Harley Benton CLA-15M SolidWood 3-stars Reviews

A good guitar for beginners but that's all

I play electric guitar and I wanted to try also an acoustic. Based on good reviews I choose this guitar and I set my expectations quite high, especially that somebody here compared it with a Martin 000-15 (I just know is a respected brand and quite expensive but I never played it).

The guitar looks good, stays very well in tune, the intonation is almost perfect.

It plays quite hard considering the action is high, so a visit to a luthier is needed.

Unfortunately this guitar doesn't sing, is sterile, no overtones, no bass, it has very harsh highs. The sound is awful.

Maybe is a good guitar for a beginner but if you are an intermediate or advanced player you should look for something else.

I went today to a local guitar shop and tried a Martin. Oh boy, such a beautiful sound. I don't know if it's worth to pay almost 2000 euro but that guitar will help you to tell a story.

This guitar is just...bleah.

Earlier CLA-15M models far superior :/

I have compared this model (side by side) with a 2015 Harley Benton CLA-15M and the older model was far superior. I have also compared the non SolidWood model (current 2022) and the built looks very similar but feels and sound quite different. I wish I could get my hands on the older model. The 2015 guitar I tested isn't mine but is simply fantastic, the sustain and attack was really impressive for the price range. I would imagine there's been a change of factory (?).

The current models in 2022 (non- & solidWood) are made in China and feel more plastic like to me. It's hard to describe, but that's the feeling I get under my fingers. I had a similar experience with the Gretsch Gin Rickey; also matt finish, Pau Ferro fingerboard and made in China.

This being said, a solid wood guitar in this price range is really a bargain. I appreciate Harley Benton's consistent effort to create an affordable wide variety of products. I believe some of them (some specific models with specific year of production) will become collectibles in the future.