Will an ALL Harley Benton Rig Sound Good? | Challenge | Thomann

[@SpartanS117C]

I'm glad to know that Thomann checks out their home brand and can criticize it.

[@peterkilkenny5956]

To hear "cheap" gear sound that good is amazing. For this challenge I have to give it to Kris. You guys prove that it doesn't have to have a nauseating price tag to hit solid tones. Much respect.

[@Bellocks1]

This is like a certain other music shop’s KZbin channel but with actual gear you can afford! Thanks Thomann! I loved Guillaume’s tone the most btw - tres simple, c’est la vérité. 😉

[@TripleAir]

It really depends on your playing style. For my playing style Kriss his rig definitely works a lot better, so that's gonna be my pick.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks buddy, much appreciated! :) //cheers, Kris

[@JohnZeeX]

The guy with the cool socks won, but I’d bet he would have sounded even better with the ST style guitar. His style screams for single coils.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks dude! (cool socks guy here) I'm a tele guy actually so it's even more interesting what you wrote about the "screams for single-coils". Haha! Happy new year man! //cheers, Kris

[@boomerbassmeme]

Have to shout out to Guil for the cool Auto Wah funk, but Kris's rig just sang to me! Well done both! 👏👏😊👍

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

ohh dude, that Auto Wah... I loved it! :) Thanks a lot! //cheers, Kris

[@cristianoramos]

What we learn from this is that we urgently need an Harley Benton Reverb pedal.

[@ArendtMusic]

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate Kris' socks?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Christmas socks for the win!! haha //cheers, Kris

[@123Ir0nman]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses more like Kris-mas socks! Eh?

[@jollyca]

I have the same socks, ha ha!

[@larryphelps6607]

reminds me of the Artwork on Jethro Tull 'broadsword and the beast".

[@xneurianx]

Yeah, but of course it sounded good, you used really expensive plectrums.

[@PooNinja]

And lights

[@xneurianx]

@@PooNinja Super fancy tone-rug as well, and everyone knows green walls do a lot to enhance the tone.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Aaaaand don't forget about the Christmas hat on the lamp. I mean.. everyone knows that's where the TONE comes from. //cheers, Kris

[@getenlightened]

Yeah, but those high-end cables really made the difference!

[@ricardojmestre]

🤣 Best comment

[@schecterseven3894]

That was a good job guys , I now have some Harley Benton guitars, pedals and a 2x12 vertical cab , very happy with all .

[@PooNinja]

Vintage or the standard drivers? I’m thinking of getting the horizontal version but I’m not sure which flavor to choose. (I’ll probably go cheapest one wins)

[@schecterseven3894]

@@PooNinja I have the G212 Vintage Vertical with Celestion V30's I think I paid like $305.00with shipping they are about $253.00 , Phillip Mcknight did a review on it , I don't think you can go wrong on this one Poo.

[@PooNinja]

@@schecterseven3894 👍🏽

[@KrenarCilkuGuitar]

I've had this idea for a loooong time! great results, awesomeness!

[@lucjanszolanski]

Kris' setup definitely is up my alley! The delay is super sweet! Take care! Cheers!

[@Corn3liu]

Do more séries like this ! You guys make a great pair and this gives the show a lot of quality (content, mood, end result)

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much man! :) //cheers, Kris

[@gulaschgunther2336]

Definetly Kris, those Humbuckers combined with those Pedals are so nice. Keep Rockin'🤘

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks man! And I love your user name. :) //cheers, Kris

[@davidainscough1051]

Kris' set up wins for me. I have used the Ultimate drive into the Vintage Overdrive for some years now and I think it works great. Whenever I swap in other pedals I always go back to that set-up because I am confident in what I am going to get, especially with a humbucker guitar. Pedal snobs are missing out.

[@JustRockMySoul]

For those wondering, the Reverb on Kris' Amp is the knob to the far right and seems to be set to 2 or between 2 and 3.

[@nathanmclauchlan5148]

The auto wah sounded cool as did the phaser. Both rigs sounded great though, which shows how good the Harley Benton stuff is 👍

[@necurrence1776]

Kris's rig and playing sounded awesome. But at the end of the day, I need a strat tone to soothe my soul. Keep up the good work HB, happy 2021 !

[@SCTBand]

you guys could make about a 100 of these All Harley Benton rig videos and not repeat yourselves. that was cool. Gotta admit Kris.. those socks for the win, but that was a truly unexpected great sound. I'm floored. I'm a strat guy and had my bets on Guillaume to make the sound I was going to love most, but dang! kudos! I want that DL5!

[@rafaelzang259]

Nice one, guys! Happy 2021 and hope you keep delivering the good stuff for us! Btw, Kris done better (my taste). Great job too, Guillaume!

[@edbrito-swdev]

I liked Kris' tone better; I think he wins, for me. The autowah of Guil was very nice but that DL-5 is sooooo cool. I want one of those! The phaser is also pretty cool. I'm always on the fence if I should buy a phaser or not... Here it sounds really nice. I think I should get an auto wah, too, after this... The only thing I don't like on both rigs is the ultimate drive. I get it why people like it though but it's not for my tastes :P

[@JustRockMySoul]

That delay and vintage overdrive on Kris' setup sounded awesome! 12:47

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks man! That was my favourite sound too! //cheers, Kris

[@moskitoh2651]

I like the HB stuff, but to me personally, there is better choices, sorry! Instead of the ST-62, there is the ST-59 or ST-70 with better PUs. The old SC-450+ with the Wilkinson PUs also sounded better to me. However: It is easy to see, a transparent OD is missing for HB, as well as a germanium fuzz, which could have made sense in both rigs. Maybe some next steps for HB?

[@paulg7002]

What a fantastic video. I just received my first Harley Benton guitar, the RB600BK. I liked both setups. The quality was everything a regular guy like me would want. It looks like I will be picking up some Harley Benton guitar candies to play with.

[@mandolinka29]

Kris won, hands down :D Even Guillaume knew that when he said 'Daaaymn!' 14:54

[@abdullateef27]

Loved Chris' tone and fell even more in love with the silver fusion guitar.

[@Briansgate]

I'm happy to say that I have an HB Celestion 30 12 inch cab, and I love it!

[@CountNetsrac]

First of all "Kris-mas socks" and his rig is the winner for me. As some mentioned before, both rigs sound muffled and are missing some top end. Kris's rig sounded less muffled as long as he was playing clean which - for me - makes him the winner. I noticed both of you had dailed the tone know on your overdrive pedals quite a bit back. That makes me wonder if it had it sounded different in the room and the miking was not perfect...

[@msirazer2702]

Both sounded great. But I would give this one to Kris's sound. Yeah, his DL-5 delay sounded a little smoother. Plus, I've been in a humbucker mood lately. Great demonstration tho.

[@samwalker7567]

My "noodling" rig is a HB ST-62 into a HB Tube amp and a HB Vintage Overdrive for when more green breakup is needed. The whole setup cost less than most guitars and sounds amazing even compared to much more expensive options. Every part of this punches far above its weight, the amp especially.

[@Aint1S]

Kris. 👏🏼👍🏼 Good clarity and wider range... The other rig didn't open up, but I liked the wah pedal.

[@jitsroller]

I liked Kris' setup. I'm partial to humbuckers. This was fun.

[@mauriziocampese8577]

Both very believable sounds, kriss more versatile and the winner for me.

[@vesslewis9166]

I'm just digging you two together on the HB wagon. Always a good insight on the gear and in an entertaining way. Great playing too! Bottom line...the Fusion rig all the way.

[@stanislavmigra]

Interesting video, what is questionable for me, that both sounds lack the "cutting topend". Like there was blanket over the cabs, not sure if it is recording only or what. Normaly both Kris and Guill have nice bright tone. For me, the sound of the day was Guill with the green pedal only. Thats like sound of the ages. But overall, Kris has much more versatility and different interesting sound in his rig. Cheers guys ;).

[@Briansgate]

I totally agreed. that 'blanket over the cab' sound, I totally agree. A lot of what I call "muffled' sound.

[@misterknightowlandco]

Blanket over the cab is usually what happens with budget gear.

[@stanislavmigra]

@@misterknightowlandco yeah, I was afraid to ask about that directly.

[@srh361]

Agreed, I thought it sounded dark as well. When they were playing and the pedals were on screen the tone knobs on the pedals were turned more towards the bass end and I was thinking they sounded dark.

[@dezionlion]

The ultimate drive was the culprit It should be called the” blanket drive”

[@1musculardystrophy346]

Thank you guys. I can't pick a winner. I'm really liking both choices of boards, amps, and guitars for each set up and playing style. Honestly I watched this primarily because In February I am purchasing a Harley benton st 70 blk paisley and the 15 watt combo. I was unsure of pedals, however, after watching this I feel very informed and confidant what sounds I'm going to get out of these products. Great video. Thank you. Edit: Adding this. I have been playing guitar 20 years and due to muscle problems I don't get to play much now and combined with living in the middle of nowhere I don't get to go shopping. I've been researching harley benton and watching a lot of vids. I can only buy one more guitar and amp etc and I've been on the fence but I have for sure decided on the st 70 and after this video the 15 watt combo and that delay. I know this is long but out of all the videos I've seen this is by far one of the most informative and the only one I've seen demo the guitar amp and pedals. I'm really glad I found this and again thank you. My main concern is trying to get to guitar stored being hours away and disabled and after watching this I'm decided and excited. I subscribed and can't wait to explore more of your channel. I'm waiting until February to order so I can bundle as much ti cut shipping costs however I cant wait. Sorry so long. Thank you. I'm very stoked.

[@horschy4856]

Coudn´t say who is the winner in this challange, both sound great 👏 And I always learn something from the discussions between Kris and Guillaume. Thanks guys and go on like that 🤘

[@ricardocarm0]

I bought the DL 5 after this video. It's a monster delay , Thanks you guys ;)

[@andyguitar3805]

Two awesome LPs in the background - LED Zeppelin & Santana👍👍👍👍

[@endezeichengrimm]

That auto wah and the ultimate drive sounded really good.

[@flashthejoker1]

I'm Gonna go with Kris, his rig had more of a full sound more options and reverb. Also the orange delay sounds so good, very tempting. Cheers guys sweet video

[@PooNinja]

Sparkle Kris for the win ( I like humbuckers). Sorry big G but Kris’s rig was more for me. Just a hint of the Cupid Shuffle brings back soo many memories of wedding parties I DJ’d that I’d rather not remember! TURN to the Left 🕺🏽🎵 Ok let’s get the wedding party out on the floor to see who’s got the best boot scoot in they’re boogie... I said wedding party only Clarence!!! Can someone please keep Clarence away from the open bar!!!

[@noureddineboustta6912]

The winner for me is Mr Kriss . Thanks to both of you

[@ricardocarm0]

Nice play with the auto wah Guillaume 👌. That DL 5 is amazing too, gonna buy this 2

[@1bhitte]

I preferred Guil's and I wish they would have ran both their rig's thru each others Amp's just for comparisons. I have also broke down the models and cost for those that care. Kris. Amp Tube15 239$ Fusion-II HH Roasted SSP 405$ Delay Custom Line DL-5 49.95$ Drives Ultimate Drive 30.49$ Vintage Overdrive 30.49$ American TrueTone 30.49$ total 785.42$ Guil Amp Mighty 15 239$ Guitar ST-62 Vintage DLX 183$ Delay D-Seed 59.99$ Drives Ultimate Drive 30.49$ Vintage overdrive 30.49$ Wah Custom line AW-5 Auto Wah 59.99$ total 602.96

[@1bhitte]

But are you going to reissue the st-62 dlx like he is using all that is on your website atm are the st-62dlx vw

[@roadrunnerplaying]

I loved the high distortion, no phaser sound from Kris’ rig

[@jeffgreenwood7895]

Both great rigs, but have to give this one to kris. Awesome video!

[@iloveaviation-burgerclub-a8145]

Simple as that: the stuff ain't the ultimate solution and wet dream content but it does way better than some think. The cheaper hb guitars are not so well dialed in, my test buy cst24 is nothing I like to play all day, the arrackis bad, the neck and mechanics not set. The solderingmis bad, the switch gave up almost a day old. But with the price that low mr. Luthier can do a lot for another 200 bucks or 35% of the price. So, accepted. Peddals are just grat. Got 6 of the doubles just for fun and I don't think there is something wrong. Nice beginner stuff as gift for birthday or christmass for kids and adults. All you need and a quarternthe price of boss, a fracture of what is out there else. I think well done. These are all just chinese and tawanese bits and pieces soldered and screwed together. Damn good deals. Have fun.

[@darioxricci]

Great video and awesome sounds..a question... Is there a tube 15 only head?

[@fingersmike]

The Autowah won! DL5 sounded sweet as well. All round I preferred single coil setup, sorry Kris!

[@summerboy1958]

Auto Wah rules the funk, but..... i really liked Kris's combo. I have that tube amp (from another source) and I can feel the humbuckers in my soul.

[@srh361]

The switch on the ultimate drive isn't for low or high gain but for a low or high pass filter, the ultimate drive is a cl8ne of the Fulltone OCD.

[@caileanhunt8679]

Impressed with the ultimate drive. Nice balance

[@Tone-Quest]

Great video!!! Winner goes to Kris. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I got the Joyo California and vintage tube drive. Gotta be the same as the H B.

[@marcoferrandi6191]

Guillaume for the win!

[@koendeboeve]

There is no best , for me there is no competition I like both and if I had to put together an HB only rig, it would probably contain all of the stuff used. cause lets face it, you cannot just have one guitar , one delay pedal or 1 amp, you need at least 2 of each :-D

[@lucaszembrzuski]

Imo the Auto Wah (or probably more like Envelope Filter, because it reacts dynamically) wins this one :) More versatile rig, if this HB15 head had any reverb it would be even better.

[@conorheduvan]

YES

[@hakankillberg6043]

Great video. I think Kris win this battle because of that delay pedal and a much better amp. Thanks well done both

[@yellowdudewithedibleshorts]

Kris won for me!! But loved that auto wah pedal indeed

[@pauldncn1]

Guys no one won Sorry different guitars huge difference in sound Guillome won the funky groove Kris won the rock your socks off Two amazing rigs Both go on to The next challenge ..go on... All the best for 2021 to everyone at Thomann 👍

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Next challenge coming up soon. It will contain the winner rig in this video. Aaaaand something else. haha! You'll see, it's gonna be fun. Happy new year Paul! //cheers, Kris

[@pauldncn1]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses //Kris If you have alcohol tonight Mr Barosci please have one for me in fact have 2 I can take it lol👍😱

[@pauldncn1]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses ps Kris rig won but you had to twist my arm to say that!!

[@Chappino]

The Auto-Wah sounds so groovy, but I'm not a huge fan of "ST" sound, so I'd go for Kris!

[@joelsantos3560]

Reverb makes all the difference. I think Kris wins. I would like to hear the ST-62 and the AW-5 Auto Wah on Tube 15.

[@kalpunga6105]

Great video guys. Love the benton staff. I vote for Chris.

[@sorin_bogdan]

Kris strikes again...I would like to hear how sounds those pedals with the american on. Vintage and d5 are on my wish list now

[@djay6651]

I'm going for Guill. I've been playing single coils for about 10 years and I've started to kind of prefer them over humbuckers.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Fair enough! :) Guil made that rig sing for sure. //cheers, Kris

[@oldasrocks9121]

Such a spare and austere Teutonic room, even the Teutonically green...

[@shoresaybow]

Both setups sound great to me. The choice really depends on the personal playstyle. Kris' set fits my taste better, but it is a close matchup.

[@madgeniusmusic]

Kris wins for me. That delay was sublime.

[@123Ir0nman]

Dang I think I need to gwt that autowah. I like Guill's board and guitar and Kris's amp

[@jamesonpace726]

Auto wah + single coils = very nicely...! But, phase + HBs = also very nicely...!

[@keithmcduffie7182]

The Guy With The Waah-Waah Was Too Reserved & Bothered About Not Having The Reverb Amp To Even Enjoy Making Music. The Humbucker Dude Went For It, Had Fun & PLAYED HIS ARSE OFF!!! HE WON!!!

[@Gruppe_11]

Got the wah & it's really a 5 star!

[@zina5811]

I have sc-450 is a awesome guitar,, can you make HB some kirk hammett esp models like oluja or kh-202, kh-602

[@cravingmetal]

Best socks as always Kris!

[@aaronperrotta7055]

Both were very impressive. I prefer Kris' a bit more. Harley Benton is the real winner as those effects for sure sounded like they can hang with the higher end stuff.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

I wanted Guil's single coils to edge it, but Kris's amp+pedals swing it the other way. Can I pick and mix from both? Lol.

[@rienboer185]

Both sounded great, but for my style? Kris won however i like the mighty amp more, happy new year

[@timbo8589]

Awesome Video ❤️

[@khoiplaysguitar]

11-52 in E standard Guillaume you absolute mad lad haha

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Yeah, that's what I said too! :D I only dare using that gauge on my Gibson LP Junior (shorter scale) tuned to E flat. As you told: mad lad. haha //cheers, Kris

[@bram6070]

For me Kris had the objectivily better / more balanced guitar sound but it sounds just like every other good guitar sound. Guillaume's sound was more unique and memorable because of the autowah. So I vote Guillaume

[@jjc75019]

The guitars are great, the amps are sourly lacking in response very little life and dynamics in them. I would have liked to hear the amps by themselves. If ever you have to choose between a good guitar and a cheap amp versus a cheap guitar and a good amp: always take the latter. If the guitar has decent electronics (the Harley Benton's do) the amp makes all the difference. Remember a guitar is a simple thing: piece of wood with wire wrapped around magnets and strings on top. Here is the simple rule of thumb: I can make any guitar sound good through a great amp and good pedals. I cannot make a shitty amp sound good no matter how good the guitar is.

[@achimdg6335]

And how about a rig with an HB-solid-state-amp? How about the HB-80R, that also has a real spring reverb?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey Achim, we're just both huge tube amp fans and those take pedals better (it's the nature of tube designs). So we didn't want to move too far away from our normal gear choices. Also, the second round of this challenge will explain why we really needed tube amps here. ;) //cheers, Kris

[@achimdg6335]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Too bad you're the only guitar playing employees of Thomann's. I just wonder what an HB-80R will sound like with pedals in the input and in the FX-loop. I have an older model w/out FX-loop.

[@victordelta446]

11-52 ✊🏼✊🏼

[@guitarflyer172]

Kris’ set up for the win! Still liked the auto wah but Kris’ set up was better

[@Dspace80]

Yeah, why don't you do more HB! This is awesome!!!

[@swordofhonor2]

i like the rig on the left better. but both sounded very good.

[@clicheguevara9917]

that fusion is the only thing that rivals kris smile.

[@garymcaleer6112]

Not me, man! Artist's "Indominus8" is the finest of all instruments. How do I know? The natural resonance from the baritone B & F# are heard in the upper register. And @ $218 USD delivered, Gibson & Fender cowardly bow their heads.

[@yagoravell7944]

Kris rig is the one i want, killer sounds (lose the American, and put phaser before the drives, please)

[@Zwidawurzn]

I expect this to be recorded with Harley Benton microphones, Harley Benton Interface and all that

[@colyvor2283]

Why?

[@bradbiggar6285]

You guys rock !!!

[@dancrowell2933]

Kris won today. I love that Silver sparkle guitar.

[@rst4641]

Two different rigs -different sounds - expectable. Who won? Both of them and first of all HB.

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

While both rigs were really good, and like Guil I prefer reverb on my amp, I liked Kris' rig better simply because it's more my taste and really works with Kris' style of playing (which I really love).

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks Jeffrey, you rock buddy! //Kris

[@krone5]

you get the american pedal for the American sound and the Auto wah for the Canadian Sound.

[@JBEJSting]

the last Kris' sound is really great, he wins for me.

[@skylineXpert]

I look forward to a substitute for the mh100hdfx

[@ud251]

I liked the fella with the shoes best🤣. Both sounded great