Custom Line CLA-15M : Superb guitar

I don't normally write reviews, in fact I think this is my first 'proper' one!! Just had to share my views on this guitar....

Having read many reviews and watched youtube videos I decided to take the plunge and see what all the fuss was about with these Harley Benton guitars, so I sold a couple of 'big name' guitars to help finance / justify some new toys and bought this guitar an a TE-90QM HH (see other review).

Given how highly others had rated these HB's I was pretty excited about getting them in my hands and seeing how they performed but this was tempered by a level of 'realism' given how affordable they are and the fact that others had reported some quality and initial set-up issues.

Maybe I was just lucky, but this little Martin 00-15M clone is a really superb guitar in any company and for the price paid is simply incredible.

Right out the box the set-up was exceptionally playable, the neck may need a little relief added and the action could probably be dropped a touch but I will let it settle down and re-evaluate this in a week or so. Don't get me wrong, the action is very very acceptable and is one of the most comfortable acoustic guitars I have played - this is aided by the nice slim and comfortable neck (I am always a little worried about purchasing guitars without getting my [small] hands on them first!!). The guitar really does play every bit as well as my Breedlove that was ~10x more expensive ;-).

If I were being super critical .... the neck has a couple of TINY imperfections that you would never notice and the single strap button would look better in metal rather than plastic but in reality I will be unlikely to play this with a strap anyway...

This will now be my 'acoustic of choice' for regular playing / practising. At this price you shouldn't really be too bothered if it gets a little bit damaged, but I already know that I will get pretty upset if this sweet little guitar comes to any harm......