Watching this a year later, it’s cool to see how the company probably took your advice. The newer fusion T comes with HAF pickups, and they just released a black one with emgs for $399
I installed a Seymour Duncan JB TB4 and what a difference it made in over all tone. Really woke this guitar up. I will also add that it is an extremely comfortable and pleasant guitar to play. Stays in tune very well.
Right, even though there's no bevel for the right hand. There's no tremolo arm and knobs are far enough. I found myself practicing on this guitar more than on any other. Wanted to mention that in the video and completely forgotten
Hey Max, I love the suggestion of upgrading this guitar with each of the mods you suggested. Perhaps a before and after would be appropriate too. Great work mate. 🇦🇺
@@MaxSoloMusic that would be awesome! I've been thinking of this model for a mod platform but was held off because of that switch placement. Now that that's fixed it seems like a great choice. Would very much like to see you pimp it up!
My plan is to add SD P-Rails, drill two extra holes into the control cavity, change the switch to a Freeway 3B3 6-way switch, add two 4-way rotary switches (one for each pickup) to select P90/Rail/Series/Parallel. Then change the pots to master volume and master tone, with a push-push switch on the tone pot for bass cut. That amount of wiring should balance out that neck dive! Or maybe I'll just change the pickups to Iron Gear Blues Engines
Max I found you searching for background on fusion T. I know this is old now, but, looks like HB has done some of the issues you identified. I've ordered mine and waiting. I will mod it. You gave me the idea to go 5way super switch. It will be my first super switch mod, plus I'll have additional volume made independent with push/pull as well. This scheme will provide 11 coil combinations. I spent all day yesterday working it and drawing it up. Liked your review and I've subbed. Part 3 didn't make out. I thought you were going to mod it.
I have the fusion 3 tele HB-HB with tremolo in freaking sparkle silver... (not my thing but I fell for the thing!) Well, I swapped out the electronics, used dual coil taps and GFS-EVH pickups. WOW!! She came to life on the rock front but also in single coil modes. She sounds like a true tele yet can rock as well! LOVING this glitter-fest of a guitar! The added mid range from the GFS-EVH pickups makes it jump out and in single coil, it sounds very close to a true tele. Cheers!
Just had a Fusion T HH Flame etc delivered with a pretty blonde effect veneer top. Sadly the strings miss the poles of the bridge pick up and the tone control does not have much effect for most of it's travel. The bridge pick-up sits snugly in it's hole in the body so the hole will have to be enlarged to move the pick-up. Trouble is if I send it back I've got a major problem getting the customs duty back (Duty £64.26, UPS "brokerage" £11.50), if I do not the cost of repair (luthier) takes the guitar out of the budget cost bracket. This is Saturday so I have to wait 'til Monday to talk to Thomann. Just seen the review and wonder how Entwistle Nashville pick-ups would do, they are smaller which may save some woodwork.
Hey Max- you had mentioned a part 3- moding- guess it slipped through the cracks? I have is a series 1 Fusion T (strait 3-way switch). Thinking of going with some slightly hotter pickups and better tone & volume pots and replace the jack. All on a budget of course. Anyway was looking forward to seeing your mods. And yes thank you for your dedication and details in all your videos!
Hey. Yeah, there were so many other videos I wanted to make first. That is still on my mind though and I have some pickups ready to go. So, I'm hoping to get to those experiments sooner or later
I just discovered your channel, amazing job you're doing here, really pleasant to listen to. And now i'm waiting for part 3 aswell ! Greetings from France
Great job! It was a very informative video. I was looking at the Fusion one or the two for moding. Also great idea with the super switch an additional push pull pot.
Hi Max big hello from Northern Ireland, UK. I am interested in this guitar. I found Wilkinson pickups when I was looking for a pair of hotter pickups for a cheap LP copy I had laying around and the sustainability they produce is amazing. Wilkinson pickups are not expensive pickups and may be in the price range of many people looking at this video. I would love you to please do something on Wilkson pickups on another review. I bought 3 Vintage V100 guitars when I heard how the Wilkinson pickups sounded.
I'm still waiting for Part three! I am on the fence for this guitar with tremolo. I have an Angus Young signature humbucker laying around together with a Gibson PAF+. But I want to hear how your changes to the guitar change the sound of it! :)
Just ordered one of these 12/30/21, and hope the set-up and shipping is going to decent, since it's the Holiday Season and people want to get the hell out of work! Have pick-ups in mind because I've heard other reports of these being rather low output. Happy New Year!
Received the guitar last Thursday. At first blown away by the neck, the frets, and looking things over. Then I discovered a blem in the veneer (not the finish, perfect) by the neck pick-up. Thought no big deal. Then noticed the strings are not centered. High E string very close to the edge of the fretboard, while you can see a big difference in the low E. The Pick-ups were also moved as far in the cavity as possible, and still don't align. Bridge is obviously off. In the US. Not sure what to do. Shipping is a bitch, and I could drill/plug the screw holes to properly align. Pretty bummed out right now. Will try to contact them tomorrow.
Super switch mod, yes please. As I mentioned when we spoke, I'm building a tele with two mini rail humbuckers, and would like as much versatility out of it as possible.
As a YT content creator I have to applaud your work on this two part review. I couldn't imagine doing this detailed of a review. Very good work. You have earned a new sub. I found you while looking for reviews on this specific HB Fusion T. I was researching before pulling the trigger on this model and you have single handedly given me every bit of information I need to be an educated buyer. I think I will try one of these Fusion T's. I am thinking a JB/Jazz, JB/'59 pickup swap would be just right. Or maybe an EMG setup with an 85 in the bridge and a 60a in the neck. I love the 85 in the bridge position.
I have the trem version... My mods - 2*Seymour Duncan P-Rails and the Fishman Power Bridge with all the recommended wiring upgrades including a treble bleed!
Hits more closely to the Les Paul guitar sound. Sounds good, I am a lefty and purchased two one in black and one in natural flame roasted and love them both, of the two however I lean a bit more to the black HT.
I think the Roswell HAF vs LAF demo needs its own video, even before swapping them. The Fusion II comes with both, the uncovered HAF are clear, "sharp" and the covered LAF are "soft" or "warm", as one is used to expect from PAFs humbuckers in old Gibsons. The covers themselves don't do much for that but they pass on the visual message so buyers can make a conscious choice. There should be no surprise. The LAF have been in all the SC models (except one, the SC-550 Paradise Flame with HAF) and in the semi-hollow CST-24HB. They are also in the 22 fret Fusions while the sharp HAF are in the modern, 24 frets models.
I wish Harley Benton had chosen the Roswell PV3 instead of the LAF for their LP-style models. The older Harley Benton SC models with Wilkinson pickups were so much brighter, livelier and less compressed.
@@ErebosGR it's so funny reading people talk about pups. There's never an universal answer. Ive heard that the Roswell's are too bright, too muddy, too quiet, too loud. People have so different ears and taste
So... where's the third part of this? Very curious to see which mods you did to this guitar. I bought one today and will try different pickups as I have Gibson 57 Classics, 490's and Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz laying aroundhere. Just curious if you changed the pots to something that works better.
HAF vs PAF, neat. I would likely try Seymour Duncan SH-2n and SH-4 JB, but I guess I am a bit traditional on this front. And I have a set lurking here somewhere. Though upon reflection, I think Bare Knuckles would rock, likely True Grit for that middle of the road and versatile. Brute Force perhaps, Juggernaut and Ragnarok are likely overboard.
Excellent and thorough reviews. I’d be very interested to see you review some PRS (say the Custom SE) and to compare them against the Harley Benton version.
Your videos makes it easier to make a decision over these brands. Requesting help in getting the breath of the guitar body . as I am not a big guy and most guitars look big on me unfortunately
If this feel like higher price then 399 i'm so glad i got it new for 260 euros, it's a really good looking guitar, and even if i spend 100/200 euros for pickups it's still higher value
Hi Max. Really good review (as always). Iv'e got one of theese and I realy like it and it is pretty much flawless from the build point of view. I'm not totally happy with the pickups thou, but that is easily fixed. I've got a Roswell P90 neck and bridge, a Tonerider AC4 neck and a few more to try, but as long as they are less microfonic I will be happy. The guitar is very, very good, at least as good as the PRS SE Zach Myers or SE245, but those have better pickups. This, and the TE-20 are the HB to recomend!
I really like fact that it is a hardtail and the directly mounted pickups...I would love to see one made with a real single coil Tele alnico pickup in the rear.. directly mounted ala a GE Smith Telecaster and that same humbucker for the front pickup.
The idea of importing a Harley Benton guitar from Europe to the USA is kind of a hang up point (ie, will it go smoothly? will there be any major hiccups along the way?), but this video has me tempted to look at some of their line.
I have found that all high output pickups sound virtually the same. I have moved to medium/low output pickups as to my ears, they work much better with effects and express a better sound. I am still waiting for my Fusion T but I confess that I am pleasantly intrigued with the "darker" sounding Roswells. If there is one thing a Telecaster DOESN'T need, it is more high end LOL.. besides, there is this little dial on my amp labeled "treble".. maybe that might help? LOL Cheers and keep up the great work. Love the channel :)
SD Jazz/JB combo or Dim AirNorton/ToneZone. I think it is a big plus; a start point to have a fair comparison as the market has already a lot of this pickups combination in various brands. So we could concentrate on see how this guitars actually sounds and "feels".
Excellent!... and what did you finally come up with? Which were your pickups upgrade and more? Waiting to see the outcome to know if pickups could really help here. Regards!
I recently bought this guitar after watching part 1. It's a great guitar and the neck feels amazing but the pickups are a let down. I am now hoping to swap the electronics and pickups out, possibly for the iron gear blues engine/dirty torque set or maybe something hotter. Not sure yet.
Hey Chris, what did you end up doing to the guitar? I have the Blues Engine / Dirty Torque in another guitar and I prefer the Blues Engine so much I´m contemplating putting 2 of them in a tele model.
Great video.. Wundbar. I would likie to see you try some Dimarzio's.. or Duncans.. Either, the Super 3 in the bridge, and PAF Pro in the neck, or maybe a Custom 5 duncan in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck.. or some EMG's maybe or ? Thanks for this very much. Regards from the midwest USA.
Thanks. So far both Dimarzio and SD were completely ignoring all my messages. However, I'm waiting for some other nice pickups to arrive from the US soon.
I'm thinking of getting this guy. I was looking at adding duesenberg pickups too it. I love thier sound, and im looking for a cost effective paloma or Falken alternative. Seems this might be a good fit. Thoughts?
Two seymour duncan P-Rails manged by a 10 way Freeway Switch 5B5-01? That's my plan if I find one in the second hand market. (I like to test guitars before buying) Thank you for the useful content.
@@danielbluez I have it on two guitars and I figured the final sound depends a lot on where the pickup is located. I mean 22 vs 24 frets. I'm not happy with what it sounds like in my 24 fret guitar
@@MaxSoloMusic That's interesting. I've done a variable split coil (web.archive.org/web/20160118011652/www.smitspickups.com/coiltapping.htm ) on a HB SC 550, with a neck dimarzio 36 aniv (sweeet sounding pickup by the way) and the two separate coils sounded different, but good. (Another thing I found out, a split humbucker sounds better with bit of the other coil) Best.
Still working on a part 3 Max ? If yes, my crazy mind says Seymour Duncan P-Rails in this guitar would be cool. Sadly, the neck pickup on your early version would not have the space for the pickup rings, and the Seymour Duncan triple switch rings would be ideal. What is odd is that the all black or green tremolo and the green non-trem have pickups rings, which implies the spacing isn't the same, yet the natural tremolo and this model show pictures (on Thomann) of the pickup being right up to the neck. Odd. BTW, I would also add the HP42 for beginners. Henning basically chose a setup for students IMO.
Hi Max, excellent and extremely detailed review, thanks! I have this guitar on my wish list for quite a while. In fact I am looking for a lightweight Telly with a neck humbucker and that one seems to fit the bill. I play mostly jazz, though, and I would probably swap the neck with something more jazz oriented and use thicker gauge strings. Do you think the guitar is versatile enough to produce a decent jazz tone?
I really love the roswell pickup in the fusion ii and like you not on the fusion t. I will love to see the part 3 with the other rosewell pickup and hope you try some sd or dimarzio pickup too... Sh4, super distorsion, paf 36th... Anything you want :)
I might be able to do that. I just happen to have a classic tele pickup set. Might be an interesting experiment - to see if we can actually make sound like a tele
@@MaxSoloMusic That would be awesome to see. I've been playing with the thought of getting more tele-style sounds out of this beautiful guitar aswell but haven't found any decent HB-sized solutions yet.
You answered the one question I had, before I asked it. I am thinking about learning guitar and have been looking at the reviews on this model and it all seems good, the other model I was looking at was the Fusion 2. But as a beginner, would you say the model T was the better option. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks Max, I’m looking forward to Part 3 when you’re ready. I got a Lefty w/Trem System about a month ago I’m interested in your Final Comment. Cheers from Salem, Ohio US.
hey i want to get one and put P-Rails in it with Triple Shots so i can get 24 different pickup combinations But it looks like the neck is so close to the pickup that the triple shots won't fit. But i could shorten it like 1-2mm to make it fit right? and in the first part, u sad that the Veneer is rather thin would it still be possible to refinish the top. grinding the clear layer of with sandpaper and applying dye ? and btw u make the best guitar reviews on YT
Hey, thanks! Yeah, pickup frames definitely won't fit. However, it's not a big problem as you can use two push-pulls and a 5-way pickup switch to achieve the same or even better functionality. In the past I used to make pickup frames with built-in micro switches and I dropped that idea - those switches tend to die pretty quickly. As for sending down the clear coat on the front, I believe it can be done.
Thanks! Love the feedback. I didn't run into the sticky neck problem, well we didn't exactly have too many gigs this year. My plan is to check a couple of Bentons next time we're allowed to go on stage though. I wonder if those necks are produced the same way as what we see on Ibanez guitars.
@@MaxSoloMusic Not sure. The Ibanez SMol neck is also natural wood but doesn't feel greasy as this after 1h playing.This fingerboard and neck-back gets dirty quick.
Same here. It is a beauty but...playing under 30° it becomes greasy as hell.I have to clean it with a towel every 20min. The control buttons also are on the cheap side and failed on me.I had to change all electronics and pots
Man.. What a brilliant job here. ;) Just bumped into your channel looking for Harley Benton guitar reviews.. as i am looking to buy one.. and damn... you basically answered most of my questions about this guitar..hehehe. Clearly and in a very solid way. I'll check some more of your videos.. but kudos, in deed ! if you were not a guitarist, and wanted a 6 string for a great clean (& crunch) sound, to play opposite your other guitar (Ibanez j. Custom RG8520 7string) which HBenton would you go for ? (this Fusion T; the HB35; the SC ?) I am a fan of the Suhr Alt-T Pro sound, so i was thinking of modding this one or preferably the TE-90QM, with the Thornbuckers. Do you think it would be overkill ? Thanks very much for the video Cheers from Portugal
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Comparing the sound of that Cort and the HB it really is a shame that HB can't get a better pickup company to work with. Everyone always says they aren't very good. That Cort sounds awesome.
Hi, Max! Thank you for the review. Do you think Seymour Duncan's 59 in neck and JB in bridge would be good pair on this guitar? Will the perform well in split coil?
I keep asking Thomann about getting a model with the new moved switch but they seem to know nothing about it :( Do you feel the current switch position is a deal breaker? Looks like it's to near to the volume and on the way :(
@@MaxSoloMusic Thanks for the info. I'll try it today and depending on how it feels, I'll either send it back or take off the tone knob and insert the volume where the tone is as I never use tone and I won't be using the split either :)
Watching this a year later, it’s cool to see how the company probably took your advice. The newer fusion T comes with HAF pickups, and they just released a black one with emgs for $399
I installed a Seymour Duncan JB TB4 and what a difference it made in over all tone. Really woke this guitar up. I will also add that it is an extremely comfortable and pleasant guitar to play. Stays in tune very well.
Right, even though there's no bevel for the right hand. There's no tremolo arm and knobs are far enough. I found myself practicing on this guitar more than on any other. Wanted to mention that in the video and completely forgotten
Must say your guitar rewievs are among the most thorough and high quality that I’ve ever seen.
Thanks!
Hey Max, I love the suggestion of upgrading this guitar with each of the mods you suggested. Perhaps a before and after would be appropriate too. Great work mate. 🇦🇺
I would be thrilled to see any mods to an Harley Benton guitar to increase the tonal abilities of these guitars.
Nice :) I was planning to mod it anyway, might as well do it on camera
@@MaxSoloMusic that would be awesome! I've been thinking of this model for a mod platform but was held off because of that switch placement. Now that that's fixed it seems like a great choice. Would very much like to see you pimp it up!
My plan is to add SD P-Rails, drill two extra holes into the control cavity, change the switch to a Freeway 3B3 6-way switch, add two 4-way rotary switches (one for each pickup) to select P90/Rail/Series/Parallel. Then change the pots to master volume and master tone, with a push-push switch on the tone pot for bass cut. That amount of wiring should balance out that neck dive!
Or maybe I'll just change the pickups to Iron Gear Blues Engines
I generally don’t get exited by gear review videos but Max, your is the exception. The best analyst.
Your reviews have become my favorite in all UA-cam.
Excited to see part 3!
Glad you like them!
I plan on putting SD Antiquities in mine! Can’t wait for part 3!
1:55 it would be great if they round off the contact between the strings and plate edge. This prevents strings breaking and tuning issues.
Good point! That's definitely a weak spot right there! I wonder if the original Hipshot bridge is the same or rounded
I will give my final review soon. Still loving it so far. I actually love the pups. But I'm used to strats mainly.
Excellent deep review. I'm no pro...haahaha
Max I found you searching for background on fusion T. I know this is old now, but, looks like HB has done some of the issues you identified.
I've ordered mine and waiting. I will mod it. You gave me the idea to go 5way super switch. It will be my first super switch mod, plus I'll have additional volume made independent with push/pull as well. This scheme will provide 11 coil combinations. I spent all day yesterday working it and drawing it up. Liked your review and I've subbed. Part 3 didn't make out. I thought you were going to mod it.
i wish they had a black or white fusion-t with active pickups and jumbo frets. i would buy it immediately
Hey thanks for a great in depth review on the harley fusion. Enjoyed our time together. Good show.!!!×
Never had a problem dialing roswell pick ups in they're actually very good,
I have the fusion 3 tele HB-HB with tremolo in freaking sparkle silver... (not my thing but I fell for the thing!) Well, I swapped out the electronics, used dual coil taps and GFS-EVH pickups. WOW!! She came to life on the rock front but also in single coil modes. She sounds like a true tele yet can rock as well! LOVING this glitter-fest of a guitar! The added mid range from the GFS-EVH pickups makes it jump out and in single coil, it sounds very close to a true tele. Cheers!
Just had a Fusion T HH Flame etc delivered with a pretty blonde effect veneer top. Sadly the strings miss the poles of the bridge pick up and the tone control does not have much effect for most of it's travel. The bridge pick-up sits snugly in it's hole in the body so the hole will have to be enlarged to move the pick-up. Trouble is if I send it back I've got a major problem getting the customs duty back (Duty £64.26, UPS "brokerage" £11.50), if I do not the cost of repair (luthier) takes the guitar out of the budget cost bracket. This is Saturday so I have to wait 'til Monday to talk to Thomann. Just seen the review and wonder how Entwistle Nashville pick-ups would do, they are smaller which may save some woodwork.
Thank's perfect review! no blabla! I dream this model with good P90 pick up!!
I put in a set of DiMarzio EJ Customs, still get great bell like cleans and good distortion tones.
Awesome! I want to try at least 2-3 different sets
I agree, the EJ Customs should be a good fit with the guitar since they are very bright and chimey.
Hey Max- you had mentioned a part 3- moding- guess it slipped through the cracks? I have is a series 1 Fusion T (strait 3-way switch). Thinking of going with some slightly hotter pickups and better tone & volume pots and replace the jack. All on a budget of course. Anyway was looking forward to seeing your mods. And yes thank you for your dedication and details in all your videos!
Hey. Yeah, there were so many other videos I wanted to make first. That is still on my mind though and I have some pickups ready to go. So, I'm hoping to get to those experiments sooner or later
I just discovered your channel, amazing job you're doing here, really pleasant to listen to. And now i'm waiting for part 3 aswell ! Greetings from France
Thank you very much!
Great job! It was a very informative video. I was looking at the Fusion one or the two for moding. Also great idea with the super switch an additional push pull pot.
Completely agree on stock Roswells. I could only use them with low cut EQ first in the chain, otherwise it was a total mud fest.
Mud fest? :) Sounds like fun 😂
Very good detailed review! Can you please upload a part three with Pickup swap ? :)
Hi Max big hello from Northern Ireland, UK. I am interested in this guitar. I found Wilkinson pickups when I was looking for a pair of hotter pickups for a cheap LP copy I had laying around and the sustainability they produce is amazing. Wilkinson pickups are not expensive pickups and may be in the price range of many people looking at this video. I would love you to please do something on Wilkson pickups on another review. I bought 3 Vintage V100 guitars when I heard how the Wilkinson pickups sounded.
I've already seen three times part 1 & 2. Could someone tell me where part 3 is?
It’s not public yet
I'm still waiting for Part three! I am on the fence for this guitar with tremolo. I have an Angus Young signature humbucker laying around together with a Gibson PAF+. But I want to hear how your changes to the guitar change the sound of it! :)
hello, I would like to know the spacing between the strings on the bridge of this guitar. thank you from italy
hi. It's in this video at 6:43
Great review !! you really do a real thorough job.I'll be checking out more of your reviews Thanks
Thanks!
Just ordered one of these 12/30/21, and hope the set-up and shipping is going to decent, since it's the Holiday Season and people want to get the hell out of work!
Have pick-ups in mind because I've heard other reports of these being rather low output.
Happy New Year!
Received the guitar last Thursday. At first blown away by the neck, the frets, and looking things over. Then I discovered a blem in the veneer (not the finish, perfect) by the neck pick-up.
Thought no big deal. Then noticed the strings are not centered. High E string very close to the edge of the fretboard, while you can see a big difference in the low E. The Pick-ups were also moved as far in the cavity as possible, and still don't align. Bridge is obviously off.
In the US. Not sure what to do. Shipping is a bitch, and I could drill/plug the screw holes to properly align. Pretty bummed out right now. Will try to contact them tomorrow.
Super switch mod, yes please. As I mentioned when we spoke, I'm building a tele with two mini rail humbuckers, and would like as much versatility out of it as possible.
Yeah, that's the plan :)
You are such a pro it's unreal. Thank you for your efforts.
As a YT content creator I have to applaud your work on this two part review. I couldn't imagine doing this detailed of a review. Very good work. You have earned a new sub.
I found you while looking for reviews on this specific HB Fusion T. I was researching before pulling the trigger on this model and you have single handedly given me every bit of information I need to be an educated buyer.
I think I will try one of these Fusion T's. I am thinking a JB/Jazz, JB/'59 pickup swap would be just right. Or maybe an EMG setup with an 85 in the bridge and a 60a in the neck. I love the 85 in the bridge position.
Thanks! I'm glad to hear it was helpful
Would really like to hear which PU's you'd recomment for this one.
I have the trem version... My mods - 2*Seymour Duncan P-Rails and the Fishman Power Bridge with all the recommended wiring upgrades including a treble bleed!
Awesome! I have P-Rails on two of my guitars. Do you have access to all coils separately or just use them as 'humbuckers'?
lol i also plan with the P-Rails but i want to instal them with the Triple Shots and do a refinish of the top
@@TatePictures I've also got the triple shot surrounds. Next I'm trying to get it to make the tea?
@@colinricgmailcom did the triple shots fit right away because the pickups is so close to the neck?
@@TatePictures Two ways of dealing with it... Cut away the side of the surround to fit the neck or rout the cavity a little wider.
Hits more closely to the Les Paul guitar sound. Sounds good, I am a lefty and purchased two one in black and one in natural flame roasted and love them both, of the two however I lean a bit more to the black HT.
I think the Roswell HAF vs LAF demo needs its own video, even before swapping them. The Fusion II comes with both, the uncovered HAF are clear, "sharp" and the covered LAF are "soft" or "warm", as one is used to expect from PAFs humbuckers in old Gibsons. The covers themselves don't do much for that but they pass on the visual message so buyers can make a conscious choice. There should be no surprise. The LAF have been in all the SC models (except one, the SC-550 Paradise Flame with HAF) and in the semi-hollow CST-24HB. They are also in the 22 fret Fusions while the sharp HAF are in the modern, 24 frets models.
I wish Harley Benton had chosen the Roswell PV3 instead of the LAF for their LP-style models.
The older Harley Benton SC models with Wilkinson pickups were so much brighter, livelier and less compressed.
@@ErebosGR it's so funny reading people talk about pups. There's never an universal answer. Ive heard that the Roswell's are too bright, too muddy, too quiet, too loud. People have so different ears and taste
@@wm1573 Pickups can be measured both electrically, in resistance and inductance, and in frequency response.
I don't care what other people say.
@@ErebosGR indeed. or even easier use what is pleasing to your ears. People think way too much about these things
So... where's the third part of this? Very curious to see which mods you did to this guitar. I bought one today and will try different pickups as I have Gibson 57 Classics, 490's and Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz laying aroundhere. Just curious if you changed the pots to something that works better.
HAF vs PAF, neat.
I would likely try Seymour Duncan SH-2n and SH-4 JB, but I guess I am a bit traditional on this front. And I have a set lurking here somewhere.
Though upon reflection, I think Bare Knuckles would rock, likely True Grit for that middle of the road and versatile. Brute Force perhaps, Juggernaut and Ragnarok are likely overboard.
Kindly try a seymour duncan pickup on this fusion T. Thank you
your reviews are priceless. btw I couldn't find the part 3. where is it?
Excellent and thorough reviews. I’d be very interested to see you review some PRS (say the Custom SE) and to compare them against the Harley Benton version.
Your videos makes it easier to make a decision over these brands. Requesting help in getting the breath of the guitar body . as I am not a big guy and most guitars look big on me unfortunately
If this feel like higher price then 399 i'm so glad i got it new for 260 euros, it's a really good looking guitar, and even if i spend 100/200 euros for pickups it's still higher value
Dude! you are a guitar genius!
Please add a step by step video on how to modify the guitar to your specs and where the parts can be purchase in the USA.
That Cort is a beast. Better than all other budget LP copies you can get.
I agree!
Hi Max. Really good review (as always).
Iv'e got one of theese and I realy like it and it is pretty much flawless from the build point of view. I'm not totally happy with the pickups thou, but that is easily fixed. I've got a Roswell P90 neck and bridge, a Tonerider AC4 neck and a few more to try, but as long as they are less microfonic I will be happy.
The guitar is very, very good, at least as good as the PRS SE Zach Myers or SE245, but those have better pickups.
This, and the TE-20 are the HB to recomend!
Thanks Nik
Topp quality rewiev (as always from you :-) Thanks Max!
Thanks!
I really like fact that it is a hardtail and the directly mounted pickups...I would love to see one made with a real single coil Tele alnico pickup in the rear.. directly mounted ala a GE Smith Telecaster and that same humbucker for the front pickup.
Great hatte you want to try so mich weit the guitare. A pickup combination is interesting.
Bridge, Humbucker and Neck, Filtertron.
The idea of importing a Harley Benton guitar from Europe to the USA is kind of a hang up point (ie, will it go smoothly? will there be any major hiccups along the way?), but this video has me tempted to look at some of their line.
I have found that all high output pickups sound virtually the same. I have moved to medium/low output pickups as to my ears, they work much better with effects and express a better sound.
I am still waiting for my Fusion T but I confess that I am pleasantly intrigued with the "darker" sounding Roswells. If there is one thing a Telecaster DOESN'T need, it is more high end LOL.. besides, there is this little dial on my amp labeled "treble".. maybe that might help? LOL
Cheers and keep up the great work.
Love the channel
:)
Thanks Owen!
SD Jazz/JB combo or Dim AirNorton/ToneZone. I think it is a big plus; a start point to have a fair comparison as the market has already a lot of this pickups combination in various brands. So we could concentrate on see how this guitars actually sounds and "feels".
I still need to find the SD somewhere. I had a couple of guitars with them but they're all gone
I'd say something that's good for coil spliting..I've heard Seymour Duncan slash pickups are great for it
Great video as always Max, it would be interesting to hear it with a JB and 49 combination!
Thanks Chris. Seymour Duncan JB?
@@MaxSoloMusic Yes.
I think that instrument would really benefit from the 36rd anniversary dimarzio pick-up. Love your channel!
It might! Unfortunately Dimarzio has ignored all my messages so far
I've just ordered two Seymour Duncan P-Rails for the above.
I would like to see a Fishmann Fluence pickups , it could give it crazy sound?
It probably could. And I just happen to have Fluence pickups, check my today's Instagram post ;)
@@MaxSoloMusic Why not to try 2 models to have a better image of the possibilities of the fusion-T? like some emg and fluence?
Excellent!... and what did you finally come up with? Which were your pickups upgrade and more? Waiting to see the outcome to know if pickups could really help here. Regards!
The Cort looks and sounds great.
I recently bought this guitar after watching part 1. It's a great guitar and the neck feels amazing but the pickups are a let down. I am now hoping to swap the electronics and pickups out, possibly for the iron gear blues engine/dirty torque set or maybe something hotter. Not sure yet.
Hey Chris, what did you end up doing to the guitar?
I have the Blues Engine / Dirty Torque in another guitar and I prefer the Blues Engine so much I´m contemplating putting 2 of them in a tele model.
I would try Suhr Thornbucker Pickups. best pickups in the fusion II series. Did the change. Best results, very different and much better.
Ok, I can imagine those are gonna be pretty hard to get. Anyone has a contact at Suhr? :)
Great video.. Wundbar.
I would likie to see you try some Dimarzio's.. or Duncans.. Either, the Super 3 in the bridge, and PAF Pro in the neck, or maybe a Custom 5 duncan in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck.. or some EMG's maybe or ?
Thanks for this very much. Regards from the midwest USA.
Thanks. So far both Dimarzio and SD were completely ignoring all my messages. However, I'm waiting for some other nice pickups to arrive from the US soon.
nice review! What is the exact measurement of the neck please? in mm or in inch? Thanks!
Would it be possible to swap the neck/body with either other Harley Benton guitars or even Fender sized parts? If anyone can answer this it's you!
best review I've ever seen.
great review! please test with low output humbuckers because I am interested playing jazz with this like ted greene
use bare knuckle true grit pickups please
So does Roswell supply different pickups for this guitar?
I'm thinking of getting this guy. I was looking at adding duesenberg pickups too it. I love thier sound, and im looking for a cost effective paloma or Falken alternative. Seems this might be a good fit. Thoughts?
Cool idea to test the guitar with the haf humbuckers 👍👍👍
It was literally one of the first things that came to my mind when I plugged this guitar in :)
Would it work for worship and praise music?
Love the details! Also would love to see mods to this guitar!
Two seymour duncan P-Rails manged by a 10 way Freeway Switch 5B5-01? That's my plan if I find one in the second hand market. (I like to test guitars before buying) Thank you for the useful content.
Haha! I have P-Rails! But only for the neck. Still need to get myself a freeway switch though
Neck is the best position to put it!
@@danielbluez I have it on two guitars and I figured the final sound depends a lot on where the pickup is located. I mean 22 vs 24 frets. I'm not happy with what it sounds like in my 24 fret guitar
@@MaxSoloMusic That's interesting. I've done a variable split coil (web.archive.org/web/20160118011652/www.smitspickups.com/coiltapping.htm ) on a HB SC 550, with a neck dimarzio 36 aniv (sweeet sounding pickup by the way) and the two separate coils sounded different, but good. (Another thing I found out, a split humbucker sounds better with bit of the other coil) Best.
Ohhh, what happened to part 3?
It's still in planning. I've got some pickups already. Just need to finish some other urgent videos first
Still working on a part 3 Max ? If yes, my crazy mind says Seymour Duncan P-Rails in this guitar would be cool. Sadly, the neck pickup on your early version would not have the space for the pickup rings, and the Seymour Duncan triple switch rings would be ideal. What is odd is that the all black or green tremolo and the green non-trem have pickups rings, which implies the spacing isn't the same, yet the natural tremolo and this model show pictures (on Thomann) of the pickup being right up to the neck.
Odd.
BTW, I would also add the HP42 for beginners. Henning basically chose a setup for students IMO.
Thanks Stephane! Yes, the Part 3 is on the way. I just need to take care of some other urgent things first.
@@MaxSoloMusic BTW, no rush Max, never assume my comment means anything more then curiosity.
Thanks for this nice vidéo still not decide to buy this guitar. I would like to heard with seymour duncan picks. Thanks for you videos..
You make really nice and useful videos
Thanks!
I'm actually thinking of getting one as a platform - I'd install a lollar CC in the neck pocket and a Certano b/g bender. Any feedback?
Hi Max, excellent and extremely detailed review, thanks! I have this guitar on my wish list for quite a while. In fact I am looking for a lightweight Telly with a neck humbucker and that one seems to fit the bill. I play mostly jazz, though, and I would probably swap the neck with something more jazz oriented and use thicker gauge strings. Do you think the guitar is versatile enough to produce a decent jazz tone?
I'm curious to hear how some popular high output pickup combos will work on this guitar. Like a '59/JB or Air Norton/Tone Zone
These seem to be the leaders so far, everyone wants to hear them
Great review! Subscribed!
Thanks and welcome to the channel
What about TV Jones?
I really love the roswell pickup in the fusion ii and like you not on the fusion t. I will love to see the part 3 with the other rosewell pickup and hope you try some sd or dimarzio pickup too... Sh4, super distorsion, paf 36th... Anything you want :)
Coming soon!
Very thorough review. Would love to know if we could swap the bridge for a tele style and fit a single coil in there
I might be able to do that. I just happen to have a classic tele pickup set. Might be an interesting experiment - to see if we can actually make sound like a tele
@@MaxSoloMusic That would be awesome to see. I've been playing with the thought of getting more tele-style sounds out of this beautiful guitar aswell but haven't found any decent HB-sized solutions yet.
You answered the one question I had, before I asked it. I am thinking about learning guitar and have been looking at the reviews on this model and it all seems good, the other model I was looking at was the Fusion 2. But as a beginner, would you say the model T was the better option. Any advice would be welcome.
Max, I can’t find Part 3? Would you please send me the link? Thanks Sir. Really enjoy your Channel and Content!
Hey Rick. It's not published yet. I got too busy with other guitars :)
Thanks Max, I’m looking forward to Part 3 when you’re ready. I got a Lefty w/Trem System about a month ago I’m interested in your Final Comment. Cheers from Salem, Ohio US.
hey i want to get one and put P-Rails in it with Triple Shots so i can get 24 different pickup combinations
But it looks like the neck is so close to the pickup that the triple shots won't fit. But i could shorten it like 1-2mm to make it fit right?
and in the first part, u sad that the Veneer is rather thin would it still be possible to refinish the top. grinding the clear layer of with sandpaper and
applying dye ?
and btw u make the best guitar reviews on YT
Hey, thanks! Yeah, pickup frames definitely won't fit. However, it's not a big problem as you can use two push-pulls and a 5-way pickup switch to achieve the same or even better functionality. In the past I used to make pickup frames with built-in micro switches and I dropped that idea - those switches tend to die pretty quickly. As for sending down the clear coat on the front, I believe it can be done.
A nice set of iron gear blues engine pickups would transform the fusion T into a totally different beast!
The PUs are so-so if you play at home with a domestic
Thanks! Love the feedback. I didn't run into the sticky neck problem, well we didn't exactly have too many gigs this year. My plan is to check a couple of Bentons next time we're allowed to go on stage though. I wonder if those necks are produced the same way as what we see on Ibanez guitars.
Agufish m.ua-cam.com/users/agufish99
He has solved the neck problem with Harley Benton as he polishes the neck on any of his Benton guitars.
@@KimmeU yeah, I remember Hunter mentioned that
@@MaxSoloMusic Not sure. The Ibanez SMol neck is also natural wood but doesn't feel greasy as this after 1h playing.This fingerboard and neck-back gets dirty quick.
Same here. It is a beauty but...playing under 30° it becomes greasy as hell.I have to clean it with a towel every 20min. The control buttons also are on the cheap side and failed on me.I had to change all electronics and pots
Where is the Detailed Review Part 3 where you modded the pickups? Not on your site!
I'm still planning to make it!
@@MaxSoloMusic Can't Wait!
Hi Max when are you going to mod and get some tele pickups in this !! With a nice scratch plate 😎🤪
Soon! I've got some nice pickups to try with this one!
Please do a mod's video for this guitar. and post it thanks.
Man..
What a brilliant job here. ;)
Just bumped into your channel looking for Harley Benton guitar reviews.. as i am looking to buy one.. and damn... you basically answered most of my questions about this guitar..hehehe. Clearly and in a very solid way.
I'll check some more of your videos.. but kudos, in deed !
if you were not a guitarist, and wanted a 6 string for a great clean (& crunch) sound, to play opposite your other guitar (Ibanez j. Custom RG8520 7string) which HBenton would you go for ? (this Fusion T; the HB35; the SC ?)
I am a fan of the Suhr Alt-T Pro sound, so i was thinking of modding this one or preferably the TE-90QM, with the Thornbuckers. Do you think it would be overkill ?
Thanks very much for the video
Cheers from Portugal
Comparing the sound of that Cort and the HB it really is a shame that HB can't get a better pickup company to work with. Everyone always says they aren't very good. That Cort sounds awesome.
Roswells are generally not bad at all. It's just this particular model, the LAF, that is weak. I wonder where Cort get their pickups from
Awesome detailed review -- where is PART 3?
Thanks. Part 3 is still in planning
Hey Max, great video. Thanks. Btw, which strap lock are you using in this video ? Thanks in advance
Hey, thanks! I use Dunlop Straplok on many of my guitars
@@MaxSoloMusic Thanks for you quick reply and for sharing guitar knowledge on your videos 😀 👍
Hi, Max! Thank you for the review. Do you think Seymour Duncan's 59 in neck and JB in bridge would be good pair on this guitar? Will the perform well in split coil?
I believe it should work nicely. Although, I gonna have to try that first before I can confirm :)
Lovely guitar. Crazy though in putting toggle switch where it was originally.
Well, I guess they kinda tried to make it look more traditional
@@MaxSoloMusic
Is that where the switch actually used to be?
I keep asking Thomann about getting a model with the new moved switch but they seem to know nothing about it :( Do you feel the current switch position is a deal breaker? Looks like it's to near to the volume and on the way :(
It is too close to the volume. Not a deal breaker for me. It all comes down to how often you use that switch
@@MaxSoloMusic Thanks for the info. I'll try it today and depending on how it feels, I'll either send it back or take off the tone knob and insert the volume where the tone is as I never use tone and I won't be using the split either :)