26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 25, 2023 20:52:31 GMT
Hi! I'm a beginner player and discovered the great value of HB guitars a while ago. I currently own a Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-1048SCE NS , which is my first and only guitar. I now want to move onto electric and since I like my HB I started looking into HB electrics. I enjoy old rock, so rock'n roll, rockabilly, blues etc. To give an idea of what I've been playing on my current guitar, stuff like Johnny B. Goode, Memphis Tenesse, Hound Dog, Blues Suede Shoes, Whole Lotta Shaking, Falson Prison Blues, a few Beatles numbers etc. Speaking to some more experienced players about the best type of electric for me, I was recommended some ES-335 or ES350T type of guitar, based on what I like to play. So semi-hollow or hollow body archtop. Looking at the HB options for that is basically BigTone, HB35 and CST-24HB it seems. Before ordering something I decided to do some googling when I found this forum. So what would be the opinions here? I know you can basically play anything on any guitar. But it seems the type of music I enjoy playing has indeed been played mostly on the above types. I guess there is a reason? Would be good to hear about that too from more experienced players. Regarding the 3 models above, visually the HB35 and 24HB seem very similar. I guess they are both ES-335 types? BigTone seems, well big! I wonder if it's a good move at all since I have an acoustic with pick up in the CLD-1048? I also see HB has the Manhattan Standard. Not sure hw it compares to the BigTone? And I also found an old one called the Manhattan Wizard, which doesn't look to have anything to do with the current Manhattan Standard and looks more like a BigTone without the Tremolo. Good option? Found an used one. Thanks in advance for your input.
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 11:43:46 GMT
In terms of the HB35 I would probably go with the non plus model and upgrade it later if I need.
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 11:53:52 GMT
I'm also specially trying to find more info on the HB Manhattan Wizard. There is basically no info online on it. It's a discontinued model and my impression is it was a predecessor to the BigTone. But how similar to it in tone and playing I don't know. Optically it looks very similar.
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advb
Harley Benton Expert
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Post by advb on Nov 26, 2023 11:59:50 GMT
The music I play is different to yours (mainly classic/heavy rock and blues) but, as DefJef rightly, whether you intend to play standing or sitting (or both) is important, irrespective of music genre. My HB35 is a nice guitar but it is a bit more awkward to play sitting down than my tele style guitars. It always feels like it is going to slip off my lap. If you do intend to play sitting down, another option might be offset guitars. Fender introduced the Jazzmaster guitar in the '50s to try to lure jazz players (who often play sitting down) away from Gibson. In terms of sound, the HB JA-60 has P90 pickups which seem reasonably well suited for rockabilly. EDIT: I posted this before I saw your replies that you play standing. Pickup choice is still a valid consideration though.
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 12:03:56 GMT
This might seem odd but it's worth thinking about how and where you want to play this music. If your answer is, "Reclining comfortably at home on a sofa," then you may want to avoid something as big bodied and rear heavy as those guitars you mentioned, so something more like a semi hollow CST may fit the bill better for you. In the past I have certainly found Gibson ES339s and Epiphone Casino Coupe's a lot less like reversing beasts than their bigger sisters. Thanks for the reply. Playing standing mostly. Just either practising or jamming sessions, where we get together, plug them and jam. No giging in sight.
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 12:05:12 GMT
The music I play is different to yours (mainly classic/heavy rock and blues) but, as DefJef rightly, whether you intend to play standing or sitting (or both) is important, irrespective of music genre. My HB35 is a nice guitar but it is a bit more awkward to play sitting down than my tele style guitars. It always feels like it is going to slip off my lap. If you do intend to play sitting down, another option might be offset guitars. Fender introduced the Jazzmaster guitar in the '50s to try to lure jazz players (who often play sitting down) away from Gibson. In terms of sound, the HB JA-60 has P90 pickups which seem reasonably well suited for rockabilly. EDIT: I posted this before I saw your replies that you play standing. Pickup choice is still a valid consideration though. Thanks. Makes sense. What picks up the HB35 non plus have?
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 12:38:31 GMT
Thanks. Makes sense. What picks up the HB35 non plus have? My HB35 (which isn't the Plus) is a few years old but I assume the model still ships with the same or similar non-branded ceramic humbuckers. On my copy at least, the sound is a bit on the dark side. Thanks. As far as I could tell, the Plus seems not to be worth it. The main point, which is the splitter, doesn't have very good reviews. Do you agree?
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 19:28:41 GMT
I have to say that I wasn't actually planning to get a HB35 - I saw it advertised locally second-hand for a good price and decided to treat myself. So the fact I have a HB35 and not the Plus model is really due to circumstance, rather than an active choice. That said, I prefer dot inlays to block inlays so from an aesthetic point of view, I prefer the basic model. Having coil-splitable pickups is a nice option to have, especially if you only have one guitar, and it does give a broader range of tones. However, as you say, not everyone finds the split tone usable. I do have splitable pickups on a couple of my other guitars but I don't often use them split. The only other advantage of the HB35 Plus is the broader range of colours. Thanks for the feedback. As far as colour, I'm going for the classic red, so that is available in the basic HB35. Thinking of actually buying the 2 models. The HB35 and a hollow body, probably the BigTone. Or if I could find info on the Wizard, the used one I found. But I wonder if having an acoustic, a semi-hollow and a full hollow would be too redundat.
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 23:38:23 GMT
It's a good hour and a half drive away. But price is £90. Has a few marks though. It's not in prestine condition.
Thanks for the link! Very interesting. I couldn't find this type of info before. Really looks more like a predecessor to the BigTone than the current Manhattan, wouldn't you say? Or even to the Aeolus, which I just recently found out about an am also looking into now.
What I worry though is that I heard HB was not as good as they are today a few years ago. So I worry the quality would be lower with their discontinued models. Surely they took it out because they replaced it with something better?
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26 posts
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Post by randrolling on Nov 26, 2023 23:46:14 GMT
Thanks. I had seen that video and his other one. It's the only thing on YT about the Wizard it seems. But he seems to have mods and uprades and there are people arguing the guitar is not what he says it is but rather an old model of the BigTone.
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