Pricing and availability

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Harley Benton

Harley Benton

Harley Benton - ST-Modern Plus - HSS

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton - ST-Modern Plus - HSS by Harley Benton

Harley Benton - ST-Modern Plus - HSS

Harley Benton

Harley Benton

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus (What's Wrong With It?) by Elmo Karjalainen

Harley Benton ST-Modern Plus (What's Wrong With It?)

Elmo Karjalainen

Elmo Karjalainen

Video thumbnail for Before You Buy The ST Modern Plus | Harley Benton by Steve Cassidy Guitar

Before You Buy The ST Modern Plus | Harley Benton

Steve Cassidy Guitar

Steve Cassidy Guitar

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton.

Setup and maintenance

  • $200+ models generally require less initial setup, but fret leveling may be needed for sub-$200 models.

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  • One owner reported persistent buzzing from an idle guitar, suggesting potential electronic grounding issues.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Upgrading tuners and bridges significantly improves playability; owners recommend Gotoh hardware for durability.

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  • Replacing cheap pots and switches often resolves electrical issues, while some suggest starting from scratch for consistent quality.

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Build quality

  • Amaranth fretboards feel cheap to some, lacking the smoothness of rosewood or ebony.

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  • Some models exhibit loose string trees and knobs, requiring basic DIY fixes like tightening screws or using glue.

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Comparisons

  • Harley Benton models often stand between Squier Classic Vibe and Fender American Standard in quality.

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  • A $235 Standard Series jazzmaster model feels as light as a toy, though it produces a surprisingly mean tone with EMG pickups.

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User experience

  • Some models may arrive with wiring issues like reversed pickup selectors, requiring DIY fixes.

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Value and pricing

  • Harley Benton guitars often resell at 80% of retail because initial setup work is usually done.

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Features and functionality

  • The 9.5" fretboard radius is unavailable on Harley Benton Strat models, all default to 12".

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  • Some models have side-mounted input jacks and horn-placed switch selectors, offering a unique twist on traditional designs.

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Use cases and applications

  • Owners recommend using these as mod platforms or "beater" guitars for experimentation without financial risk.

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Critic Reviews

Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

Harley Benton's ST-Modern HSS guitar offers exceptional value with its excellent neck and impressive build quality for a sub-$350 price. The compound radius neck and locking tuners are standout features, providing a premium feel at a bargain price. However, the guitar's humbucker lacks clarity, and the tone pot's quality is noticeably budget-friendly. Despite these drawbacks, the ST-Modern is a solid platform for upgrades, making it an attractive option for players seeking a budget-friendly guitar with potential. Overall, it's a commendable entry in Harley Benton's lineup, especially for those willing to invest in improvements.

positive

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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bence_joe_dudas

3 stars

I should give 2 stars, but this model (butfully black, without the prtective plate) was my first guitar. I was satisfied with it, until i got my next instrument.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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