Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $175

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 19, 2026.

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Description

The Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS is not just an electric guitar—it's a versatile musical powerhouse designed for the discerning guitarist. With its sleek solid body crafted from poplar and a beautifully roasted Canadian maple neck, this guitar is built to deliver both stunning looks and an exceptional playing experience. The modern D neck profile offers comfort for all playing styles, while the right-angled rounded fingerboard edges provide an inviting feel that makes long playing sessions a joy.

What sets this guitar apart is the HBZ Custom Wound pickups configuration. Featuring a powerful Alnico 5 covered humbucker at the bridge and two Alnico 5 single coils in the middle and neck positions, this versatile setup ensures you can effortlessly switch between warm, rich tones and bright, punchy sounds. A 5-way switch and a push/pull tone control for coil splitting add further tonal flexibility, making it perfect for any genre from blues to rock.

The Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS doesn't just stop at exceptional sound and playability; it also includes premium features such as a synchronised Sung-Il BS-213 Deluxe tremolo system and Sung-Il ML-55 locking machine heads for enhanced tuning stability. Whether you’re jamming at home or hitting the stage, this guitar is ready to meet the challenge with style and precision.

Key Features:

  • Body: Poplar
  • Neck: Roasted Canadian maple, bolt-on
  • Fingerboard: Canadian maple with dot inlays
  • Modern D neck profile
  • HBZ Custom Wound VTH Alnico 5 Covered humbucker (bridge) and VT-M, VT-N Alnico 5 single coils
  • 1 Volume control, 1 Tone control with push/pull function for coil split
  • 5-Way switch
  • Synchronised Sung-Il BS-213 Deluxe tremolo system
  • Sung-Il ML-55 locking machine heads
  • 22 Premium nickel silver medium jumbo frets
  • Scale: 648 mm (25.5")
  • Nut width: 42 mm

Product specs

Available since October 2024
Colour Olympic White
Body Poplar
Top None
Neck Caramelised Canadian Maple
Fretboard Maple
Frets 22
Scale 648 mm
Pickups HSS
Tremolo Synchronized
incl. Bag No
Including Case No

FAQs

What type of music is the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS best suited for?

The Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS is versatile, making it suitable for a range of styles from rock and blues to pop, thanks to its HSS pickup configuration which offers a mix of humbucker power and single-coil clarity.

Does the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS come with a case or bag?

No, the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS does not include a case or bag.

What is the neck profile of the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS?

The neck of the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS is made from caramelised Canadian maple, providing a smooth feel and comfortable playability, suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.

Does the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS have a tremolo system?

Yes, the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS features a synchronized tremolo system, allowing for expressive pitch modulation.

How many frets does the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS have?

The Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS comes with 22 frets, offering a standard range for most playing styles.

Is the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS is suitable for beginners, offering a comfortable neck and versatile pickup configuration that accommodates various genres and playing techniques.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS pickups?

The HSS configuration provides a balanced tone with the humbucker offering warm, full-bodied sound and the single-coils delivering bright, crisp clarity, ideal for diverse musical genres.

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent paint job and sturdy build quality

  • Perfect neck relief and polished, level frets out of the box

  • Intonation and tuning stability are spot-on, especially with tremolo use

  • HBZ pickups deliver a unique, vibrant sound and cut through mixes well

  • Versatile HSH routing allows for a variety of pickup combinations

  • Locking tuners make string changes easier once accustomed

  • Smooth, well-crafted neck and fretboard enhance playability

  • Competitive quality compared to more expensive guitars

CONS

  • Knobs and volume pot feel cheap and stiff

  • Push-pull switch for coil-splitting is hard to pull on some units

  • Saddle screws are too long and sharp, requiring replacement

  • String changes require removing the backplate, which can be inconvenient

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • The saddle screws are noted as too tall and the saddles are described as blocky and sharp, suggesting potential replacements for comfort.

    Source
  • The stock machine heads are reported as unreliable, with concerns about their longevity.

    Source
  • The Babicz bridge, with its Full-Contact Hardware design, enhances sustain and brightness by maximizing saddle-to-bridge contact, noted for its comfort and tonal impact.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Owners recommend swapping the stock string trees for higher quality ones, as they may contribute to tuning instability.

    Source
  • Some users mention achieving low action similar to Ibanez guitars, though initial string action may be high.

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  • Frets are rolled but may require minor polishing for smoother bends.

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Features and functionality

  • The volume control is strategically positioned further from the pickup for ease of use, a feature appreciated by users.

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  • Owners highlight the Babicz bridge's smoothly contoured saddles, which are preferable over bent steel saddles for strumming comfort and response.

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Comparisons

  • The neck of the ST-Modern is thicker compared to Ibanez RG's thin wizard necks, but thicker than Jet guitars' Tele models.

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Use cases and applications

  • The ST-Modern HSS is chosen as a versatile "do-it-all" guitar, featuring a coil-splittable humbucker for tonal variety.

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  • The guitar performs well in C standard tuning for stoner rock, offering punchy pickups that excel in high-gain settings.

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  • The guitar's dynamic response unplugged is attributed to the Babicz bridge, enhancing its versatility across various musical styles.

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User experience

  • Harley Benton guitars are generally rated as a solid 8/10 for setup and finishing based on multiple purchases.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Julian Thome uses Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS

Julian Thome

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo taken in September 2025, Julian Thome is clearly seen playing a Harley Benton ST-Modern MN HSS OW at a concert, as shown in the image available on Equipboard.

Genre Usage

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

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