Some 25 years in the music instrument business deserves a bit of a celebration, and although Harley Benton seems considerably younger, owner Thomann did kick off the brand in 1998. Time flies! While the majority of its guitars are lookalikes (the 25th series boasts an S-style, T-style, JM-style and LP-style, for example), the pair of Fusion models, an S-style double-cut and our T-style here, at least show off a more contemporary style seemingly inspired by the likes of Charvel and Suhr. Each 25th Anniversary model comes in a Firemist satin metallic finish that's more copper than gold, only slightly lighter-hued than the roasted maple neck and fingerboard.
The 45mm thick black-edge bound slab body is made from something called nyatoh, a'utility' wood apparently used for making furniture and plywood, and it certainly contributes to a boutique-like light weight of 3.16kg (6.95lb). Along with a ribcage cut on the back, the heel is tastefully chamfered to reduce bulk - the neck screws sit in recessed washers so there's no neckplate. It's all crisply machined: a very tidy job.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms