Great review. What a beauty. I have the CLP 15M. Mahogany-no electronics. After a year, it sounds terrific too. I restrung with D'addario mediums to get rid of a little bit of tinny sound. The little guitar just sounds better and better over time. Enjoy.
@@Hal-fz1em Hi Hal, this video was recorded with the original D'Addario XT light gauge phosphor bronze strings that were fitted at the factory but I've recently fitted the Martin SP flexible core Tommy Emmanuel signiture strings to it and it's sounds amazing! I've done a review of them here: ua-cam.com/video/6MIRx-clyVI/v-deo.html I've not played a GS mini as there are no Taylor dealers near me so I'm not in a position to compare them. I would image the GS mini would be better but it's also twice the price!
Nice review. I received my CLP 15E with Java top on Friday. I watched Benedict’s video demonstration and preferred the sound over the Koa. Like you, I am utterly delighted; I bought mine au naturel, with no set-up , but it feels fine and sounds gorgeous.
Nice review and a lovely guitar. Where did you find the option to have the guitar set up before it was shipped for an extra cost on the Thomann website?
Hi William. You have to ask for it in the "additional comments" on the order form when you order the guitar then they will email you to confirm and give you your payment options for the set up separately or you can use the "live chat" or email the sales department and request it before you order the guitar and they will send you an order form with everything on it
You got me really wanting this guitar. I love finger picking and I would love to be able to try one out before purchasing. I wish they sold them in local stores. It's currently sitting in my shopping cart 😆 ...... It's calling me out.... The sooner I buy it, the sooner I can break it in lol
@@AlanRoyHocking oh yes! I saw that.... I ordered some Monel Retro strings and I'm going to try those on my current guitar....see how that sounds and feels first 🙃 but I definitely want the Harley Benton if not now...in the near future
@@Hal-fz1em I haven't had a chance to play the PRS P20E so I can't really say how they would compare. Every country is different for shipping so you would need to contact Thomann directly and ask them.
Hi @xurxo12 I paid €359 for it but they had only just introduced the Exotic Koa model when I bought it and I also paid extra for a full professional set up to make sure it had a really low action before it was shipped out. They're a lot cheaper now and I think they're also offering a 25% discount on this model at the moment to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Here's the link where you can check if the 25% discount is still available: redir.love/thoprod/501220?offid=1&affid=729
Thanks for the great review, I purchased this guitar last week, I also had them do a setup. I should receive it next week. What are your favorite strings you have tested on this guitar so far?
You're going to love it! My favorite strings on this guitar for my style of playing are the Martin Authentic Acoustic Silk and Steel strings. I did a review of them on this guitar here: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html but strings are very much a personal choice and the best ones for you will depend on your style of playing and the tone you personally want. Let me know how you get on with them 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking I have watched your string review videos on this guitar and enjoyed them very much and enjoyed listening to you play. Thank you for all the effort you have put into testing and sharing your knowledge on this .. I thank you for the feedback...🙂
@@AlanRoyHocking I put the Martin Silk and Steel string on my HB parlor this week and you are right. They play like very nice, Very lite touch to fret! Loving this guitar!
Very cute little Acoustic Guitar. I'm curious on how it would sound w/ Flatwound Strings (Thomastik KR116) cause I guess it would save the frets from scratches.
Alan I'm teetering on making a purchase from Thomann and the deciding factor is the neck. Can you give me some idea of the profile and depth at the 1st and 10th fret please? Old age and arthritis now dictate what I can play soothes means I need to get some idea as to whether the neck would suit me. Thanks for all the videos., now subscribed.Pete
@@AlanRoyHocking Profile of the neck is listed as a modified C and that tells me nothing. The actual thickness of the neck and fingerboard at the 1st and 10th fret and is it a flattened C shape or more of a pointed C almost a V? Thanks for the quick reply.
Flattened C shape. Thickness of neck and fretboard is 22mm at the first fret and 28mm at the 10th fret. I also suffer with arthritis so I paid an extra 45€ to have a complete set up with the action set to the lowest possible before they shipped it but you need to ask for that when you place your order. It's an absolute pleasure to play 👍
Thank's for the review. That really helps a lot. Maybe you can give me some advice? I own a HB CLA with 43 mm saddle and 643 scale and love the sound, but I do picking and fingerstyle only and now I think about switching to the HB CLP. I have very small fingers so if I concentrate a lot I can pick on the 43 mm without hitting other strings all the time but I can't cover the distance between the frets yet. For barré it's easier with the small neck, but I for fingerstyle would prefer the wider saddle and shorter scale length a lot I think as well as the handy size. Would you recommend to chance or shall I just go on practicing on the CLA? I'm still at the beginning and maybe I should just stick to what I have got and hope to get better one day but on the other hand, fingerstyle is hard enough on it's own so the parlor might helps a little. I had a classic guitar in the past for stumming, maybe that's why I do hard with the standart steelstring sizes in general, but I have still some days left to send it back to get a parlor instead. 🙈 I just don't know if it's a good idea to do so.
Hi H. I have an Ovation Celebrity with a nut width of 43 mm and I find it almost impossible to play fingerstyle without hitting two strings at once. That extra 2 mm on the parlor does make a big difference for me with my small but chubby fingers but it really is a matter of personal choice I also have a Taylor Academy 12e-N Nylon String with a nut width of 48mm and that's perfect! 😊
@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you! That's very helpful. So I should really try the parlor then. Now I just need to sattle on the type. My CLA is a ME VS which I really like, but I fell in love with the look of the java, only it's not solid wood but laminat. Therefore I think the VS is better. I hate shopping instruments online, you never know how it really sounds like and my postman will hate me someday soon. 🙈
Ha Ha! I've only had good experiences with Thomann but they are the only online guitar shop I've used so can't speak for others. As a little bit of advice if you're buying a Harley Benton guitar Thomann offer a full inspection and professional set up before they send it out which is well worth the extra 45€ they charge (might have gone up?) I had mine set up with the action set at the absolute minimum and it plays perfectly! Well worth the extra money👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Haven't seen that option yet but my HB CLA has a nice set up anyway. It is B-Stock, maybe somebody else did the set up or perhaps it's by luck. And I decided to keep the Auditorium, because it is a beautiful, nice sounding guitar with solid mahogany top, Pick up, Cut away and all that stuff that I got for 185,- only. I would regret sending it back, so I decided to buy a second guitar 😅 Since I didn't want to own 2 similar Harley Benton, I settled on the Barton Rouge Parlor instead. It comes with a 46 mm nut and 630 mm scale and in it's '20s charcoal look it's adorable. Also it's really cheap, no pick up, just for fun and picking in the first frets. If it comes to barré and high range I might be happy to have the smaller CLA. Let's see which I like most. 😅
Hello, I have just received this guitar in mahogany and it is amazing. Could you possibly tell me the pack number of the daddario xt strings you used and is it 12-56 or 12-53s ? Much appreciated.
Hi Bill, beautiful guitar you're going to love it! I was just about to order the mahogany version when they introduced the Koa model. The strings are the D'addario XT Phosphor Bronze Light gauge 12-53 Pack number is: XTAPB1253
Just keeps getting better Steve, absolutely no negatives. I'm going to be recording some fingerstyle covers on it soon just to showcase how sweet she is 👍
Hi. Yes a Mahogany top will definitely open up and improve with time just the same as Koa or any other solid wood. I chose the Koa top for its looks and also because I think Koa is slightly brighter than Mahogany although there isn't a lot of difference.
@@AlanRoyHocking not all solid wood turns better with aging. cedar guitars give you the best sound at first day, but after many years you have the same sound. I only have flamenco guitars, allway the same, spruce or cedar. I would like a parlor. thanks for the video, looking for something diferent y love american folk musik. sorry for my poor english.
I Think it's just the mahogany version that comes with a non electric version but there's a "live chat" option on the Thomman website that you can ask them directly or email them
Hi Farhad, an all laminate guitar probably won't open up over time, but a guitar with a solid top and laminate back and sides like this Harley Benton CLP-15E Exotic Koa Parlor will. It's the solid top that opens up and gets better with age. My guitar is definitely sweeter and much more resonate now than when I first got it 👍
Yo acabo de comprar otra flame exotic koa clp-15. La verdad es que estoy encantado con la compra...pero los clavijas de afinación son absolutamente desastrosas. Será el primer cambio que haga pero creo que para este modelo de machineheads hay muy poco donde elegir
Si es mejor que llevarlo a un buen Luthier. Voy hacer el mismo con lo mio tambien anque no son tan malos pero no son los mejores tan poco. Estoy tocando lo mio ahora mismo! 👍 Tengo las cuerdas de Martin Silk and Steel on lo mio ahora y sueno estupendo con estas cuerdas! Reseña aqui: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
@@TheRusolandia Tengo las cuerdas de Martin Silk and Steel on lo mio ahora y sueno estupendo con estas cuerdas! Reseña aqui: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
Here in Germany (where's Harley Benton/Thomanns Hometown) I can't find adequate Tuners...three in a row for a steel-string for a slotted head with better quality...please give me a hint to find these parts. Can't find it at Thomann and others online Shops.
Great review. What a beauty. I have the CLP 15M. Mahogany-no electronics. After a year, it sounds terrific too. I restrung with D'addario mediums to get rid of a little bit of tinny sound. The little guitar just sounds better and better over time. Enjoy.
Thank you Bradlee yes it's a beautiful guitar, I'm really looking forward to seeing how she opens up over the next couple of years 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Did you also change the strings? How would this compare to the Taylor Mini Mahogany? Ever played that one?
@@Hal-fz1em Hi Hal, this video was recorded with the original D'Addario XT light gauge phosphor bronze strings that were fitted at the factory but I've recently fitted the Martin SP flexible core Tommy Emmanuel signiture strings to it and it's sounds amazing!
I've done a review of them here: ua-cam.com/video/6MIRx-clyVI/v-deo.html
I've not played a GS mini as there are no Taylor dealers near me so I'm not in a position to compare them.
I would image the GS mini would be better but it's also twice the price!
Nice review. I received my CLP 15E with Java top on Friday. I watched Benedict’s video demonstration and preferred the sound over the Koa. Like you, I am utterly delighted; I bought mine au naturel, with no set-up , but it feels fine and sounds gorgeous.
Yep lovely little guitars I'm absolutely in love with mine 😍
Just an Awesome review! Really enjoyed!
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Nice review and a lovely guitar. Where did you find the option to have the guitar set up before it was shipped for an extra cost on the Thomann website?
Hi William. You have to ask for it in the "additional comments" on the order form when you order the guitar then they will email you to confirm and give you your payment options for the set up separately or you can use the "live chat" or email the sales department and request it before you order the guitar and they will send you an order form with everything on it
Thanks for a good another great review.. Greetings from Denmark
You're welcome Brian I'm glad you liked it and hope you found it useful 😊
You got me really wanting this guitar. I love finger picking and I would love to be able to try one out before purchasing. I wish they sold them in local stores. It's currently sitting in my shopping cart 😆 ...... It's calling me out.... The sooner I buy it, the sooner I can break it in lol
Ha Ha! 😂
You're going to love it Candice and remember they have a no quibble 30 days return policy so in effect you can try it out 😊
@@AlanRoyHocking oh yes! I saw that.... I ordered some Monel Retro strings and I'm going to try those on my current guitar....see how that sounds and feels first 🙃 but I definitely want the Harley Benton if not now...in the near future
Let me know how you get on with the Monel Retro Strings 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking how do you think this compares to the PRS P20e? Also, does HB charge you shipping for return?
@@Hal-fz1em I haven't had a chance to play the PRS P20E so I can't really say how they would compare.
Every country is different for shipping so you would need to contact Thomann directly and ask them.
Hi there! Can i ask how much you paid for it? Lovely guitar, looking forward to buy it soon, Thanx a lot!
Hi @xurxo12 I paid €359 for it but they had only just introduced the Exotic Koa model when I bought it and I also paid extra for a full professional set up to make sure it had a really low action before it was shipped out. They're a lot cheaper now and I think they're also offering a 25% discount on this model at the moment to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Here's the link where you can check if the 25% discount is still available: redir.love/thoprod/501220?offid=1&affid=729
Thanks for the great review, I purchased this guitar last week, I also had them do a setup. I should receive it next week. What are your favorite strings you have tested on this guitar so far?
You're going to love it! My favorite strings on this guitar for my style of playing are the Martin Authentic Acoustic Silk and Steel strings. I did a review of them on this guitar here: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html but strings are very much a personal choice and the best ones for you will depend on your style of playing and the tone you personally want.
Let me know how you get on with them 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking I have watched your string review videos on this guitar and enjoyed them very much and enjoyed listening to you play. Thank you for all the effort you have put into testing and sharing your knowledge on this .. I thank you for the feedback...🙂
You're welcome, I'm glad you liked the string reviews and found them useful 😊
@@AlanRoyHocking I put the Martin Silk and Steel string on my HB parlor this week and you are right. They play like very nice, Very lite touch to fret!
Loving this guitar!
@lawnmowerdude1812 Excellent! I'm glad you like them 😊
Very cute little Acoustic Guitar. I'm curious on how it would sound w/ Flatwound Strings (Thomastik KR116) cause I guess it would save the frets from scratches.
Interesting thought Oscar I'll try them and do a review for you 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Can't wait to hear it w/ Flatwound strings. They're not just for Jazz, they're also great for recording.
Coming soon 😊
@@AlanRoyHocking I'm excited too. They even have silk wound around both ends to protect them
I've got the Martin Silk and Steel Acoustic Strings already lined up for this month's review so the Thomastik Roundwoods will be next month 👍
Alan I'm teetering on making a purchase from Thomann and the deciding factor is the neck. Can you give me some idea of the profile and depth at the 1st and 10th fret please? Old age and arthritis now dictate what I can play soothes means I need to get some idea as to whether the neck would suit me. Thanks for all the videos., now subscribed.Pete
Hi Peter, are you asking about the thickness of the neck or the string action?
@@AlanRoyHocking Profile of the neck is listed as a modified C and that tells me nothing. The actual thickness of the neck and fingerboard at the 1st and 10th fret and is it a flattened C shape or more of a pointed C almost a V? Thanks for the quick reply.
Flattened C shape. Thickness of neck and fretboard is 22mm at the first fret and 28mm at the 10th fret.
I also suffer with arthritis so I paid an extra 45€ to have a complete set up with the action set to the lowest possible before they shipped it but you need to ask for that when you place your order.
It's an absolute pleasure to play 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Alan you are the best👍👍👍 Thanks that will help.
You're welcome Peter wishing you all the best for 2023!
Thank's for the review. That really helps a lot. Maybe you can give me some advice? I own a HB CLA with 43 mm saddle and 643 scale and love the sound, but I do picking and fingerstyle only and now I think about switching to the HB CLP. I have very small fingers so if I concentrate a lot I can pick on the 43 mm without hitting other strings all the time but I can't cover the distance between the frets yet. For barré it's easier with the small neck, but I for fingerstyle would prefer the wider saddle and shorter scale length a lot I think as well as the handy size. Would you recommend to chance or shall I just go on practicing on the CLA? I'm still at the beginning and maybe I should just stick to what I have got and hope to get better one day but on the other hand, fingerstyle is hard enough on it's own so the parlor might helps a little. I had a classic guitar in the past for stumming, maybe that's why I do hard with the standart steelstring sizes in general, but I have still some days left to send it back to get a parlor instead. 🙈 I just don't know if it's a good idea to do so.
Hi H. I have an Ovation Celebrity with a nut width of 43 mm and I find it almost impossible to play fingerstyle without hitting two strings at once.
That extra 2 mm on the parlor does make a big difference for me with my small but chubby fingers but it really is a matter of personal choice
I also have a Taylor Academy 12e-N Nylon String with a nut width of 48mm and that's perfect! 😊
@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you! That's very helpful. So I should really try the parlor then.
Now I just need to sattle on the type. My CLA is a ME VS which I really like, but I fell in love with the look of the java, only it's not solid wood but laminat. Therefore I think the VS is better. I hate shopping instruments online, you never know how it really sounds like and my postman will hate me someday soon. 🙈
Ha Ha!
I've only had good experiences with Thomann but they are the only online guitar shop I've used so can't speak for others.
As a little bit of advice if you're buying a Harley Benton guitar Thomann offer a full inspection and professional set up before they send it out which is well worth the extra 45€ they charge (might have gone up?)
I had mine set up with the action set at the absolute minimum and it plays perfectly!
Well worth the extra money👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Haven't seen that option yet but my HB CLA has a nice set up anyway. It is B-Stock, maybe somebody else did the set up or perhaps it's by luck. And I decided to keep the Auditorium, because it is a beautiful, nice sounding guitar with solid mahogany top, Pick up, Cut away and all that stuff that I got for 185,- only. I would regret sending it back, so I decided to buy a second guitar 😅
Since I didn't want to own 2 similar Harley Benton, I settled on the Barton Rouge Parlor instead. It comes with a 46 mm nut and 630 mm scale and in it's '20s charcoal look it's adorable. Also it's really cheap, no pick up, just for fun and picking in the first frets. If it comes to barré and high range I might be happy to have the smaller CLA. Let's see which I like most. 😅
Nice guitar 👍
If you want the set up done you need to ask for it in the additional comments section on the order form
Hi! Thanks for the review. Just a question about the neck: is it satin or oil finished? I really don't like gloss necks.
Hi, the neck is satin finish 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking Perfect! Thanks Alan :)
You're welcome 😊
Hello, I have just received this guitar in mahogany and it is amazing. Could you possibly tell me the pack number of the daddario xt strings you used and is it 12-56 or 12-53s ? Much appreciated.
Hi Bill, beautiful guitar you're going to love it!
I was just about to order the mahogany version when they introduced the Koa model.
The strings are the D'addario XT Phosphor Bronze Light gauge 12-53
Pack number is: XTAPB1253
Hi, how does it sound now as it ages? Any cons found out after one year?
Just keeps getting better Steve, absolutely no negatives. I'm going to be recording some fingerstyle covers on it soon just to showcase how sweet she is 👍
Thanks. Btw, what’s is the best string that you used for this guitar?
@@smondala Martin Silk and Steel. I did a review of them here: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html 👍
hello mate , do you think mahogany solid tops doesn’t open up and improve with aging?
Hi. Yes a Mahogany top will definitely open up and improve with time just the same as Koa or any other solid wood.
I chose the Koa top for its looks and also because I think Koa is slightly brighter than Mahogany although there isn't a lot of difference.
@@AlanRoyHocking not all solid wood turns better with aging. cedar guitars give you the best sound at first day, but after many years you have the same sound. I only have flamenco guitars, allway the same, spruce or cedar. I would like a parlor. thanks for the video, looking for something diferent y love american folk musik. sorry for my poor english.
@@sergiomunoz1528 Hola Sergio, si tienes razón el cedar no cambio mucho y tu inglés es mejor que mi español 😊
Sweet souinding guitar. I want iit
You can get one here: www.thomann.de/intl/harley_benton_clp_15e_koa_exotic.htm?offid=1&affid=729
@@AlanRoyHocking This guitar is no more in production. Kia or okoume itop matters to nie. I Will find öné second hand.
@romanimre okay Roman let me know how you get on and what you have found👍
CLP 15 M is not mahogany but okume (similar to mahogany) CLP 15 M VS is in mahogany
Thanks for the info I appreciate it 👍
Is there a version of this guitar with no electrics? Or is it just the mahogany that doesn't have any?
I Think it's just the mahogany version that comes with a non electric version but there's a "live chat" option on the Thomman website that you can ask them directly or email them
can you tell me how long the neck is from the nut to the body and how big the lower bout is...???
Hi Michael. Scale length is 628mm, The neck length from the nut to the body is 320mm And the lower bout is 355mm across
@@AlanRoyHocking Thank you kindly Alan, it is greatly appreciated..
You're welcome anytime Michael 👍
Are you sure that laminate guitars open up with time?
Hi Farhad, an all laminate guitar probably won't open up over time, but a guitar with a solid top and laminate back and sides like this Harley Benton CLP-15E Exotic Koa Parlor will. It's the solid top that opens up and gets better with age. My guitar is definitely sweeter and much more resonate now than when I first got it 👍
@@AlanRoyHocking ok , thanks. I wasn’t aware that this guitar had all solid top. I thought it was just a wood veneer. Good to know.
@farhadtajarobi1714 Yes, I go through all the specs in the video. It's a solid Koa top with Mahogany back and sides
Yo acabo de comprar otra flame exotic koa clp-15. La verdad es que estoy encantado con la compra...pero los clavijas de afinación son absolutamente desastrosas. Será el primer cambio que haga pero creo que para este modelo de machineheads hay muy poco donde elegir
Si es mejor que llevarlo a un buen Luthier. Voy hacer el mismo con lo mio tambien anque no son tan malos pero no son los mejores tan poco. Estoy tocando lo mio ahora mismo! 👍
Tengo las cuerdas de Martin Silk and Steel on lo mio ahora y sueno estupendo con estas cuerdas! Reseña aqui: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
@@AlanRoyHocking ya nos mostrarás el resultado.
I'm playing the "koa" guitar just now
@@TheRusolandia Tengo las cuerdas de Martin Silk and Steel on lo mio ahora y sueno estupendo con estas cuerdas! Reseña aqui: ua-cam.com/video/vVMAQnczP6w/v-deo.html
@@AlanRoyHocking ahora le echaré un vistazo, aunque soy fan de elixir en las acústicas
Todavia tengo que pruebar las cuerdas Elixir pero estan en mi lista 👍
What exactly do you mean "the wood will open up"?!?
It will become more resonate with age
Overall a nice guitar with the worst tuners on the planet. These are not worth a penny. Have one!
They obviously have to cut costs somewhere, and the tuners are where they do it, but luckily, they're also an easy upgrade 😉
Here in Germany (where's Harley Benton/Thomanns Hometown) I can't find adequate Tuners...three in a row for a steel-string for a slotted head with better quality...please give me a hint to find these parts. Can't find it at Thomann and others online Shops.
@Colt_Funky Might seem like a stupid suggestion, but have you tried Amazon
Not really because the parts on Amazon are often cheap Chinese made ones...but you're right...I will have a look. Thx
@Colt_Funky They also have some high-quality top brand tuners