Harley Benton HB Custom Line CLD-10S NS

Ho acquistato questa chitarra per un regalo ad un principiante... E la stavo tenendo per me! Non è la prima HB che prendo, ma è sicuramente la miglior riuscita. Come al solito ottimo imballo, la chitarra è arrivata perfettamente settata, ho dovuto solo accordarla. A prima vista mi ha impressionato la qualità dei legni e dei dettagli: non le ho trovato una sbavatura. Tasti lisci e posati perfettamente, così come il binding, punti di incollaggio e ottime le chiavi di accordatura. Suono: pieno, definito, ottimo sustain. Manico scorrevole e piacevole al tatto. Ho apprezzato anche i ricambi in più forniti nello scatolo (piolo e selletta ponte, brugola per l'action). Se mi avessero detto che costava 500€ ci avrei creduto. Harley Benton da paura, il top in massello si fa sentire.
Consigliatissima sia a chi deve cominciare (è anche tanto), sia per chi già suona ma vuole uno strumento di ottima qualità ad un prezzo conveniente. Non vedo l’ora di provare le acustiche HB di fascia superiore! Pienamente soddisfatto.

Overall I'm pleased with the guitar. I'll preface my short review by stating that I am neither a musician nor a guitar tech. I would describe myself as a lower level intermediate player. On the other hand I have owned a number of acoustic guitars priced around this point €129, so I can compare to those

1. In comparison to similar priced budget guitars. I never managed to find a solid-top acoustic at this price before, they were all laminate tops and not particularly good at that.
I recently sold a budget acoustic, same price as this, no comparison in quality, finish or sound.

2. Aesthetics: looks great, no real visual defects to speak of. Few minor variations in the wood top, but I don't really care. Fittings, tuners, bridge etc all look good. Ne dents, bumps etc.

3. Packaging. Arrived very well protected. Neck of guitar was protected by an additional cardboard sleeve inside box.

4. Action was really good, very playable, especially if you are used to electric guitars. My last acoustic was unplayable (even with adjustments).

5. Tuners: they feel ok. A few slips, some stiffness, not too bad.

6. Very playable, sounds good, more 'articulate' than my previous acoustic.

7. Frets: about 85% there. There are no sharp ones, you can feel them as your hand moves on the neck though, they could be a little better finished. They are not polished to a mirror shine, neither are they tarnished. I would say there is very slight scratchiness when you apply a small bend to a string, but I've had a lot worse (and at higher prices).

Bought it to leave around my work room so that I can play whenever. I am mostly an electric guitar player (5 Harley Bentons of various prices) and mostly interested in learning to finger-pick blues music. But I like to have a go off the occasional big-strumming song and this fits the bill.

A great quality, nice sounding guitar at a great price.

I would definitely buy this as my first or second acoustic, and if either of my sons ever learns to play I'd happily get one for them.

If you want a short version: this is an awesome guitar, buy it.
For this price this guitar is absolutely stunning. Very simplistic but, at the same time, beatiful design with a solid spruce top. The sound this instrument produces is very loud and it has these lows and mids which are typical for the dreadnoughts.
Although, I can say that there are a few shortcomings. Like the strings are too low so they often tend to touch the frets. The first string is especially problematic since it doesn't have a clear sound on the 12th and 13th fret. Or the fretboard doesn't seem to be polished so bends can produce this scratching sound. However, this is totally not a problem and can be easily fixed in a matter of minutes.
Overall, this is a beatiful loud and very tonal-rich guitar... for its price.