|
Post by markfromhawaii on Sept 20, 2022 19:37:40 GMT -5
Seems to be a lot of folks online either praising or downright blasting Thomann Music and what seems to be their flagship brand, Harley Benton. I’m looking at a T style right now that is pretty much a direct knock off of a Fender Tele. And we’re talking 135 usd. Lots of great reviews. Maybe heavy, and cheap components but $135! But I’m torn as to the purported ethics of HB guitars.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Sept 20, 2022 19:54:12 GMT -5
|
|
DrKev
Wholenote
It's just a guitar, it's not rocket science.
Posts: 418
|
Post by DrKev on Sept 21, 2022 10:05:57 GMT -5
I don't see a problem with ethics of this anymore than any other company making copies of Fender instruments, of which there are hundreds over the last 4 decades.
I've seen enough Harley Benton instruments to know that the cheaper instrument quality wise they are on a par with the cheapest Squiers or Epiphone or Ibanez guitars, but Harley Benton can beat them on price. That's because Thomann own both the brand and the outlet for buying them, which is the biggest online music retailer in the world. Just like any music store selling the lowest price stuff, the cheapest Harley Benton stuff is a "loss leader", the margins are tiny but they lead to significant sales long term, of ALL brands. It's good business for everyone. Nobody buys a Harley Benton and says "one day I'll own a more expensive Harley Benton", they say "one day I'll own a real Fender/Ibanez/Gibson/PRS etc.", and they do. Just like JHS's Josh Scott said about $30 guitar pedals, they are low price/low risk products that introduce people to the world of effects pedals that will bring more people to the big names long term. It's all good.
But the other thing to note about Thomann is how GOOD they are. The reason they grabbed the market so hard in Europe over a decade ago is very simple - low prices that come from having a huge warehouse AND amazing customer service. They realized early on that spending the money up front on top notch customer service would raise their reputation so high it would make online instrument sales across a continent possible. Why buy from the local brick and mortar store with arrogant staff and poor bad customer service when you could feel more confident buying cheaper online? Sounds crazy but Thomann made that possible. They are kind of the Sweetwater of Europe. You buy from Thomann, you KNOW you are in good hands should there be a warranty or shipping disaster, whether it's a $20 three-pack of strings or a $30,000 Neve console.
|
|
|
Post by LeftyMeister on Sept 21, 2022 16:34:57 GMT -5
It sure looks nice.
|
|
Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
|
Post by Ayns on Sept 21, 2022 17:24:52 GMT -5
I’ve bought quite a few things from Thomann in the last couple of years (Quilter, DV Mark etc) and their customer service has been exceptional. I haven’t bought anything by Harley Benton yet, but our other guitarist just bought one of their £150 Strat copies, and he brings it to gigs alongside his £3k Bonamassa Les Paul.
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Sept 21, 2022 18:56:17 GMT -5
The Fusion T HH looks mighty tempting.
|
|
|
Post by reverendrob on Sept 21, 2022 21:17:15 GMT -5
The folks who I know who have bought the cheapies only complain about the shipping cost (which isn't bad given where it's coming from, honestly) - they're happy with the budge monsters.
And make no mistake, that's what they are.
They have better QC etc than the MF house brands by a LONG shot.
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Sept 21, 2022 21:19:55 GMT -5
All the Harley Bentons I've handled are really good bang for the buck. Extremely good quality for the price.
|
|
|
Post by reverendrob on Sept 22, 2022 18:47:38 GMT -5
I'm guessing HB has a decent QA department on site and they don't just ship unopened boxes.
May not get the "55 point inspection" but...given shipping costs these days, it's better to spend 5m with a guitar before sending it I would wager.
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Sept 23, 2022 10:49:48 GMT -5
He says in his review that he thinks its a one piece body. I've read one review where they think their's is a 4 piece. Chances are construction varys at that price point.
Any idea how much shipping is to US? Crazy to think an entire guitar is priced cheaper than an unfinished body.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Sept 23, 2022 11:23:06 GMT -5
There’s a shop in AR that sometimes carries HB.
|
|
|
Post by markfromhawaii on Sept 23, 2022 12:00:17 GMT -5
He says in his review that he thinks its a one piece body. I've read one review where they think their's is a 4 piece. Chances are construction varys at that price point. Any idea how much shipping is to US? Crazy to think an entire guitar is priced cheaper than an unfinished body. It’s about $70 via UPS to Hawaii.
|
|
|
Post by justin on Sept 23, 2022 14:25:38 GMT -5
The Fusion T HH looks mighty tempting. I have one of those in sparkle silver. It is very well-made, but a bit on the heavy side at 8 pounds. The roasted neck is fantastic! The stainless frets were very gritty out of the box, but after taking the time to polish them this guitar plays as well as any of my others. Here's a pic of my 3 T-style guitars with the HB on the right.
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Sept 23, 2022 14:35:18 GMT -5
The Fusion T HH looks mighty tempting. I have one of those in sparkle silver. It is very well-made, but a bit on the heavy side at 8 pounds. The roasted neck is fantastic! The stainless frets were very gritty out of the box, but after taking the time to polish them this guitar plays as well as any of my others. Here's a pic of my 3 T-style guitars with the HB on the right. How are the humbuckers on the HB? I've heard someone opine that they are just a little bright, meaning they probably bought the guitar with a pickup swap in mind.
|
|
|
Post by reverendrob on Sept 24, 2022 4:46:10 GMT -5
$67 and change and delivered by Wednesday (it's Saturday morning as I write this).
Not bad at all honestly.
|
|
|
Post by justin on Sept 24, 2022 10:36:36 GMT -5
How are the humbuckers on the HB? I've heard someone opine that they are just a little bright, meaning they probably bought the guitar with a pickup swap in mind. They were a decent PAF-style set, but I can't remember the high end character very well. I can't leave any guitar alone so I quickly installed Bootstrap Sweet Serranos HBs (which I'm not thrilled with). I thought I'd like the hotter bridge for harder rock but I think I prefer vintage style pickups through my pedals. I'll probably reinstall the stock pickups at some point. The other mod I did to this guitar was to install CTS push-pull pots so that I could split the coils independently. These pots have a great feel to them and the push-pull action has a light satisfying feel. I just intalled a push-PUSH into my PRS last night. I like that way you can just bop it with your fist to split the coils, but I almost wish I used a CTS push-pull.
|
|
|
Post by samspade on Sept 24, 2022 13:12:50 GMT -5
I dunno, most of the reports on these is people change most of the hardware and electronics. If you're ok with what's out of the box, I guess it's cool. I won't even mention questionable source wood restrictions and worker rights. I want my guitar built in a zen-like atmosphere
|
|
matryx81
Wholenote
I think I know the reason but I can't spell it.
Posts: 773
|
Post by matryx81 on Sept 24, 2022 13:27:33 GMT -5
They do make a SCPB style bass that is in a red somewhere between CAR and Fiesta red.
Sometimes, I think I want it. It has a 1.5" nut width however.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Apr 15, 2023 13:46:09 GMT -5
I just joined the club. Found a new CST24 in Paradise Burst (I think that’s what they call it) on Reverb stateside. I got it delivered for $250, so I basically saved shipping from Germany.
The guitar looks fantastic! The Roswell pickups sound really nice too. I won’t change them. It does have a full-sized Alpha volume pot. I know because I had to open it up and rewire it righty.
The fret ends we’re finished nicely. The frets… oh man! This guitar *seriously* needed a fret level. It’s done and the guitar set up and plays beautifully.
Without the fret level/crown/polish this guitar was a poor player. And that would be the sting for an international buyer. Returning it isn’t cost effective for either party.
But a couple bench hours put that right. It’s quite nice now.
Pic to follow…
No regerts
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Apr 15, 2023 17:30:37 GMT -5
I just joined the club. Found a new CST24 in Paradise Burst (I think that’s what they call it) on Reverb stateside. I got it delivered for $250, so I basically saved shipping from Germany. The guitar looks fantastic! The Roswell pickups sound really nice too. I won’t change them. It does have a full-sized Alpha volume pot. I know because I had to open it up and require it righty. The fret ends we’re finished nicely. The frets… oh man! This guitar *seriously* needed a fret level. It’s done and the guitar set up and plays beautifully. Without the fret level/crown/polish this guitar was a poor player. And that would be the sting for an international buyer. Returning it isn’t cost effective for either party. But a couple bench hours put that right. It’s quite nice now. Pic to follow… No regerts Stainless steel frets? A bad fret job could be a deal breaker for me if I had the urge.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Apr 15, 2023 18:04:18 GMT -5
No SS frets. Big meaty jumbos.
For the price I didn’t mind to work.
|
|
|
Post by Cal-Woody on Apr 16, 2023 20:44:30 GMT -5
Question: Isn't Harley Benton the same people that made Samick guitars? I vaguely remember a Samick guitar that I had was made by them. Anyway, I would like to get the Tele with a roasted maple neck and SS frets. I have many pickups that I could swap out if I didn't like the ones that come on it. So, if it has good bones then the rest is fine for me.
|
|
|
Post by reverendrob on Apr 17, 2023 22:41:00 GMT -5
Harley-Benton is a Euro retailer,
Cort, a Korean company, made Samick.
|
|
DrKev
Wholenote
It's just a guitar, it's not rocket science.
Posts: 418
|
Post by DrKev on Apr 25, 2023 14:36:37 GMT -5
A friend if mine bought a Harley Benton kit guitar. 80€. Brought it to me to set and get it to play right. I've had to pieces and back again. This is my review...
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Apr 25, 2023 18:46:10 GMT -5
Great review.
So it sounds like one of those would be cool for wall-art.
I noticed that the model I bought has all Wilkinson hardware. I’m not a huge fan, but it’s all definitely nice at the price. And certainly several steps above that kit.
I’ve never had tuners that ping. That’s special, that is! 😂
|
|
|
Post by windmill on Apr 25, 2023 18:51:35 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the video. It is a nice paint job !
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Apr 26, 2023 8:45:33 GMT -5
I'm sure a nice repro Fender decal would fix that right up. 😄
|
|
|
Post by markfromhawaii on Apr 26, 2023 16:09:56 GMT -5
Nice review Dr. Kev. My first electric had tuners that literally needed a plier and liquid wrench to turn. Kids nowadays don’t know how good they gots it. 🤣
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Apr 27, 2023 12:45:05 GMT -5
Fwiw - I assume the top on my is foto-flame. But it looks nice, so whatevs.
|
|
|
Post by Cal-Woody on Apr 29, 2023 14:06:14 GMT -5
That's sweet Lefty! How are those Roswell pickups? I hear that they are close to Dimarzio's and are fairly well balanced in their tone. How does it compare to a PRS? It looks like one of the 24 fret Specials without the birds. Oh, and how is the neck profile, rounded C or flatter? I still want one of the roasted neck Tele's. I've got so many projects going on and am being lazy about fixing what I have and to get one already built with a little clean up would be nice. Nice guitar, hope it works out for you. Woody
|
|