The Best Benton? | Harley Benton Fusion VS ST Modern Plus

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Have you tried any of these "Higher End" Bentons? 🫳⌨⬇ 😃🙏

[@markdoolan3424]

I have 2 Fusion III's that play great and did briefly pick up a used Fusion II that had a crazy flame neck and fretboard but it had a few issues. Some of the frets seemed a little high and the nut was a bit off and I sold it but it looked amazing!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@markdoolan3424 Ah that's a shame. Definitely some bad un's slip through the net ☹

[@jamestejada3673]

I'm still wondering what the the similar designed Swing Modern SEs are like save for the fact they were produced first and don't have flame maple necks or stainless steel frets. The only Harley Benton I have really come across,save for a 7 string with ,I believe a thick,was a basic budget ST62 that played like butter around $119.00.

[@alexb.5703]

Got both a fusion III HSS and the ST modern plus in your color. Like the Tesla PUs. Electronics seem also better, even got caps for the HSS problem. The ST has the known problems like wiggly humbucker, and some high frets, even one dead spot. But I like it, so with the current backorder situation I decided to keep it and get into fretwork 😂 The fusion neck smells like maple sirup though 😋

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@jamestejada3673 Never came across Swing guitars before (other than the ones you've shown me). Seems it's very unlikely to get them here in the UK. The HB 62's look great for the price 😎👌 f I liked the neck profile, I'd probably have a few of em 😜

[@vladadd2506]

As a Polyphia and Ibanez AZ fan, I would choose fusion lll in shell pink color. So, I do have one, but with flame maple top and HSH pickup configuration. Great player for the price. Love this roasted maple neck with 24 stainless steel frets

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Nice one mate - I almost bought the HSS Fusion iii in shell pink a couple of times - very cool! 😎👌

[@tymanngruter1808]

I am the proud owner off a fusion 3 strat, changed Pick-ups and trimpotts, now its my nr. One guitar to play! Thanx for posting! 🎯

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Awesome mate! 😃👍 That's how I think of these Guitars - fantastic mod platforms. Can end up with an unbeatable guitar 😃👌

[@steviesynapse]

Great video Steve, I completely agree with all of your comments on the Fusion 2 and ST Modern. I own a Harley Benton Fusion 1 HH with Floyd Rose, Fusion 2 HSH, and Fusion 3 HH. I bought an ST Modern LPB but returned it due to multiple high frets (9 out of 22) and a significant number of other production and QC issues. All of my Fusion’s are modded, the Roswell and Tesla pickups have been replaced. The HH Fusion 3’ s ‘are touted’ to be the HB version of Suhr’s Pete Thorn signature standard. I modded mine to Suhr spec with 2 Suhr Thornbucker pickups, a Wilkinson WVS 130 trem and upgraded electrics it’s an amazing guitar now and all done at a total cost of circa £800 as opposed to £4000 for a Suhr Pete Thorn signature. I cannot understand at all why HB have not put STAGGERED locking tuners on the ST Modern’s in the same way they did on the Fusion 2 & 3. Staggered tuners means you can remove all string trees which massively reduces tuning issues.HB could leave string trees off altogether which would reduce their production costs.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 But yeah, lack of staggered tuners seems like a bit of a downgrade on the ST imo. Even with Staggered tuners I still like to use one string tree - as long as it's graphtech tusq xl tho 😁👍 Sounds like you've did a great job Suhr-ing your HB mate - Kudos! 😎👌

[@johnsmith-nd9yo]

I have a Harley Benton silver sparkle superstrat HH fusion 2 roasted neck....dark dots are a problem in low light. I didnt like it too much at first but after one year I now love it, its feels like a premium guitar. The wonderful aroma of the roasted neck really brings out the arsonist in me. Good times.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

😂🤣👌 Please be careful around open flames sir 😜 I'm surprised there's ever a low light enviroment with a silver sparkle finsh! 🤩👌 😜 Gotta admit - that's a classy looking guitar tho 👍

[@stevehusten7940]

Hey Steve. Steve here. Steves are we. Etc. I love my Fusion II. I want an ST Modern Plus. In white actually. Some day perhaps. Love the channel. Also looking at the new Jet JS range. They look niiiice.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Hullo Steve! Thanks for Steve-ing 😂🤷‍♂️ Gotta admit, the white is the coolest looking ST Mod + imo. In love the roasted maple against white with the black guard 😎👌

[@kennyleejohnson5253]

I have the SC custom and love it. It was almost perfect out of the box. Tuned it up and it plays great. Stays in tune and I actually like the sound of the Roswell pickups. To each their own 🤓

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I'm still on the hunt for the right single cut for me... one day. I'm glad you're loving your HB tho 😃👍

[@thelolguy007]

Another video mate? Wow. I should be getting ready to head out to gig and here I am watching yet another Steve Cassidy video haha. 👏👏👏

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yessir! Still aiming for Every Friday at 6pm 😃👍 Enjoy the gig mate!

[@aidantod33]

Had a fusion 2….it was great.Amazing quality for the money.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Completely agree 👍 In the end I didn't keep mine but can't argue with the Quality at that price 👌 I'm aware some people don't always get a problem free one, but I seem to have got lucky with every HB I've had 👍

[@Ben-ld1qi]

MAAN! How I wish the Fusion 3 HSH was still available in cherry flame on Thomann

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Ooooh! Can't remember seeing it in that finish - has a cool name though 😎👌

[@Logan-zo3lj]

​@@stevecassidyguitarOh my bad yours is actual a Fusion 2, right? The Fusion 3 for both the HSH and HH used to be available in both roasted neck and ebony neck for the Cherry flame. There's this German gentleman youtuber that has dozens and dozens of these Fusion 3s on his wall, I think he bought the entire stock especially since his favorite is the Cherry flame😅

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@Logan-zo3lj Ah yeah - I think I've seen that guys vids too 😀👍

[@JRobsonGuitar]

I had a couple of the 1st gen Fusion S-types. One had horrific sharp fret ends & the other didn't. Later I had a Fusion T which was a fantastic guitar. Nice video, mate 👍

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya kinldy mate! 😃🙏 Yeah the comment sections for Harley Benton reviews seem to be rife with "hit n' miss" QC 🫤

[@kennyleejohnson5253]

Loving your videos!! Your humor is great and your playing is even better ! 😎

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Aww mate! Thank ya kindly! 😃🙏

[@larseikind666]

Had to like and subscribe as there are very few scots on here doing serious reviews. So keep it up. I'm a big HB fan after buying several guitars and basses from them. Only one guitar had to be sent back because of the mid pickup being off. But all the other guitars, basses and acoustics have been great.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya very much mate! 😃🙏 I might not be able to deliver on the "serious" tho 😜 I have to admit, I've been pretty luckup with all the HB's I've had too, either very minor issues or none 👍

[@Kevin.Hearty]

The specs on both these guitars are super impressive for the price. They put my USA Strat in the shade to be honest. If you're thinking of getting a Modern Plus they're out of stock for many months to come though. Excellent honest review BTW Steve.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 Yeah with these being out of stock for so long, I thought this comparison might be more worthwhile. Like "wait or maybe get a Fusion instead" kinda thing 😜👍 But yeah, what Harley Benton can offer for so little is mindblowing. I know they save on distribution costs, practically going straight from factory to consumer, but Thomann seem to be passing on all the savings to the consumer - which is very smart! That's how they're winning

[@BudgetPedalChap]

What's really put me off these and the idea of a babicz bridge is the screw in trem arm. There is just no need for that in this day and age 😂😂

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I know right! I was a bit dissapointed with that too 😂🙈

[@crave809]

Totally agree 💯 someone should tell fender while on it! Its crazy that these “budget” brands not just make knockoff fenders and Gibsons but most of them are better at 1/10th the price

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely awesome have a wonderful day Steve ❤😊

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 Hope you have a great day too sir!

[@ardennenwijzer2583]

HB must make some 7,25" Vintage fretboards, in nitro MN. That would be a killer!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I'd check one of those out! 😃👍

[@namesurname5409]

I have a Fusion 2 with a roasted neck and it's a decent guitar. The only thing to complain are somewhat scratchy frets out of the box, but i've already fixed that. That's my first HB and tbh my expectations were quite low. I half expected to return it even before it arrived. But the actual guitar was quite a pleasant surprise. And it's been smooth sailing so far. Fret ends are impeccable, no high frets and no fret buzz. Neck is perfectly stable, even more stable then several times more expensive Ibanez with fancy multi-piece wizard-schmizard neck. The latter one i had to adjust this summer after especially hot and humid weather, while the Fusion neck did not budge (both guitars are in the same room, same temp, same humidity).

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Nice one mate! Sounds like you got a great one, as did I. The stability on my Fusion ii has always been rock solid too. Although I just sold it this week 😬 But now someone else can enjoy it 😃👍

[@__Anton__]

I love the look of the Fusion and the flame roasted neck on the ST Modern. I agree re 9.5 radius too. Great Video* (*.....even though I'm getting tempted to buy more guitars😂)

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya kindly mate! Good luck with the GAS 😜👌

[@PaulDoc87]

You had me at Weclome, great video, thanks

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Ha! Cheers mate 😂👍 A niche bit of banter that usually goes unnoticed 😜👍

[@SearchingForTone]

Fusion looks amazing😎🤙

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yeah mate, The St Modern took a bit of the shine away from the Fusion when it came out, but now the dust has settled... 😜

[@larseikind666]

From what I can hear they sound pretty similar. So since the push/pull buttons and the trem being better on the Fusion I guess that's a clear winner. But they're both good guitars. I don't really "mind" the sound of the Roswells or the Teslas. I have a few HBs and they function well in my setup.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I shouldn't have said the Wilkinson was a better trem 😬 (If i did - my bad) but I do personally prefer it over the Babicz

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I have a left-handed fusion three telly with humpback pick up I change the magnets from fives to two pretty damn good Guitar

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Nice one mate 😃👍 Agreed - the Fusions ar excellent 😎👌

[@derekjohnson5720]

Poor Rick only has 4.5m subs 😂😂 just choked on my coffe, brilliant 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@stevecassidyguitar]

He'll get there.. Just needs to keep plugging away with the vids 😜👍

[@derekjohnson5720]

@@stevecassidyguitar 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 maybe he needs some advice from a Jedi Master like yourself pal 😉 👍

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@derekjohnson5720 That's it mate - I'm happy to have him on this channel to try and give him a wee bit more exposure 😁👍

[@petercollins4030]

If I had to choose between the two it would have to be the ST Modern Plus for me. I have a thing about pickups mounted directly in the body like the Fusion's - needs a pickguard or pickup surrounds.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Looks wise - I totally agree, I prefer the more traditional strat look too 😎👍

[@gregorwalton]

I have a Fusion-II HSH and an ST-Modern (and a Fusion-T). The tuning stabilty and sustain on the ST-Modern is top-notch - I love the Babicz bridge. The Fusion is slightly on stability. behind, but not much. The Roswell pickups on the Fusion were swapped out for Toneriders almost immediately. The Tesla pickups on the Modern are better but I'll probably swap them out at some point - especially the bridge pup

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Great stuff mate! We've had a lot of the same Bentons! I had a Fusion T too 😃👍 Glad to hear your ST Modern is stable 😃👍

[@matibrandrock]

Which toneriders did you get?

[@gregorwalton]

​@@matibrandrock I had an Octane bridge and Generator neck with an Iron Gear Smoke Stack II middle. I changed the Generator for an Octane neck when they came out. The Generator was a bit dull. The humbuckers are bright enough not to need coil splits. The Smoke Stack has a tap switch so it can give high output to match the humbuckers or can give a true single coil tone (at lower output) on its own

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas mate 👍

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya for your permission to use your clip 😃🙏 Does yours still stay in tune or was that a Fluke? 😜 Changed your mind about keeping it? 😁

[@LukeMosse]

My HB Fusion 3 HSS is my favourite guitar, but it doesn't sound like a strat. I have put Tonerider single coils in it and a Shijie bridge humbucker, but it still doesn't sound like a strat because of the direct mount. The HB st modern is a really nice guitar however the jumbo SS frets are disappointingly low. One of the best things about the Fusion is the high frets. I will also need to get the ST modern plekked as there are high frets on it. My unexpected current fave strat is an Eart with Entwistle pickups. The Entwistle AS57 is a great pickup and works well with the Eart.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Great recommendation for the Eart - Cheers! 😃👍 I had an Eart Corsair NK-C3 (x3 🙈) And wasn't a fan of the stock pickups either. That particular EART has feels like the same size fret wire as on the ST Modern too. I think the Fusions might be advertised as medium Jumbo - But they feel bigger than that to me. Fender medium jumbo is about as big as I'm comfortable with

[@LukeMosse]

@@stevecassidyguitar kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpmVkn6dgrqqaqMsi=nNzmCqzTgY9w4SpH I uploaded a demo of the AS57

[@rail1505]

I had the St modern in LP blue. I returned it. I personally liked the Babiidge bridge but I had to raise the action to a ridiculous level to stop fret buzz. In addition, it had a crack around the neck pocket. The neck had no flame on it and the string trees were just super cheap. The sound was good but I could just did not enjoy playing it with the buzz. Back she went. I replaced it with a late 80s Fenix with a 2 point trem bridge which plays perfectly for 150 euros less even though it is not HSS I much prefer it.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Awesome mate! I had a Fenix strat for a while, my dad has it now incredible guitars - Amazing pickups too 😎👌 Bummer Re your experience with the St Modern though. Did you check it for high/low frets? Seems that's been an issue with quite a lot of them 😬

[@rail1505]

@@stevecassidyguitar IYes I am sure it had high frets. I only tested with a cap and holding down fret 17 I think. One thing I did notice was the buzz was only towards the bass strings. I would have persevered but the crack in the neck just meant it had to go. I was also disappointed with the excessive movement in the humbucker. IAs you said gen 2 and 3 runs might be better but I love the Fenix. It's a beautiful turquoise colour and I love playing it.

[@MashaT22]

🤣🤣🤣 You copped Rick’s subscription commercial! 🤣🤣🤣

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I have no idea what you're talking about 🧐 Rick has always been a big supporter of this channel 😁👍

[@markproctor3100]

I have a Fusion III and they are amazing especially for the money but I agree with the pickups they are mot great but I think if you put high end pickups in it, it would be really worth it and they would be guitars that played and sounded almost like custom shop strat/super strats👍🤘Never mind a campaign for 9.5 inch boards get all the KZbinrs to start a campaign for a Harley Benton Firebird 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤘

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Your spot on mate 😃👍 I did change the pickups in this fusion before. I had a Seymour duncan 59 in the neck and an Iron Gear Rolling Mill in the Bridge - It sounded waaay better. But was still a bit too hot for me 🙈 (Poor pickup choice on my end - couldn't resisit a good deal 🙈). I'm with ya on the Benton Firebird! It's rumoured to be in the works 😃👍

[@paulvinova]

haha the Rick Beato bit 🤣

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Rick's always been a big supporter of the channel 😜

[@Barbarapape]

I still have my HB Fusion 2 with an ebony fretboard, i can't stand maple necks even roasted ones. A new Fusion 4 is due soon, i expect it will feature rolled fret ends and fretboard edges. I will wait and see, the ST modern seems to have variable issues which sadly is typical of HB. My advice is save up for a Fusion, the extra money is well spent.😉👍💓

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I think you're right Re the impending Fusion 4. They'll definitely have rolled edges and the new fret ends 👍

[@ronteller2217]

Any idea when is Fusion 4 coming?

[@Barbarapape]

@@ronteller2217 Nothing official has been released, i think it will be just intime for Christmas. Santa will need some long stockings.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@ronteller2217 No idea mate - I've just been speculating late this year or early next - But it could be neither. Soz 😂🙈

[@ronteller2217]

​@@stevecassidyguitar @Barbarapape Thanks for your reply guys! I currently have the Fusion III HH FR with roasted neck in cherry flame and it's so beautiful I can't stop looking at it. Unfortunately I didn't really know what I was getting into since it's my first guitar ever. I've played my brother's Fusion III HSH with the Wilkinson trem and ebony fretboard, and I think that guard is much more suitable for me in terms of where I'm resting my hands, and the trem itself feels more suitable for what I actually play. So I was wondering if to get the Fusion III now or wait for the a Fusion IV. Other than that, there's actually something very satisfying about being able to stabilize the Floyd Rose, it's like even though that trem is not ideal for me, I am enjoying the process of learning more and more and getting better at adjusting it and buying better replacement parts for it.

[@ima640]

Steve have you thought about re-profiling the neck to 9.5inch radius, a tech should be able to do it, may be a bit pricey as its a complete refret job as well. nice vid.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya mate! 😃🙏 Re-profiling has been suggested before and it does make sense, but I think I'd rather just keep complaining until Harley Benton does it for us 🤣🙈

[@dragan4658]

Hi Steve! Just say "that guy". Looks like the st takes a back seat to the fusion. Both however seems decent for the price as far as new guitars go. Good comparison! A tough choice as both guitars are worthwhile instruments! Cheers! See ya la er!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Ha! That's right! I've heard Elmo say "that guy" is acceptable 😂👍

[@dragan4658]

@stevecassidyguitar Cheers mate! Always enjoy your videos and playing!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@dragan4658 Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏

[@robertclarkguitar]

That Older Fusion i wanted but they were out of stock at the time in 2020. I wound up grabbing the tele. Now, i wish i could trade the Tele HH FNT i have for either of the two you have. One thing is true. This Tele HH fusion Pro is one of the best necks ive ever played on. So smooth. The frets are amazing. The only issue with mine is its tele shape. Hahah Which i still like but rather ST style and get a tele later that is stock SS. Hahah Excellent review man!!!!!!!! Still waiting on the Clicky click typing effect with your finger gestures. Hahahah Did i miss it?? Hahah Keep it up. Also yes indeed. EVERYONE should start grabbing Rick "Im trending" Beato...hahah

[@robertclarkguitar]

There it was. Clicking clacking..typing in box below your comments. Lmao😅

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya mate! I got this Fusion as a panic buy when we came out of the EU and there were additional taxes on stuff from Thomann. I got this one off of Reverb used but paid new price for it 🙈 It was still worth it though to be fair. It was my first ever guitar with stainless steel frets. Learned a lot from this guitar 😃👍 I also had the HH Fusion T, the only thing I didn't like about it was it was the hard tail version. I should've got one with the trem

[@stevecassidyguitar]

😁👍

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

Fusion for me!!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Nice one Rich! How many Fusions have you had? I remember you had the natural one 😎👌

[@Darhobo123]

The ST Modern plus looks great. Those super flamed baked maple necks just look so premium/exotic to me. How do they feel compared to your DK22? I think Charvel has some of the best feeling necks personally, especially the baked maple. I wonder if aftermarket string trees would help stabilize tuning issues?

[@stevecassidyguitar]

As much as I complain about the string trees, I think it's the nut that's the source of the tuning instability on this one. I don't love the flat necks on either the Charvel or the ST modern, but I do prefer the more "unfinished" feel of the Charvel 😃👍 But yeah, I think the nut recut or replaced and new string trees would help a lot 👍

[@bluessumlin...7067]

I have Roswell pickups in my Fusion and I agree not great harsh sounding.. trem is great, the locking machine heads are very good, I have the Fusion 3 B-stock (could not find any problems). That ST Modern l was so close to getting one but l am opting for a Fazley, still watching your old vids so maybe some advice on HSS Fazley please!🙂

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Soz mate - I've not tried any of the new HSS Fazleys - I've heard they're good tho. But not made in same factory as Jet anymore unfortunately, that was only the Phynica series. I'd highly recommend the Jet JS400 though for an HSS strat - love em 😃👍

[@bluessumlin...7067]

@@stevecassidyguitar many thanks Mr C!👍

[@Reeldin58]

Hi Steve, the bottom line of all this is that any budget guitar brand has got to produce guitars at the right price for their customers to want to buy them. Okay, so maybe the pickups aren't fantastic on either but how much more money would you need to spend to get a set of pickups that you'd really like as stock. If they pushed up the price too much then you'd be getting into the cost of a guitar with a designer brand name on the headstock and that does make a difference when it comes to the resale value of an instrument.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

You're spot on mate 😃👍 I'd rather these guitars all come with the cheapest pickups possible to keep the cost down too - as I'd more than likely want to change them anyway 😜👍 and I'm not saying these pickups are "bad", they're just not to my taste. But they might be great to someone else or even the majority 🤷‍♂️ I know I keep going on about Jet all the time, but both Jet and Fazley are putting in some fantastic sounding pickups (imo) in thier sub £200 guitars - especially the single coils (the humbuckers - not so much 😜)

[@resington]

Wooow you got Rick to do that😅 Seriously though. The fusion series really are just the best for the money out of anything. Love um. Ever tried an SX VTG Steve?

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yeah Ricks always been a big supporter of this channel 😁 I've no tried an SX VTG mate no. Any good? I was looking at an SX ST Modern a year or two ago, Mainly for the Blue into green fade finish it was rockin 😎👌

[@resington]

@@stevecassidyguitar great finishes and I honestly couldn't fault the guitar.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@resington Nice! I'll keep an eye out. I still kinda fancy that strat anyway 😜

[@Chip_57]

Great video SCG. Just wondering, you say you don't like either the Roswells or the Tesla pups. Can you not eq it out or maybe you are an Alnico 2 man?

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thank ya mate! 😃🙏 I'm sure the tone could be tweaked via EQ, but I'm too lazy to do that for each guitar 😜 The pickups are just a bit too "modern" sounding for me, which (to me) basically means a bit hotter output than I like, and a bit too much bass. I like em low output and more sparkle 🤓 Which is probably too shrill for most, but my ears are knackered from yonks of gigging 😂🙈

[@neiljag718]

yessss i wass waiting for t6his and wondering why no one is doin a video

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I noticed a wee gap I could fill here too 😜 I hope it was useful 🤞

[@aziddude2127]

I want to do some midwest songs now

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I will never try to stop you - Have fun mate! 😃👍

[@palevas]

I have a Fusion III SSP, great guitar overall. Not going to buy ST Modern, just don't need lots of HBs.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Is that the Sparkle Pink Colour? Love that 😎👌

[@palevas]

@@stevecassidyguitar it's silver sparkle

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@palevas Ah yeah! Also very cool - Nice one mate! 😎👌

[@thatguyreiji1045]

We certainly need a barley bentonite vs the new jet hss

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Which Jet model? The New JS480? or the Elite maybe? 😃

[@peskypesky]

You say you're still uncomfortable on cam, but I think you and Landon Bailey are the most entertaining KZbin guitar reviewers. And you're a far better player. Elmo is great too, but he's not as much fun as you and Landon.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Aww mate! Thank you so much 😊 You're far too kind and you've made my day! 😃🙏 I love both Landon and Elmo too 😎👌 Fantastic channels!

[@peskypesky]

@@stevecassidyguitar I give credit where it's due!

[@peskypesky]

@@stevecassidyguitar Elmo is a crazy good guitarist, and I love that he's honest. He will praise budget guitars when he likes them, but he'll criticize them when he doesn't. He can be funny too...but overall his personality seems to be colored by a lot of that bleak, Nordic pessimism. lol

[@peskypesky]

@@stevecassidyguitar And Landon is hilarious with his deadpan humor. He also seems honest in his reviews.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@peskypesky 🙏

[@Islandsoundzz]

If you have the opportunity, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the PRS NF3 SE

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Thanks for the suggestion mate 👍 I've been curious to check out those pickups 😃👍 If I get the chance will defo check one out 👍👍

[@marccarter1350]

ok, the fret boards do look very Dark. I was thinking Steve will not like those!

[@stevecassidyguitar]

You know me too well! Rants incoming... 😂👍

[@fram8045]

CST-24 HT +FUSION III are amazing & good value guitars but also great mod platforms. FUSION III HH FR Roasted needs nothing modded other than replace pickups and sand the neck dowm if you do'nt like too much girth on th 12" radius (the fretboard is fantastic). CST-24 is a modders pardise...new Bridge (wrap-around), pickups, nut & tuners and you have a £1000+ playing guitar. I hate it being compared to the PRS Custom 24 as its completly different other than the body shape.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Nice mate! 😀👍 I think that suits Harley Benton down to a T. Pretty impresive guitars as/is for the prices, but can be absolute machines with a few choice upgrades 😎👍

[@benjaf2002]

Despite the looking, Do you think its worth one of those instead Jet JS400?

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I personally prefer the neck on the Jet JS400. But If you like the specs of the ST modern and the neck, and you can get one without issues... It's pretty hard to beat imo 😁👍

[@Hitchcawk]

If you don’t particularly like either of these, what guitar would you recommend around the same price range?

[@stevecassidyguitar]

For me, I much prefer the neck feel of a Jet JS400 (which is actually cheaper). It's the same profile as a Fender player 2. But this is just a preference thing. I'd say that both the Harley Benton's are arguably "Better" guitars on paper. But I just personally don't like the flatter 12" radius fretboards (or 12-16") and D shaped necks. These are both still excellent guitars if you like the necks 👍

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

The Babbits for a Les Paul type guitar are $ 158 US

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Indeed - I know they're high end units. Crazy to get them in a £330 guitar 🤯

[@steel_horse7570]

i had a harley benton les paul shape SC500 deluxe. i put the Slash pick ups on it and locking tuners - i stupidly sold it. It was great. Cant remember the colour but they no longer make it in that colour. Gutted

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Ah... The one that got away.... Bummer mate. Another one might turn up tho 😃👍

[@davidmartinez927]

Comparing the two necks, is the Modern Plus thinner? Because I feel too "chunky" the Fusion one.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

It is a wee bit thinner and flatter with it being a D shape Vs C shape. But it's not like Ibanez or Charvel thin. Chunkier than that but feels slightly thinner than a Fender modern C to my hands. Hope that helps 😬👍

[@davidmartinez927]

@@stevecassidyguitar Yes this helps Stivi! Because basically you said it's not like Charvel, and I'm a lot into Jacksons necks who are basically like the charvels 🤣

[@RobbieF]

To me the Fusion has a "PRS Vibe". The ST Modern is more "Strat-ish". I prefer look of the S like guitar.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Totally agree I prefer the more Stratty vibe too. The Fusion reminds me more of a Suhr/Schecter/Charvel. I think the Guthrie Govan sig Suhr was a big part of the inspiration for the fusions.

[@Herfinnur]

Just from hearsay, It’s very rarely the string tree and very frequently the too narrow nut slots (I can’t even *write* that without doing Beavis & Butthead sound)

[@stevecassidyguitar]

@@Herfinnur you're spot on mate - nut is usually the first port of call for tuning problems, those string trees still aren't optimal and then it's the bridge that's last to look at ime. Not seen beavis & butthead in forever 😂👌

[@mariadavies0007]

Hullo 🎸😎👍

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Hullo Muggz Thank ya for helping out as always! 😃🙏

[@tlezzy8252]

Trim arm< Wammey bar lol

[@stevecassidyguitar]

So many names for it! I like how Ryan from 60 Cycle hum just calls it a wiggle stick 😂👌

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

So Elmo's stays in tune and yours doesn't. What could it be? Removing the string trees would make an easy test. Not a permanent solution but it would tell if they are the problem. Maybe they are screwed in too tight (more friction). If not, the nut probably has an issue. One binding slot is enough.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yeah mate I agree, I do think it's the nut. I need to have a proper look on my ST Modern, but I'm going blind these days, not been able to see anything in much detail for about a year now, picking up my first pair of glasses next week ("Real" glasses - with lenses in 😂). I suppose I could have took a pic and zoomed in. My bad 🙈 But yeah, my thoughts in hindsight are, it's probably the nut, and maybe Elmo just got lucky fluked it? 😜

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

@@stevecassidyguitar If a slot is too narrow, you can feel it by loosening the string and moving it through. Or you'd hear it ping when tuning up or down. It's not something you'd see. If you identify one problematic slot, you can file it with a wound string.

[@grigorkostadinov2194]

Ive had both, fusions are better

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Both fantastic guitars for the money on paper. I'm not a massive fan of either tho 😬

[@chloewinkworthartist]

the never mentioned reality of guitars is does it stay in tune? locking tuners DO NOThold the string in tune,its just a lazy way of stringing a guitar.. the shredder making silly bugger noises only goes for a minute...the nut gets the blame a lot, but really, any old guitar roadie will tell y, the new string tensions will WANDER up n down , y have t stretch each string and properly wind in the old way to get a reliable tuning setup that will handle mannish bends and chug, the best ive found so far is ibanez/gotoh zeropoint trem , its floating in BOTH DIRECTIONS, once you get it stretched in ,its gunna stay in tune even if you get all albert king on it...i had a prestige ibanez ,it could NOT stay in tune, stringlocks?nup. wilkinson? made of old cans and sinkers.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I mentioned in the individual review of the ST Modern that this one does not stay in tune. I don't think locking tuners are Lazy. they're definitely more convenient, but for me, they're a godsend if I break a string at a gig and need to change it rapid 😁👍 I've never made any claims they're better for holding tuning 🤷‍♂️

[@chloewinkworthartist]

@@stevecassidyguitar yes ...i agree with what youve stated in your response..as far as breakin string at gig ,i always had another ax .for me anyhow, if it wont hold tune its basically useless.doesnt matter if its a prs ,a gibson, or a player series..but i have been told that i do punish guitars, soif i get one i trust,ill refret, refit bridges, pickups. saves wastin money on guitars ill just wreck like that jet 850 and the prestige.all th best x

[@calbrockocat8728]

Both look like quality, but QC is everything and both are hit and miss, like most Harley Bentons. My Hb35Plus was awesome for me out of the box. My SC450GT not so much. If HB is going after gigging players, durability of electronic and hardware should be job 1. Looking cool should be the bonus and not the focus. Yeah, and 9.5 degree fretboards. Geez.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yeah mate 👍 It's a bit like we're in the middle of "the battle of the spec sheets" these days. A bit more time on QC would work wonders for their Rep. In other news, Fender still has rank QC post lockdown 😜

[@ChrisKadaver]

What's so frustrating with harley benton is the fact that they look good on paper, they look fairly good on video for what they are, they should be good, but non of them sound particulary good. I have never seen anyone on youtube ever, playing anything on a harley benton that's jawdroppingly good?! They all just sound really "meh" to me. And there's probably a good reason why no good players use them as their main weapon of choice. It has nothing to do with "brand posing" as some might want to put it. Wanna play 80s rock? Well you might as well buy a EVH wolfgang standard or something that will sound better than a fusion III and cost roughly the same. It's just that there are so many fan boys out there wanting to defend their own purchase disicions that it might trick you into believing that they're good. Just pay more to get more and be happy with it. I think that's the smartest strategy really. There are even yamaha pacifica fanboys out there and they convinced me I should get one to mod. The stupidest decision ever. Because they all sound shitty as f*ck no matter what you do to them. XD

[@stevecassidyguitar]

I hear ya mate - I've been toying with a video idea recently "the spec sheet wars" - it's a thing (I think). For me - It's just the neck profiles I can't get on with Re Harley bentons (and the pickups - but that's an easy fix)

[@ChrisKadaver]

​@@stevecassidyguitar Yeah. My issue is that I've always been really cheap even though I have money really. "What if this is aaaaalmost as good as the real thing...?" and end up getting either both in the end, or nothing at all since it leads to indecisiveness to have too many options/choices. And also as if I don't deserve, or can justify a purchase of the "real deal" since there are so many more affordable options that "should" be good enough. "People are saying this should be equally good as this that cost 4 times more"... What all that induces is like a deep insecurity wether or not I should aim for the stars or just keep thinking I'm a nobody like everyone else. I mean, those who are really talented and get successfull probably never even question wether or not they should get the best shit out there or not?! That's probably one thing that separates them from the rest of us?! My friends who have made it in the music industry in one way or another... Some of them have probably not even heard of Harley Benton. I wonder how much thomann earns by the fact that people buy stuff over and over and never settles for anything really, just because they think they can get away with the cheap/affordable stuff?! Even though I'm aware of all this, I still can't make up my mind. And when I watch comparisons between lets say a real gibson les paul and a harley benton copy and people claim they're almost equally good, I just feel that "almost" isn't close enough. For me to settle for the cheaper alternative they need to be equally good atleast. And I don't think they are. Yet I'm here, expressing my frustration. XD I think that kind of video idea is a great one btw! :)

[@jamesonpace726]

Takes a big man to admit he's wrong, or that he might be wrong, about a thing he's complained aboutt, um, a lot....

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Ha! Cheers mate! Can't argue with Elmo's trem abuse and The St Moderns survival with those pesky string trees 😂👍

[@valte1234]

I have the old harley benton fusion II HSH its a great guitar but the pickups are kinda meh. Recently i changed the frets on my old takamine gx 200t and now im thinking selling the benton and getting some SSS strat maybe jet js 300 or 400 with aftermarket SSS pickguard and some tonerider pickups.

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Yes mate - that's the way to do it... Go for the JS400 and convert it to SSS . Well worth it for the JS400's sculpted neck heel and better 2 point trem (imo) 😁👍

[@valte1234]

@@stevecassidyguitar Yeah thats what i was thinking. The sculpted heel and the trem is worth the extra cost of pickguard and pickups over the js-300