Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $166

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 25, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into a world of sonic exploration with the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret, a guitar that dares to defy convention and embrace innovation. Designed for the modern guitarist, this 7-string electric guitar combines traditional craftsmanship with futuristic design, making it a versatile choice for any genre. The multi-scale fretboard ensures optimal tension and intonation across all strings, enhancing playability and offering a dynamic range of tones. Whether you're shredding solos or laying down complex rhythms, this guitar delivers clarity and power with its dual passive Hi-Gain humbuckers.

Crafted with a lime body and a bolted maple neck, the R-457BK Fanfret is both lightweight and robust, ready to withstand the demands of gigging and recording. The blackwood fretboard, with its offset dot inlays, not only adds a touch of elegance but also provides a smooth playing surface for rapid finger movements. The Speed-D neck profile caters to fast players, ensuring comfort and speed in every riff.

The hardware complements its striking design, featuring black components and deluxe die-cast machine heads for reliable tuning stability. With a single volume and tone control, plus a 3-way pickup selector, you have everything you need to shape your sound with precision.

Key Features:

  • Body: Lime
  • Bolted neck: Maple
  • Fretboard: Blackwood with offset dot inlays
  • Neck profile: Speed-D
  • Fretboard radius: 350 mm
  • 24 multi-scaled frets
  • Scale: 648 mm
  • Dual Action truss rod
  • Nut width: 48 mm
  • Pickups: 2 passive Hi-Gain humbuckers
  • 1 volume control and 1 tone control
  • 3-way pickup selector switch
  • Nut: Nubone
  • Black hardware
  • Deluxe die-cast machine heads
  • Strings: 009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042/.054

Product specs

Available since November 2017
Colour Black
Body Poplar
Top None
Neck Maple
Fretboard Blackwood
Frets 24
Scale 686 mm
Pickup System HH
Tremolo No
Incl. Case No
Incl. Gigbag No
Number of Strings 7
Style ST
Fretbboard Blackwood
Long Scale 686 mm
Short Scale 648 mm
Pickups HH
Vibrato No

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret?

The Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret features a comfortable neck profile that accommodates the multiscale design, making it suitable for players who appreciate ergonomic playability, especially for extended range techniques.

What type of pickups does the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret have?

The Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret is equipped with HH pickups, which provide a versatile range of tones suitable for genres like metal and rock, offering both clarity and power.

Is the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret suitable for beginners?

While the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret is designed with advanced features like a multiscale neck, it can be a good choice for beginners interested in exploring extended range guitars, provided they are comfortable with a seven-string setup.

Does the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret come with a gig bag or case?

No, the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret does not include a gig bag or case, so it's recommended to purchase one separately for safe transportation and storage.

What is the scale length of the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret?

The Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret features a multiscale design with a long scale of 686 mm and a short scale of 648 mm, providing balanced tension across all strings.

Cory Mura

Cory Mura

Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret / THE cheapest fanned fret 7 in the WORLD

Video thumbnail for Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret / THE cheapest fanned fret 7 in the WORLD by Cory Mura

Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret / THE cheapest fanned fret 7 in the WORLD

Cory Mura

Cory Mura

Video thumbnail for Review [ ] Harley Benton R-457BK fanfret by Mike Sperling

Review [ ] Harley Benton R-457BK fanfret

Mike Sperling

Mike Sperling

Reviews

PROS

  • Affordable entry-level option for 7-string multiscale guitars

  • Lightweight design with no neck dive issues

  • Maple neck is sturdy, stable, and smooth

  • Effective shielding paint in control cavity

  • Versatile sound with proper setup and EQ adjustments

  • Balanced and comfortable to play, even with extended range

  • Adequate tone with solid dynamics and sustain for metal playing

CONS

  • Requires significant setup and adjustments out of the box

  • Stock humbuckers can sound dark and muddy

  • Loose or poorly set nut and high frets need attention

  • Fretboard absorbs lemon oil excessively, affecting maintenance

  • String ferrules and saddle springs may need securing adjustments

  • Limited pickup mounting options without body modifications

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret.

Features and functionality

  • Owners find the fan fret design intuitive and it maintains consistent note quality across the fretboard.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Lace Aluma Deathbars pickups significantly enhance tonal range, providing crisp highs and brutal lows, especially with coil splits added.

    Source
  • Upgrading to Lace Aluma Deathbars was straightforward and dramatically improved performance, making it a recommended modification.

    Source
  • An onboard EQ preamp circuit can reduce muddiness in stock active pickups, with recommendations like the Neovin PRE-1 kit for versatile sound control.

    Source
  • Installing 4-conductor humbuckers allows for coil splitting with on/on/on switches for series/split/parallel wiring, enhancing tonal versatility.

    Source
  • EMG 707 pickups are a popular upgrade, offering solderless installation and fitting perfectly in the stock routing of the Harley Benton R-457BK Fanfret.

    Source
  • Fluence Modern 7 pickups are recommended for their fit and tonal quality, especially if you choose the tab-less version for easier installation.

    Source
  • Installing a Schaller megaswitch M is suggested for those wanting to swap the 3-way switch for a 5-way, due to routing constraints.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The addition of the seventh string expands musical options, making it a versatile choice for players exploring new styles.

    Source
  • The guitar serves as a cost-effective platform for experimentation, suitable for those interested in customizing wiring and electronics without concern for the instrument's original state.

    Source
  • Drop F tuning is feasible, but achieving stable drop D1 tuning may require very thick strings or bass strings, with varied success in intonation.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • When swapping pickups, it's advised to replace height screws preemptively, as they tend to strip easily during removal.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have noted that using an electric screwdriver with significant downward pressure can prevent stripping the pickup screws during installation.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Genre Usage

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

More Harley Benton Solid Body Electric Guitars

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    keshro
    keshro

    Gear IQ 83