I just received my Gotoh DLX in Pelham Blue...here is my review on Thomann. Over the Top Quality... My Jaw Dropped! I received my Harley Benton DC-DLX Gotoh Pelham Blue in good order and with swift delivery thanks to UPS. This is my 7th Harley Benton guitar. To be quite frank, I had my reservations, as I have always had classic necks the likes of Strats, Telecasters, etc. Having white trim concerned me, as I wasn't sure how well it would be detailed. When I unpacked the guitar, as usual, I closely scrutinised it and could not find any flaws. In fact, it was as close to perfect as one might expect. I lowered the action to 1.45mm (love low action) and there was zero fret buzz. The intonation was perfect. I raised the pickups a couple of rotations closer to the strings and checked to make sure when on the 22 frets they did not hit the pickups when strumming or picking. No buzz, perfection. Now for the neck. Super level to my liking. No fret sprouting, the tusk nut was perfectly installed and the playability was a pleasure. The pickups are rich and hot. Amazingly vintage-sounding output, with a more modern attack in the highs. The low-end roars. I was pleasantly surprised by the utility of the split pickup function. Very usable and really twangy on the bridge pickup. The centre is warm and the neck surprisingly has more highs than the combined middle setting. The TESLA pickups are fabulous and would be quite at home on guitars costing 4 to 5 x the cost of this guitar. Gotoh hardware is solid and with the Gotoh name, expectedly the quality shines through. I like 9-42 strings and will keep these 10-46's for a bit longer and change when necessary. Finally, the look of the guitar, in reality, is much more beautiful than the pictures can capture. HB product photography is excellent, but having the guitar in your hands is the only way to appreciate the quality of this €1000+ looking guitar. The colours of Pelham Blue and Gold Hardware are harmonious and marry well. Finally, you can feel confident in purchasing this amazing instrument. A great guitar at any price point! Thanks Thomann! 5 Stars!
@@Hal-fz1em take a look at the dc custom line on the photos. I have one. Take a look at the dlx on the photos. The fact is the dlx is much much thicker. The neck is a baseball bat, the Tesla vr2 pickups are dull. All in all not good. I’ve sent it back.
Great Video Dave. On my way to check them out with your link. Cant wait to find out what kind of spice girl advertisments you had this weekl LOL See ya at the live show.
I hope HB can keep their price quality ratio like what we have seen the last couple of years. It keeps amazing me how they get those specs for such a price. Seeing an actual maple cap instead of a veneer on a LP style guitar is something even Epiphone doesn't always do.
I haven’t played a Harley Benton yet. I haven’t seen one in a store here in L.A. to pick-up & try. Are they coming set-up pretty well, or are they all mod-fodder?
Harley Benton is Thomann's in house brand. You probably just find them second hand. From my experience they were pretty well setup out of the box. (Difference in climate and transport might cause you to tweak the setup, as is the case with any guitar from any country that isn't around the corner)
@@nickofzo I always have mine set-up by a friend who’s a pro anyway. I bought a Squire paranormal offset-telecaster & it arrived in unplayable condition. I was a bit surprised by that.
Harley Benton Indonesia and indeed Vietnam guitars are well set up. The only things I’d say is you need to lower the bridge a little to get the action right. Mine are fantastic guitars. Not found so on the acoustic models as they have needed serious luthier attention so I sent mine back and got a refund. So I’d say they are a real bargain. I’m ordering a dc model now as I don’t think they will be around for long as these come over in shipments and could be a fourteen to sixteen week order if they are out of stock. Ebony fretboard? I would say yes looking at the specs and photos. Ebony and stainless frets BARGAIN FOR 20 pound upcharge
Vintage is another great producer, price/quality ratio. But, their prices are starting to climb and it's becoming not worth it. I like my Squiers. I have a JHS Vintage 25th anniversary V75 and in my opinion, it's better than a Fender Player Series. I rolled the fretboard edges and changed the pickups. One of my best players.
I just received my Gotoh DLX in Pelham Blue...here is my review on Thomann.
Over the Top Quality... My Jaw Dropped!
I received my Harley Benton DC-DLX Gotoh Pelham Blue in good order and with swift delivery thanks to UPS. This is my 7th Harley Benton guitar. To be quite frank, I had my reservations, as I have always had classic necks the likes of Strats, Telecasters, etc. Having white trim concerned me, as I wasn't sure how well it would be detailed. When I unpacked the guitar, as usual, I closely scrutinised it and could not find any flaws. In fact, it was as close to perfect as one might expect. I lowered the action to 1.45mm (love low action) and there was zero fret buzz. The intonation was perfect. I raised the pickups a couple of rotations closer to the strings and checked to make sure when on the 22 frets they did not hit the pickups when strumming or picking. No buzz, perfection.
Now for the neck. Super level to my liking. No fret sprouting, the tusk nut was perfectly installed and the playability was a pleasure. The pickups are rich and hot. Amazingly vintage-sounding output, with a more modern attack in the highs. The low-end roars. I was pleasantly surprised by the utility of the split pickup function. Very usable and really twangy on the bridge pickup. The centre is warm and the neck surprisingly has more highs than the combined middle setting. The TESLA pickups are fabulous and would be quite at home on guitars costing 4 to 5 x the cost of this guitar.
Gotoh hardware is solid and with the Gotoh name, expectedly the quality shines through.
I like 9-42 strings and will keep these 10-46's for a bit longer and change when necessary.
Finally, the look of the guitar, in reality, is much more beautiful than the pictures can capture. HB product photography is excellent, but having the guitar in your hands is the only way to appreciate the quality of this €1000+ looking guitar. The colours of Pelham Blue and Gold Hardware are harmonious and marry well.
Finally, you can feel confident in purchasing this amazing instrument. A great guitar at any price point!
Thanks Thomann! 5 Stars!
I like the look of the "SG" models.
I'm a big SG fan. Good price for stainless steel frets.
Cheers and stay safe.
😊😎🎸
I actually ordered the Harley Benton DC-DLX Gotoh Black . Finger crossed they don't send me a lemon.
If they do send it back. I think it will be fine.
Did you get it? Like it? I'm torn between the black or that DB?
@@Hal-fz1em mate avoid. It’s very heavy. Mine was 8.7 lbs. pickups were dull as hell. Very well made and a fretboard of ebony. Sent it back.
@@aliengrey6052 I heard the new one is 7lb something.
@@Hal-fz1em take a look at the dc custom line on the photos. I have one. Take a look at the dlx on the photos. The fact is the dlx is much much thicker. The neck is a baseball bat, the Tesla vr2 pickups are dull. All in all not good. I’ve sent it back.
I would like to see an update for the HB CST 24, great guitar, completely banjaxed me getting a PRS.
Nice to see the SS frets. Nice video again.
Absolutely I think the CST 24 is great, I used to have one with tree of life inlays that I regret selling a few years ago.
Great review and cook color. DB
Dave, received mine, it was a boat anchor mate, and the pickups inferior to roswells. I know cause I’ve got the HB dc custom line.
Great Video Dave. On my way to check them out with your link. Cant wait to find out what kind of spice girl advertisments you had this weekl LOL See ya at the live show.
Their new fusion-III is also nice. Especially the ST model with the hard tail
Yeah those are very cool
Really like the sparkle pink! That one with a JB in the bridge!!!!
I hope HB can keep their price quality ratio like what we have seen the last couple of years. It keeps amazing me how they get those specs for such a price. Seeing an actual maple cap instead of a veneer on a LP style guitar is something even Epiphone doesn't always do.
Love the look of the Daphne blue SC. If they do a version with P90s I'll buy it.
only one thought was cool was the Black SC.. i just wished they'd do more of the 550plus emg in different colors..
Stainless steel frets along with Gotoh tuners and hardware...getting harder and harder not to buy HB lads..
I haven’t played a Harley Benton yet. I haven’t seen one in a store here in L.A. to pick-up & try.
Are they coming set-up pretty well, or are they all mod-fodder?
Harley Benton is Thomann's in house brand. You probably just find them second hand.
From my experience they were pretty well setup out of the box. (Difference in climate and transport might cause you to tweak the setup, as is the case with any guitar from any country that isn't around the corner)
@@nickofzo I always have mine set-up by a friend who’s a pro anyway. I bought a Squire paranormal offset-telecaster & it arrived in unplayable condition. I was a bit surprised by that.
@@hailmaryrecordings8255 Wow, yeah I expect much more from Squier and that range in particular. Sure give HB a try if you have the chance.
Harley Benton Indonesia and indeed Vietnam guitars are well set up. The only things I’d say is you need to lower the bridge a little to get the action right. Mine are fantastic guitars. Not found so on the acoustic models as they have needed serious luthier attention so I sent mine back and got a refund. So I’d say they are a real bargain. I’m ordering a dc model now as I don’t think they will be around for long as these come over in shipments and could be a fourteen to sixteen week order if they are out of stock.
Ebony fretboard? I would say yes looking at the specs and photos. Ebony and stainless frets BARGAIN FOR 20 pound upcharge
Nice. Epis here so set.
is it ok comment before the video's even been on?
Vintage is another great producer, price/quality ratio. But, their prices are starting to climb and it's becoming not worth it. I like my Squiers. I have a JHS Vintage 25th anniversary V75 and in my opinion, it's better than a Fender Player Series. I rolled the fretboard edges and changed the pickups. One of my best players.
One more thumbs down that's the fourth chord.
Awesome, a dislike is engagement on the channel so it actually helps it grow!!! cheers buddy.
@@ThreeChordDave
oh no problem. Could you teach me that 4th chord now?