Harley Benton Fusion 2 Full Review - I am flabbergasted!
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- After playing the Harley Benton Fusion II for a few weeks I can really see what all the fuss is about with these guitars. The features are great as is the bold quality and price point. What more can you ask for in a great guitar?
Today we go over all the features of this guitar in minute detail.
► Buy the Harley Benton Fusion II guitar from Thomann here: www.thomann.de...
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Last thing : I got a B-Stock model -- or had to wait 4 weeks
Came in mint condition
again : I don't work for Thomann
but thanks to them
was delivered in time, and in great state
as a musician : It's goo to be treated well sometimes
- according to Thomann, the nut is Nu-Bone, not TUSQ XL;
- scrape binding is much cheaper to produce than traditional inlaid plastic binding. I happen to really like it, but you can't say it's a "high-end feature". That's why it's often called faux (meaning false) binding.
That said, it's tremendous value for money - I just wish it had a 43mm (1-11/16") nut. I know 1mm doesn't sound a lot, but if you've got fat fingers, it makes a difference.
Well the tag that was on the guitar says Tusq XL. Thanks for watching
Your review made me buy this guitar .. and I'm totally satisfied with the overall quality for this price range.
I own a PRS, a Fender, and a Halgstrom
this guitar works up to that level of quality : for half price
I totally confirm your review
Completely impressed for less than 300€ !!
thanks again for such detailed review
Harley Benton Fusion models come with two types of Roswell pick-ups. The uncovered ones are HAF, modern sounding with a broader spectrum (more high end), hotter while the covered ones are LAF, more "vintage"-like, "rounded", which they also use on their Les Paul copies. That same distinction is found in their CST models (PRS copies): modern HAF on the solid body models, vintage LAF on the semi-hollow ones.
Leo of Red Keep
What means HAF and LAF ? Friendly asking😊
@@lone-wolf-1 I have no idea. I call them "Hot as F" and "Loud as F" but it's probably something else…
Leo of Red Keep
Oh, I see😊
I call them HOP and LOP😃 (high output and low output pickup)
Edit: Roswell calls them speciffic HAF and LAF, but it's not specificated or comprehendible what that means...😓
Maybe "Low As F*ck" and "High As F*ck" 😂😂
I have this guitar and it is absolutely excellent! Quite mind blowing really. It feels like a quality guitar, flawless fit and finish (on mine anyway). Nice feeling satin neck - tho far skinnier than what I'm used to. Pickups are okay - perfectly serviceable but not amazing. The trem came set up well and can take some abuse whilst retaining stable tuning. Neck fit is better on this than on my Fender American Original 50s Stratocaster lol, but this is purely cosmetic. Outstanding value for money!!
I never considered Harley Benton, as even a Brand I would at
..
Totally reconsidering this now
take care
They are amazing!! I own mostly 60s 70s and 80s fenders and I got a fusion in a trade and I’m Soo damn Impressed
I have this exact model. The colour changes depending on light direction. It is an exceptional guitar. The quality is to a standard of far more expensive guitars. Acoustically it also plays so well.
You give an outstanding review! You're one of the best at this. You speak like as professor, and touch on all the things I want to know about. Just outstanding job!
Thank you for watching!
I have the Fusion II FR and like the one in this video, it's excellent but with a real Floyd Rose that works great! Just to add, I'd thoroughly recommend the Harley Benton ST-62. Mine is a MN-SB (sunburst) Vintage model. At £99 it's a seriously good platform for modding (great neck and frets). I've put brass block in the trem cavity, fitted a cheap hot rail PU at the bridge; Wilkinson tuners; Tusq string trees and nut; mirror scratch plate and black jack socket, knobs and pick up covers. Honestly looks awesome and plays/sounds better than most "real" S types I've played!!
I have just bought a Fusion 2. HSH. Fantastic value for money second hand BUT I needed to spend some time polishing the tops of the frets which were grinding when I first got it. Fret ends we’re good. If I had bought it new from Thomann, I would have returned it, as I know they are better than that. Having said that, the neck is beautiful in shape and look and I love it,. Sadly, neck shape is personal, so what I love…..
Nice review. I bought a few Harley Benton's but all had issues, except for the Fusion II. It's made by Cort in Indonesia. Same factory as big brands. The quality is definitely up there with more expensive guitars but I threw out the pickups and electronics as the whole thing sounded too muffled with a lack of presence. My new pickups make this guitar sing.
Paper Bag Audio what pickups did you go with?
@@addictedtogear I went with Yibuy, no name Chinese el-cheapo pickups for under US $20.00 a pair. Link: www.aliexpress.com/item/32586795512.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4d6zRoGZ. I have the same pickups in most of my guitars but in black or white. You can check the sound at ruclips.net/video/c8DbVJc1KKk/видео.html. I put them in my HB Dynamic, the forerunner to the Fusion II. These pickups are very neutral sounding. The Roswell's cut the treble. I also put a blade humbucker in the middle position.
The Fretboard is Macassar Ebony aka Striped Ebony from Indonesia. It's actually harder than Traditional Gaboon (Black) Ebony from Africa.
Wilkinson keep the price down by making the bridge's in Korea. The specs are as good as the German made Schaller. His designs are usually even better than a Schaller.
Great review what I like about you is that you review the physics of the guitar rather than just totally blasting some lead runs and chords which tells me absolutely nothing about the guitar.Well done.
Thank you for the complement!
I believe cort is the big manufacturer in indonesia. great review. this is my next HB I have the S620. Insane value!
That is a beautiful guitar, design, materials, colours, fit and finish, really gorgeous at an excellent price.
Thanks for the review.
Glad you like it!
Thanks for the video. I bought the TE-52 and got the frets levelled and it is great. So now I'm waiting for my ST62. So I can vouch for at least the Tele.
I am considering the Fusion now also... 🤣
She's a beaut! I'd probably put a DiMarzio Super Distortion in that bridge position. I like to have the variety of the covered in the neck and uncovered in the bridge. That's what I did with my Goldtop Les Paul.
Hahahaha. We've "got to stop meeting like this sir" hahahahah. Hope all is well. Love your channel man.
@@robertclarkguitar LOL! Thanks, man!
I bought the Fusion II with the Floyd Rose a few months back, after playing guitar for more than 55 years I'd never tried one, I decided on the Harley because I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I might not get on with. As it happens I made a good choice, I love it, it stays in tune for an astonishing length of time, it has a maple fretboard with stainless steel frets and plays as smooth as silk.
Seriously great value for money.
Glad you like it. I agree it is great value for money!
I've placed an order for the same model. Your comment is reassuring I made a good choice for a budget floyd rose guitar. Thank you and hope I'll receive it in one piece
@@necurrence1776 Restringing a FR is a bit of a mission, but don't let it put you off, if I can do it at 70 years old I'm sure you can manage, there are some good tutorials on RUclips, can't remember the actual one I used. Stretching the strings properly was the key for me. Good luck
FANTASTIC enthusiasm!!!!! Enjoyed your playing at the beginning!
Thanks for the detailed review! Looks like they also have a Tele version of this that came out quite recently (which also has the push/pull knobs for the split). I've been wanting a modern looking Telecaster for a long time and somehow, it turns out Dark Turquoise is actually my favorite color, I would be a fool to ignore it, especially for that price, seems like an amazing deal overall.
Great and very complete. Some infos are wrong although; 1. There is black ebony, which is the most expensive one (with macassar), and a bunch of differents ebony genders. 2. The binding is a binding, they didn't taped anything, it's a full mahogany (sapele) body with a flamed maple binding.
M. Bourse Nope, the binding is not binding it’s wood and the neck is ebony. Thanks for watching.
@@addictedtogear yep yep I meant there is no top maple, some people may believe that the top of the guitar is made in maple.... But it's a wood binding. I work with ebony so black ebony is not tinted, it's really black. Depends on the kind of ebony and on the part of the wood used. I got pictures of that.
I love the colour. It's not really green. I wouldn't want a Tubescreamer green guitar but I'd want that.
its actually turquoise
Regarding the trem back plate not being countersunk, it looked to me like when looking through the string holes in it, it just barely clears the springs. They would have had to make the body 1/8" or so thicker, which adds cost and weight, to sink a plate on the back of a budget guitar. If what my eyes told me is correct, it makes good sense to me to not sink it, even though it would be more visually appealing.
I have the FR version, and I have to keep the plate off mine because the trem springs contact it.
Thanks for review. I had hb 7string fanfret and it was kinda crap, nut was very rough, fret ends were sticking out and electronics squeled like mad pig. It played nice with low action. Still, I ordered fusion 2 with roasted neck. Owned couple older hbees and they were even crappier. Decided to give last chance to hb.
Very informative and I enjoy your channel! Very beautiful guitar! Thx!!
Also, needed a blade during confinment : that's why how I went on small budget
But, if anyone if reading this : he's right
Great guitar for such low price
FYI :
I don't work for them
..
just an honest opinion here
That's what someone, who worked for, harley benton would say 🤔
If you have to record serious tracks (eg. album/single grade), you need to swap those Roswell out as soon as possible. I swapped mines with Bill Lawrence Widle L500XL + L500R and cant be happier. If you only practice or play for fun, so any pickup is not important. However, if you want REAL fun while practicing, you should replace those stock pups.
These things are 311 Euros on the Thomann website,that´s ridiculous if you consider that you get a guitar with ss-frets,quality hardware and made out of proper woods,like sapele (which is basically a sub-species of mahagony and a high quality timber) and maple.
The pickups beeing weak,is an easy fix.Just slap some Duncans or DiMarzios on it,done.The neck and fretwork beeing good is a much more important thing.Pickups,hardware,electronics,these you can replace it´s not abig deal,but if the neck and fretwork suck,you have a problem.
Personally,I would put a Duncan JB/59 or JB/Jazz set on this guitar,you can find them very cheap online or maybe a DiMarzio 36Ann.PAF set and maybe upgrade the trem to a GOTOH 510.
Even with all these upgrades,you will end up with a pro-level instrument for around 500 Eurones.Again that´s ridiculous,specially if you consider the prices of some high-end bolt-on Strat/Superstrat guitars out there!
These guitars are made in the same factory that some more known brands use, so hey. Anyway nice review and subscribed. I just ordered a fusion T two days ago and i can't wait to get my hands on it. Any plan of getting a T as well and review it? Curious to see what you about it.
Me too. Positively itching for it to arrive. My next project guitar - but it sounds like there won't be much that needs swapping out, based on the reviews so far.
Awesome looking and sounding guitar. Great review. Thanks man!
Great review. Thank you. I'm considering getting one now.
Great review Tony . The guitar sounds and looks great . With a little help from you
I don't like superstrat guitars, but I ordered a second T-Style fusion (the first one was a total mess).
Great to hear someone doing a demo with a true sound, thanks man
Thanks for watching
Very responsive good saturation. I love it!
Like 100! Because I love this channel and tbe Fusion is on my list of purchases one day! Awesome review.
Have 3 of the fusion Pro's (HSH) and every one of them is totally kick ass and perfect out of the box (apart from a basic set up) and I'm afraid to say I find myself reaching for these quicker than my USA Strat, they just feel so comfortable to play.
I agree they are great guitars.
Most pros take the spring cover plate off, that would look and feel better IMO. Just got a HB jazz Big Tone for a friend, and the fret ends were beautifully dressed... maybe they've upped the quality...
6:46...The Sharpie brand permanent marker was created solely for the purpose of staining wood and is safe and effective to stain rosewood in particular.
You must be pulling my leg?
@@addictedtogear no, initially for furniture.
I used one to darken a terrible laurel fretboard and work great
you can ask for some Left Hand models, that's what you can ask for.
seriously, I haven't heard back from them yet...
this specific model is not available lefty. but the tele style one.
Thats a very pretty looking good sounding and well build guitar, in a interesting color. Soundwise I allready have a verry similar sounding, but the look of this one is tempting...
Great review!
Trust him, really nice guitar
I cannot wait, mine is coming in hours. Haha From Ca. Second hand. Reverber. The newer line T style T HH FNT roasted maple. Wish me luck. All comes in safely I'll review it on my little channel.
Congratulations Robert. Let me know how you like it.
Nice review, thanks :) I've watched a few reviews of this brand now, and seriously tempted to pick one up soon. Thomann look to have some nice left handed options, which can be rare for some brands.
Lots of choice and well made IMO
Having bought a lot of high end PU's I can hear the difference but I expect to have to replace PU's even on a Fender.
The HB's are twice as good as the Epi's for the same money. I like the Epi's but the evidence can not be ignored.
Your full of shit that thing sounds like shit. I had a Epi that would mop the floor with that guitar
Good one!
But I don't NEED another guitar! ;-) I own around 25 currently (I've not counted in awhile), most of them USA Fenders, but also USA PRS, Gretsch and Gibson. Somebody help me, I want one of these.
Are your strats, super strats?
But this guitar needs you! Problem solved. :-)
Great Video Tony! Man you are tempting me, but I already have too many Guitars. just one more? lol.
You can't have too many guitars. You will always have one too few. 😉
@@lexluthier8290 That's how I feel too but I am running out of space, I guess have to upgrade the house to have room for more guitars. lol.
Thanks for the review! What was the cost at the door in CAD including duty, tax all in. Thanks from Ontario!
I have the purple sparkle version. The only thing i didnt like was the roswell pups. I changed them out for iron gear ROLLING MILL + ALCHEMIST 90 set and wired the coil split switch to be a signal cut switch ... transformed the tone and its amazing
I will probably do the same thing. Thanks for watching.
I have the HB Fusion II with the Floyd Rose. Contrary to popular belief, it arrived completely setup with no flaws. Pots were not cracking, pickups didn't need to be changed, the Floyd stays in tune. Also, tonewood is not relevant and everything else is just cork sniffing honestly. I was in the middle of recording my album when my old Ibanez had some bridge issues. I used the HB for the rest of my songs and there was no difference in my sound.
It is a fine guitar. Thanks for watching.
@@addictedtogear well it's nice to watch honest reviews. Regarding the back plate that's not countersunk. That feature protects my guitar finish from my hoodie zipper. No joke
Unless there is some sort of amazing exotic woods and electronics present, I would never consider spending more than $1K for a bolt on neck guitar. Leo Fender himself would not have approved of the prices of some of the name brands you mentioned. Good to see companies like Harley Benton making quality and affordable guitars and also to apply downward force on the prices of the other brands.
Yes I agree. The prices are just out of whack!
Great review. I wish they did this as a lefty. Swap those pick ups for some iron gear blues engines with raw nickel covers. Amazing like someone else said Pete thorn suhr. I want one 😀
Anyone knows how much it weights in kilos. ???
Neat looking guitar !
nice review
Looks like they are improving the quality on certain models. I wonder how the resale will be on these. Great in-depth review!
I'm sure you will be able to get some great deals on used models soon. But in all honesty I don't think too many people will want to part with them IMO.
@@addictedtogear Not many on the secondhand market.
Great review just how I like it. Would love to hear your opinion on the fusion tele style
I am trying to get my hands on one. I'm sure it will be great! Thanks for watching.
ADDICTED TO GEAR ask Thomann they may send you one for review?
I have this guitar he's reviewing, and i can tell you...every word of it is true..I got one of the B Stock ones for $247.00..B Stock means someone sent it back, why I have no idea, because I've gone over it with a magnifying glass and cant find a single flaw..In any event I love this guitar, I haven't put it down since it arrived..You will not find a better guitar for the price..
Great deals with these guitars for sure!
Realizing this video is a year old but seeing some more recent comments, can anyone in North America tell me approximately how long it took to get yoir guitar? I've heard some horror stories here on RUclips both in the states and Canada concerning close to a year to receive and poorly packaged guitars that were unplayable due to shipping damage. If it's that bog of a deal to het one over here then it wouldn't be a bargain to me but, I've been wanting to order one for a couple of years now. Just concerned. Thanks.
Can you pull the tremolo backwards??
I love this thing
I’m torn between buying one of these or the extra 100 for the roasted maples
Tyler Titzer get both!
I have the HSH Bengal Burst version with the roasted maple neck/fretboard. Flawless, plays like a dream, nicest neck on any of my guitars, and I've got, er, quite a few.
Are these necks thicker than American Strat? If you compare Roasted HSH neck vs HH fusion neck in this video, which one is thicker and which neck do you like?
I disagree regarding the preference for a push pull pot over a toggle. I've found push pull pots to lack robustness and durability.
I would hear clean tones as well.
Awesome Asusment 🎵🎵🎵🎵😎
So can you pull up on that bridge? Nice video man!
No, its not floating so it only goes down.
Nice guitar! What’s the amp you were using during the sound demo? Thanks!
Mayo naise Ampero multi-effect unit. No amp.
ADDICTED TO GEAR thanks!! Connected to studio monitors I guess then? I liked the sound!
sounds good!
It sounds a bit like LP, just not as "weighty"
Great video Tony! ( as usual , lol )
Thanks again!
How would you say this compares to the Ibanez jem Jr? Was thinking of getting a fusion 2 or jem as my first Floyd rose guitar
The fusion has better hardware and a better neck IMO.
@@addictedtogear is it a huge difference? Pity they don't stock these things in music shops to be able to compare them... I'm super torn between these two guitars right now lol
that volume knob seems out of place. Otherwise great guitar for the price.
9:56 AAAH the string is not in the string tree.
But seriously, I love the Suhr Pete Thorn and this is 10% of that price. Imagine throwing. In some quality pots and your favorite pickups in this. A lot of guitar!
Yes the string tree seems to be a little too tall to properly put pressure on the strings. I may need to swap it out for a shorter one.
@@addictedtogear Just flip it 180deg to the side where the strings are taller.
Also, since those are staggered tuners, you could probably remove the string tree altogether; and since they are locking, there's no need to wind strings around them so you could shorten each string.
The whole purpose of locking tuners is to eliminate the volatility of the string windings.
Thanks. Could u make a sound demo including cleans.. You could also try there fusion t. It s a humbucker Tele and it sounds great. It s Just been realese few month ago.
Sure I think I can do that. Stay tuned!
What made you buy this fusion?
It looked like a Suhr at a much more affordable price point!
Love the watch you're wearing, what is it?
p3928294 I was wearing a citizen and a Pagani design in the video. Thanks for watching.
What wood is the neck n body made from , not seein much info on the thoman site . Sounds real good .
The body is sapele, very similar to mahogany, the neck is canadian rock maple. If you prefer mahogany the only choice for the hb higher end model seems to be the hp42 signature.
Are the tremolo and tuners works ok?. Is the stability good of teh tune?
Yes both are very good.
@@addictedtogear Thanks so much, and sorry for my bad english ahahah
Awesome video.
Glad you enjoyed it
I prefer the switch
Why? It seems kind of fragile to me.
ADDICTED TO GEAR pushing and pulling if you actually use the tone knob can knock you out of your intended mode
Anyone else think it was blue? Viva La Colorblind!
10:07 creates a brake angle.
What's that bridge called!
Wilkinson
I didn't keep the back cover even on my US Strat They know this so why sink something that's gonna become a rectangular Frisbee you keep in your case lol
That is one option to explore but I don't really like the no cover look.
@@addictedtogear I can understand that being a bit OCD myself.But function outweighs form. If your at a gig or a long jam session and break a string. This other player likened the cover on. Being like trying to have sex with your GF while her pants are still on lol. I added. Damn!! I bet she wished you were a bass player. Its usually dark off stage at most of the dives he plays he added. To give more credence to his comparison. I think the Silver Sky doesn't even have one or some other high end axe as I remember I can't recall any maker recessing the trem cover but iv not really paid it much mind. Either way this guitar looks and sounds as if Squire better step up or step off as Other than traditional strat lovers will soon be changing strings by buying a whole new platform I know its been done I want to see a play off between the Squire and MIM strat against HB Strat style guitar.. I enjoyed the video BTW. I had ment to say this before.
This or an ibanez RGA42FM?
Pretty similar but i really like the HB myself
Certainly BEATS a Barley Henton!
Did you purchase it with your own money or were you sent it for free?
I did not get it for free.
If it's made in Indonesia it's made by Cort.
Yes, I'm pretty sure it is.
I just wanted to hear how it sounded and played....
Play sample is at the start of the video.
Is the neck a c shape?
Yes a soft C
how is the string tension ? soft medium or stiff???@@addictedtogear
Any idea how can install a pick guard a self adhesive or something?
Zoltan Koszegi you could try some 3M vinyl same as they use on cars.
You do play somre after all.
Youll get some leg tonight for sure. Tell us how you do.
John Monroney one break coming up!
i think fret sprout is bullcrap, if it was the case of the wood shrinking so much that the fret ends stick out "sometimes by quite a bit",,,why dont the fret markers crack or fall out altogether, or produce gaps around them, or the binding on some guitars peeling off? is it a case of the wood only doing selective shrinkage along the edges, and right the way down both sides of the fret board? what a crock of shit, fret sprout is a poor excuse for a crappy fret job being done in the factory. my opinion thats all.
Then how do you explain frets that are perfect at first then cause issues later? This happends often.
@@addictedtogear never had or even heard of that happening ever in all my many years guitar building and gigging, and i must have owned hundreds of guitars oldies as well as new. and like i said my opinion thats all, seeing this bullshit has only been used the last 6 years or so.and you explain to me what i said about bindings and fret markers and top nuts and all the other stuff that doesnt move on the fret board or the neck, explain that one.
inspectorcal I’ve had bindings crack at exactly where the frets are located all down the neck.
@@addictedtogear yep, me too. but not so much as i can feel the fret ends sticking out.
Looks good, colour sucks! Gimme red, black or white, as options.
I thought so too at first, but its much nicer in person! Thanks for watching...
@@addictedtogear it was my pleasure, thanks for posting. Dont get me wrong, I said the colour sucks, I just dont like green, but it still looks good, if that makes sense lol. 👍
Flabbergasted? Is this a formal word?
Amber57499 flabbergasted to describe someone who's astounded or surprised for any reason, good or bad.
Zhangbucker here. Did you just send me an email about P90s?
Yes
Lots of guitars don’t have plates on the neck joint, and that guitar doesn’t look that well contoured.