

this comment is underappreciated

[@matthewguarna2975]

Yes please... And make a rr version too

[@martinturner1796]

This

[@freezingCode]

Revisiting this video 8 months later, and I had to double take to see if I was the person who posted this comment because I remember thinking the same thing after seeing the V.

[@watersnortmoment3734]

I just want them to make a firebird style guitar

[@markmcgibbon2101]

One of your best compositions Hunter. The cleans sounded fantastic.

[@agufish]

Thanks man!

[@jefferybradford5936]

I like the tones you got from the 76 over the 84. Those passive pickups sounds so much better to my ears. Plus it’s a bonus for me being it’s modeled after the 76 explorer and I was born in 76.

[@Chadakkins]

I bought the 76 with gold hardware and black pickguard the second I saw they went up. Can NOT wait for this guitar to show up.

[@agufish]

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!

[@Chadakkins]

@@agufish I'll be putting a beating on it! Most likely going to drop bkp Warpigs in it. I've always wanted a Korina style Explorer and when I saw it in your unboxing video I was all over it haha this through my 5150iii and orange 4x12 is going to make a gnarly rig for my hardcore band 🤘

[@Jopeymessmusic]

Hmm, bit of "the edge" vibe to that mixed track, makes sense, he's a big fan of the old korina explorers. Good transitions into the heavy riff too.

[@agufish]

Hahaha he was runner-up to be in the title/thumbnail!

[@Jopeymessmusic]

@@agufish as soon as I heard you play, I was thinking that sounds a lot like the edge! Good stuff.

[@shaggyrogers637]

Out of all the new additions to the EX style guitars this one is my favorite look and sound. Absolutely incredible..

[@WretchedHive]

Man, I'm gonna have to get me one of these. Too sharp

[@harper.the.confused]

your vids just keep getting better man. not even a big metal guy but your videos have gotten so great to watch and the demo track slapped. appreciate the content

[@HeyLiem]

You cannot beat the price, it looks great, like a $1,000+ guitar level. I have a Kelliher Explorer, it has trapezoid fretboard inlays, uncommon for Explorers, (but the Edge's beloved 1976 is a dot like most Explorers), Kelliher's also has push pull knobs for coil splitting. I think this Harley Benton could sell more, at twice the price, if it offered something simple yet rare, just a four knob version, two volume knobs and tone knobs.

[@dommadonia9207]

Should of made a pringle-burst finish. With a bone nut.

[@agufish]

Fuck you’re a genius. Pringle approves 🐶

[@dommadonia9207]

@@agufish OUTSTANDING!

[@MrShadowofthewind]

Tusq, bone, doesn't matter.

[@jasondmello1046]

loved the b-roll in the intro this time. And ofc as usual the intro was amazing.

[@intellectualmetal9850]

Looks like harley benton has really stepped up. The amarok looks pretty amazing for the price too. Thanks for a another review man!!

[@jaxonvictoria4345]

If I had a dollar for each time you sustained a D chord at the end of your improvisations, I could buy all the Jimmy Clips in the world

[@willgonyea]

Man, I wanted to hear more of the mixed track. Definitely one of my favorites. I'm partial to the classic as it gives me a Coheed and Cambria vibe. Anyways, keep up the good work Hunter.

[@kouriparrish640]

The white one was super ugly in my honest opinion but I’m really digging this.

[@whyuyellinginmyear3476]

We have the same taste

[@Z-Zack]

I feel like a black pickguard might help with its looks

[@giovanniluna6852]

The classic look is better

[@billnyethebdsmguy7335]

I'm seriously considering getting one of these... looks incredible

[@CacklingAntagonist]

I'm blown away. Literally the only thing stopping me buying this is the thick poly finish. Get a satin finished one with these specs and I'm buying asap.

[@bewb1998]

This video is the reason why I bought the EX-76 and I don’t regret it

[@lilchung8158]

Mastodon is my favorite always has been and always will be

[@guitagious9464]

Just ordered mine yesterday! Now the painful WAIT... (Seriously, nice review, Hunter. Thank you for A/B-ing the two versions. Really helped me make up my mind.)

[@forest7874]

Well, I bought the authentic version of it a couple of weeks ago and it rocks. Curious about a direct comparison between my 2020 authentic model and this one.

[@agufish]

Happy NGD!! Not sure I’ll be able to get a Gibbo any time soon, but an Epiphone shoot out might be possible 🤔

[@forest7874]

@@agufish Cool, yeah, that'd be a fun one.

[@forest7874]

@@agufish btw I've finally subscribed after watching 20+ vids. :P Fully deserved. Looking forward to more content.

[@guitagious9464]

Man, Hunter, thank you for reviewing this EX! I've been anxious for this ever since the "Sneak' preview. Tried to order this guitar last week, but Thomann doesn't have any in stock at the moment, so I chickened out. They will request them as the orders come in though, so I'm still going to order one soon. I am a long time Explorer player, but my '81 model CMT has the chunkiest neck, and I am so tired of trying to fight with it. I did have it re-fretted with jumbo frets several years ago and I can tell people for sure, it DOES make a better playing instrument (as far as lead work). Jumbo frets just make it much easier to gets notes from hammer-ons and pull-offs. Also makes vibrato and bends a lot more fun and easy to do. Anyway, thanks again! Can't wait to get one and probably put a Seymour Duncan JB in it and keep the Roswell neck pickup. They're not too bad. I had a XT-22 Paradise Flame with Roswells in it. It was a beautiful guitar but I couldn't get the right ergonomic "fits me perfect" feeling from it. However, I usually do get that fit with explorer style guitars.

[@GuillaumeChenin]

Dude, favourite intro in a long time. Sounded superb!

[@CacklingAntagonist]

Really dig the song you made for this dude! Really showed off the versatility of the guitar... I'm so into the idea of an explorer style guitar. Now if you can convince Harley Benton to do something in this spec with a satin finish with a cool colour/wood grainy vibe.

[@LeMonsieurPoulet]

I placed an order when I saw the neck joint and the locking tuner. Me loving vintage guitars, and thos specs for the price (328€ all included, gold hardware version) it's a bargain. This neck looks so smooth to play, cant wait. Allready looking on what to add on it, got a gold Les Trem II laying around gonna put it on these baby.

[@IgnoresTrolls]

Gold hardware version is well worth the extra 30. It looks great.

[@ideclaregaming3751]

That was the best demo track ever

[@Kennyuk77]

Really really looking forward to getting one of these, I've been wanting an Explorer for a LONG time.

[@maxmustardman298]

The only thing left for me would be to throe a set of pafs in there, finally a refined version of this classic

[@ciggy_]

Hey dude, doubt you’ll see this comment but I’m thankful for you helping to create this model, I got mine just before they stopped selling them, which I guess mean top marks from Gibson as well haha

[@The_Apothecary]

Cool!! This reminds of that main dude from Lynyrd Skynyrd!!!! (The guitar, not Hunter). I actually like these natural wood ones - they have character. I feel these would be very versatile with these Passive Pickups. If I wanted an Explorer for JUST FOR METAL I probably wouldn't go Harley Benton, probably go ESP/LTD or Epiphone with EMGs or something. So in my opinion I feel the guitar featured in THIS video actually offers a better all rounded instrument than the previous Harley Benton White explorer with actives. Rock on.

[@GuitarSafari1]

These guitars sound really good, you can't go wrong. Great review.

[@GrimmandLily]

These guitars always are in my sights. I’m going to go ahead and order both the 84 and 76. No idea when the 76 will come though, the Thomann site doesn’t have a date.

[@SchecterSyn1]

These video's are that good it makes me want to buy one even tho i have no money lol

[@1972Georges]

Good Review. Might buy the one with Black Scratchguard and Gold Pickup Covers. Looks stunning.

[@Shevchenko_DBR9]

If I see Hunter and Billy K in one thumbnail I gotta see it even though I don’t like budget guitars.

[@agufish]

Hahaha *clickbait managed*

[@Shevchenko_DBR9]

Agufish Lol yeah. I like Harley Benton in a way but I’m a PRS fanboy

[@andrewpayne5569]

That’s a really nice guitar! Great review!

[@JazzSmith]

Killer guitar, definitely something i'm looking at buying Just wanna point out it's actually listed at €329

[@IgnoresTrolls]

It jumped up in the last couple of weeks. I was looking at the one with the black scratchplate and gold hardware and that's now €360

[@Ottophil]

How much is an E dollar? In American

[@JazzSmith]

Hugh tube 1 Euro is about 1.09 USD

[@2015IeepWranglerJK]

I owned the Gibson 76 model that I got in 1976 for Christmas. It got destroyed when I stupidly loaned it to a friend. I want this!

[@jcoulter43]

Awesome guitar. At first glance looks just like my 2018 Explorer with SD Antiquities, but for way less money. The smaller form factor is nice too. Great job Hunter and HB! Enjoyed the riffage at the beginning too. God bless and rock on 😎👍🎸

[@drcks]

Notification Squad! ASSEMBLE!

[@alirezaasgari3643]

Man that demo track was really somthing👍👍👍

[@sasmitha8446]

Hey Hunter! Love your work! When all of this dies down, and when you're done with the guitars you unboxed of course, can you please take a look at the Yamaha Pacifica 612 V-II? It's a super-strat with all the specs you love, at a objectively great price and I have not seen a satisfactory review so far. Hope to see your take on it. Good luck and stay safe!

[@AllanGildea]

Wow, your demo was amazing!

[@Kabayoth]

Some say he once took the spokes off a DR650 and made them chug through Peavy 6505 because he was out of XL's. And he's been known to drop a few Euros on a shady single-cut in Amsterdam in the red light district. All we know is, he's called Der Fish!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

The Classic looks killer and I always drop off my new guitar asap to my tech who swaps out the PU's to my fav's

[@Wynorrific]

I'm not even a guitarist but I love watching your content. I am, however, a bassist

[@agufish]

Lol I’m ok with that 😂

[@MrChuckd6]

Really dig the headstock

[@MusicbyMaggie]

It just looks so classy 😍

[@Terry3Gs]

I like the overall look of the classic vs the modern. And I kinda prefer the sound of the classic as well.

[@joethegiant]

I really like that guitar. Sounds better than the actives.

[@crob3545]

harley benton seems cool, i wonder if theyre gunna consider making a firebird, i love those guitars

[@sb632]

I like the look of this one more than. The 84 myself. Only change would be to swap in either a jb/59 combo or Fishman classics and it's done.

[@omarsharif927]

Patiently waiting for the V

[@alphajames33]

My favorite HB model so far, other than your signature sold out singlecuts. If I had the money, that's what I would buy, only in the gold hardware/black pick guard variation. Any flying Vs coming up?

[@darkshadowlord321]

You know, mod this thing with gold hardware and different pickups and you sorta have Lee Malia on a budget I'd say

[@EdgeOfHell666]

The ex 76 and the ex 84 series don't have locking tuners apparently. Why?

[@richt7231]

Save $, yet charge more for the guitar. Pure greed

[@hotrodsgarage]

Dig the EX-76.

[@vikdopak2166]

What about the ex-76 bk tho? I don't see vids or info about it anywhere, only the older models (round back horn or the gold knob versions). I'm almost worried it's not a part of this new series..

[@guitarrilho502]

Man I just now realized, these guitars look lot more like the dean zero (Dave Mustaine) then the esp's

[@sleepdeep305]

Not really. The EX-84s only have two knobs, and the selector switch is in a completely different position. The Deans also have a string through body design, which is something entirely unique to that model.

[@guitarrilho502]

@@sleepdeep305 dude this are small details, without it it's pretty much a zero

[@ryant3600]

@@guitarrilho502 or more like the gibson explorers? maybe.

[@jameslewis2635]

The modern sounds great clean but muddy and indestinct with overdrive where as with the traditional the situation is reversed. Still, I would go into purchasing one with the idea of switching pickups fairly quickly.

[@CastToVoid]

You might have been on fence with this one, but at least you EXPLORED all your options! eh? EH? I'll let myself out

[@TitanBP]

The Demo track sounds amazing! Have you thought about making some music to realse on spotify or something like that?

[@KaiDown]

This video serves as conclusive proof that you can sell me just about anything 🤷‍♂️ Any chance you'll be demoing the ST-62s? I've just bought one so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts

[@funfreq9282]

Well it looks good! Your palm mute chugs are 120'ish Hz heavy, damn near blew out my studio monitors.

[@joelmiddaugh8229]

So I just google searched last night for used Explorer guitars and I have to say that for at least a few years now, the Explorer body shape is in demand and people are exploiting that in the market. This is the cheapest Explorer you can buy used or otherwise ANYWHERE. I sold an MIK Hamer Standard for $200 a few years back and it's been impossible to replace on a similar budget. I regret the hell out of it.

[@TheAverageGam3r]

really nice demo song

[@rocket69218]

Set through neck? .... somewhere between a set neck and a through neck? both/neither?

[@phillippitts6294]

Sounds good, looks good! ☠️☠️☠️🤟🏼

[@nacktheslayer9882]

Are you gonna do the epiphone 60's standard? I wanted a custom but I'm hoping they put out a silverburst down the line. So I might get the 60's first.

[@agufish]

I think I’ve got a 50s standard in a box in my kitchen... not sure about a 60s tho lol

[@sergionunes5397]

I wish Harley Benton would do something about their branding. Logo looks very cheesy/low-budget.

[@dylanvogel4503]

I dig it the head stock doesn't look that bad ither better then the ones they had before this

[@HiddeSipkerodenburg]

Waiting untill the v's all get upgrades to this level. Oh and we need an 80s shred guitar

[@stm113]

What would you compare the feel, profile and thickness of the neck to?

[@beetlejes]

I love how the 84 sounds, but love how the 76 looks sighhhhh

[@aggravated_autopsy]

Could you put a gibson or epiphone pick guard on this?

[@bobafett4889]

I want one of these, but a custom version with SS frets and block inlays with Luminlay side dots and a satin finish on the back of the neck. PLEASE THOMANN READ MY COMMENT. lol Great video though buddy.

[@heyitsvonage2768]

Does anyone know what "On Request" actually means at Thomann?

[@agufish]

It means they're sold out, available to reserve when the next shipment comes in, and if you contact they'll give you an estimate as to when the next shipment will arrive in Germany to ship out. Basically we weren't sure how successful these models would be so ordered too few from the factory lol

[@ledjon]

When will we be able to actually buy this? The site says "on request"

[@agufish]

Unfortunately it looks like they already all sold out lol. Only the black Modern is still available until the next batch gets to Germany!

[@jesterraj]

Yes but does it neck dive while standing?

[@mattcrumbley6923]

Anyone have one of these and can tell me how the pickups sound? Like do they absolutely have to go or are they passable?

[@philips4074]

What is the body size comparison to a Gibson? It looks small. Sounds good.

[@BigJalapeno]

I want this one but its not available anymore wtf

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

Crippling QC flaw visible @4:17. The treble side bridge stud is screwed right down to the deck. rendering it impossible to set the action any lower than it already is for playability. Probably caused by the neck being glued into the body at too shallow an angle. Major oof.

[@theshotgunscientists]

I’m a luthier, and it looks like there’s about half a millimeter left to go. Not the end of the world, you can easily just sand off the under side of the bridge where the post holes are by about 1 millimeter and get much more adjustment, and most people won’t even notice it was done. Or just get a slimmer bridge. But yes the neck is probably set at a shallow angle, being a mass produced guitar, it’s bound to happen to a couple here and there.

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

@@theshotgunscientists I too am a luthier and I'm still not impressed. Even if that were true, 0.5mm is only 0.25mm lower at the 12th fret. It's very little wiggle room left to play with. You can machine material off the bottom of the bridge to compensate for the neck being set incorrectly. But nobody should be expected to do that on a BRAND NEW guitar. It's inexcusable.

[@agufish]

To be fair, that was kind of me, too. I always set the action super low. Might cause an issue in the future, though...

[@diablodiablodiablo3827]

I wanted to order this model but has been sold out for a while.

[@brandonmichael6258]

Hey brother I ordered a ex84 and stupidity ordered a lefty,trying to ship bk but they say$ 1,200

[@rmshredz]

You should check out the new Sterling Jason Richardson Cutlass that came out, it's amazing

[@timfletch]

Fingers crossed for a pro spec classic V =)

[@TheShadowChevy]

I really miss the "Simon says" section in your reviews

[@doctoribanez]

I would like to check out some of their higher end guitars. If you get this for $300 I'm wondering what you get for a grand

[@agufish]

The specs would be good. But honestly I’m not sure the QC is there yet...

[@sitaylor3085]

I've gotta wait a while before I can buy another guitar. Its nothing to do with money,I just cant deal with the telling off 😂😂

[@SkyFire2112]

Came here for the guitar, stayed because there was an appearance of Pringle

[@ryant3600]

I think the EX-84 moderns come w/ EMGs and grover locking tuners. that's what it says on the website. for 400 USD. Might be something I'd get now that they're upgraded w/ these. I'm not a big EMG fan w/ actives I prefer Fishmans or Seymour blackouts but for 400 bucks..might have to get one.

[@Atreides340]

would love to get my harley benton but Covidf has been delaying my shipment :c

[@jensenparker5504]

That title clickbait makes me want to die hunter.

[@kazigolammostofajoy6794]

Have you reviewed or willing to review Harley Benton EX-76 GHW AN? btw, is EX-76 Classic and EX-76 GHW AN have the same specs and output, only different look?

[@presoonjames438]

Brother does this guitar had any neck dive issues ?! Please make this very clear because I'm thinking about to buy one!

[@richt7231]

Yes it does

[@ikestoddard2458]

Which drum machine did you use in the demo mix?

[@GuitarDudeJoel]

Dude could totally hear Myles Kennedy singing on this!

[@agufish]

that's actually one of the best compliments I've ever gotten

[@GuitarDudeJoel]

Agufish thanks man! Love the awesome songs and content!

[@zlobert9877]

Would the ex-76 be good for thrash metal?