Harley Benton HB-35 CH Vintage Series

Levná kytara, která se témer vyrovná kytare, rádove za 20. tisíc korun. Tuto kytaru jsem porovnal s kytarou Alvar od výrobce Hagstrom, kterou jsem zde zakoupil asi pred 2. roky.
Ve srovnání jsou vzhledem k cene nekteré materiály nižší kvality (nultý pražec, hmatník), ale pokud jde o zpracování, tak až na pár drobných detailu je kytara velmi dóbre zpracována.
+ Dobroušení pražcu, struny nedrncí, serízený dohmat. Tak jak kytara prišla, tak na ní hraji, stacilo pouze naladit. Kytara má krásný zvuk, delší sustain, jelikož telo kytary je oproti Alvaru trochu vetší.
Za tuto cenu, je to super kytara a zvažuji, že zakoupím ješte variantu Lemon.

The guitar i have received (manufactured late 2020) is inspired by 335 guitar style. It is quite big and not extra light (compared to LP). The body is standard laminated maple with scarf jointed neck with comfortable C shape. The neck feels chunkier, than the shape used on HB450+. Upper fret reach is fine, but it does not have the super accessible (HB-450+) neck joint shape. The binding is nicely cut.

The pick-guard is LP style and is probably better than the previous version, but I believe, that these guitars look best without one (and red marker can help to hide the drilled holes). I was a little afraid about the screw from the pickguard denting the top (because the pickguard seems to be placed quite low) - I have found a really small mark form the screw but only visible form close up. Little bit worse was uneven lacquer under the top pickguard screw – it was screwed on with some wood dust on still soft lacquer and the lacquer around the screw-hole is (sadly) a little wobbly.

The hardware is quite good. The guitar is equipped (produced late 2020) with standard die-cast tuning machines that holds tuning, probably Sung-il BM 003 bridge and Sung-il TS 001 tailpiece and unbranded “vintage-style” humbuckers (ceramics magnet). The quality of the HW is better than the HW used on HB-450+ line of guitars. I have experimented and replaced the ceramics magnets with Alnico V and it was a nice surprise with more dynamic sound. The tailpiece was a really tight fit.

The wiring is surprisingly fine, but for those who want to upgrade the electronics, there is multiple small “catches” that could surprise you. Positioning the switch like on LP style requires quite long wires that leads to the switch (under bridge pickup), compared to similar style guitars with switch near the knobs. The knobs are oriented differently – bridge volume and tone are shifted behind the neck knobs (in playing position) so if you are used to play LP style guitar, you might be little confused. The original output jack has a little bit longer thread, than is usual, so it is possible to screw it though the pretty thick layer of wood. Standard sized output jack could barely reach to the surface (it is like a 1-2mm difference). And of course – putting new switch and other components into place through the “hook” holes is a real pain.

Otherwise it is an amazing guitar that I really enjoy to play. Great looks, playable out of the box and with nice acoustic sound.