A quick look at Harley Benton's Manhattan Standard semi-acoustic guitar. Theme music 'Mustang,' from my album, 'Warbirds,' by Harpaxe. Available from Amazon & i-tunes.
I actually love the look and sound of this wee guitar John. I own a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin ( which I adore for several reasons ) and this Harley Benton reminds me a lot of my Godin but, even though the Godin is a brilliant price for its quality, this is miles cheaper and I could definitely use it as a cracking wee songwriting tool. In fact, I think I will look to buying one - great to have as a lounge guitar, without worrying too much about potential damage. Fabulous review, as ever John. Much love and respect my friend x
Now this looks perfect for me! I've been wanting an archtop acoustic/electric for years now, and while this leans towards the electric side, it sounds good enough acoustically that it should work for my needs! Excellent video!
It's an impressive review John, loved it! Mostly the intonation lesson (: Lovely playing, lovely youtube channel. I'm a new converted fan. BTW just ordered the guitar, searching for a hollowbody/semi-acoustic with a neck mini humbucker for clean blues and I'll give this HB a try. Thank you!
I think Thomann should pay you for your reviews! Thanks for this. I've been considering this guitar, but been put off by the price. Your review was exceptional, fair, balanced and covering the aspects important to the amateur players it's presumably aimed at. Always nice to see what it can do, in the hands of a master like yourself, but your assessment of the build and finish was very useful. I was particularly interested in the comparisons of acoustic and amplified sound, something which is difficult to find normally. Thanks also for the mini intonation setup tutorial. Very useful. And I always trust the advice of a fellow Scotsman. My difficulty was, at the price, was it merely cheap, or a bargain? So, that's that question answered. You've made up my mind. I'll have one!
@@JohnCouplandguitar Took your recommendation and ordered one. Just arrived. Sounds fantastic, even better in the flesh. Very sonorous at the bottom end. Looks really classy as well. Job for this evening: Adjust the bridge position for correct intonation. (I'm not expecting it to take very long as you've already shown us how to do it!) Many thanks for that.
@@peterabjohns8993 Harley Benton guitars are some of the very best on the market in the "budget" range. Both their acoustics and electrics seem to be fabulous for the price.
Couldn't play acoustic or big thick jazz guitars because a tendon in my shoulder was starting to tear.... So in response to all that pain, I stopped moving my shoulder. That resulted in a frozen shoulder. John, get your shoulder looked at before it gets too bad. I had surgery, and I'm in PT now. Feels so much better and I can play thick guitars again.
Great video John, the guitar sounds very good, nice and mellow. I will leave you with a smile (hopefully), question, how do you make an Aberdonian omelette? first borrow six eggs.
@@JohnCouplandguitar It is such a great looking guitar! Do you play this one on the 'Warbirds' album? (I dig the little polka-ish accordion vibe in 'Mighty, Mighty Mig'.)
@@stephenlibert7909 No, that was a few years ago and I used an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Speaking of Warbirds I wrote a tune a few days ago, 'Phantom,' with a view to making a follow up album on fighters from the Cold War era. Now the question is whether to use overdrive or keep it clean? What do you think?
@@JohnCouplandguitar NICE! Maybe a little overdrive with some 'dive bomb' sounds? Ya know, to go with the theme and such... My 3rd Eye says listen to some Pink Floyd for inspiration. HAHA! I'm sure it'll be fun to mess around with and figure out. I would try to mix it up with cleans and overdrives while adding a few effects. That's what I think.
Lovely presentation John ..I've searched everywhere and can not find a left handed version...do you know if they made or make left handed Manhattan's...?
Thanks Pete but no I have not seen any mention of a LH version. Changing the nut would be easy enough and re-positioning the jack and two knobs could be done although it would leave the old holes but maybe that is why stickers were invented? The bridge would be more challenging but not impossible for a good craftsman.
@@JohnCouplandguitar thank you very much John for such a swift reply.... I'll keep looking and if and when it comes to it I'll use your suggestion ..they are very handsome guitar for a decent price and sound pretty good too...again thanks for the help.
4:46 is that really the sound of the guitar through the pickup? It sounds more like an acoustic than any fancy acoustic with a built-in fishman system. I can hear the clacking of the pick. I don't think that's 100% pickup.
I'll be honest with you this is the most beautiful guitar that i've ever seen, i really wanted to hear it with distortion. I'm starting in guitar right now and I didn't understand why wouldn't be recommended to use distortion in this guitar.
While a hollow body guitar can be played with distortion at very low volume, any attempt to crank it up will result in uncontrollable feedback. Limiting feedback has been the driving force behind the evolution of the electric guitar. The first models were like this Manhattan, next the body's depth was reduced to around 2 inches, then a solid centre piece was added (335 style) and finally the solid Les Paul model. The greater the internal cavity, the greater the feedback.
Thank you John for a very informative and knowledgable review (and a very Happy New Year to you as well). These Harley Benton Guitars seem to be very well put together for the money they charge. Sometimes even globalism has an upside!
Hi Julia, there is not much in it. I prefer the Fender neck as it has slightly more bulk than the Yamaha but for folks with small hands the Yamaha is great.
Picking up the chinese made guitar for the first time immediately notice it is heavy in the neck. Doesn't balance like any acoustic I've held before. When I cut into the guitar for installing a Gibson classic 57 humbucker, I saw that the bracing runs parallel on each side of the neck towards the heel. THe bracing doesn't extend all the way to the edge of the top piece. My guitar I found the bass side brace was floating near the neck cutout but held firm at the f hole. Glue runs can be seen inside the guitar body. I will need to secure the brace before I can install the humbucker. Found out why the guitar is so heavy at the neck. There is a huge block of wood filling the cavity of the body immediately underneath the 20th fret of the neck terminating at the neck end of the body. I will be drilling out some of this block bracing as it more indicative of hasty manufacturing rather than craftsmanship. This modifed centerblock does not extend out towards the bridge as in the korean made IYV 500 does. If I can't get this guitar to musically sing without amplification, it will be a failure in my book and will restore a old nylon string guitar with a venetian cutaway instead.
Video exceeds all expectations- funny, informative, and so so so chill.
Thanks Justin, much appreciated.
I actually love the look and sound of this wee guitar John. I own a Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin ( which I adore for several reasons ) and this Harley Benton reminds me a lot of my Godin but, even though the Godin is a brilliant price for its quality, this is miles cheaper and I could definitely use it as a cracking wee songwriting tool. In fact, I think I will look to buying one - great to have as a lounge guitar, without worrying too much about potential damage. Fabulous review, as ever John. Much love and respect my friend x
I never really plug this one in because it sounds so inspiring acoustically. Great guitar.
Came for the guitar, stayed for the playing. Very nice and chilled, all the best mate
Much appreciated if a litte late in replying.
Happy New Year John, your reviews are always very enjoyable, and the nice humour adds to the likeability of your videos, that HB, looks a nice guitar.
Happy new year William.
This is my first time to see this HB model. Beautiful guitar & very good review sir. Thank you.
Now this looks perfect for me! I've been wanting an archtop acoustic/electric for years now, and while this leans towards the electric side, it sounds good enough acoustically that it should work for my needs! Excellent video!
Glad I could help Brian.
Great reviews from a man with a great personality. Complete demo. Thanks!
Much appreciated Terry.
That style guitar really becomes you John. I agree on the single pickup location.
Here's to a great year, sir!
Good new year Jo.
Wow. I do love this guitar. Always been intimidated by the floating bridge, but you put it quite well.
Good review, nice guitar. Thank you! Happy New Year!
Happy new year Cinnabari.
Sounds lovely and your playing is exceptional...happy New year to John
Thanks Charlie and happy new year.
Very nice & informative review. I enjoyed your playing too.
Glad you enjoyed it
It's an impressive review John, loved it! Mostly the intonation lesson (: Lovely playing, lovely youtube channel. I'm a new converted fan. BTW just ordered the guitar, searching for a hollowbody/semi-acoustic with a neck mini humbucker for clean blues and I'll give this HB a try. Thank you!
It is a very fine guitar Nuno. i am sure it will serve you well.
Thanks for the nice review! Happy New Year, John!
Happy new year and God bless.
Happy New year John. Proud of you representing Scotland
And a good new year to you.
Another great review with nice touches of humour as always. Thanks and happy new year.
Thanks Brian, happy new year.
I think Thomann should pay you for your reviews!
Thanks for this. I've been considering this guitar, but been put off by the price. Your review was exceptional, fair, balanced and covering the aspects important to the amateur players it's presumably aimed at. Always nice to see what it can do, in the hands of a master like yourself, but your assessment of the build and finish was very useful. I was particularly interested in the comparisons of acoustic and amplified sound, something which is difficult to find normally.
Thanks also for the mini intonation setup tutorial. Very useful.
And I always trust the advice of a fellow Scotsman. My difficulty was, at the price, was it merely cheap, or a bargain?
So, that's that question answered. You've made up my mind. I'll have one!
Thanks Pete, I have had this a few months now and I still enjoy playing it. I am sure you will not be disappointed.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Took your recommendation and ordered one. Just arrived. Sounds fantastic, even better in the flesh. Very sonorous at the bottom end. Looks really classy as well. Job for this evening: Adjust the bridge position for correct intonation. (I'm not expecting it to take very long as you've already shown us how to do it!) Many thanks for that.
@@peterabjohns8993 Harley Benton guitars are some of the very best on the market in the "budget" range. Both their acoustics and electrics seem to be fabulous for the price.
Thank You for the nice review and excellent explanation of the bridge (much thanks from a newbie)!
Glad it was helpful!
That looks like a really good instrument and a great demo and review.
Thanks 58.
Thank you so much for this great video. I love the sound and the optic of this beauti.
Thanks for watching Frank.
really glad you did this review! Happy new year!
Thanks Andrew and have a great year.
Excellent review and playing. Thankyou.
Glad you liked it!
Love to hear & see it.
absolutely great review from a great guitar player
Thank you kindly!
Thanks John; learned a bit here and confirmed that I'm adding the Manhatten to my arsenal as I peddle off the weak sisters.
Glad it helped.
Thanks for a great demo the guitar looks great.
Glad you liked it Dave.
i got to get me one.i like how you review the guitars you can hear how they really sound.i play gospel music so its right down my way.thanks
Couldn't play acoustic or big thick jazz guitars because a tendon in my shoulder was starting to tear.... So in response to all that pain, I stopped moving my shoulder. That resulted in a frozen shoulder. John, get your shoulder looked at before it gets too bad. I had surgery, and I'm in PT now. Feels so much better and I can play thick guitars again.
Thanks for the advice Mike.
Sounds awesome and the price is unbelievable
Helpful review and good playing!
Great Review! Great Guitar! Great Man! and Happy New Year!
And a good new year to you.
great review john and have a great review new year.
Thanks Dave and a good new year to you.
Happy New Year John from Vienna
Happy new year Red.
Great video John, the guitar sounds very good, nice and mellow. I will leave you with a smile (hopefully), question, how do you make an Aberdonian omelette? first borrow six eggs.
Very good!
@@JohnCouplandguitar We could all use a laugh these days John.
AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice video, J.C.! I learned some things. I wonder if this guitar would survive the trip to California...
Good question! A hot dry climate can cause problems.
@@JohnCouplandguitar It is such a great looking guitar! Do you play this one on the 'Warbirds' album? (I dig the little polka-ish accordion vibe in 'Mighty, Mighty Mig'.)
I dig the name 'HARPAXE' ... I always thought "Git'fiddle" was a funny name for a guitar. HAHA!
@@stephenlibert7909 No, that was a few years ago and I used an Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Speaking of Warbirds I wrote a tune a few days ago, 'Phantom,' with a view to making a follow up album on fighters from the Cold War era. Now the question is whether to use overdrive or keep it clean? What do you think?
@@JohnCouplandguitar NICE! Maybe a little overdrive with some 'dive bomb' sounds? Ya know, to go with the theme and such... My 3rd Eye says listen to some Pink Floyd for inspiration. HAHA! I'm sure it'll be fun to mess around with and figure out. I would try to mix it up with cleans and overdrives while adding a few effects. That's what I think.
One thing I like about Trapeze tail piece, the strings are longer, they give more freely for bending notes.
This is not semi!
@@DMSProduktions ...thanks for the correction.
@@BonafideToolJunkie He does say it's fully hollow! Cheers! I like them too!
Lovely presentation John ..I've searched everywhere and can not find a left handed version...do you know if they made or make left handed
Manhattan's...?
Thanks Pete but no I have not seen any mention of a LH version. Changing the nut would be easy enough and re-positioning the jack and two knobs could be done although it would leave the old holes but maybe that is why stickers were invented? The bridge would be more challenging but not impossible for a good craftsman.
@@JohnCouplandguitar thank you very much John for such a swift reply.... I'll keep looking and if and when it comes to it I'll use your suggestion ..they are very handsome guitar for a decent price and sound pretty good too...again thanks for the help.
Hello sir, excellent review! How loud would you say this guitar is unplugged compared to a standard flat top acoustic?
Hi David, About 50%.
Wish they made that guitar with a P-90, it would sound even better, but not bad the way it is....!
4:46 is that really the sound of the guitar through the pickup? It sounds more like an acoustic than any fancy acoustic with a built-in fishman system. I can hear the clacking of the pick. I don't think that's 100% pickup.
That is a feature of this model, that the amplified and accoustic sounds are very similar.
@@JohnCouplandguitar I watched the only other demo of this guitar on RUclips and the amplified sound sounded nothing like an acoustic guitar.
I'll be honest with you this is the most beautiful guitar that i've ever seen, i really wanted to hear it with distortion. I'm starting in guitar right now and I didn't understand why wouldn't be recommended to use distortion in this guitar.
While a hollow body guitar can be played with distortion at very low volume, any attempt to crank it up will result in uncontrollable feedback. Limiting feedback has been the driving force behind the evolution of the electric guitar. The first models were like this Manhattan, next the body's depth was reduced to around 2 inches, then a solid centre piece was added (335 style) and finally the solid Les Paul model. The greater the internal cavity, the greater the feedback.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Thanks for claryfing that John!!! :)
Happy new year everyone
Thank you John for a very informative and knowledgable review (and a very Happy New Year to you as well). These Harley Benton Guitars seem to be very well put together for the money they charge. Sometimes even globalism has an upside!
A good new year to you Ian. Yes HB are great value.
Good morning Mr. Coupland. This guitar could be a jazzy guitar? I couldn't hear in your video anything about a jazzy sound. Could it be?
Hi Stefano, Jazz is more in the fingers than the guitar but I would say that this is the ideal instrument.
@@JohnCouplandguitar thank you so much mr. Coupland. Your videos are always very interesting and well done
Hi Stefano, check out Jean-Luc Lachenaud on youtube, he recorded a couple of Standards with a HB Manhattan Custom...
Happy new year
And a good new year to you Giorno.
How does the volume on this archtop guitar compare to a standard acoustic? (Thinking about the thinner body.)
It has around 60% of the volume a Folk size guitar would give.
The guitar looks dark brown Mahogany but then if you look at another picture it looks reddish brown what is the real Color !!
Hello mr coupland. i want to ask you a question is a yamaha pacific 112v better than a suier standard stratocaster? i really like a nice stratocaster.
Hi Julia, there is not much in it. I prefer the Fender neck as it has slightly more bulk than the Yamaha but for folks with small hands the Yamaha is great.
Och aye laddie! \m/
Intonation...take a tape measure. How would the sound be with thomastik innfeld swing or bebop .12? More like a real jazz thing...
Would you recommend playing this guitar purely acoustically, in any context?
It has plenty of volume for the living room, the pick up is almost an after thought.
@@JohnCouplandguitar Brilliant. That’s really helpful - am looking for an arch top to use for general acoustic purposes/arrangement parts.
Do you know the neck thickness on this guiytar?
Sorry the guitar was just passing through and now out of reach.
Which strings exactly have you used?
www.thomann.de/gb/pyramid_gold_011048.htm
John Coupland thank you very much!!
Picking up the chinese made guitar for the first time immediately notice it is heavy in the neck. Doesn't balance like any acoustic I've held before. When I cut into the guitar for installing a Gibson classic 57 humbucker, I saw that the bracing runs parallel on each side of the neck towards the heel. THe bracing doesn't extend all the way to the edge of the top piece. My guitar I found the bass side brace was floating near the neck cutout but held firm at the f hole. Glue runs can be seen inside the guitar body. I will need to secure the brace before I can install the humbucker. Found out why the guitar is so heavy at the neck. There is a huge block of wood filling the cavity of the body immediately underneath the 20th fret of the neck terminating at the neck end of the body. I will be drilling out some of this block bracing as it more indicative of hasty manufacturing rather than craftsmanship. This modifed centerblock does not extend out towards the bridge as in the korean made IYV 500 does. If I can't get this guitar to musically sing without amplification, it will be a failure in my book and will restore a old nylon string guitar with a venetian cutaway instead.
Useful info.
good luck from vienna
I'll make it the type of guitar to take a fuzz pedal
Looks good, sounds better, cost best
Agreed!
I get the impression that Harley Benton guitars are made of poorly rolled sheet metal, the sound just isn't where it's supposed to be.
that guitar sounds very thin. even with an amp
This video does not in any way encourage me to want to visit Scotland!
I don't Think this is real Mahogany guitar I think it's Plywood with a Mahogany looking Stain anybody know !!!
You talk too much. Play!
Sounds too much like the Godin 5th Ave which I hated..never ever own a cherry wood guitar again..