Hi guys,
It's not arrived yet, but it arrives this week (shipped today from Thomann). I was really impressed with the spec and price, so i've taken a punt. Only came in to stock at the weekend
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_fusion_hsh_roasted_maple.htmElectric Guitar
- Ergonomically shaped mahogany body
- "Ultra Flame" flamed maple veneer top
- Matching headstock
- Bolt-on neck from "roasted" Canadian flamed maple
- "Roasted" maple fretboard
- Neck shape: Modern C
- Clay Dot fretboard inlays
- 24 Medium jumbo stainless steel frets
- Nu-Bone nut
- Nut width: 42 mm
- Scale: 648 mm
- Fretboard radius: 305 mm
- Binding made of natural wood
- Pickups: 2 Roswell HAF-B Alnico-5 humbuckers (bridge and neck) and 1 S74-C BK Alnico-5 single coil (middle)
- Volume knob and tone knob
- Pickup switch: Single coil / humbucker
- 5-Way toggle switch
- Wilkinson 50IIK 2-Point tremolo
- Chrome hardware
- WSC locking die-cast machine heads
- Original stringing: D'Addario EXL110 .010 - .046
- Colour: Natural, high gloss
Uploading stock photos - but when it arrives, i'll whack on the 'real world' ones
- only changes I am making, for now, are Hipshot Inline Staggered Open Gear Locking Tuners and Schaller Strap Locks.
James
Guitar(s): Custom Gordon Smith Graduate, FGN Odyssey JOS-FM-M FBT, Ibanez RG6PCMLTD, Yamaha Pacifica 311H, Harley Benton Fusion Pro HSH Amp: Blackstar HT5-R MKII, Presonus Eris E4.5 Active Studio Monitor Speakers | Effects: Wampler Plexi Drive Deluxe, Fender Marine Layer Reverb, Fender The Bends Compressor, TC Electronics Flashback 2, EH Hum Debugger, TC Electronic Polytone 3.
Comments
I wonder if it'll be like those pictures comparing McDonalds Big Mac adverts with the nasty-looking squashed things they actually serve?
It does look very impressive though, and the specs are amazing. I suppose the real question will be does it feel like an expensive guitar?
I am not holding loads of hope for it... but it is pretty much an Ibanez AZ with that kinda spec. In fact, for £320ish - it is what? almost 1/4 the price? With a setup, tweaks etc it should be excellent... other HB guitars have great reviews and this is £150ish more...
When I ordered something from thomann it took longer to get from the local depot that it did to get from germany to the depot. I'm not good at being patient when waiting for deliveries, and that didn't help, especially when it's GAS related.
I've opted for one of the slightly cheaper, more garish finishes with a quilt top. The pictures in the OP are making me question my decision though. Might contact thomann to see if it's too late to change the order.
End of the day, even if I whacked different pickups on it and paid for someone to go over the guitar and set up up properly... and put orange drop caps in it... upgrade electrics... it would still be under £600 spent.
As for the cap - no idea yet - probably no more than 2mm
A quick improve using my Helix LT - not a great player
Couple of marks on the guitar - some came off with a tiny bit of rubbing... one on the headstock which looks like a grey bit of urm paint? It's under the finish... not really an issue...
The pickup route on the bridge... think it may be incorrectly routed... as I can't lower the bridge end on the treble side.
The fretboard feels like a dry rosewood board (like on an acoustic that has been sat for too long)... more I play the less it feels dry so could just be some factory finish?
Action was a tad high, no biggy. Lowered it now... trem returns to tune most of the time. Need to kill that retainer bar. It is pinching it. I have some Hipshot Staggared Inline Open Tuners to go in when I restring next. Strings also need stretching in.
The trem bar you screw in, then tighten with an alan key.
Other than that, it is light. MUCH lighter than my Ibanez RG6PCMLTD and Yamaha Pacifica 311H.
I was thinking to replace the pickups but after playing them I don't think they need doing...
I have my usual Schaller strap locks on there now too.
The Stainless Steel frets are crowned nicely... no sharp edges - and no rough patches there.
All in all - I am a fussy fart but I feel the 'niggles' aren't enough for me to return it. I really quite like it!
I am very tempted by the H/H version in charcoal & now I have read your comments & listened to your "improve" I am even more tempted.