Harley Benton MR-Modern SB Reviews

Coil Tap

Best sound (in my opinion of course), both pickups with coil tap

Not bad at all

I have to admit I only got this guitar because of the "25th anniversary" sale - it just seemed too good of a deal because of the locking tuners, TUSQ nut, ebony fretboard, steel frets and Wilkinson trem. When I was looking at the guitar on the web site I noticed they also have it in red and it looked so good I almost decided to get that one instead even if it wasn't on sale. And I would have - if the neck was also painted in the same red color, but as it is, I thought the natural color looked best with the sunburst.

Out of the box the guitar needed truss rod adjustment and the intonation is a bit off (still need to adjust it but no big deal).

The real problem is the fretboard, I see that somebody else mentioned it too. It was stained to make it darker (it's supposed to be some sort of ebony wood after all) but I'd much rather they left the natural color because the paint is coming off. I spend long time cleaning it with paper towels... and then oiled it and now it's making my fingers black again.

Other than that there are only very minor issues. For some reason there is a gap under the neck where the frets end. It doesn't look like manufacturing error but rather that's how it's designed. It's only visible if you look from above the neck that's why you won't see it on the pictures. There are couple of small paint defects on the headstock but not really worth mentioning. The pick guard is very soft, I managed to scratch it already when taking off the nylon protector.

Other than that I think I like it - fret job is good, no sharp edges, neck feels nice, pickups are better that I expected.

GREAT

My guitar needed the nut cut the neck shimmed and the side of the neck frets were out a bit. But i have to tell you it was well worth it, my action is 2/64s at the 12th fret with no buzz, the pickups sound really good the single coil sound is thin, my trem works well stays in tune, i like the locking tuners. I just sold my Mosrite, neck was to narrow and the low frets. this is a lot of guitar for the money, the stainless steel frets will last for ever.