Harley Benton R-457 BK Progressiv Series

Great for the Price

Plays well and easily upgradable. Entry level 7 string at a great cost.

Could benefit from some mods

Not gonna lie, I literally bought it just to strip the paint out and replace some stuff inmediately, so I have no clue of how this one came. However after the mods it came out to be really good.

The neck is too dry and not properly treated, a shame considering this brand is basically like LEGO, you order one and they assemble them with stock pieces (ever wondered why the "Available in 2-5 days" in almost every harley benton product?) so no excuses two have already build hardware in a rough state.... Oother than that, for less than 200€? good guitar for the value, not good if you already have other guitars.

Awesome Budget 7 String

I decided to pick up this guitar for much the same reasons as many other people: I wanted to try out a 7 string electric guitar, but didn't want to spend a ton of money to get into one. This guitar absolutely scratches that itch, and is a fantastic example of the affordable quality that Harley Benton is capable of producing.

The guitar feels great; it's well balanced and feels like there was definitely attention to detail in the construction. The neck is slim and very playable, with a smooth satin finish that helps your hand glide easily up and down without getting stuck on a sticky gloss finish. So far mine has not had any fret sprout despite the changes in climate over it's long journey to the US to get to me.

As far as sound goes, it is acceptable. As other reviews have said, it's a bit muddy on the low end. It's not by any means unbearable, and doesn't make the guitar and less enjoyable to play, but it is noticable. I may end up upgrading one or both of the pickups eventually, but until then this guitar will do exactly what I bought it for: playing some heavy metal.

As with any black guitar with a gloss finish, this is a smudge-magnet. I find myself constantly cleaning it up with a microfiber to try to keep it shiny (OCD I know). I may end up sanding it back to a satin or matte finish if I ever decide to go all-in on a mod project for it.

To recap, if you want a 7 string that will do 7 string things for under $250, or if you're looking for one to buy a friend or relative, you really can't go wrong with this beast.

Worst HB Ever

recently purchased a guitar and unfortunately, the sound quality is not up to par. I am quite disappointed as I was expecting better.

This is a great guitar.

I love this guitar i bought at the same time i got a 6 string floyd rose model of this same guitar. Its a great guitar i just wish it had a floyd rose but i know for a 7 string thats never really a cheap option. Still i would 100% recommend buying this guitar.

A good, cheap seven-string

This, in my opinion, is an excellent seven-string guitar, because these types of guitars are usually a love it or hate it ordeal, and you ideally won't want to sink hundreds of euros into a guitar you won't want to play.

The guitar came in top form, with well adjusted action, good humbucker pickups, and a silky smooth neck and fretboard. A star was knocked off because the factory high E string snapped after about an hour and a half of use, but this was no big deal as the string was easily replaced, and all of the other factory strings were generally of a high calibre.

In conclusion, this guitar is excellent, and definitely doesn't break the bank!!

Ver nice first 7 string guitar with almost no flaws - highly reccomended

This guitar is an excellent guitar with an amazing price to build quality ratio. It's perfect for both beginners and intermediate level players. The guitar arrived well intonated and with a comfortable string action, making it easy to play straight out of the box. The body shape is well-cut and feels comfortable, and it's not too heavy.

However, there are a few weak points to consider. The pickups are a bit muddy on standard amps, and the fretboard can be very dry, which can feel strange and unpleasant when playing for the first time. The neck is also thin, which may not be to everyone's taste.

That being said, the cleans sound good, and the pots work well. The hi-gain sounds are particularly impressive and suited for all metal styles.

Overall, the guitar is a great choice for those in need of an affordable 7-string guitar. However, it's worth noting that the Speed-D neck profile may feel different to some players, so it's recommended to try it out before making a purchase. Despite the minor drawbacks, the Harley Benton R-457 BK Progressiv Series is a solid guitar that delivers on its promise of high quality at an affordable price.

Came in perfect condition and played amazingly

Pickups are a little cheap(ish), not hard to replace down the line if I need to but they sound perfect for what I wanted it for, but it feels amazing to play, has the perfect weight, and has no issues

Came in perfect condition very quickly

Best 7 string for the money

Amazing instrument for such a great price, action is great and quality is very good.

Very good for the price

The guitar needed some adjustments straight out of the box (neck tension and bridge height) and the pickups sound is a bit thin, as expected for a guitar in this price range. The bridge has a big gap between the sections that moved sideways whenever the height is adjusted but in overall it is a very good instrument for the price.