Harley Benton Fusion-T HH EB BK

I have this guitar since two weeks by now.

I am happy with the overall quality and sound of the instrument. Mine was delivered with a more or less acceptable setup. Frets were polished and no shape borders whatsoever. The fret board was a bit dirty. Action a bit high, but I lowered to the usual one I like for this neck radius, which is more or less 1,6 mm from top of 6th string to 12th fret, while pressing the first fret. No buzzing unless I played like an animal. In that case all my eGuitar expensive and inexpensive ones will buzz ;-)
Stock strings are just ok and will stay until a replacement is required.
Finishing is good. Mine have a very little dent on the neck, at the side that looks at me while in playing position. At the 12th fret. It is very little and looks to me like rather being a natural defect of the wood than an accident.
The locking round part of the tuning machines is not metallic. I have a magnetic tuner and it does not stick to that part of the machine heads. I bought once HB locking tuners that to me are similar ones and they were metallic. So I do not know why this downgrade. Anyway the tuners work very well and hold the tuning very well. They turn smoothly and you can really make fine tuning.
I replaced the string tree for a round T Style one that I like much more. Nothing wrong with the original one. I just did not like the stock one.
The nut is good, but the TUSQ statement label was not longer delivered with my instrument. So not sure if its is the graphitech one anymore. I am sure it was used to be so according to YouTube reviews.
My guitar has the switch in diagonal and the tremolo cover is routed on the wood. Something did not happen with the previous models. I believe even the advertised pictures are from the old ones. This is a big upgrade! Thanks Thomann for listening to the customers!
Pups are good. They have the necessary output for the music I play. Rock, Blues and Pop. The split coil is a bit on the tiny side, but still ok.
I replaced the capacitor and installed another for treble bleed. Now the guitar shines. Before it was a bit dark when volume pots was rolled back. Electronics work is ok. The volume pot is an Alpha Pot full size. The tone one with split function, I am not sure of which quality is it. It looks to me a bit too loosen.

I replaced the jack. The jack cable was easily unplugged. I did not like the feeling though it was working perfectly. I installed a switchcraft one from All Parts. I also change the barrel knobs for screw-fix ones, but I did that just for taste. No really a need. The commuter switch works hassle and noise free. However it looks to me a bit cheap and so something to replace in the future.
The lacquer is flawless. The neck is very comfortable and the instrument is beautifully crafted in Indonesia.
Not too heavy instrument but definitely not a lightweight one either.

This guitars series have Serial Number. I suppose this happens as from a price tag on?

Wilkinson two points bridge with tremolo bar is very good looking, bread quality, easy to adjust, bar is screwed by in a very intelligent way and the trem along with the TUSQ nut work like a charm once all well setup and strings were stretched.
A
ttention; there is not pick guard on this axe. That makes the instrument more beautiful and noble. But know that your picking technique must be adapted to preserve the finishing. Just to mention this.

My final verdict: The overall instrument can be rated to near perfection taking into account the price.
The budget a person may need to replace the less quality parts in the long run (jack, tone pot, capacitor, barrel knobs, string tree and switch) is of about 50€ and the guitar is 300 €. Add an ABS case of about 70€ and you can be sure there is not known branded guitar in the market to beat this one.

About my HB's. I have already four HB. This is the most expensive one. The other ones are between 150€ and 250€. One was horrible. The other three including this last one make it a happy player. One is a TE-52 and I must say that in terms of T style guitar I am much more pleased by the sound of the SC pups of the TE 52, which BTW is almost half of the price.
But the fusion one has: more modern C shape neck, ebony fret board, binding, ergonomic body, more quality tuning machines, tremolo and stainless steel frets. All this, I suppose that makes this instrument a much more expensive one.
Obviously humbucker pups are to sound differently than SC even when the coils are split. So, no point to compare...

For the semi pro and pro musician in a budget and of course for any beginner, HB is a good alternative. Do not think that Ephis & SQs are better a part of the name in the head stock. I found the same and even worse electronics on them. Some small flaws on the finishing and even higher actions. Sometimes even no possible to fix by an average user buzzing problems.
I recommend this instrument. It could be compared to the quality to find on a 500€ axe but at 300€.
So very pleased with my purchase.

This was my second Harley Benton purchase from Thomann. First and foremost, it is almost a work of art! If I had bought it only for its looks, it would still have been worth every penny that I paid for it! In terms of performance, let me refer to my first HB purchase, the CST24 semi-hollow as a contrast. This guitar is light, nimble and brightish. Interacting with and playing the CST24 is like having a mischievous flirtation in the sun on the beach. The Fusion on the other hand is like having Queenly authority in your hands! Initially at least, and certainly as compared with the CST24, its weight was quite noticeable. In every other respect, it plays and feels substantive, predictable, solid and confident. I am not a professional musician, play only for personal pleasure, typically by myself over tracks and sometimes with friends. I use almost entirely only clean mode and have found the stock pick-ups totally satisfactory for my needs and obtained from the Fusion only delight in whatever Humbucker and tonality modes I select. I have average hands and the embrace with the neck, which plays smoothly and easily, is perfect. So, do I have no gripes at all? Well, let me mention four things. First of all, if you are a buyer for whom weight of the instrument would be an important consideration, this may become a factor. In my case it has took me weeks to get used to the weight of the Fusion. Secondly, as pointed out in many other reviews, once the coil switch is engaged, a clear drop in output is noticeable. This is however is a function for which I have no real need for so the issue does not provide any detraction for my appreciation of the Fusion. Thirdly, and somewhat more importantly, the guitar came with a quite severe case of so-called fret sprout. It was B-Stock so I had expected that the purchase would come with some glitches. This was however quite a serious case of sharp edges which made the guitar impossible to play comfortably. The problem was easily redressed by the tech to whom I was in any case going to take guitar to check and set-up properly. My point is however that, since it is clear that this must be the reason why the guitar was returned as it showed absolutely no other problem, ding or glitch, it is unacceptable that Thomann would have put it back for sale without first correcting the problem. Thomman please! Finally, beautiful as the guitar is, with its glossy surface, every touch becomes a smudge! Everytime I play it, I have to rub it down before putting it back in the bag. But maybe this is not such a bad a thing as the physicality only serves to cement the intimacy with the guitar. I consider that in the Fusion I have acquired a very striking and great instrument which I intend to keep permanently. To those who may be considering getting one, I would not hesitate with my recommendation.