I for one I am GLAD you reviewed both of them because I am looking at both but after your unboxing of the Harley Benton, I'm buying this guitar at tax time for sure so THANK YOU 😊
I’m glad you mentioned that pickup sound in the Harley Benton!!! Every demo I’ve heard of it I’ve said the same thing, it doesn’t sound like p90 lp junior...
When I received my Firefly double cut JR model, it had. a stop bar and ABR style bridge, not a single wrap bridge like the one you have. It also has a single ply, black pick guard. It does sound good.
The HB looks like the body shape is closer to the Gibson DC Jnr. The sound of the old P90s does vary quite a bit. Modern P90s seem to go either for the crunchier higher output sound or for a lighter sound with more treble. On modern P90 sets most manufacturers wind the bridge pickup far hotter than the neck. The Gibson originals would have been the same wind for either neck or bridge. I suspect the HB might benefit from a spacer to raise the pickup. You can get P90s quite close to the strings without the magnetic field damping the strings. The yellow HB finish is slightly translucent. I'm guessing the Firefly is a solid colour.
I love your point about the definition of comparison. I enjoy your videos about these instruments because after many years of buying expensive ones, which were often NOT a “ton of fun,” and I stopped doing it, or believing that it would be fun to buy an expensive guitar and spend all my time messing with it instead of playing. Don’t worry about criticism like that, you can make whatever videos you want, as long as you are honest it’s fine. I really like the HB!
Wow, the heel on that Firefly is ridiculous. Its actually making me wonder if that neck is used on a number of different models they make. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they make a single cut version and use the same neck on both.
I just ordered the Harley Benton from Reverb. I like the double-cut feature and the P-90. I will find out how the pu sounds when I get it and deal with it. Good Review, Keep On Rockin'!
Ryan, you ALWAYS hit the nail on the head! Love your honesty, and I know from experience that you are 100% being truthful. I bought 4 Firefly guitars (FFTH), and I have to say, I feel about exactly the same as you do with the Firefly FFDC. I had to send 3 of the 4 Firefly's back that I bought because of serious issues with all 3 of the guitars. I think I must have had some of the worst. The finish on 2 of them looked like they were sanded with 40 grit sand paper over the entire bodies and then clear coated over, one had a crack down the neck, and an improperly cut nut, crooked bridge, crooked string-through ferrules on the back of the guitar through to the front, bad tuners. The one that I did keep, I have worked on it a good amount (complete fret level, crown and polish, new neck pickup, new bone nut), and it still has crooked string through ferrules, bad tuners (won't stay put with the slightest use). Still needs a new bridge (Bent saddles with improper string alignment), and new tuners. I just don't have much fun playing it. I like the way it sounds now as far as pickups, but it has a neck dive and just isn't very fun to play. I'm trying so hard to get used to it and give it a chance, but I've owned it for going on a year now. So far I haven't bonded very well with it. Thanks for another honest side by side comparison with detailed explanation. You ROCK !
Mark Ewing Mark, let me get this straight....... You bought a Firefly guitar which was shit, so then you bought another one, which was shit. Then you bought another one, which was shit. Then you went right ahead and bought another one .... which surprise, surprise...... was shit.
Nope, I bought one that was shit. So I went a head and bought 3 more in hopes that I might receive ONE that was half as good as other people were claiming they received.
I really really respect your integrity in respect to the whole affiliate things and it not swaying your opinion. Also, that whole buy-buy-buy vs bye-bye-bye thing was hilarious lol. My HB-DC will be getting delivered on wednesday yeeeeuuh!
Every guitar is different, even they have sequential serial numbers. Sometimes that difference is so minor that it's extremely difficult to find, and other times it's fairly obvious.
@@perihelion7798 Exactly. Even though I was sarcastic there - it is true that every guitar has its unique voice. It's like saying that you dig your mate's girlfriend's voice and you are going to find a girl that sounds exactly alike. How absurd that would be.
I was laying in bed watching this and busted out laughing as soon as the comparison rant started. Wife says " what the hell is so funny" as my laughter woke her up. I knew exactly where that was headed and why I LOVE your channel. Honesty is why your channel is the best ! Let the FF cult begin the attack because they can't handle the truth..lmao. And BTW, can you do an instructional video on how to string and setup an armadillo ?
I read somewhere that the ( Gibson) Junior design was intended to be a direct competitor of the ( Fender) telecaster design during the 50s , Thats why theres a similarity in sound .
I would call that color butterscotch. With regard to the crappy one, the nut issue needs to be addressed before anything else. Then the truss rod, then the action, then the intonation. Rinse and repeat till it's dialed in. You are just spinning your wheels if you are trying to do it in any other order on a guitar that is that bad. The pickups do sound okay.
Thomann should do more colour options on this model,it's a winner ,i like the butterscotch ,would look great sitting along side a black guard Tele in the same.
Ryan, thanks for these comparison videos! People should realize that these are apples to apples comparisons, regardless of the differences. Maybe we’re comparing a Granny Smith to a Fuji. Maybe you should compare a Red Special with a Red Delicious.
Ok I just bought the Harley Benton locally off of Craigslist,(basically new) for $180 ! You are so right. Best $180 guitar I have ever bought,(I spend more on pedals)......love this guitar......but, yes there is a but.....didn't dig the sound. So I spent $75 on a Dimarzio Vintage p90 and OMG the difference ! : ) Keeps the look and gives it a little more bottom. Great review !
The Firefly would be fun a project. Strip the paint, plug the bridge holes and redrill in the correct spot, sand the neck and heel down to 60s spec and repaint. Might as well upgrade the hardware, pots and pickups along the way 🤷♂️👍
Not having a "true" P90 sound held me back from buying the Harley Benton I already have three of these Roswell pickups in a JA-60 and a HP42 oopsie. BTW isn`t this video number 1000? Congratulations!
Exactly right! The HB is a good guitar, but doesn´t sound like a p90. I got one myself and never really got emotional with it. :) Maybe thats why. My secret tip: the sc-custom offers two p90 Pickups and Grover tuners for the same price and thus is even more of an insane bargain.
Hey Ryan, I can't wait to hear the P90 you pull out of that Firefly and put in the Harley Benton (just an idea I had). I have 1 HB and 2 FF's, and I love BOTH...but I agree completely with your review/comparison of these two guitars. Maybe for the people that have a problem with your definition of "comparison", say "compare and contrast"? Honestly, I don't have a problem with it but hey, you can't make everyone happy, right? They are alike, but they are different. True, it takes a lot longer to get the HB...and there are extra charges for it, but Firefly's are hard to come by, and then you have a LOT of stuff to do to them. To be fair, the Harley Benton I got had a few minor issues as well. Just, consider this before buying, please. He is trying to do you a FAVOR by telling you the TRUTH. Also, if you want to see another honest review of that Firefly right there, go look up Ronald Jr.'s review of it, and the work he put in to MAKE it a good guitar. He's another straight shooter.
As others have noted, it's the proximity of the pickup to the bridge. I would have to measure them to be totally sure, but I would say the HB is pretty accurate, in that respect, to an original Jr.
I have the same HB but blue, I think the same, is really fun to play. Have see on tube someone change pickup with Duncan P90 and vintage wire. I still prefer the original pickup. What that I say to change eventually are the wire because with this guitar is really fun play with tone and volume control for have many sounds, or clean the crunch sound. Is the best guitar for price to me.
Seems like Firefly ran into a common trap of a brand becoming popular: Trying to quickly meet the demand and by doing so, getting sloppy with the quality.
I want that HB in a vintage cherry stain-type finish... although I do dig the amber-mustard color better than a true tv yellow. I soooo would like to jam some early Black Sabbath with it!
Nice Sounds like Rush! Seems like the dog ear pickup would be more difficult upgrade! What dust thou say? And if I was going to upgrade the bridge, what bridge would you suggest! Exactly! I got one coming! HB. I’ve heard that the people who put a shim under that pickup made it come alive! But HB hasn’t shipped my silver sparkle SC in 9 days!
The brightness on the HB may not be the pickup as much as its location. At least in your video, the HB pickup looks like it's closer to the bridge than the Firefly bridge pickup location.
I subscribed off the back of your Epiphone SL video series. You could do something similar with the firefly (especially throwing it off a bridge...) Good honest video. Again.
The only thing I can give Firefly over Harley Benton is the range of finishes they offer. I'd snatch up the HB in a second if they offered it in white.
There are wrap around adjustable bridges for under $20 on eBay and I have a cheap set of nut files that would fix that nut. and a little graphite on the nut would probable help keep the guitar more in tune. for me I could fix the firefly for $30. If you want to ship it to me I have room in my collection for a P90 guitar.
I bought an Harley Benton PRS tribute or knock off whatever you like to call it, it’s awesome I swapped out the bridge for a Goto so I’d have individual intonations and a heavy mass (for sustain) locking tuners just as my preferred choice nothing wrong with what it came with and wow it’s an unreal deal sounds great plays great fit and finish great 👍 So I’ve now finally stopped being a headstock snob. The only con is you won’t get a high resale but hey you don’t have to pay top dollar in the first place.
Ryan, maybe make a video where you address the bridge on the firefly? Sand back the body, remove the bridge and posts fill them and drill further back ? Then refinish :) I’d watch that as a series of videos as well as a lot of your other subscribers I’m sure.
i decided that i cant give this turd away as is and feel good about it, i bought a bridge like the one on the HB and ill be doing an install video soon. I can believe im throwing more money at this thing.
Intonation should be fixable with different gauge strings. will require experimentation with each string. good luck. then make sure the right gauge info is kept with the guitar...
As a nerdy teacher in my nerd voice* “Technically you are comparing AND contrasting. Comparing is talking about how they’re similar and contrasting is talking about how they’re different!” (I’ll see my way out now…
The Harley Benton is a good Social Distortion/Mike Ness guitar. It's a good Rockabilly punk guitar. I like the sound of it. Good buy. Thanks for the review!!
Just got my Harley Benton knock off bass VI in the post. I would prefer the Fender or even Squire but Harley is killing it at those prices! Bargain & Thomann knock it out the park every time. Thomann...take a bow. Nice one guys. ;) Cheers Ry not Cooder.
The Squier Bass VI has major issues with everyone Ive played the string spacing at the nut does not line up with the spacing at the bridge which makes the E strings ride so close to the fingerboard edges that they roll off the sides with even light fretting. I would avoid them like the plague.
I think the brightness of the Harley Benton comes from pick up location. It’s so close to the bridge, like a tele. The firefly is an inch or so further away. I don’t think swapping the pup will make much difference, they will always be trebly in that location.
Phil Thompson That's what the tone control pot is for...... Just ease it back a little at a time until you find the sweet spot. Usually at about six on the knob......
I actually like this , and the HB is made in Indonesia bonus, I think this is one of these guitars great for your collection and you can replace the pup,
60 Cycle Hum will do! I just came across this on my recommendation feed because I've been looking into getting the Harley Benton. I've really wanted a Les Paul double cut but I can't afford a real Gibson one lol.
Hi Ryan, buy a cheap intonateable wraparound bridge aprx 10 euro on ebay and cut (fix) the nutslots on the firefly! - these issues can be fixed , i'm sure !
Most likely would need to fill and drill the bridge post holes and move it back a bit to resolve the intonation issues. Not a simple replace the bridge with an intonatable one issue here.
Should have included the Slick SL 59 and SL 60 as well since their all about the same price. or do a comparrison between the Harley Benton and the Slick Sl59!
Guitar Madness makes the best P90s around, budget or not. I've known more than a couple guys that have willingly replaced their Lollars and Gibsons with these and love the results. I've got one in my Epi Coronet RI and it's the bees knees.
Thanks, guys! I´m in the market for either a Junior P90 or a Les Paul Custom style electric right now, with a budget around 500$. Have my eye on this Harley Benton, the Vintage V130 and the Epiphone LP Custom Pro at the moment. Looking for a warm, compressed but not too muddy or gainy tone for Indie/ Post punk/ Math Rock.
Oh i've tried a bunch. generally they are better than you would expect from their price point. Ive found that the more expensive ones are much nicer than you would expect for a $200-$350 guitar but don't expect them to go toe to toe with MIA and higher end style guitars. They hold their own in the import market though. The only HB ive had that i thought needed major tweaking was the MS-60, the pickups were pretty weak and the tremolo hardware was cheap.
So, when will you compare a guitar to an armadillo?
Mistertbones 100% agree. that needs to happen. Catcher if Ryan doesn’t do it, I think that might end up being my first video on UA-cam!
GUITARMADILLO
@@bazookahorse Intonation on a
Armadillo is a bitch to do...
Tube or solid state with the armadillo?
Web Surfer their necks are so short, there’s really not much room for intonation
I love how you explained the meaning of “comparison” I love it.
I for one I am GLAD you reviewed both of them because I am looking at both but after your unboxing of the Harley Benton, I'm buying this guitar at tax time for sure so THANK YOU 😊
I'd spend just a wee bit more and get a good quality Epiphone LPJ double cut - used is fine.
check out the vintage double cut
@@lgiorgos1 Yup. I've got one in white. Nice chunky neck. Plays like a much more expensive guitar.
I’m glad you mentioned that pickup sound in the Harley Benton!!! Every demo I’ve heard of it I’ve said the same thing, it doesn’t sound like p90 lp junior...
Bruh, you can't compare guitars with different colors of paint ya dingus.
#yadingus
@@philclarke7712 Cut?
I bet they come with different strings, too.
@@joesantamaria5874 Naturally!
So, in this special time of the year, the Firefly makes a fond a cozy addition to your home... in the fireplace!
When I received my Firefly double cut JR model, it had. a stop bar and ABR style bridge, not a single wrap bridge like the one you have. It also has a single ply, black pick guard. It does sound good.
The HB looks like the body shape is closer to the Gibson DC Jnr. The sound of the old P90s does vary quite a bit. Modern P90s seem to go either for the crunchier higher output sound or for a lighter sound with more treble. On modern P90 sets most manufacturers wind the bridge pickup far hotter than the neck. The Gibson originals would have been the same wind for either neck or bridge. I suspect the HB might benefit from a spacer to raise the pickup. You can get P90s quite close to the strings without the magnetic field damping the strings. The yellow HB finish is slightly translucent. I'm guessing the Firefly is a solid colour.
I LOVE you called out the comparison comment, love your content, keep it comin
1:38 Absolutely brilliant!
I always test guitars by that D chord .have done since the 60.s
I love your point about the definition of comparison. I enjoy your videos about these instruments because after many years of buying expensive ones, which were often NOT a “ton of fun,” and I stopped doing it, or believing that it would be fun to buy an expensive guitar and spend all my time messing with it instead of playing. Don’t worry about criticism like that, you can make whatever videos you want, as long as you are honest it’s fine. I really like the HB!
Wow, the heel on that Firefly is ridiculous. Its actually making me wonder if that neck is used on a number of different models they make. Wouldn't surprise me at all if they make a single cut version and use the same neck on both.
The armadillo versus guitar comparison needs to happen. Even if you stall it till April fools day. I’m OK to wait.
I just ordered the Harley Benton from Reverb. I like the double-cut feature and the P-90. I will find out how the pu sounds when I get it and deal with it. Good Review, Keep On Rockin'!
Ryan, you ALWAYS hit the nail on the head! Love your honesty, and I know from experience that you are 100% being truthful. I bought 4 Firefly guitars (FFTH), and I have to say, I feel about exactly the same as you do with the Firefly FFDC. I had to send 3 of the 4 Firefly's back that I bought because of serious issues with all 3 of the guitars. I think I must have had some of the worst. The finish on 2 of them looked like they were sanded with 40 grit sand paper over the entire bodies and then clear coated over, one had a crack down the neck, and an improperly cut nut, crooked bridge, crooked string-through ferrules on the back of the guitar through to the front, bad tuners. The one that I did keep, I have worked on it a good amount (complete fret level, crown and polish, new neck pickup, new bone nut), and it still has crooked string through ferrules, bad tuners (won't stay put with the slightest use). Still needs a new bridge (Bent saddles with improper string alignment), and new tuners. I just don't have much fun playing it. I like the way it sounds now as far as pickups, but it has a neck dive and just isn't very fun to play. I'm trying so hard to get used to it and give it a chance, but I've owned it for going on a year now. So far I haven't bonded very well with it. Thanks for another honest side by side comparison with detailed explanation. You ROCK !
Mark Ewing Mark, let me get this straight....... You bought a Firefly guitar which was shit, so then you bought another one, which was shit. Then you bought another one, which was shit. Then you went right ahead and bought another one .... which surprise, surprise...... was shit.
Nope, I bought one that was shit. So I went a head and bought 3 more in hopes that I might receive ONE that was half as good as other people were claiming they received.
But then all of them were shit.
Subscribed. I can't wait for the armadillo comparison video.
You can’t compare two guitars of different colours.
I would love to see a video of you comparing a $200 guitar and an armadillo.
It had better be an Authentic armadillo...
Or one of these Chinese clones: www.amazon.com/Wild-Republic-Armadillo-Stuffed-Cuddlekins/dp/B01MT7RTZ8
Hilarious😂
I still rate this an orange and 79 pinto.
I really really respect your integrity in respect to the whole affiliate things and it not swaying your opinion.
Also, that whole buy-buy-buy vs bye-bye-bye thing was hilarious lol.
My HB-DC will be getting delivered on wednesday yeeeeuuh!
Finally ! Your comment on "comparisons" is so fricking true ! I hate ppl who cannot grasp the concept of (drum roll plz...) "Comparisons"
weight of the harley?
You should compare two blond fender telecasters. But the serial numbers can’t be more than 100 apart. Then there’s like no point.
3 numbers in my dictionary, and that's stretching.
Every guitar is different, even they have sequential serial numbers. Sometimes that difference is so minor that it's extremely difficult to find, and other times it's fairly obvious.
@@perihelion7798
Exactly. Even though I was sarcastic there - it is true that every guitar has its unique voice. It's like saying that you dig your mate's girlfriend's voice and you are going to find a girl that sounds exactly alike. How absurd that would be.
Giving the people what they want, yet again. Whether you are interested in one of these models or just curious, this is a hot topic. Nice.
Congrat's on 1,000! Typical of HB. They are always fighting above their weight class and winning, IMO.
comparison rant was hilarious. I think I'll stay for the rest of the vid.
Thanks for the not an armadillo review. I was deciding between the FF and HB and just ordered the HB
I was laying in bed watching this and busted out laughing as soon as the comparison rant started. Wife says " what the hell is so funny" as my laughter woke her up. I knew exactly where that was headed and why I LOVE your channel. Honesty is why your channel is the best ! Let the FF cult begin the attack because they can't handle the truth..lmao. And BTW, can you do an instructional video on how to string and setup an armadillo ?
I read somewhere that the ( Gibson) Junior design was intended to be a direct competitor of the ( Fender) telecaster design during the 50s , Thats why theres a similarity in sound .
$50 shipping to the states now...around 245 total from Thomann. 139 shipped for the FF if you can get one....
I would call that color butterscotch.
With regard to the crappy one, the nut issue needs to be addressed before anything else. Then the truss rod, then the action, then the intonation. Rinse and repeat till it's dialed in. You are just spinning your wheels if you are trying to do it in any other order on a guitar that is that bad. The pickups do sound okay.
Very well done review. Points are correct and well noted. Good job!
So do you think the firefly would be a good guitar to get if I’m planning to work on it?
Great reviews dude, I'm glad you're on UA-cam. :)
thanks man, that means a lot to me
Ryan, man, this whole video i couldnt take my eyes off one of the guitars. The HB Mustang on the wall that is. Great job customizing it.
What would you think of the HB with P-Rail pickup in it?
Thomann should do more colour options on this model,it's a winner ,i like the butterscotch ,would look great sitting along side a black guard Tele in the same.
theres a teaser photo floating around of a red one on a rack in the factory
Ryan, thanks for these comparison videos! People should realize that these are apples to apples comparisons, regardless of the differences. Maybe we’re comparing a Granny Smith to a Fuji. Maybe you should compare a Red Special with a Red Delicious.
Ok I just bought the Harley Benton locally off of Craigslist,(basically new) for $180 ! You are so right. Best $180 guitar I have ever bought,(I spend more on pedals)......love this guitar......but, yes there is a but.....didn't dig the sound. So I spent $75 on a Dimarzio Vintage p90 and OMG the difference ! : ) Keeps the look and gives it a little more bottom. Great review !
The Harley Benton looks really cool.
Great video! Actually it could be a nice idea to order two affordable same model guitars and compare whether they are consistent in quality..
The Firefly would be fun a project. Strip the paint, plug the bridge holes and redrill in the correct spot, sand the neck and heel down to 60s spec and repaint. Might as well upgrade the hardware, pots and pickups along the way 🤷♂️👍
Basically just buy a decent guitar to begin with
At that point why not start from scratch with a few hunks of raw wood
Careful Ryan! The Firefly mafia will come after you again!
Oh contraire, it's not a Mafia, it's a full blown Jim Jones CULT
@@skippyi6969 Mmmmm... Cool Aid...
@@alankelly1001 Ahh, people of MY vintage, who actually KNOW what 'kool-aid' means! Nice!
Ryan's already been kicked off the firefly Facebook page so how much worse can it get? Lol.
@@dragan4658 Yes! The truth sayers are always suppressed!
Not having a "true" P90 sound held me back from buying the Harley Benton I already have three of these Roswell pickups in a JA-60 and a HP42 oopsie. BTW isn`t this video number 1000? Congratulations!
Exactly right! The HB is a good guitar, but doesn´t sound like a p90. I got one myself and never really got emotional with it. :) Maybe thats why. My secret tip: the sc-custom offers two p90 Pickups and Grover tuners for the same price and thus is even more of an insane bargain.
Hey Ryan, I can't wait to hear the P90 you pull out of that Firefly and put in the Harley Benton (just an idea I had). I have 1 HB and 2 FF's, and I love BOTH...but I agree completely with your review/comparison of these two guitars. Maybe for the people that have a problem with your definition of "comparison", say "compare and contrast"? Honestly, I don't have a problem with it but hey, you can't make everyone happy, right? They are alike, but they are different. True, it takes a lot longer to get the HB...and there are extra charges for it, but Firefly's are hard to come by, and then you have a LOT of stuff to do to them. To be fair, the Harley Benton I got had a few minor issues as well. Just, consider this before buying, please. He is trying to do you a FAVOR by telling you the TRUTH. Also, if you want to see another honest review of that Firefly right there, go look up Ronald Jr.'s review of it, and the work he put in to MAKE it a good guitar. He's another straight shooter.
Hey, I've heard many Gibson Juniors that sound twangy. It's a thing.
They can twang as good as a tele if you want them to. They're dank guitars
As others have noted, it's the proximity of the pickup to the bridge. I would have to measure them to be totally sure, but I would say the HB is pretty accurate, in that respect, to an original Jr.
Yeah I have one there badass one of my favorite
The HB sounds and plays smooth never really looked at 1 pickup guitars but that thing sounded great. But needs a wiggle stick for surf
I have the same HB but blue, I think the same, is really fun to play. Have see on tube someone change pickup with Duncan P90 and vintage wire. I still prefer the original pickup. What that I say to change eventually are the wire because with this guitar is really fun play with tone and volume control for have many sounds, or clean the crunch sound. Is the best guitar for price to me.
Seems like Firefly ran into a common trap of a brand becoming popular:
Trying to quickly meet the demand and by doing so, getting sloppy with the quality.
You must have gotten a first gen FF.
Thomman shipping is $60 to the US now (2024)
Thank you for making the comparison argument. The comments like you describe are a pet peeve of mine.
I'm kinda digging the UA-cam yellow though! It sets the guitar apart from your runoff the mill.
I had to file the slots on the FF338 and Jr I got because of the high cut...the G string seemed to be the worst of the strings too.
I want that HB in a vintage cherry stain-type finish... although I do dig the amber-mustard color better than a true tv yellow. I soooo would like to jam some early Black Sabbath with it!
Got one (HB). Love it but the frets are TALL. For a Fender American Standard guy, takes some patience and getting used to. John in Montreal
That tuning issue may be more of a truss rod adjustment rather than intonation adjustment.
Nice Sounds like Rush! Seems like the dog ear pickup would be more difficult upgrade! What dust thou say? And if I was going to upgrade the bridge, what bridge would you suggest! Exactly! I got one coming! HB. I’ve heard that the people who put a shim under that pickup made it come alive! But HB hasn’t shipped my silver sparkle SC in 9 days!
Very good comparison. Thank you.
The brightness on the HB may not be the pickup as much as its location. At least in your video, the HB pickup looks like it's closer to the bridge than the Firefly bridge pickup location.
Budget RC Oddly enough, Firefly positions the Pups on their single cut juniors further from the bridge, which kills the brightness entirely.
I subscribed off the back of your Epiphone SL video series. You could do something similar with the firefly (especially throwing it off a bridge...) Good honest video. Again.
The only thing I can give Firefly over Harley Benton is the range of finishes they offer. I'd snatch up the HB in a second if they offered it in white.
There are wrap around adjustable bridges for under $20 on eBay and I have a cheap set of nut files that would fix that nut. and a little graphite on the nut would probable help keep the guitar more in tune. for me I could fix the firefly for $30. If you want to ship it to me I have room in my collection for a P90 guitar.
I bought an Harley Benton PRS tribute or knock off whatever you like to call it, it’s awesome I swapped out the bridge for a Goto so I’d have individual intonations and a heavy mass (for sustain) locking tuners just as my preferred choice nothing wrong with what it came with and wow it’s an unreal deal sounds great plays great fit and finish great 👍
So I’ve now finally stopped being a headstock snob.
The only con is you won’t get a high resale but hey you don’t have to pay top dollar in the first place.
I really want to know how the pots are on the HB. Are the just on off switches?
Joshua Russell nope, they blend just fine. I tend to roll back the tone a little to darken up the pickup a bit
My only question is whats up with the armadillo?
Could you recommend a good budget guitar for a good P90 sound as you describe?
Dude that thing sounds so Vintage with ' verb , sweet .
Ryan, maybe make a video where you address the bridge on the firefly? Sand back the body, remove the bridge and posts fill them and drill further back ? Then refinish :) I’d watch that as a series of videos as well as a lot of your other subscribers I’m sure.
i decided that i cant give this turd away as is and feel good about it, i bought a bridge like the one on the HB and ill be doing an install video soon. I can believe im throwing more money at this thing.
Fingers crossed the new bridge helps. If not reposition it and still it properly . I spy a project !
this Harley Bentons or epiphone SL?
The Harley Benton sure sounds sweet. 💕
Intonation should be fixable with different gauge strings. will require experimentation with each string. good luck.
then make sure the right gauge info is kept with the guitar...
Comparing an Amarillo to a Firefly is a slap to a very Majestic animal.
As a nerdy teacher in my nerd voice* “Technically you are comparing AND contrasting. Comparing is talking about how they’re similar and contrasting is talking about how they’re different!” (I’ll see my way out now…
The Harley Benton is a good Social Distortion/Mike Ness guitar. It's a good Rockabilly punk guitar. I like the sound of it. Good buy. Thanks for the review!!
Just got my Harley Benton knock off bass VI in the post. I would prefer the Fender or even Squire but Harley is killing it at those prices! Bargain & Thomann knock it out the park every time. Thomann...take a bow. Nice one guys. ;) Cheers Ry not Cooder.
The Squier Bass VI has major issues with everyone Ive played the string spacing at the nut does not line up with the spacing at the bridge which makes the E strings ride so close to the fingerboard edges that they roll off the sides with even light fretting. I would avoid them like the plague.
14:21 Yeah, there's no getting around that.
Good comparison... thanks for this vid!!
I think the brightness of the Harley Benton comes from pick up location. It’s so close to the bridge, like a tele. The firefly is an inch or so further away. I don’t think swapping the pup will make much difference, they will always be trebly in that location.
Phil Thompson That's what the tone control pot is for...... Just ease it back a little at a time until you find the sweet spot. Usually at about six on the knob......
I Think Dead Boys when it comes to Gibson P-90 pickups on a beginner guitar. How does this compare to a Les Paul Jr. or Melody Maker?
Isn’t the Epiphone Special Around $200 as well? You should get one of those to compare against the Harley Benton
I've played both and the HB wins. The Special has decent enough pickups but looks and feels cheap compared to the HB in the fit and finish dept.
@@yargnad That's your opinion.
The white one's issues sound like the problems I have with my Dean Vendetta
I actually like this , and the HB is made in Indonesia bonus, I think this is one of these guitars great for your collection and you can replace the pup,
Great Job.
This was Informative.
Thanks
That HB is weird. Big tele sound out of a junior. I like it.
Try putting the same bridge from the Benton on the firefly it might give a little more room for adjustment.
i did, in my most recent video, go look it up.
60 Cycle Hum will do! I just came across this on my recommendation feed because I've been looking into getting the Harley Benton. I've really wanted a Les Paul double cut but I can't afford a real Gibson one lol.
The Firefly has everything you don't want. Good review!
That's a great title for a video....Buy, buY, bUy or ByE, BYe, bye
You can take a mouse pad and trim it down to the shape of the dog ear to use as a riser
Brad That is exactly what I did on a Casino..... 👍
I still want that Hallmark Swept Wing, man.
Is yellow the only color?
Hi Ryan, buy a cheap intonateable wraparound bridge aprx 10 euro on ebay and cut (fix) the nutslots on the firefly! - these issues can be fixed , i'm sure !
Most likely would need to fill and drill the bridge post holes and move it back a bit to resolve the intonation issues. Not a simple replace the bridge with an intonatable one issue here.
We got 50 Cycle hum over here! Do those guitars play well with that?
Should have included the Slick SL 59 and SL 60 as well since their all about the same price. or do a comparrison between the Harley Benton and the Slick Sl59!
im not made of money over here, i get the stuff that i get. I would like to try a slick at some point though.
Happy Thanksgiving Ryan! 🥧
Hey! What pickup would you recommend for someone looking for a p90 experiemce?
I really like the duncans in my Titan, those aren't dog ears though.
I'd try a p90
Artec on a budget. Seymour Duncan if you have lotsa money.
Guitar Madness makes the best P90s around, budget or not. I've known more than a couple guys that have willingly replaced their Lollars and Gibsons with these and love the results. I've got one in my Epi Coronet RI and it's the bees knees.
Thanks, guys! I´m in the market for either a Junior P90 or a Les Paul Custom style electric right now, with a budget around 500$. Have my eye on this Harley Benton, the Vintage V130 and the Epiphone LP Custom Pro at the moment. Looking for a warm, compressed but not too muddy or gainy tone for Indie/ Post punk/ Math Rock.
I am hoping for that armadillo video.😅
Oh but you cant compa........ never mind 🤣
Nice vid 👍
Is that the only harley benton you have tried? If not, how do you recommend their guitar quality in general?
Oh i've tried a bunch. generally they are better than you would expect from their price point. Ive found that the more expensive ones are much nicer than you would expect for a $200-$350 guitar but don't expect them to go toe to toe with MIA and higher end style guitars. They hold their own in the import market though. The only HB ive had that i thought needed major tweaking was the MS-60, the pickups were pretty weak and the tremolo hardware was cheap.
Harley B..pull the tone knop and you get more middel ( les noise )
Subbed for the armadillo comparison, don't let me down
We need more youtube yellow finish guitars!
YT yellow... Hahaggag