You're WRONG About Budget Brand Guitars - Harley Benton 8 string Amarok

[@floridawilldrown]

Here from Andrews channel great job dude!

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks!

[@koolin3613]

Great video! Came here from Andrew Baena's channel, i saw your comment, great that you made a video about this guitar. It really sounds almost too good to be true on paper! Glad its a good instrument in real life as wel

[@EricMorettin]

Cheers! I definitely recommend this guitar, especially since this one was built very well with good QC before it left the dealer. Great platform to mod!

[@Wyl7]

I think you unintentionally did a nice job of revealing the truth throughout with phrases like “for the price” and “at this price point”. The reality is that stock cheap guitars are “meh” in the overall landscape because to make any money at all the makers have to cut deep in the two areas that matter most for an electric guitar - the electronics and quality control/fit and finish. It’s one thing to buy a $300 USD guitar with the mindset that it’s really going to cost twice that after you’ve replaced most (or all) of the factory hardware and electronics and possibly fret leveling and nut replacement as well (and labor costs if you don’t have the skills to do it yourself and need to pay a professional). That’s fine, you know what you’re getting into and have your expectations set accordingly. It’s something else though thinking you’re going to be getting an amazing guitar out of the box doing nothing more than tuning it. And I think the latter is what too many people take away from review videos, where they’re underestimating the “for the price” factor in this. I’m not suggesting you can’t get a cheap guitar that’s decent to good completely stock. Nor am I suggesting that buying a higher priced guitar automatically gets you a better instrument (lots of QC issues to navigate with the big budget brands too). But on the whole, there is a degree of “you get what you pay for”, and having the right expectations goes a long way towards having a guitar you’re happy with.

[@cpjds1]

Great comment. After years of buying and selling guitars (and upgrading lower-end instruments), it honestly mostly evens out. It's not 1:1, but buying a $500 guitar and upgrading the pickups, tuners and bridge will get you about the same quality guitar as something that already has the higher quality and costs $1200. There are deals to be had on different types of hardware so you can do some things cheaper, but now I pretty stick to the obvious wide margins: Extremely good deals on cheap guitars that need upgrades or extremely good deals on guitars that already have high-level components.

[@Zidakuh]

"Nut slot"... I am stealing that for use in 'out of context' purposes

[@artemeelemann317]

The best review I've seen on this guitar, but did not see the comparison to other guitars was very useful, thanks!

[@nj1255]

I have owned, and still own, a couple of Harley Benton instruments and there are a couple of things you should know before ordering one. Thomann orders these instruments from the factories in absurd numbers to get them as cheap as possible and this means that they don't have time to do QC on every single instrument. I've heard someone say that about 1/10 gets checked. If you get a faulty instrument it's probably one that hasn't gone through proper QC so you shouldn't think twice about sending it straight back because they will most likely make sure that the next one they send you will be good (so that they don't loose more money on shipping). Another thing to keep in mind is that the electronics of the guitars and basses is usually where they cut most of the cost, so be prepared to spend a couple of bucks on new pickups etc. Some of the more expensive Harley Benton guitars have EMGs though so this is not always the case. The basses and guitars that have Roswell pickups can also be quite good! The HBZ active pickups in the guitar in this video are quite frankly horrible though. However, many of us buy Harley Benton instruments just for use as mod platforms so I don't care too much about crappy pickups and electronics. You can get lucky with the tuners on your guitar, but I've never received one that holds tuning very well so this is also something you also probably will have to change (my basses have all been good though, and if you buy any of the guitars with Gotoh hardware you don't have to worry). Lastly: don't buy Harley Benton instruments second hand if you don't have the opportunity to play them beforehand. Most people who get faulty instruments don't send them back either because they are not used to buying instruments online, or because they just can't bother to send it back to Germany. This is why many of the Harley Benton instruments on the second hand market can be real duds.

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks for the insight !

[@ubermac85]

I agree on the QC. I ordered their Mosrite baritone clone and while it is a wonderful guitar, they sent me either a demo model or a return. The entire tool packet was missing along with the trem bar. I even sent them pictures. It was also tuned to Drop A. They replied that it wasn’t on their system as a demo/return. It was the usual customer service script. They sent me a new trem bar and I dropped the issue. Be sure to check everything when it arrives.

[@MyBurdenToBury]

FYI they are passive pickups not actives

[@Duckeggmike]

Checking in from Baenas channel. Nice video chief!

[@EricMorettin]

Thank you!

[@1-eye-willy]

Ive been a guitarist for nearly 30 years, ive owned probably 100 guitars over the years, and maybe 10 of them cost more than 1000$. those premium guitars were great, but i got way more enjoyment out of the many dozens of budget guitars iv perchased and sold over the years, especially the ibanez gio and rg lines, and squire is cheap and does the job. ive wanted to try one of those 8 string harley bentons they look good for the price

[@EricMorettin]

You'll be very happy if you get this exact model for an 8 string!

[@espilgrind]

I do not have the same 8 string in this video and mine is a bit cheaper but I highly recommend getting one, super fun lmao

[@jeremiahglogg4100]

I also came from Andrew's channel. This is a well done video. I too am a fan of cheaper guitars.

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks man!

[@MyBurdenToBury]

I heard that Aspirations riff! And it sounded great on this guitar,I can't wait to pick one up!

[@_1s0_]

Damn that's crazy what a good setup can do

[@EricMorettin]

100%

[@mikesilver9476]

Awesome video man! This was a fun video to watch, that's a beautiful guitar

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks!

[@danieldavidson5447]

Great video! Just finished Andrew's video and came straight here! Pretty cool guitar honestly 👍

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@DrowningTimeOfficially]

Wish they had them exactly like this in a 7 string with electrosola b pickups

[@ryancronk6762]

Just ordered one and this was super helpful glad youtube recommended baena and him to you. And Canadian Tire is the shit Im there at least a few times a week 😅

[@marcjohnson5148]

Great job. It seemed as though you were speaking directly to me. Thank you for this.

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks!

[@joeydillon2]

Dude literally Fuck yes this is awesome lol

[@alvarg]

built better than my legator which costed double and had fret issues and a threaded saddle screw

[@myneckhurts_tt]

i recently decided that i want to start playing guitar, so off to guitar center i went. i ended up getting a 7 string ibanez gio, and it only cost me like $250. it is a fantastic guitar. then again i dont know much about guitars, but it works perfectly for me.

[@EricMorettin]

Nice! Change the pickups and tuners down the road, and you'll be even happier with it.

[@SamiK1989]

What Ibanez 7 string Gio did you buy? Im having a hardtime choosing between this harley benton or a 7 string gio guitar 😂

[@ZaloBim]

Great review dude. I have a older model of this guitar, was very happy with that. Ibalso have a ZubZero 8 string from Gear4music. It also is a very good budget 8 string multiscale. Demands some setting up, but exelt for that, very worth the money.

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks for the kind words! Takes some TLC but you can get a great guitar for not a lot of $$ if you know what you're doing.

[@DavidKrautscheid]

it seems that this model is not in production anymore or i cant find it

[@DavidKrautscheid]

i found it!

[@heylookitsn0ah]

Sick video, man!! I love green guitars! Where was that zakk wylde clip from?

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! That was from Pantera's Ozzfest 2001 performance when he came out at the end of Primal Concrete Sledge.

[@heylookitsn0ah]

@@EricMorettin thats so dope, i'll have to give that a watch! cheers mate!

[@MrBownze]

I'd love to get an opinion on the balance of this guitar. I have an 8 string Hadean from Rondo with a headstock and it suffers terrible neck dive. Just got a Legator headless multiscale from MF on STOTD and I'm in love with that instrument. Over $1K guitar for just under 6 bills.

[@EricMorettin]

I'd say mess with the upper strap pin placement to try and counteract neck dive. Look into that and really read up on the best placement for it so you're not drilling into your guitar more than you need to. Can't say I have much experience with either guitar but it sounds like you got the legator for a great deal which is awesome!

[@dartthewarrior]

It’s the 80 a bass string to get the length with the reverse headstock, or was a “guitar” 80 long enough?

[@EricMorettin]

This was a 'guitar' 80

[@vancestanfield]

I'm going back and forth between getting one of these or saving for a Schecter 8 string, specifically the Omen Elite 8 string w/ fanned frets. The Schecter is 800$, and with shipping the HB will be 400$. I just want a good quality guitar. I know you probably aren't gonna answer with a straight yes or no cuz you never wanna influence someone over the internet too much, but will do you think I'll regret buying the HB? Do you think I should just save up for a reliable brand like Schecter, or do you think a lot of that money is just the fact that it says Schecter on it? Again, don't feel like I'm asking for a strait answer. Anyhow, thanks for the video! Guitar looks sick.

[@ScottBynoe]

Great video as always my friend! Your tip on applying fretboard oil to the nut is a solid one man. Definitely worth an upgrade to get a Graphtech nut for like $15-20, but if you don't want to spend the cash or know how to install a new nut this tip is great.

[@EricMorettin]

Thank you, brother!

[@psychoslingers8732]

Did it ever start to hold tune better as the strings stretched/broke in?

[@EricMorettin]

Yes

[@psychoslingers8732]

@@EricMorettin Right on, thanks for the reply and thanks for the video. I’ve heard a lot of talk bout HB but was unsure if they actually held up well considering the price.

[@EricMorettin]

@@psychoslingers8732 you're welcome! As I said in the video, you'll get good guitars and lemons with any brand and it just so happens that this one is pretty awesome from the factory. For the price you really can't beat it especially wanting to try it and not break the bank. Maybe look into seeing if they have a return policy if you don't like it within 30 days or something.

[@Shoda0197]

my main guitar currently is a $100 Harley Benton 456fr, aside from the floyd being kinda annoying to tune I haven't had any problems, it didnt even need a setup even tho it was shipped from the other side of the world. cheap guitars and guitar kits are the best option rn imho.

[@EricMorettin]

Whatever works! As long as it's built well you'll be fine, especially if you're on a tight budget.

[@italiancatdad6679]

I just purchased this guitar and have replacement pickups, saddles and a new nut on the way as well. How decent are the locking tuners? I figured I would have to replace them as well and I have a 8 string husk to throw the HB ones in. Great video dude and your bands music is really sick!

[@EricMorettin]

I'd keep them since they do the job well. I did not have any issues when I was tuning with this guitar. Thanks for the kind words!

[@jonnymurphy666]

What pickups did you buy as a replacement?

[@EricMorettin]

@@jonnymurphy666 Fishman modern as outlined in the vid

[@jai4481]

Hey man, youtube tip, try to look into the amera a bit more. Not like ALL the time but mor ethan you do atm, makes it easier to listen to what you're saying

[@jonnylawless6797]

Rondo/Agile are still making cheaper guitars, but nothing close to HB anymore. I love cheap guitars, cause I can make them my own and it's cheaper than custom shop work.

[@fencal2]

just so people know that 'streak' is just a join from the maple top layer as it's it 2 halves that is then joined it's known as book matching and isn't a bad thing

[@EricMorettin]

This is a veneer top, not a traditional wood top found on high end guitars.

[@fencal2]

@@EricMorettin yeah I wasn't sure if it was just a veneer or an actual top layer. It's still done for the same reasons, of matching the grain, though it's just super thin instead

[@MetalMan1245]

I need it.

[@TECHslaughterhouse]

It’s a dope ass 8 for that price new. Whereabouts in Canada man?

[@jom3934]

Awesome video! Does the pickups got 4 wires?

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! Not sure, but stay tuned for when Andrew and I start modding this guitar and you'll see.

[@blazin7]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@DARRBEV]

I just bought this guitar and am struggling with tuning. Waiting to get strings to go high A tuning. Otherwise 177 British quid can't go wrong.

[@EricMorettin]

I think the scale length is too long for high A tuning. You need something much shorter. Dean had a 8 string multiscale that was set up for high A tuning from factory but it was a custom shop model only.

[@idiotburns]

Depends where you want your guitar made, who you want the dollar going to, if you care about that kinda thing. Otherwise fair game. Heck, guitar is that much in parts alone!

[@nufit7]

beautiful guitar, I want to learn 8 strings guitar

[@EricMorettin]

DM for lessons

[@rogersmith9996]

What the model no. ?

[@ScooterXttvX]

greaaaaaaat video bro

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks!

[@MadDjentah]

Music from 7:06?

[@EricMorettin]

My band The Vilification! thevilification.bandcamp.com/album/dimensions

[@MadDjentah]

@@EricMorettin thanks, I'll definitely check this out

[@iviaverick52]

Budget guitars USED to suck. Modern machining and automation has made their quality far above what anything used to be. They would easily be considered premium instruments back in the 60's/70's

[@EricMorettin]

100% agreed

[@skipmilligan]

Andrew Baena sent Me here. 🤘😁🤘❤🇨🇦

[@EricMorettin]

Cheers 🤘🤘🇨🇦

[@SteveRicardo777]

yeah, HB are amazing for the price, Ive done a few reviews on them. Very cool. Great video mate.

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! Definitely great for the price when you get one that doesn't need a lot of work to get going.

[@GregofRivia]

In our day, buying a guitar for over $500 is stupid for an amateur musician .

[@omgdisfunny4852]

They could just get the £120, 8 string they offer. Mine plays great

[@l0rd_breeigo-sama954]

Depends heavily on what makes you want to play. Like tbh to me, strat shapes are so overdone, especially in extended range. So stuff like the ftm33 or strandbergs speak way louder to me. But its all personal. Price isnt really a factor if you really want a guitar. Until we get to music man guitars, at which point you decide if you really need that 2nd kidney.

[@NickParras]

Expensive guitars are for people who can't work with their hands true players know how to take care of their instruments neck through for that price is a steal and a half

[@EricMorettin]

Personally, I disagree. If you can afford a guitar that you really want then go for it. Although, if you're on a budget there are great options now that we never had when I was getting into guitar. There's no right or wrong answer to which is better.

[@darknessviking]

how is 500 budget come on

[@EricMorettin]

@@darknessviking Find me a better spec'd brand new 8 string for less.

[@Makron220]

5:45 Dude, no offense, but I think you did not let the lemon oil soak into the fretboard, it's shiny throughout the whole demo. You are supposed to wait until it soaks and then remove the residue, too much oil may result in frets popping out and it also corrodes the strings.

[@artembabych9702]

I have a completely different experience with the same guitar. I own it as well as a multiscale 7-string Jackson that is only 100 euros more expensive than it but has none of the cool specs it has. So my overall impression: the Jackson is way nicer to play. The Harley Benton has some cool specs indeed, BUT the locking tuners are pretty trashy, the bone nut is just sooo poorly made that I'd rather it had a plastic nut that was well made than it, the frets have problems, the finish has multiple flaws and the sound is not even close even to the Jackson's extremely budget Jackson pickups. The only cool thing my Harley Benton has that is flawless is neck-through-body construction. Maybe I was unlucky to get a poor-quality exemplar, but it is my only experience with such poor quality. Even for its money, I wouldn't be surprised if I found a better instrument than that.

[@smallfaucet]

I've always believed it's the player not the gear...if you're good it will show no matter what the fawk you're playing! \m/

[@HumunculousInPants]

This guitar looks good but most budget guitars are still total crap and are beginner guitarist killers so should be avoided at all cost. I bought a budget acoustic today and it literally hurts to play because the neck angle is wrong. To fix it you would either have to remove the neck and re-angle it, or shave down the bridge and re-route the saddle slot. Some clueless parents probably bought this ten years ago, wondered why their kids hated playing and since then it has been passed around the local marketplaces killing other children's ambitions. My brother has a guitar with the exact same issue. He used to play loads before he got that thing. But beginners just don't know enough to understand that it is the crappy guitar making them not want to play. Harley Benton might be OK, impressive even. I don't know. But I will never recommend any beginner starts with a budget guitar that hasn't been checked over by someone knowledgeable first. That goes for each single guitar, not just blanketly saying this brand or model is good.

[@robdaslav]

Cheap Chinese or Indonesian crap with zero resale value. Buy a nice American made model. Yeah it’s more expensive but it will appreciate in value over time.

[@preston2636]

You should consider the Chinese dean from hell as well. Its the only import dean with the v neck. Good lord that green is awesome.

[@preston2636]

Hate to be that guy but oil doesn't actually hydrate the fretboard. There's no water in oil to hydrate it. Hydration and hydro are words for water. Plus I worked with hard wood floor professionally for many years doing multi million dollar homes. All fretboard oil does is clean and make it shiny and nice looking. You should be wiping and getting as much of the oil off you can after putting it on the fret board. You don't have to use fretboard oil at all but I like to anyways and if you like to as well than you should only be oiling your fretboard once every 5 or 6 months. You don't want an excess oil on the fretboard at all if possible because it attracts dust to the strings and that will effect string life and tone over time or if you oil your fretboard and just let the guitar hang on the wall for months without playing is a recipe for attracting dust as well. Be considerate with fretboard oil and remember it's mostly if not completely asthetic unless you like the oily feel and if you can feel the oil when playing you used way too much.

[@jscott893]

when you called the line in the book matched top a "streak" i ended the video

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks for watching!