High Hopes for this Good-looking Budget Modern Tele (Harley Benton Fusion-T HH Review)

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Get the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH HT Roasted FBB here - thmn.to/thoprod/501691?offid=1&affid=288

[@mveitchmunich]

Free Fusion guitar?? Just reply to What's App to sort it out?? Looks fishy. Can you PM me if this is real? It's in the reply to my Fusion review comment below. Would love a free one of course...but...

[@PeterMoore350]

How does the neck feel compared to the sparkly blue single cut in the prev video? BTW mine arrived last week and wow. It hasn’t gone out of tune! Greetings from NZ 😎🤘🎸

[@dlux703]

Andy, I'm assuming a message to me, with your channel logo, asking me to contact you on WhatsApp is bogus. The number appears to be in the US in the state of Georgia. If it was real please confirm as the reply no longer appears here, but only on my KZbin channel.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

@@dlux703 hey, that’s scammer that has now been dealt with. Sorry to disappoint

[@dalepal]

@@TheGuitarGeek You mean I have NOT been selected as the random winner of the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH? 😂 I've been seeing a lot of those scammers lately.

[@marvinrockon]

I'm totally cool with the pickups. It leaves more room for saturation and distortion and with a good setup and sounds after that, it's absolutely fine.

[@vexillidan]

I bought the ice blue version of this back in march. Absolutely love it to pieces, probably the best playing guitar ive tried. Thinking of putting in some EMG 81/85s in it for some better metal tones

[@ehsanhaq155]

Better to go with Seymour Duncans for overall versatility bro, but if you like the sound of EMGs then by all means , great idea. Really like the guitar

[@nothorren]

@@ehsanhaq155 I agree, SD is probably my favorite brand for pickups

[@StuartBridson]

BENGAL BURST! I bought the Daphne blue version as soon as it came out, swapped the pickups for Tonerider Rocksong and boy what an immediate improvement. This current Fusion neck is just perfection.

[@B_Wolfen]

I have just modded my Fusion T with a 1Meg CTS pot replacing the Alpha 500k and that brings the sparkle. 😉

[@nativeenglish1308]

Was thinking exactly this - pots/ caps a much easier swap than pickup magnets

[@Xaltar_]

I doubt the pole piece spacing is behind the lack of articulation and flat tone. I have experimented a lot with that over the years and never noticed any difference tonally between different pole piece spacings (same pickup/s with different string spacing). More likely it's a combination of cheap pickups and pickup height, those look to be quite far from the strings, likely well outside the sweet spot for Alnico 5s. Ceramic pickups tend to do well (better clarity and tone) further away from the strings but Alnico like being a fair bit closer but not so close as to lose note separation. May be worth experimenting a bit, possibly also adjusting the pole piece heights a little too to better match the neck radius. Higher end guitars often come set from the factory this way.

[@Ari_Calamari]

Eddie Van Halen’s frankenstrat was misaligned, and it sounded great. I just think the pickups didn’t quite vibe with this guitar.

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

Yes, or maybe a cheaply made bridge? It's a Wilkinson type bridge. There's no reason they couldn't have put a Wilkinson on there. Wilkinson bridges are pretty good for the money.

[@frankcarter2764]

For the money, that's a pretty awesome guitar. That said, I agree with Xaltar. I think the pick-ups let it down quite a bit. I would adjust the space issue and see if it improves the sound of the guitar. Honestly though, at this price point, investing in some better quality pick-ups is going to wake that thing up. It's a beautiful guitar by the way. Thanks for doing this video, I enjoyed it!

[@drdoom8793]

Agreed, this guitar needed a little more adjustment. I have this exact same model, color and all, and the pickups are surprisingly decent for an HB once you adjust them to taste

[@rabbithowls71]

A magnet swap in the pickups is always an inexpensive experiment. I found magic a few times doing it. A rough cast A3 in the neck, and a polished A2 in the bridge has been my go to. A great combo for some sweet blues tones.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks for the tips!

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

I'm in agreement with you on this one. Except on the pickup alignment. A cheaply made bridge can rob tone from a guitar. And I've heard that the pickups on this particular model tend to be a bit dark. Otherwise, very beautiful and well made.

[@DennisAlvarezMusic]

@@User-skdbfksjf I'm not a luthier. But I believe you can. Just make sure to swap it with a metric bridge (one that is made to fit imports). Gotoh makes good quality, fairly inexpensive bridges.

[@mralgebro]

Appreciate the honest reviews as always! I probably won’t buy another Harley Benton anyway. Still fun to live vicariously through you.

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo @ bangleburst. The last replacement neck I bought was $400. A good playing guitar for that price is a good thing. Before would condemn the pickups, I would experiment with lowering the pickup bodies away from the strings an additional 2.5mm and then raising the pole screws back up to maybe 1.5-2mm from the strings. . That will make most pickups sound more articulate. It is a good looking guitar.

[@flyingformation1878]

Fantastic review Andy! I love your style and your pace but the point where you actually weigh the guitar is terrific! There is no other channel, to the best of my knowledge, that does that. The weight of a guitar seems to be easily overlooked, even by manufacturers. Well done fellow geek and all the best!

[@johnwayne9103]

Thanks a lot! I changed the humbuckers to the Filtertron-like ones from Roswell. Now my guitar has much more clarity and definition. The tones go deeper and higher now.

[@saarangnarayan123]

🐅 Bengal Burst is my favourite name for a finish. It has nothing to do with my geographical proximity to Bengal, tho. This does look like a great Carrot Cake, tho, which I can definitely get behind.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Great name! I thought about you in the video 🙏

[@markanderson4841]

Bengal burst is sweet!! Like the coil split sound better most of the time.

[@swabee4843]

You will now find me in my local guitar shop smelling every finish as part of my analysis. I imagine the "Bengal Burst" is the berry burst equivalent.

[@canadianintheukbrian]

it does look nice price is £333 quid but I wasn't feeling it on the tone as others stated could be the pickup height, switch looks cheap, and so does the wiring, I know this is mid grade guitar but being a part of HB Premium Collection you expect a bit more

[@LucasMastropasqua]

Beautiful instrument for the price. Even if it needed a couple minor details remedied it’s still more for the money than a higher priced major name brand. The pickup issue I’d guess they spec’d the F-spaced pickups for the trem model guitars and just figured it’s close enough and saved the cost of a whole second pickup set just for the hard tail models. Anyway just my 2 cents. Awesome video man, really appreciate what you do in your videos.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Andy hello friend !!! I can certainly agree. I may not have at first but that was when I first got mine. The FNT variant. Same pups and all just clear finish. Immaculate guitar. Best bang for buck. Where I agree here is the pups. At first I thought they were great. Then I played more HH guitars. One with some titans. Holy my Goodness of all Good. I've been stubborn. The titans are ridiculous good. I'm a ambient to Gilmour marooned type guy...and still the titans are rid rid rid Ridiculous!!! Good. Hats off to your work on these vids man. I hope you are getting that fun back brother. You are soon to take off more as the algorithm seems to jump at the 50k mark up. My measly vids are all smartphone so...Aside from being a drummer trying to play a guitar I'm lucky to have the audience I do. Lmao!!! Love your channel. Mostly the content and the person making the videos seems extremely likable. Peace to you. And the guy making the videos. 😄😄😄

[@mike5177]

I have a few HBs and none of them have a tone quite that dull. Swap them pups out and you got yourself a gorgeous guitar.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Normally I’d agree but the acoustic tone is also very dull. It’s not something I think a pickup swap can save

[@mike5177]

@@TheGuitarGeek Possibly a better bridge?

[@RichWordsMusic]

It's funny about the pickup thing... you'd think a brand like HB would check for that! Hoping yours is a one-off, but you never know... I still want this guitar mate, lovely demo ;)

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

The website says these come with the "LAF" pickups, which I think may be a typo. I have the LAF pickups in the EX-76 and they sound fantastic, like a good PAF-style pickup should. None of the dark mud like this guitar. On the other hand, my CST-24T has the "HAF" pickups and sounds pretty much the same as this guitar. Usually hotter pickups split better because lower output pickups are really plinky and thin when split, so as long as you have the option to split, I think the HAFs are a decent choice.

[@dalepal]

I love the looks of that Bengal Burst!

[@jo-um7yf]

I wish it had a forearm cut and standard Tele pickups. THAT would be perfect for me. I'd buy that configuration is a milisecond!

[@mike5177]

Same here. If it weren't for those pickups. It's like dating a supermodel with nasty feet.

[@SenXu]

They should've changed all Rosewell PUs to Tesla PUs, that'll be a great upgrade that makes more people just use the stock PUs.

[@joedavis8481]

I received two HB guitars today....DC dlx gotoh (sg) with all gotoh hardware and roswell pickups which I like. Fusion t lll hh with Tesla pickups that really sound good. I have a bunch of other guitars with Duncans, EMG's. Dimarzios etc... I really like that they put decent to good pickups in these... I will be changing nothing on these guitars but the strings and that's because I like 9's. Both guitars delivered for under $600. Next month I'm going to get one of the traditional style tele's and see how I like it , those pickups will probably need changed but I have a fender tex/mex set just sitting here so might as well buy a guitar for these pickups 🤣 🎸🤘🍻

[@ericpvk]

Cheers from the USA. I agree on the tone, but theyr're are some great aftermarket pickupos ro make it your own tone. You have a fun enjoyable style. Oh yeah bengal burst.

[@nrcha]

Bengal burst happens after you drink tap water when visiting Bengal. Nice guitar though. At this price point it is in Sire T3/7 teritory. Thanks for the great review.

[@randyupchurch1899]

...Oh,yes Sir,...Bangle-Burst!!!...Much-love from Southern Illinois...

[@faizeljoemrati6329]

Bengal burst 💥 Hi Andy, thanks for the review also highlighting some weak points / points to develop for HB. I like the way the Fusion -T HH looks, but for that price I also like the look of the Squier Contemporary Tele (with the black hardware and bridge rail pickup and neck humbucker), okay, no coil split (not a deal breaker for me, nice to have), no stainless steel frets and no unicorn sparkles (yes I like the silver blingy and the purple/pink blingy HB ones), but for 400 European bucks it looks they are, price wise, in the same league. The thing that still holds me of pulling the trigger on buying the HB are the pickups, bit too wide (pole pieces not aligned with the strings, my ocd) and, from what you showed, not the sound I may like straight out of the guitar, no amp tweaks. Regarding the pickups, are the misalignment and sound something one can easily fix with swapping them for 50mm width humbucker? Because with the modification on the HB, it will easily pass the €500 limit I guess, but is it worth the “investment”. Something else, Is it also possible to have it modified by Thomann when ordering? I do think for some models, like the Fusion-T HH and the DLX models, a custom made option may work, call it “Thomann WorkX option” 😉 Cheers, Faizel

[@joachimleinfelder1200]

I'm absolutely with you tonewise! Tried the natural one and the sounds weren't my cup of tea!!! Bengal burst 😉

[@Ari_Calamari]

I’ve had that issue with HB pickups too sometimes.

[@joachimleinfelder1200]

@@Ari_Calamari Funny thing: The pus in my HB TE 62cc are absolutely ok and I play this 149€ guitar almost every day 😉

[@jiripanek5365]

I really appreciate the honesty, thanks for that 👍

[@geraldyafchak4365]

Another awesome video! Love that guitar but I've never took time to smell the neck lol but I understand. Roasted necks are killer!!!

[@DamianoTassone]

I really appreciate your honest review. I love Harley Bentons but shipping is insane and a bad purchase would be hard in the United States.

[@DamianoTassone]

@@icanseewhatyouseenot it's insane in comparison to how it was several years ago. I bought 3 Harley Bentons and it was $35 to ship three guitars. It doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of money shipping budget guitars. It does make sense spending a bunch of extra money buying USA made Gibson or fenders.

[@nrich5127]

No surprise that you might want to upgrade the pickups - pretty much the same story across the entire range of HB instruments and many other brands as well - the guitar itself is a steal at this price.

[@andsoistopped]

Bengal burst is nice if you like that kind of thing, but yes it’s too muddy for moi.

[@mikewendeln5218]

I think for the money, I would look at an esp or Schecter. They sound good and are quality designed. They don’t have bengal burst though.

[@martin-1965]

I'd get one of the RSE20 Yamaha Revstars for that price. Looks lovely but not impressed by the sounds and Roswell pups are sub par imho to Wilkinson

[@dazla01206]

It’s only a veneer

[@discocrisco]

I'd love a metal Tele. Kind of love with the idea of a LTD Tele shape.

[@Paul-D]

I think when you get as experienced as you are with demoing guitars you develop a highly tuned ear naturally and your absolutely right about the pickups. But... for the majority of people this guitar is going to appeal to theyll be absolutely fine i guess. Atleast there easy to change! Im upto almost 100 guitar 'demos' on my youtube journey across lots of price points and the more i do, the more i can hear the expensive difference in things if that makes sense haha. Hope thats an interesting thought for what its worth :D

[@MrTroy808]

Bengle burst.....it is a pretty looking guitar. Perhaps some Dimarzio Paf pickups in it would improve the sound.

[@StephenGallacher]

Bengal Burst!!! I own 3 Harley Bentons, and they all have small issues, but to me at least, that's the trade off for the value of everything else. My Fusion Pro (1st gen) has had string trees added and a couple of DiMarzio humbuckers (extravagant, but if anything fatal happens to the guitar at a bar gig, they can probably be salvaged), my DC Juniour (fat) is stock, the pickup and truss rod cover are slightly misaligned but everything works. Finally my FLT tele was the worst; crap fret job and nut - sorted by a local luthier and plays great, I fitted locking tuners last year, lastly it would benefit from a hotter bridge pickup. I really think the biggest issue with these guitars is the pickups, but they are made to a price point and swapping them can be a great introduction to modding your guitars - and the QC, while not perfect, seems to be improving.

[@mveitchmunich]

Looks like a blues style beauty..bengalbirsting with long sustained notes..clean overdriven. The way some.of your viewers.might lean..I think with the proper pedal set up it has killer potential. A friend has one and it plays great!

[@grumpy8413]

You guys try these guitar out in not the best way. I thought the same with mine, after plugging into an amp set up for a Gibson Lest Paul and my Angelico with Seymour Duncan's on. So in comparison it was a bit ummmm. Then I set the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe mk 4 up for the Harley Benton. turned the amp up to 3, that on a hot rod in ya front room is loud. The Harley Benton sounded brilliant. So good that the Gibson Les Paul is up for sale. I bought a few more Harley Benton's. Set the amp for the guitar. At first impression I loved the guitar but though a set of Seymour Duncan's were on order. That will have been a total waste of money. I am so impressed with both my new fusion 3 Harley Benton's.

[@SingPsalms]

Bengal burst! Foiled again!! Cool guitar!

[@Ari_Calamari]

Bengal burst! I like your take on these things. But wow, the resistance/capacitance thing on the length of the internal wire… That’s some of the nitpickiest nitpicking 😅 10cm of extra wire length is not gonna be noticeable. 10 meters is, but not 10 cm.

[@smartmammal9926]

I just got the trem version and I am popping in a set of PRS McCarty S2 594 (58/15s ) pickups .

[@daveyoung80]

Thanks for the review - I've been looking at this - looks great, and also the pastel coloured fusion-t's. Interestingly the pastel coloured ones come with different pickups - with less mids according to the Roswell website. Might be a toss up between that gorgeous top and less mid heavy tone 🤔

[@johnpearson4899]

Bengal burst looks good. I've been wanting An HB Fusion T so bad I can almost taste it but I'm afraid to order. I live in the USA and have heard people on North America have had real shipping problems trying to get a Harley Benton. As affordable as they are, that's still a lot of money to have tied up and end up waiting a year to either get a guitar, which could be damaged in Shipping or, be disappointed and get a refund. I'm far from being the only one who lets this keep me from ordering. Seems like it would be worth it to Thomann to work with someone over here and ship in big lots and have stock here. They'd definitely sell. I'd be in for 2 or 3 different guitars, amps, cabs, effects, the works. Behringer would definitely lose a lot of business in North America as well as Squire and others. Ah well. I'll just wish in one hand and ...... lol. Thanks for the review.

[@gostillerz]

I bought this one 2 months ago. Shipping was only 2 days (technically 3 but ordered it on a weekend) with UPS from Germany to Pittsburgh. Box was in good shape too. Outer one had some small scratches, but the inner box was fine. Another thing is shipping cost was $68 for one or two guitars, so I also got a bass at the same time.

[@joelsantos3560]

This Bengal burst looks like it's one of those guitars that might work in the mix.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Andy!!! Man great video. It's strange some of the Fusions they first put out in the FNT HH like I have sounded not best but very usable. I love mine. But I do hear slight darker usually in the newer ones. I'm not sure why unless they are changing something in the OEM Roswell CAF or whatever they call them Pups. Hahah Killer review man!!!

[@DobDog151]

I thought it sounded ok for the most part. And the bengal burst does look like a killer tiger. 🐅

[@achimdg6335]

A Harley Benton, like this Bangle Burst Fusion-T, is a mod platform. Harley Bentons should always come with pups that are not too good to replace. I replaced the Roswell pups of my SC Custom II with a screaming hot set of Tonerider Generators and I'm not sure, but I think I have CTS pots in it. To me, this guitar is longing for Tonerider Birmingham or Rocksong, rather not the Generators. I think double white humbuckers should look nice in this guitar. And according to what you said in the beginning of the video, you should get the normal spacing. It's just my personal preference, but I take vintage taper for the tone control. Thomann sell Mojo Tone CTS vintage taper with a P/P. Audio taper for the volume, of course.

[@esej1]

Thumb up for the T shirt man

[@duarteestelita7257]

i’ve been looking for one of these roasted maple neck teles, from HB.. as a modding option.. I think this Bengal Burst is the one ;) . the neck cut near the joint is way better than a conventional bolted neck..and i am expecting that neck to being really great. medium jumbo frets is also good news. i’m thinking it will be hard to install a tradional tele bridge and PUp…but i believe it will be worth. what do you reckon ? thanks very much for this, i always like your reviews ;) cheers from Portugal

[@bernardo9202]

Como primeira guitarra qual aconselhas e canais sites para aprender a tocar? obrigado em avanco 😅

[@narcsoul]

Great video ! Can you tell me the dimensions of the neck ? Thickness in the first fret and 12th ??? Thanks in advance !

[@Furtheronmusic]

Bengal burst. Very nice looking sad it doesn't have a better sound. I like the look of the hsh S type in that finish. I suppose still reasonable value as a platform to then put in new pick ups.

[@M4NAH1MEK0]

Going over the Squire/Epiphone stock in the same price range, you get less and have poor pickups too (let's not talk about double price MIM trash...), so in the end with a pickup swap this baby can really shine and still be at a good price point. Friend of mine has it, he put a couple Di Marzios he had in the box and the guitar it's an absolutely beauty to play and to listen to,all in all it's a good buy. Imho the biggest problem with HB guitars is the "not constant" quality control, some are really good...others are terrible.Anyway the misalignement of the pickup poles does not impact on tone at all,poles height does as well as pots value.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Why do you think MIM is trash?

[@M4NAH1MEK0]

@@TheGuitarGeek Because most of MIMs are way overpriced for the quality they offer,probably "trash" is excessive I admit but still you pay the Fender brand and not the quality they should guarantee for the money they cost. This after having tried and owned a lot.

[@mototakahe836]

Bengal Burst, I think you were overly negative on the pick up tones. Strings off centre on the pick ups , send it back for a fresh one, or live with it, as it only just off on the bridge pick up. Possibly not affecting things. Just my 3 penn'worth.

[@armyofchris]

I got mine roughly 2 weeks ago. Everything perfect except that same finish problem on the neck. Ive played it a bunch every day and it hasnt gone away. And I say problem loosely. Because it doesnt bother me. Just something I noticed. I replaced the pickups with some humbucker sized p90s before ever plugging it in so I didnt notice it the pole pieces lined up right or what the tone was like.

[@troycollins2900]

Hi Andy... The pole Distance Definitely affects the tone quality... Please try another one... Quality Control... Troy from Atlantic

[@steven_uk]

Do you buy these guitars yourself, or do Thomann send you the guitars to make a video? (Bengal burst)

[@Brands-sh]

I’ve bought a number of HBs. The y all look good but they just haven’t stayed. I’m yet to find one that is better than a pre owned main brand

[@greenmanalishi6086]

Very thorough step by step Review - Bengal Burst & loud orange colors not my style ? but HB has many choices in black or blue shades for nice contrast with that deep roasted maple neck! - Honestly I'm over the moon with HB - can you find even ONE budget model by Epiphone or Squier, with stainless steel frets ?? NO! - I did buy a Sterling and, discovered cut corners in many areas - I'm NOT shelling out $4000 for a Ernie Ball Music Man, or even $1000 for their cheap ass Sterling.

[@bert_buikema]

First thing to do is change the (factory) strings. May have a huge effect on the sound...

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Nuts, lubricants, rubbing wood - damn there's some low hanging innuendo fruit in this video :)

[@LowKickMT]

regarding the not matching pickups, maybe its intentionally to get a specific sound? kurt cobains iconic vandal guitar had a neck humbucker for the bridge pickup and it also was not aligning but it generated a such iconic sound that countless of guitarists were trying to replicate it without noticing this crucial detail

[@matejhegedus7940]

I'd say it looks really simular to chapman guitars. How would you compare them??

[@antoniorinaldi784]

Hello, just by heart, do you other this or the te62cc?🙂

[@capymusic6319]

Hi Andy, I'd like to ask. From all of the HB's that you've played, what did you like best?

[@mattdoliver1984]

This Bengal Burst is pretty but a bit too pretty for my liking👌🏼

[@dongonzulman6478]

interesting review, thanks

[@nicopoppe4838]

does the Nyatoh sound mahoganish? I read somewhere that epiphones are mady of nyatoh (palaquium) and not luan... Im just wondering cos I got a HB custom + and the okoume body sound dead...

[@umbertoyltp]

I thought Henning was your favourite neck, Andy? Dream specs, no more upgrading necessary (except the humbuckers) with stainless steel frets, roasted neck, locking tuners, graphtec nut, accessible trussrod wheel, there is so much to like! A very good strategy by HB, which brought Ibanez to their success from the seventies knockoffs up to high spec originals of today. I am curious if Henning would like this guitar, having all these features he is fond of. But will the dots be in the middle? ;-) So, would you upgrade the pickups and still be happy with the value if you spent another €200/300 for decent buckers? If someone likes this guitar, just buy it and do the pups later after you saved some extra money. What is Bengalburst?

[@JohnLampson]

I'm intrigued by the scale you used to weigh the guitar. Mind sharing a link to it?

[@willistaylor4077]

Andy, Could just changing the pickups, be a huge improvement for this e.guitar ?

[@LightWingStudios]

It may not be an issue with the pickup but actually with THE BRIDGE they're using causing the pole spacing to be off! And the pickups could be better for sure but at this price point most folks swap them out. Oh yeah..."BENGAL BURST"! :)

[@Mark_Ocain]

Yeah, the p'ups are not to a Gibson PAF or 490 standard...they seem, as you say, a little muddy and down a little on the definition. But hey...it's a lower price point so, not unexpected. It looks very nice I have to admit.

[@JG-ux7of]

The Bengalburst is the more expensive version, there’s a solid blue for $275 USD. That seems like a steal to me, those Roswell Pickups are trash and I would buy it with the expectation of changing the pickups and electronics likely to a Seymour Duncan 59 in the neck and a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and change to CTS 500K pots and a switchcraft switch and Jack. I would also consider swapping out the bridge for a Hip shot and adding Tusq string trees.

[@billthompson2860]

Rarely does a Harley Benton not live up to all styles of music. I agree with you there is no magic with this one. Other HB guitars in this range look, feel and play like guitars costing twice the price.

[@harryebbeson]

Bengal Burst!!

[@subhadas5145]

Can you review the Cort G290 fat II please!

[@juls7724]

Maybe a littke work on polepieces and pickup height....it worked for me on others HB....(same alnico V laf). Maybe swaping the capacitor for another values (0.15 uf, 0.33uf, 0,27uf), 10-15 cents each will improve the tone.... Or a pair of Tonerider Generator for a 100 buks...

[@jesterraj]

Does it neck dive?

[@bukwok]

whats type of laque finish..?nitro?

[@Barbarapape]

I have the Harley Benton Fusion mk2 Strat, and was lucky to find a mint unplayed fault free sample at a sensible price. But the first thing i did was change the pickups, HB stock pickups are not the best, and i can only think that this is how they keep the prices low. Sad to hear about the finish issues, this is typical of these guitars, you just as likely to get a bad one as a good one, i would be returning that sample. A better sample with new pickups that align correctly will give you a good guitar, but out of the box the all important clean tones are not for me.

[@calbrockocat8728]

Better pickups should have been the first thing on an otherwise beautiful looking guitar. They put Tesla on the SC550 II. Not being aligned makes me worry the neck isn't right.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Cal, I got one a couple weeks ago now with open buckers on it and it's lined ok. No different from so many guitars with minor tolerances. I'm planning a superswitch mod to mine. First time for me. Hope it turns out as my mind drempt it up. Won't be out for a while though.

[@bozeeke]

I hate traditional Fender Teles. This guitar is beautiful.

[@spies247]

What's the neck nut width?

[@jazzterboi1]

Bengal burst. I like that you did qualify that the tone might not suit your playing style. You're right. I did not like the focus that you had on the finish roughness on the headstock. Seriously? Five seconds with a polishing pad, solved. I own guitars at 10 times the price that had more significant issues out of the box. IMO this model, the couple I own, punch significantly above their weight class, and significantly above most $1000 guitars. We'll agree to disagree.

[@RJW14]

I do love that bengal burst, it looks insane. One of my guitar has "misaligned" pole pieces and that's not it man. I wouldn't give a rats ass about that. Probably just the character of the pickups that's not to your liking. Personally I'd throw some Bareknuckles in it, a holydiver in the bridge and a stockholm (that's a p90) in the neck. But then again, that's my taste and I've been wanting that pickup combination for a while now.

[@johnrogers2826]

It's a beauty! By the way, it seems that all of your Harley Bentons are inspected by the mysterious "224". Very odd. The $98 flat black tele sounds better to my ears.

[@barrygoodson4952]

I should have added " Bengal Burst " !

[@archibaldikowski3646]

Give me that level of quality with P90s and I'm in.

[@fundude365]

Bareknuckle HSP90s? Or Seymour Duncan Phat Cats for the price of one HSP90 😅

[@archibaldikowski3646]

@@fundude365 Not to hot, I'm old. ^^

[@EARL65USA]

Well, BENGAL BURST. That`s a sharp-looking guitar.

[@cowboycarl6829]

great looking guitar 😊

[@peterszakal]

Second guitar? I mean, who buys gear to be the second? Or is it just me who not? Whenever I buy a new guitar, it will be my No.1., my favorite, my love. Later it could be sold or become part of the collection as a second, third, etc., but buying something to be the second on purpose? That Bengal Burst looks really pretty, and IMHO that is half of the show. If it is in the room, and it is nice to look at it and make you grab it and play with it then it is a good guitar.

[@mrnice81]

I think he meant as 'second bought' to have something better than the typical dirt cheap beginner guitar many have, so it WILL be the new #1 for most.

[@jimmyjimmy951]

I have an Artist Guitars Apricus6 which is a very similar guitar. Current price is $400 AU which is a bargain IMO.. Edit Bengal - burst..👍😁

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

I think that you may well have got 224 a visit to the manager's office and very possibly his UB40 equivalent. At the very least a 'team talk' where strong words will be spoken about a certain Bengal Burst. She does look lovely but if she has no voice then she doesn't get signed. Tone, like so many things is subjective and it wasn't there for you, I will take your word on it (it is after all why I watch you) as KZbin compression steals away all the tone/sound of any guitar. Also I wouldn't worry to much about misaligned pole pieces, I have spent a lifetime swapping ill fitting pick ups into my guitars to no noticeable detriment. Not a criticism but you didn't make note of said pick ups height, that will probably play into the clarity that you do or don't get, I imagine that they must have been fine or I am sure that you would have mentioned it, I know you to be diligent on such matters. Nice video Andy, I am sorry that I have missed quite a few, I will endeavour to get back on track, life got in the way. 🤣 Like deployed 👍 😎🎙🎸✅

[@harryebbeson]

I wonder if the tone deficiency is due to poor pickup placement?

[@gaddebeli]

LOL No.

[@PooNinja]

Dengaul hurst? What did he say? T style Tiger top? Tele with split humbuckers , yum 😋

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Tight. Like a tiger

[@stefanhennig]

@@TheGuitarGeek I'll have to take your word for that.

[@Dr-Curious]

Prolly: Hi wound A5 pickups, then put in cheap covers. I'll wager taking the covers off would make quite a diff.