Harley Benton CST-24HB Charcoal Flame

I bought this as I wanted a 24 fret guitar and being a semi gave it a little something I couldn't get from my other instruments, despite how good the JTV models are. I hadn't intended it for anything other than noodling at home, but having tried it, I suspect it will become a gigging guitar once we're allowed out to play again.

To start with the (very minor) niggles. The finish on the inside of the f-holes could be tidier, and there is a very slight, almost imperceptible, imperfection on the binding near the neck.

That's it for the negatives.

What I like about it will take longer. To start with, it looks fantastic. The maple top is gorgeous, with a lovely, and consistent, finish.

The set up out of the box was outstanding. Low action, perfectly straight neck and level frets. The fret endings were so well finished I've had to order the tools to bring my other guitars up to the same standard. Now I know what good fret ends are. Having received unplayable guitars from a well known UK supplier (naming no names, but they make a nice demo video) that ostensibly check ever instrument before it goes out, I will be always ordering from Thomann from now on just for the set up.

Tuning seems stable. Given that they aren't the most heavy duty of tuners, once the strings were worn it it stayed in tune pretty quickly after some heavy duty bends.

I know "playability" is a very subjective thing, but I found the neck very comfortable, despite my short fat fingers. It's a nice lightweight guitar as well.

Again, it's subjective, but what really impressed me is the sound. Really versatile. Nice chiming clean tones with a very "open" quality to them, especially with the coil tap. Once you dirty it up it can go from warm crunch to something a bit filthy and still sound good.

Despite having a range of sound options available from my variaxes, this has something different about it that will ensure it gets good use. For overall quality and the sheer pleasure of playing it, this deserves the 5 stars.

My first Harley Benton, but I've already ordered another.