Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS LPB

Premetto che ho acquistato la chitarra dopo aver letto ed ascoltato recensioni che ne descrivevano i pregi ed i difetti. Avevo quindi già un'idea di quello che mi sarei ritrovato tra le mani. Dal punto di vista estetico nulla da eccepire: verniciatura ok, tasti non taglienti, setting più accettabile sia come intonazione che come action. Manico: la tastiera necessitava di essere nutrita con olio di limone ma il manico è assolutamente comodo, scorrevole e sottile al punto giusto (per me). Le meccaniche hanno diversa durezza di scorrimento. Ad esempio il MI cantino è molto duro da ruotare mentre il RE risulta molto scorrevole. Questo è un aspetto migliorabile... Suono: mi sarei aspettato qualcosa di meglio. In qualsiasi posizione del selettore il suono risultava troppo secco, metallico, poco corposo (complici forse anche le corde di serie). Ho sostituito tutti i pickup con degli economici Fleor Alnico 5, il potenziometro pull push B250K ed una muta di corde Rotosound 10-46... Il cambiamento è stato evidente. Suono più caldo e corposo, seppur rimanendo cristallino nelle posizioni 2 e 4 dove si ottiene un timbro tipicamente Strato... In definitiva ottimo strumento con rapporto qualità prezzo imbattibile. Buona base per upgrade a costi più che accettabili...

I’d like to start by saying, I have been a PRO player my whole life and have owned quite a few high end guitars, I also have many Harley Benton guitars and I long awaited the release of the STModern Plus. However there were a few features that didn’t really appeal to me. So when the STModern was released at £150, I had to have one. This is an honest review, maybe slightly biased by my experience and preferences, but honest, nevertheless.

Firstly, the POSITIVES: The build quality is excellent. I couldn’t find any finish flaws anywhere. The neck is incredibly comfortable, the side dots are perfectly fitted, the trem is smooth and stays in tune and on first impressions, the pickups sound honky and very pleasant. (I’ve not tried them properly yet) The out of the box set-up was almost perfect. For the money I’d say it would be near impossible to find a better guitar.

Secondly, the NEGATIVES: The description boasts PREMIUM nickel silver frets. Now I have a TE62DB and ST62. Whist the fret work is excellent, and everything plays perfectly, the frets are possibly slightly on the small side for me. They look very similar to the TE62DB and ST62 but more difficult to grip, which suggest a slightly less tall fret. I like taller frets and my fusions, which all boast medium jumbo frets, my CE24, SC550, DC Jnr and my TE90 Blast, ALL have what I consider to be frets of a more professional and playable size. When I got the guitar it had 009 gauge strings fitted (difficult for me to assess playability as I prefer 010’s) and what appeared to be a faulty machine head. I waited until Thomann supplied a replacement before I put 010 gauge strings on. Thomann’s response was quick to solve the issue, however the new machine head was slightly different and didn’t fit, but refitting the old one seemed to solve the problem. So I fitted 010’s and decided to remove the protective coverings on the plastic parts. Whilst I like the guitar, I’m sadly not really connecting with it because of the frets. But it blows the ST62 out of the water on every other level.
It’s also really hard to change the strings as the backplate doesn’t line up and the block is painted black, making it hard to see the string holes, which are recessed half way up the back of the block.
The volume control is also a little far away for comfortable pinky violining.

Another point to note is, if you want to change the scratch plate, standard ‘Strat’ type plates will NOT fit. They are not even close, as while the STModern looks like a ‘Strat’ , it is nowhere near the same shape if you put it next to a ‘Strat’ and look closely. It is however a very nice looking guitar.

It is also quite heavy and robust feeling, so if you want a light guitar, this is not for you.

This would have been a 5 star review as it really is an excellent guitar, but frets are important, so I have to mark it down.

I am blown away by the ST-Modern. If you are on the fence, climb on over and place your order. This is impressive. I was eagerly awaiting the launch of this guitar and placed the order the first day. It took nearly a week to ship, which is unlike my typical experiences with Thomann, but I suspect that was to allow for QC checks or due to a high order volume.

PROS: very attractive. Nice paint without blemishes. Good choice of colors. Incredibly impressive specs/features. Unheard of, and I'm speechless to find them at this price point. This thing looks. feels and sounds so good. Dare I say, "tasty." OK, I won't ;-)

CONS or less than ideal: I ordered and received two colors and both have small neck pocket cracks, BUT they are very subtle. I just hope they don't spread. One has a very stiff tuner, which may loosen up over time. No biggy. It's a bit heavier than expected, but I really don't mind that. Visible body seem showing through the paint on the face of guitar, below the bridge.

To hear more, feel free to watch my review and unboxing video: Search YouTube for "Harley Benton ST-Modern (NOT Plus) Unboxing, First Impressions, mini Review"

NOTE: I noted pickup pole pieces set below the pickup covers. This is normal for 2nd strings on vintage style staggered pole pickups.

More pros. I love the bridge. The push/pull feels and sounds great. When the bridge humbucker is split, it really pairs well with the middle and neck as a S. I do really love the humbucker as well.

WOW. Thank you, Thomann/HB!

Let me start off by saying the guitar is incredibly fun to play and the neck is super comfy! The only problems I ran into was the string trees and the locking tuners but they are minor. I was able to fix the tuning stability by replacing the string trees with roller string trees and tightening the locks on the tuners. Also, make sure you get some pliers because to get the locking tuners to stay in place you want them super tight.

Pros - slightly rolled fret board edges.
- perfect intonation out the box.
- beautiful finish and neck
- pickup sounds pretty great as well.
- floating tremolo and it stays in tune after replacing string tree and lubricanting the nut.
- not to heavy
- easy access to trust rod adjustment
- pop and pull pick ups
- comes with two tremolo arms

Cons - some fret buzz but nothing to major
- non self lubricating but still has good sustain
- string trees
- need pliers to lock tuners in place


Would highly recommend nonetheless! Please do yourself a favor and put your orders in today!