Harley Benton Guitar MAX Fusion Signature EF

Premesso che il set up con cui è arrivata la chitarra era pessimo ai limiti della suonabilita, con action altissima e ponte sregolato, dopo averla regolata e cambiato le corde posso dire che la chitarra ha un buon rapporto qualità prezzo, con un suono rock potente è ben definito sia nei distorti che nei puliti, con pick up che rispondono bene sia come humbucker che switchati a single coil. Belli l'hardwere dorato e il top figurato, anche se in foto è decisamente più bella. L'acero roasted del manico e della tastiera è molto scuro, molto di più di quello che si vede in foto (almeno sulla mia). Lo avrei preferito un pò più chiaro così da vedere meglio le fiammature del legno. In compenso è piacevole al tatto, comodo e scorrevole con tasti ben posati e rifiniti, ben levigati e morbidi nei bending. L'attacco manico corpo potrebbe essere migliorato smussandolo di più (come è il trend attuale), così come la spalla mancante inferiore potrebbe essere più profonda e sagomata posteriormente per favorire un miglior accesso ai tasti più alti, soprattutto per chi ha mani non troppo grandi. Nello strumento arrivato a me i coperchi del vano coprimolle del ponte e del vano elettronica sono poco rifiniti, con sbavature e senza pellicole di protezione con graffi che li fanno sembrare usati.
Sinceramente nel complesso sono soddisfatto, ma non troppo, la chitarra è bella suona bene ma..... non mi convince a pieno

As always a massive thank you to all involved in getting my order processed so quickly.

Guitar after safety and well pack and to prove it was perfectly in tune out of the box.
The pickups are well balanced and very articulate especially the neck rail pickup which is super smooth..think 80,s power ballad solo tone.

The floyd rose is rock solid ,fine tuners a bit stiff but nothing a bit of vasoline won't fix.

Fret work is great no sharp edges but a little gritty but I have had this on guitars twice the money and again an easy fix.

It's certainly got all the shredder appointments except for the most important feature "the neck" while super smooth it is thick 23.4mm at 12th fret and while comfortable it can be hard work doing fast runs so please keep that in mind if your expecting slim speed taper this is not for you.

Well done to harley benton for letting the cat out of the bag and giving us such high quality at budget prices.

This beast is a masterwork of form and function: it looks uber-classy and plays very, very well.

The 24 jumbo frets, the roasted maple neck & fretboard, the Floyd Rose, the coil split, the beautiful finish and gold hardware, the reverse headstock (which serves no purpose but just looks cool), and most of all the playability--low action, smooth frets, good access to the upper register--make this not only a shredder's dream, but versatile enough for most rock, jazz, blues, or country styles.

Now, be forewarned: this beauty has a zaftig neck. The specs say a "modern C" profile, but it feels like a chunky C to me, so if you're used to an Ibanez or Jackson, you might go through a familiarization period. But if you've been playing a Strat or a Les Paul, you won't notice much difference.

If you're looking to step up from your first guitar--or step *over* from your second, third, fourth, or whatever guitar--this might well be the vehicle for you. No matter where you want to go musically, this guitar will probably get you there.

This guitar is super playable and sounds amazing.
What rocks about it:
1. Overall quality is exceptional, it feels like a pricier instrument when you hold it in your hands
2, It stays in tune even with the most extreme bends, squeals and divebombs.
3. There is good sustain
4. The humbuckers are phenomenal and you can switch them into single coil mode
5. The stainless steel frets and the matte fret board feel like butter
6. Looks stunning! The color combo is chefs kiss!

Now things someone might find useful:
1. The neck to body joint is a little thick making it harder to reach the top frets. (For refference I wear a size 9 glove and my hands measure ring tip to knuckle: 9cm knuckle to base of palm: 10cm, thumb knuckle to edge of palm: 9cm)
2. And this one is me nitpicking, I would like it if the spring cover was recessed and not protruding, also I'd like it to be metal or at least wood, the plastic doesn't fit the look and quality of the rest of the instrument.
3. This one is also nitpicking, I'd love it if instead of the mini toggle switch for the single coil/humbucker selection was built in the volume knob like the base fusion III. This is mostly because of looks rather than playability cause I don't see myself switching pickups mid song.

Tip for heavy stuff:
If your hands can take it and you know how to setup a floyd rose, throw one size thicker strings you'll thank me later!

So Overall 4/5 due to the neck hump! Great instrument definitely highly recommended!