|
Post by txharley on Nov 9, 2018 5:30:32 GMT
im looking for a ES-335 style guitar and want to know more about the Harley Benton version. I see there’s a Vintage model and a Plus model. I’m really not into coil splitting, is that the only difference between the two? Also, I’ve seen pics and videos where some have dots and others have block inlays. What does the newest, most current model have? Any binding? I own only one Harley Benton guitar and it’s a tele style TE-80. Other than the fat neck I’m pretty pleased with the quality and feel of my HB. I can only hope the HB-35 is just as nice. If anyone has any input on the HB-35 guitars please let me know. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by johnnyo on Nov 9, 2018 6:19:21 GMT
I think the plus also got different pickups but dont know details.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 12:48:28 GMT
I would like anyone buying these models to be aware of the new material for the fretbaord!!! Its made of Pine called Blackwood! My experience with it is negative! Mine wasn't stable at all. Got my guitar (in this case HB Traveler) which played fine and then after couple of month the frets started sticking out and got uneven on many frets! I complained to Thomann about it but got nothing out of it. Still, many seem to be buying these Blackwood guitars so I am waiting for them to give us reviews once Winter kicks in and the humidity gets up.
Just something to resarch some more and be aware of! Im staying away from that Blackwood stuff thats for darn sure!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 12:50:23 GMT
I think the plus also got different pickups but dont know details. johnnyo the one in your avatar pic is the old model with Rosewood fretboard right? (the Wilkinson era) I should have kept my Cherry Plus but returned it becasue it had a chip in the headstock, other than that a very nice guitar it was!
|
|
|
Post by DerAlex on Nov 9, 2018 15:29:08 GMT
Yes, that fretboard material issue really sucks.
That´s why I refrain from HB - but the ebony alternative looks interesting.
If you can get an "old" HB-35 you should check it out - mine is a great guitar (with Rosewood fretboard). I cannot comment on the new ones though.
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Nov 9, 2018 16:36:37 GMT
Different pick-ups, supposedly better in the HB-35 Plus. Nicer top as well. I would spend the extra 30€ without hesitation. I have a SC-450 Plus with a backwood fingerboard that hasn't shown any signs of evolution yet but I've had it for only two months. Rosewood does look better, in any case.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 18:51:42 GMT
Yes, that fretboard material issue really sucks. That´s why I refrain from HB - but the ebony alternative looks interesting.If you can get an "old" HB-35 you should check it out - mine is a great guitar (with Rosewood fretboard). I cannot comment on the new ones though. Indeed, I love the look AND the feel of this Ebony on my new HB Dynamic! And the stainless steel frets are so shiny out of the box Never experienced this before with HB; all frets leveled, no buzz at all, shiny and crowned and edges finely rounded! Perfection! This neck alone is worth that money in my opinion! I dont mind Ovankol as an alternative for the cheaper HBs! Feels and looks much better than Roseacer imo. That Blackwood stuff looks and feel like cheap planks of pine wood , only darker
|
|
|
Post by txharley on Nov 9, 2018 22:28:00 GMT
I thought it was toasted maple used on the fretboards
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Nov 9, 2018 22:45:48 GMT
I thought it was toasted maple used on the fretboards That's roseacer. Blackwood is something else, compressed and treated wood if I am not mistaken. It has lines and looks a little like charcoal. Here's an accurate representation of it: And here is roseacer:
|
|
|
Post by intenselycalm on Nov 10, 2018 1:20:56 GMT
I have an older HB-35Plus with the square inlays, out of the box it was good, but not great. Probably the best HB that I have purchased, but not without flaw and faults. Acoustically it is dead, the wood slab down the middle of the body keeps it from being an acoustic guitar. The factory strings also tanked any acoustic sound it could produce. yes is has some acoustic properties, but not like a truly open bodied electric, such as a Gretsch or whatever. The split coil, to me, is a waste of time. There is a difference, but not really something I reach for even though it's right there. The frets were nicely installed, but not finished in any way beyond having the ends beveled. I ended up pulling the frets, leveling the fretboard and putting new frets in. A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! really, HUGE! Still running the original Wilk pickups, new wires, pots, switch, nut, tuners, and strings. Also added a bigsby. So, really the only original parts of the guitar are the back of the neck, headstock and body. I really like the guitar now. It plays far better than I do. However, it is only an HB at a glance, it is really something else now. Before surgery
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Nov 10, 2018 3:45:17 GMT
I have an older HB-35Plus with the square inlays, out of the box it was good, but not great. Probably the best HB that I have purchased, but not without flaw and faults. Acoustically it is dead, the wood slab down the middle of the body keeps it from being an acoustic guitar. Isn't it the same for it's original ES-335 inspiration?
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Nov 10, 2018 5:29:01 GMT
Yes it is. And it is also the same for the CST24HB
Acoustically, it sound more open than a solidbody of course, but my Casino, that is full hollow whith quithe same shape as a 335, sounds much more open .... but not that much than my Swinwgster ( Gretsch style ). But I also have a very good Strat that sounds "alive" even unpluged, although its low volume
This said, always remind that an unplugged test is the very first thing you have to do to juge the quality of a guitar, you can always change the pups, not the wood : I also have a very good Strat that sounds "alive" even unpluged, although its low volume
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Nov 10, 2018 6:02:06 GMT
I wonder if there are any thin hollow-body guitars. Well, actually I know. The HB Custom Line Nashville is one. It has no block in the middle. But the question goes to what passes as a pure electric guitar like the old Gibson, Gretsch or Rickenbacker. And what do you exactly mean by "alive"? I would interpret the word as an expression of harmonic richness rather than loud or vibrating in the player's lap (sustain killer, I suppose). Then it also depends very much on the strings, making comparisons difficult in a shop.
|
|
3,457 posts
|
Post by LeoThunder on Nov 10, 2018 7:02:13 GMT
All right guys, it's all in the f-holes anyway
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Nov 10, 2018 7:23:41 GMT
The Nashville is not what I would call "thin". HB yet has to issue a Casino clone to be settled in this category....
Yes, I mean that even unplugged, the spectrum is wide and balanced, with a noticeable sustain, and it is also obviously more reactive to fingers than on any other solidbody I ever own. Full hollow are naturally behaving like this unplugged, and semi are in-between - this is why I like so much semi and full hollow guitars ( I own 4 of them ) . The vibes you feel from left hand and belly are also a good clue That's what make this Mexican Strat above average, and it is fully confirmed with the use of exceptional pups ( Van Zandt True Vintage ) and amp ( Ampeg GVT 15H ) : this gear emphasize all sound qualities and weaknesses of an instrument = no cheat possible. With the same Idea, I must add that on a friend's advice, I swapped back to a Duesenberg set ( Domino N + Crunchbucker B ) on my CST24HB. And though I was not convinced at the first try, I' must say that this time, after a few work on the setup, this 220€ axe is sounding very good .... with a middle litteraly best of all the guitars I kow ( including the ones this professional guitarist of my friends also know ). So I would say that like Intenselycalm did on his HB35, it can be really rewarding to do some job on these guitars to uncover their potential ... without necessarily going as deep as he did
EDIT : about finger boards : this same friend of mines bought a CST24HB not long after having played mine. The one I own has what it seem to be a pau fero fingerboard whereas his is roseacer. All I can say is that if it looks different ( and I prefer the look of the pau fero ), we agreed that the feel and the sound ( his HB was upgraded with a pair of P94 ) is even.
And for the ones wondering : the global finish and quality of his made in vietnam HB is exactly the same as mine that was made in china 2 years ago
|
|