Harley Benton ST-Modern HSS LPB

I’d like to start by saying, I have been a PRO player my whole life and have owned quite a few high end guitars, I also have many Harley Benton guitars and I long awaited the release of the STModern Plus. However there were a few features that didn’t really appeal to me. So when the STModern was released at £150, I had to have one. This is an honest review, maybe slightly biased by my experience and preferences, but honest, nevertheless.

Firstly, the POSITIVES: The build quality is excellent. I couldn’t find any finish flaws anywhere. The neck is incredibly comfortable, the side dots are perfectly fitted, the trem is smooth and stays in tune and on first impressions, the pickups sound honky and very pleasant. (I’ve not tried them properly yet) The out of the box set-up was almost perfect. For the money I’d say it would be near impossible to find a better guitar.

Secondly, the NEGATIVES: The description boasts PREMIUM nickel silver frets. Now I have a TE62DB and ST62. Whist the fret work is excellent, and everything plays perfectly, the frets are possibly slightly on the small side for me. They look very similar to the TE62DB and ST62 but more difficult to grip, which suggest a slightly less tall fret. I like taller frets and my fusions, which all boast medium jumbo frets, my CE24, SC550, DC Jnr and my TE90 Blast, ALL have what I consider to be frets of a more professional and playable size. When I got the guitar it had 009 gauge strings fitted (difficult for me to assess playability as I prefer 010’s) and what appeared to be a faulty machine head. I waited until Thomann supplied a replacement before I put 010 gauge strings on. Thomann’s response was quick to solve the issue, however the new machine head was slightly different and didn’t fit, but refitting the old one seemed to solve the problem. So I fitted 010’s and decided to remove the protective coverings on the plastic parts. Whilst I like the guitar, I’m sadly not really connecting with it because of the frets. But it blows the ST62 out of the water on every other level.
It’s also really hard to change the strings as the backplate doesn’t line up and the block is painted black, making it hard to see the string holes, which are recessed half way up the back of the block.
The volume control is also a little far away for comfortable pinky violining.

Another point to note is, if you want to change the scratch plate, standard ‘Strat’ type plates will NOT fit. They are not even close, as while the STModern looks like a ‘Strat’ , it is nowhere near the same shape if you put it next to a ‘Strat’ and look closely. It is however a very nice looking guitar.

It is also quite heavy and robust feeling, so if you want a light guitar, this is not for you.

This would have been a 5 star review as it really is an excellent guitar, but frets are important, so I have to mark it down.

I am blown away by the ST-Modern. If you are on the fence, climb on over and place your order. This is impressive. I was eagerly awaiting the launch of this guitar and placed the order the first day. It took nearly a week to ship, which is unlike my typical experiences with Thomann, but I suspect that was to allow for QC checks or due to a high order volume.

PROS: very attractive. Nice paint without blemishes. Good choice of colors. Incredibly impressive specs/features. Unheard of, and I'm speechless to find them at this price point. This thing looks. feels and sounds so good. Dare I say, "tasty." OK, I won't ;-)

CONS or less than ideal: I ordered and received two colors and both have small neck pocket cracks, BUT they are very subtle. I just hope they don't spread. One has a very stiff tuner, which may loosen up over time. No biggy. It's a bit heavier than expected, but I really don't mind that. Visible body seem showing through the paint on the face of guitar, below the bridge.

To hear more, feel free to watch my review and unboxing video: Search YouTube for "Harley Benton ST-Modern (NOT Plus) Unboxing, First Impressions, mini Review"

NOTE: I noted pickup pole pieces set below the pickup covers. This is normal for 2nd strings on vintage style staggered pole pickups.

More pros. I love the bridge. The push/pull feels and sounds great. When the bridge humbucker is split, it really pairs well with the middle and neck as a S. I do really love the humbucker as well.

WOW. Thank you, Thomann/HB!

I bought this as I wanted a more modern S style guitar for regular live gigging in a classic rock band. I thought the pictures and description would be to good to be true, I was wrong. If this exact guitar had Charvel printed on the headstock and cost £799, I wouldn't question it. The fret work was as good as any guitar I have owned, the whole build quality is equally as good and the pick ups sound as good as you would get on a mid level HSS guitar. Everything feels very very solid and I have used it for 3 gigs already. It sits nice in a mix with my other guitarists (who also uses one of these) Gibson USA SG and Fender roadworn SSS. This is a proper serious guitar and I'm sure you will all be just as blown away as i was.